VIEWPOINTS – Suzan-Lori Parks’s THE RED LETTER PLAYS receive stylish, searing revivals at the Signature

Down at the indispensable Signature Theater on 42nd Street, you’ll find a pair of harrowing plays about women on the fringes of society just (barely) getting by. They are Fucking A and In the Blood by the great Suzan-Lori Parks, who found inspiration for both works in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. Both revivals are stylish, gorgeously-cast stagings and are being performed under the umbrella title “The Red Letter Plays”. Seeing both productions in close succession confirms Ms. Parks’ prominent role in American Theater; hers is a rich, poetic, and boldly theatrical talent.

Christine Lahti (right) in "Fucking A"

Christine Lahti (right) in “Fucking A”

Despite the vaguely similar themes (e.g., sin and guilt within the context of society) and the Brechtian spirit that stalks both stagings, each production stands as its own tragic, independent creation. Fucking A is a essentially a revenge tale about Hester, an abortionist making ends meet, emotionally and economically – think Mother Courage during peacetime. Played with grit and undeterred focus by Christine Lahti, this Hester is a smart women who has been forced by society to internalize her womanhood, as lover and as mother. But when her rage is unleashed, Jo Bonney’s growling, slow-burning production reaches a level of intensity that one rarely experiences in live theater.

Saycon Sengbloh (center) in "In the Blood"

Saycon Sengbloh (center) in “In the Blood”

In the Blood‘s brand of tragedy is all together very different. This play’s Hester, here played with sullen radiance by Saycon Sengbloh, is a stark contrast to the obvious steel of the other play’s Hester. This Hester has five children (from five different fathers) and lives on welfare, literally living hand-to-mouth each day. Despite her predicament, there is an untouched natural grace and girlish beauty – despite her succession of bad decisions – qualities that attracts men (and women) to her side through the course of the play. The moment she loses these qualities is when the play turns tragic, and as searingly staged by Sarah Benson, it’s heartbreaking theater.

Both HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 

 

THE RED LETTER PLAYS: FUCKING A & IN THE BLOOD
Off-Broadway, Play

Signature Theater
Both roughly 2 hours (including an intermission)
Through October 15

 

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

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