Angry Alan

"Angry Alan" at the Studio Seaview (formerly Tony Keiser Theatre), is a very interesting, modern take on society today. When Roger, (John Krasinski) becomes enthralled with a podcast show host named Angry Alan, he speaks to the audience in a very Homer Gentry, somewhat modern folksy way. He is a man who deals with life's ups and downs in an almost tongue and cheek manner.

Roger is divorced and has one child. The mostly one man play (son comes out in the last 5 minutes or so), is laid out in front of us. He brings out some excellent points about modern life; many in which I agreed with. He describes his childhood, adulthood, and fatherhood to us. He laments on how he would change things if he could do it all over again.

Roger almost seems to honor Alan's thoughts, he sends his videos out to his friends, his son, and even his ex wife. Alan at first is a support group for him, helping him through life. He even attends a Angry Alan convention where men like him are there to listen to Alan, and reason why men have been kicked to the curb.

Why this well acted play resonated with me was that many of the things that Roger says throughout are true. Whether it is at the work place, or in divorce proceedings, men have been getting shafted lately. Stripped of our manhood, Roger finds solace in Alan, who tells men to drive on and not be embarrassed to be an alpha male, or another kind of male.

Sam Gold has redeemed himself after the poorly directed "woke" version of "Romeo and Juliet". Here he has Roger upbeat, funny, aloof and transported to the modern age that has kicked him squarely in his ass. Some of his friends have been hurt by the "Me Too" movement; others too are divorced and are at the mercy of the courts as too when they may see their kids as well.

In his divorce Roger asks: "why do I pay for everything and I can't see my son?" He also ponders "why can my wife move further away and prohibit me from regular visits with mys son?". It becomes clear very fast that Roger is right about what he says: his job and past jobs have eliminated the talent for more diversity in the work force. No longer is it survival of the fittest, but more like, let's be fair about things.

In taking the plunge the second time, Roger is faced with competition from an art group that his new wife has joined. Now she is mixing almond milk in the kitchen, is a vegan and has real new Bohemian friends. Concerned that Roger will embarrass her, he is excluded from meeting them. She like his first wife, Roger pays for everything. He questions "when do I get a say?".

Writer Penelope Skinner for the most part writes a very productive piece. She shows the audience the male side for once and it is refreshing. She ruins the show, however with the reporter at the conference and really kills it in the last minute or two at the very end. Not to give away the end, she changes Rogers authentic personality, disgaurds his thoughts throughout the play to give the audience a cheap thriller at the end of it.

Skinner should have left Roger alone in his thought... they were how many men feel about society today. For Skinner to cheapen the plot was suicidal for an ending. With great acting by Krasinski, wonderful direction by Gold, she should have just let the show play out as is.

No Bull With Raging Robert, Stusio Seaview, New York City, Tony Awards, off Broadway, Broadway.