Best Shows of 2011 Razzed Mormons, Spies, Nerds: Jeremy Gerard
New York theater in 2011 was dominated by scary headlines for “Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark” and awards for “The Book of Mormon,” both well- deserved. And there were many notable revivals, the best among them “The Normal Heart” and “Follies,” not to mention a folio’s worth of Bill Shakespeare. As many memorable shows were presented off-Broadway as on. The best of the year, in alphabetical order:
“Blood and Gifts”
Peripatetic author J.T. Rogers offered the rare play as absorbed with politics (in this case, U.S. covert operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan in the 1980s) as with personal relationships. The line between them is effectively -- and unforgettably -- blurred in this tale of spooks, warlords and weaponry. (Mitzi E. Newhouse)
“Chinglish”
David Henry Hwang’s comedy finds a U.S. businessman learning, mostly through trial and hilarious error, how to do business in booming China. (Longacre)
“Completeness”
Like Tom Stoppard (and Shaw, for that matter), playwright Itamar Moses can get tangled up in his own cleverness. “Completeness” was a smart comedy about nerdy grad students grappling with identity, computer science, molecular biology and sex. Rarely in that order. (Closed)
“Jerusalem”
Jez Butterworth’s joyride of a play featured Mark Rylance’s unforgettable performance as “Rooster” Byron, former daredevil and current substance-abusing civic gadfly with a soft spot for wayward teens. (Closed)
“Other Desert Cities”
Jon Robin Baitz’s funny, intense look at a Southern California family torn apart by the suicide of an elder son moved from off-Broadway to the Booth, in the process supplying a smashing Broadway debut for Rachel Griffiths. (Booth)
“Stick Fly”
Broadway newcomer Lydia R. Diamond’s family drama neatly counterbalanced the Baitz play with a look at a black upper- class family whose secrets unfurl during a long, rollicking weekend at the matriarchal manse on Martha’s Vineyard. (Cort)
“Sweet and Sad”
Few playwrights have dealt with 9/11 and its aftermath as subtly and movingly as Richard Nelson. Set on the 10th anniversary of the attacks, “Sweet and Sad” presented a family gathering in New York’s Hudson Valley -- removed, but not really, from the events downriver a decade before. (Closed)
“The Blue Flower”
I called this enthralling show the best new American musical since “Spring Awakening.” It told the story of Max, based on the German artist Max Beckmann, and three other interconnected people, beginning in pre-WWI Berlin and ending on Central Park West in the 1950s. Jim Bauer’s eclectic score was lush and memorable, as was Will Pomerantz’s ingenious production at Second Stage. (Closed)
“The Book of Mormon”
Tuneful, brash and blithely blasphemous, this musical from the creators of “South Park” and the composer of “Avenue Q” puts Mormonism and “The Lion King” through the meat grinder. Book now for 2015. (Eugene O’Neill)
“Venus in Fur”
The prolific David Ives finds comedy in the oddest places; in this case, a grim rehearsal studio where a young actress has come to audition for the role of a head-tripping, aristocratic dominatrix. Roles reverse enough times to keep your head spinning -- except that you won’t be able to take your eyes off Nina Arianda, delivering the bravura performance of the season. (Friedman thru Dec. 18; Lyceum beginning Feb. 7.)
(Jeremy Gerard is the chief U.S. drama critic for Muse, the arts and leisure section of Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are his own.)
To contact the writer of this column: Jeremy Gerard in New York at jgerard2@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Manuela Hoelterhoff at mhoelterhoff@bloomberg.net.
"Blood and Gifts"
T. Charles Erickson/Philip Rinaldi Publicity via Bloomberg
Jeremy Davidson, Gabriel Ruiz and Jefferson Mays in "Blood and Gifts" in New York, directed by Bartlett Sher.
Jeremy Davidson, Gabriel Ruiz and Jefferson Mays in "Blood and Gifts" in New York, directed by Bartlett Sher. Photographer: T. Charles Erickson/Philip Rinaldi Publicity via Bloomberg
"Chinglish"
Michael McCabe/Jeffrey Richards Assoc. via Bloomberg
Stephen Pucci and Jennifer Lim in "Chinglish," the new comedy by David Henry Hwang.
Stephen Pucci and Jennifer Lim in "Chinglish," the new comedy by David Henry Hwang. Photographer: Michael McCabe/Jeffrey Richards Assoc. via Bloomberg
"Completeness"
Joan Marcus/Publicity Office via Bloomberg
Aubrey Dollar and Karl Miller in "Completeness," at Playwrights Horizons.
Aubrey Dollar and Karl Miller in "Completeness," at Playwrights Horizons. Photographer: Joan Marcus/Publicity Office via Bloomberg
"Jerusalem"
Simon Annand/Boneau/Bryan-Brown via Bloomberg
Mark Rylance in "Jerusalem."
Mark Rylance in "Jerusalem." Photographer: Simon Annand/Boneau/Bryan-Brown via Bloomberg
"Other Desert Cities"
Joan Marcus/Philip Rinaldi Publicity via Bloomberg
Rachel Griffiths and Thomas Sadoski in "Other Desert Cities."
Rachel Griffiths and Thomas Sadoski in "Other Desert Cities." Photographer: Joan Marcus/Philip Rinaldi Publicity via Bloomberg
"Stick Fly"
Richard Termine/Boneau/Bryan-Brown via Bloomberg
Mekhi Phifer, Rosie Bentonn, Tracie Thoms and Dule Hill in "Stick Fly," by Broadway newcomer Lydia R. Diamond.
Mekhi Phifer, Rosie Bentonn, Tracie Thoms and Dule Hill in "Stick Fly," by Broadway newcomer Lydia R. Diamond. Photographer: Richard Termine/Boneau/Bryan-Brown via Bloomberg
"Sweet and Sad"
Joan Marcus/Public Theater via Bloomberg
Jay O. Sanders, Jon DeVries and Laila Robins in "Sweet and Sad." The play, written and directed by Richard Nelson, runs through Sept. 25 at The Public Theater.
Jay O. Sanders, Jon DeVries and Laila Robins in "Sweet and Sad." The play, written and directed by Richard Nelson, runs through Sept. 25 at The Public Theater. Photographer: Joan Marcus/Public Theater via Bloomberg
"The Blue Flower"
Ari Mintz/Hartman Group via Bloomberg
Marc Kudisch in "The Blue Flower," a new musical by Jim Bauer and Ruth Bauer. The show, directed by Will Pomerantz, is running in New York at the Second Stage.
Marc Kudisch in "The Blue Flower," a new musical by Jim Bauer and Ruth Bauer. The show, directed by Will Pomerantz, is running in New York at the Second Stage. Photographer: Ari Mintz/Hartman Group via Bloomberg
"The Book of Mormon"
Joan Marcus/Boneau/Bryan-Brown via Bloomberg
"The Book of Mormon" at the Eugene O' Neill Theatre. The satirical show won nine Tony Awards, including best musical, and is virtually sold out through the rest of 2011.
"The Book of Mormon" at the Eugene O' Neill Theatre. The satirical show won nine Tony Awards, including best musical, and is virtually sold out through the rest of 2011. Photographer: Joan Marcus/Boneau/Bryan-Brown via Bloomberg
"Venus in Fur"
Joan Marcus/Boneau/Bryan-Brown via Bloomberg
Nina Arianda and Hugh Dancy in "Venus in Fur" in New York. The play is directed by Walter Bobbie.
Nina Arianda and Hugh Dancy in "Venus in Fur" in New York. The play is directed by Walter Bobbie. Photographer: Joan Marcus/Boneau/Bryan-Brown via Bloomberg
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