YOU ARE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, JENUFA! Last week I saw In the Red and Brown Water at the Studio Theater (through February 14). I may be reviewing it for money, so you might see that soon; if not I’ll post the review here. But I wanted to post right now to tell you to get a ticket if you can! Although there are some flaws–some of the stylizations didn’t work for me, though others really made the play more stark and resonant–overall this is a fantastic show.

It’s the tragedy of Oya, a beautiful track star in roughly-contemporary Louisiana. It’s very funny, and also incredibly wrenching: I’m not sure when I last heard an audience sniffling quietly around me. Rashaunah Simmons, as Oya, radiates youthfulness and hope at the beginning of her story, and transforms over two hours into a haunted house of a woman, staring out from the ruin of herself. And like I said, the formal experimentation is often deployed brilliantly: I especially loved the effect of having the characters read many of their own stage directions. (No, it really works.)

Anyway, actual review later, but for now: Go! see this!!! And look for other plays by Tarell Alvin McCraney, as well.