KUSHNER FEST @ THE GUTHRIE

‘Is there any good theatre in Minneapolis?’ is the first line of the new Tony Kushner play at The Guthrie Theatre, well the answer is a definitive YES. The Guthrie Theatre is hands down the most impressive theatre complex in the country. It’s design, functionality, views, enthusiastic staff & community is a marvel. Nine stories tall with gorgeous views of the Mississippi River and downtown Minneapolis is worth a visit alone. The three state-of-the-art theatres (one on the 9th floor) are technical wonders each beautiful in it’s design and functionality. The capability of the technical side (sets, costumes, rehearsal space, etc.) in conjunction with the theatres are so impressive, it all looks easy. Beyond all of this is the support and enthusiasm of the staff & community that wholeheartedly supports its arts, holding pre and post play discussions culminating in the ambitious (Tony) KushnerFest, a celebration of old, new, unproduced and a world premiere of this truly American playwright. All of this makes The Guthrie, theatre Mecca!

Caroline, or Change, Kushner’s musical of a few seasons ago in NY is given a gorgeous new staging on the thrust stage. Directed and staged with even more intimacy and ingenuity than it’s Broadway bow. The thrust allows for more levels and separation than a proscenium stage and it works beautifully here. The cast is led by the Minneapolis favorite Greta Oglesby as Caroline, who’s every bit as raw and powerful as the original wonder that Tonya Pinkins was. Her powerhouse delivery of ‘Lot’s Wife’ even more so. The supporting adult roles are all handled superbly with humor and depth especially the tricky role of stepmother Rose created by the exceptional Veanne Cox, I thought this would be the hardest role to re-create but Julie Reiber handles the comedic role with heartbreaking pathos. The children don’t quite hold up to the brilliant original cast, they’re definitely not bad by any means. I loved the show when I originally saw it and this new production was a treat finding new levels and meanings. A great way to start KushnerFest!

Tiny Kusher: An Evening Of Short Plays, to quote the director, there’s nothing Tiny about Kushner. The 5 one-acts which have never been staged (only a couple have had readings) is a rare treat in itself. You get a glimpse into the inner workings of Tony Kushner’s mind, no easy feat. His usual large themes coupled with his even larger heart are on display for the four gifted actors and they take full advantage, a tour-de-force. Without going into each separate and diverse plot, the wit, humanity, provocativeness, artistry and every other superlative that befits the level of writing of Tony Kushner is on rare display that theatergoers won’t get to see very often and shouldn’t be missed.

The signature event of KushnerFest is the World Premiere of his new Guthrie commissioned play The Inelligent Homosexual’s Guide To Capitalism And Socialism With A Guide To The Scriptures, arriving amid the fanfare and rumors, one expects a lot from a new Kusher play and this one is like a large juicy ribeye steak, lots of meat on the bone and plenty of delicious fat to chew but when the fat is trimmed it will be more easily digestible. Featuring Kushner’s grandiose themes, The Intelligent Homo (they’re calling it for short) is chock full of multilayered topical passions, that’s it strength and it’s weakness. It’s a large family drama with too large a family to follow all their dramas, coming close to 4 hours is a bit to much to ask. Dealing with Alzheimer’s, assisted suicide, betreyal, the new nuclear family, politics, sex, money & love, each character gets a chance to ruminate longwindedly though passionately and thought-provokingly. Kushner just gives us too much of a good thing (is that so wrong for a first mounting? A few think so). Featuring a stellar cast of Kushner luminaries and new talent like Kathleen Chalfant, Linda Emond, Stephen Spinella, Michael Cristofer, Ron Menzel, Michael Esper, Charity Jones, one couldn’t ask for a more skilled and potent cast and it’s worth the price of admission just marveling at their collective talents on display. As for the complaints of the play not being ‘ready’ most theatergoers don’t get to savor the amount that is served up in this new play and instead of kvetching we should be thanking our lucky stars and appreciating the immense depth of talent on display here.

The Guthrie has ghostlike graphics of former productions haunting the entire building and large muse-like portraits of the most important voices of American theatre out-front, including Tennesse Williams, Arthur Miller, Eugene O’Neill & August Wilson, but it is Tony Kushner’s large, distinct, powerful and poignant voice that’s echoing loud and clear inside and it was an honor and a treat to behold the entire package last weekend that I will cherish forever.