Interludes

VIEWPOINTS – ROMEO & JULIET vs. KIKI & HERB: Only at the ever-vital Public

• By drediman
• May 2, 2016
• No Comments

Last night, I indulged in a double-header at the Public Theater, where I was yet again reminded of why the famed institution is one of the most vital arts centers in the world. The only other performing arts institution that comes close in breadth in programming and democratic pricing is London’s National Theatre – but the hulking National is nowhere near as scrappy or hip. Readers, bear in mind that as I write this, I am holding a precious ticket to Hamilton in my hands for tonight’s performance at the Richard Rodgers (for those of you living under a rock, the game-changing musical premiered at the Public last season).

First up, I attended the final performance of the Mobile Unit’s Romeo & Juliet (RECOMMENDED). The Mobile Unit, one of the Public Theater’s indispensable programs which endeavors to make Shakespeare available to all by bringing the Bard’s plays to those who are unable to access live performances (prisons, nursing homes, etc.), is a fitting companion piece to the ever-popular Shakespeare in the Park. I’ve seen numerous offerings from the Mobile Unit, and one of the things that consistently strikes me is the way these lean, truncated productions bask in the joy of storytelling. This mounting of Romeo & Juliet, directed with clarity and decisive crispness by Lear deBessonet, is no different. Given that the story ends in death and regret, I’ve rarely seen a production of this oft-performed play embrace the vitality of life as much as Ms. deBessonet’s Mobile Unit version does. Significant credit goes to the young, effervescent Sheldon Best and Ayana Workman as the tragically fated titular pair for bringing this buoyancy out of the text. That being said, I did miss some of the nuance that a full, more patiently-paced production affords (much of the acting here bordered on two-dimensional), and the tragic second half of the play failed to engage me as thoroughly as the more life-affirming first half.

After a quick drink at The Library – the Pubic’s swanky and cozy bar and restaurant on the mezzanine level – to get me good and ready for Kiki & Herb’s highly anticipated return engagement, I moseyed on down to Joe’s Pub where the irreverent cabaret icons were performing their act. Their new show, entitled Seeking Asylym! (RECOMMENDED), is trademark Kiki & Herb. It’s pungent, excessive (yesterday’s cabaret act ran nearly two and a half hours!), messy, and all together irresistible. Their interpretations of songs such as Radiohead’s “Let Down” and Death Cab for Cutie’s “I Will Follow You into the Dark” are less easy listening fodder than forceful mini acts of revolution. Since the team’s hiatus eight years ago, Justin Vivian Bond (aka Kiki) has been hard at work on his solo cabaret career – to mixed results. It seems that his particular talents and personality (dry, sultry) are best showcased against Herb’s befuddled, jovial punchiness. I relished the chance to see them together once again.

Just another night at the Public …

ROMEO & JULIET
Off-Broadway, Play
The Public Theater’s Mobile Unit
1 hour, 30 minutes (without an intermission)
Closed

KIKI & HERB
Cabaret
Joe’s Pub
2 hours, 15 minutes (without an intermission)
Through May 22