Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Lucy Thurber’s well-meaning TRANSFERS is only moderately successful

• By drediman
• April 24, 2018
• No Comments

Glenn Davis, Juan Castano, and Ato Blankson-Wood in MCC Theater’s production of Lucy Thurber’s “Transfers” at the Lucille Lortel Theatre.

Last night, Lucy’s moderately successful new play Transfers opened at Off-Broadway’s Lucille Lortel Theatre, courtesy of MCC Theater. The play tells the story of two potential college transfers from low income communities to a prestigious Northeast liberal arts institution. The thing is, the college accepts strictly a small handful of students each year through this channel. Given these tough odds, heartbreak is imminent, despite the considerable, if unvarnished, merits of the candidates.

The play is certainly well-meaning and has plenty of interesting arguments to convey about socio-economics and our elite higher eduction system. That being said, it all unfolds rather predictably. And besides one wrenching, transcendent interview scene deep into the show, the piece is written and performed in a discernably “actor-ly” manner. Luckily, the play is receiving a solid, handsome production courtesy of director Jackson Gay. Most of the actors are giving similarly capable if generic performances – with the exception of the electric Juan Castano, a young, red-hot up-and-coming actor – giving Ms. Thurber’s play a fair shot, unlike some of its inhabitants.

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TRANSFERS
Off-Broadway, Play
MCC Theater
1 hour, 45 minutes (without an intermission)
Through May 20