In Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ world premiere of The Comeuppance, the latest from “one of this country's most original and illuminating writers” (The New York Times), a self-proclaimed “Multi-Ethnic Reject Group” reconvenes for the first time in years to pregame for their twentieth high school reunion. They refamiliarize themselves with new versions of old selves over drinks, other substances, and a not-so-innocent truth-telling game. From the start, Death looms over and speaks through them, describing their disquieting and darkly comedic fates. The Comeuppance marks Jacobs-Jenkins’ prolific decade as a Signature Premiere Resident playwright.
Director Eric Ting deftly guides a superb cast, all of whom make the most of their carefully calibrated roles. This reunion — depth-charged like most — unfolds in its own style (blessedly free of cliché) and at its own pace. One guarantee: Those 130 minutes will race by.
As the play progresses, we come to feel the weight of their lives and regrets, and understand the intricacy of their connections with one another. At the same time, however, there are some baffling choices for the production that undermine our ability to engage with the play. When Death takes over each character, the voices are not the actors’ natural instrument, but speech that is electronically amplified and distorted, with an echo effect, rendering these monologues occasionally indecipherable, and always annoying. (Wouldn’t the change of lighting have been sufficient to clue us in?)
2023 | Off-Broadway |
Signature Theatre Off-Broadway Premiere Production Off-Broadway |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2024 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Sound Design of a Play | Palmer Hefferan |
2024 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance | Caleb Eberhardt |
2024 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Direction of a Play | Eric Ting |
2024 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Production of a Play | The Comeuppance |
2024 | The Lortels | Outstanding Director | Eric Ting |
2024 | The Lortels | Outstanding Ensemble | The Comeuppance |
2024 | The Lortels | Outstanding Lighting Design | Amith Chandrashaker |
2024 | The Lortels | Outstanding Play | Branden Jacobs-Jenkins |
2024 | The Lortels | Outstanding Sound Design | Palmer Hefferan |
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