Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Bruce Norris’s sprawling THE LOW ROAD is spirited and unabashedly critical

• By drediman
• March 8, 2018
• No Comments

Tessa Albertson, Daniel Davis, Kevin Chamberlin, and Harriet Harris in Bruce Norris’s “The Low Road” at The Public Theater.

Last night, Bruce Norris’s eagerly-awaited new play The Low Road opened at The Public Theater. His latest work spins a sprawling 18th (and 21st) century rags-to-riches-to-rags-to-riches, only-in-America yarn worthy of Dickens. It tells the story of a young man, abandoned at birth, who believes deep down to his core that self-interest and capitalism are the only approaches to life that will enable his assent in the young country’s socio-economic landscape. Like Voltaire’s Candide, life’s chaotic experiences give repeated examples contrary to his philosophical ideals.

Within all this, Mr. Norris gives us a pointed, rather cynical and unabashed critique of what really makes human progress occur: randomness, luck, and the willingness to bend the rules and be flexible; that is, largely, moral corruption and hypocrisy. If not as biting and incisive (the second act foray to present-day global politics seemed just a tad clunky)  as some of his earlier works – the Pulitzer Prize-winning Clybourne Park and The Pain and the Itch come to mind – The Low Road still makes for mighty entertaining theater.

Indeed, the production at The Public is directed with mirthful glee by veteran Michael Greif. His insistent, highly theatrical, and inventive staging is a joy to watch, keeping the rather long play going at an exciting clip that more-or-less never lets down. His large, ensemble-driven cast is one of the most accomplished to be currently found Off-Broadway, which includes spirited turns by the likes of Harriet Harris, Daniel Davis, and Kevin Chamberlin.

RECOMMENDED

THE LOAD ROAD
Off-Broadway, Play
The Public Theater
2 hours, 45 minutes (with one intermission)
Through April 1