REVIEW: Suzan-Lori Parks’ ‘Topdog / Underdog,’ now playing on Broadway
Photo: From left, Corey Hawkins and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II star in Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog / Underdog. Photo courtesy of Marc J. Franklin / Provided by Polk & Co. with permission.
NEW YORK — Suzan-Lori Parks’ powerful and important two-hander, Topdog / Underdog, is receiving a first-rate revival at the Golden Theatre on Broadway. Starring the incomparable Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Corey Hawkins, the show is an intimate portrait of two brothers living a difficult life, sharing a cramped apartment and trying to perfect their skills at three-card monte.
Abdul-Mateen II plays Booth, while Hawkins plays Lincoln (the names were jokes by their father, but the audience is likely meant to read more into the names). There’s an obvious respect and love between the brothers, but there’s also a simultaneous competition and painful history. They are constantly trying to stay one step ahead of each other — in conversation, in job prospects, in life.
Booth opens the show with a showcasing of his card skills. Behind his eyes there’s a dream of winning big on the streets, taking advantage of the passersby who throw down some money for this seemingly winnable, yet enterally unwinnable game. Lincoln has a different vibe in the play than his brother. He’s more been-there-done-that, having given up the card game and the obsession that comes along with it; instead, he tries to find employment elsewhere, but he’s struggling in his current gig: as an Abraham Lincoln impersonator.
The conversation between the two brothers extends for more than two hours across two acts of visceral, engaging theater. Booth and Lincoln authentically bring up a myriad of topics, both personal and professional. There’s some dialogue about their coming of age and their family. There’s a lot of talk of current relationships and the unfairness of their job prospects. Underneath the conversation are deeper meanings and important perspectives on history, racism, economics, identity, love and brotherly friendship. In particular, there are segments about the ever-elusive American dream and the continued sting of past partners, a topic that brings tension to the one-room apartment where Booth and Lincoln live.
Much credit to Parks for crafting dialogue that feels purposeful and poetic, real and revelatory.
Throughout her play, which first premiered at the Public Theater more than 20 years ago, there’s a great deal of humor, especially from Abdul-Mateen II’s portrayal of Booth. The laughs are well-earned and also serve a double purpose: When the drama hits — and in this play, the drama can hit suddenly and without a buildup — the humor takes on a new meaning. Are these brothers supportive of each other? Are they a team, or are they competing against each other in life and in love? Can they solve the obvious chasm between themselves?
Kenny Leon expertly directs the two cast members, keeping the action intimate and the dialogue moving along to a startling and cathartic end. Arnulfo Maldonado has crafted a versatile set that ensures the intimacy of the brothers’ apartment is not lost on a large Broadway stage. Somehow he’s able to create a secondary stage on the primary Golden Theatre stage, surrounded by waves of curtains.
This revival, timed with the play’s 20th anniversary, feels necessary and transcendent. Booth and Lincoln are fascinating characters to spend two-plus hours with as they forever ply the depths of life, tragedy, family, work, violence and the shifting sands of being topdog or underdog.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog / Underdog, directed by Kenny Leon, stars Corey Hawkins and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Currently playing at the Golden Theatre on Broadway. Running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes with one 15-minute intermission. Click here for more information and tickets.
