THE HANGOVER REPORT – Encores! Off-Center revival of DON’T BOTHER ME, I CAN’T COPE, energetically directed and choreographed by Savion Glover, is breezy summer fare

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Last night marked the opening of the five-performance run of the revival of Micki Grant’s 1972 revue Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope at New York City Center. The production is the final offering of this summer’s Encores! Off-Center series, the first two being excellent productions of Jason Robert Brown’s Songs for a New World and the late Michael Friedman’s Gone Missing.

Although this mounting of Don’t Bother Me I Can’t Cope doesn’t quite have the raw emotional impact of those two other revivals, it’s still a worthy entry and fine, breezy summer entertainment. The revue is notable for being the first show written and directed by African American women – both Ms. Grant and director Vinnette Carroll were nominated for Tony Awards for their work on score and direction, respectively. The show is a collage of songs that depict the highs and lows of the African American experience. Despite the racial and civil rights struggles of the demographic during those times, the tone of the show is mostly optimistic and upbeat, often times joyous.

The current production at City Center is directed and choreographed by Savion Glover, one of the great hoofers of his generation. His staging is lean and mean, and it unfolds with purpose and clarity, giving the essentially bookless show shape and momentum. His cast is very good. Although a number of them aren’t natural dancers – they do sing the heck out of the 24 songs in Ms. Grant’s eclectic score, however – they commit themselves to his energetic choreography and movement admirably and with great verve. It was a celebratory evening.

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DON’T BOTHER ME, I CAN’T COPE
Off-Broadway, Musical
Encores! Off-Center at New York City Center
1 hour, 15 minutes (without an intermission)
Through July 29

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

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