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Defenseless and vulnerable to every blow, they are raw masses of accumulated wounds masquerading as reasonable human beings.
But all these harrowing face-offs are also, crucially, love stories.
Theres meaty stuff in all these plays, though in production Webb ultimately fares better than grim old August.
Meek little wives feel the edge of the carving knife and study their husbands necks.
And Julie is no meek little wife.
In short, a land mine of entitlement and self-loathing waiting to be stepped on.
Strindbergs plays were always more human and complex than his analyses of his own writing.
Strindberg, like Shakespeare, knew that youth is a self-absorbed tragedy and old age is a dark comedy.
But thisDance of Deathnever fully finds either its horror or its humor.
Director Victoria Clark keeps her actors talking quickly but without much variety.
Under Logan Vaughns direction,The Lightfares better.
The Lightis the well-crafted flip side of the coin whose dismal face is represented byAmerican Son.
The Kavanaugh confirmation is looming, but for Gen and Rashad its supposed to be a joyful evening.
Shes asked Rashad not to listen to his music.
She wont go to the concert.
Rashad doesnt see what the big deal is.
Its pretty clear that this is all going to be a devastatingly big deal.
She lays it all out for him, shaking as she speaks.
Like Trayvon, like Eric … Oh no, us being humans worthy of compassion is not enough … You said exactly what you meant.
Im not worth marching over.
We black girls and women never really are.
We are always told that men, little black girl, are more important than your protection.
But perhaps thats grossly optimistic.
Strindberg would certainly think so.
Mies JulieandThe Dance of Deathare at Classic Stage Company through March 10.
The Lightis at MCC through March 17.
