Mc Neal

"McNeal"

Illusion vs Reality.

What is the best play in this very early fall theater season, "McNeal" at Lincoln Center, has Robert Downey Jr, playing Jacob McNeal. Mr. Downey was custom made for this role; his firebrand, rapid fire style as the Nobel Laureate for Literature keeps the pace flowing for the one hour- forty five minute intermission-less play.

The plot is based on the human writer versus the AI writing. McNeal is a talented writer and when his writing is questioned he has all the answers. It is not if some look the other way; his agent, Andrea Martin (Stephie Banic) is thrilled that McNeal just won the Nobel; his stock just rose with every new book he writes.Others are less impressed with his life and lifestyle. Dr. Grewal (Ruthie Ann Miles) has informed him that he will die if he continues his alcohol consumption. His son, Harlan, disapproves of his drinking, his lifestyle and blames him for his mothers suicide.

This may be the best direction that I have seen from Bartlett Sher. Sher has the characters locked in and on point. While I did not think that Ruthie Ann Miles stood out in her role, nor Brittany Bellizeare as the New York Times reporter,both actors were flat in their roles and Bellizeare was flat out weak as an actor. The other actors, however, all stood out and were effective. Sher brought out the most in each actor's movements, this made the play glide and was never choppy.

Michael Yeargan's sets were simplistically bold and interesting. Jennifer Moeller's costumes were first rate. Moeller gave much addition to the sets, the acting and blended it well into the time frame of the writing. Playwright Ayad Akhtar put together a body of work that had the audience always thinking; always on the move. The lighting by Donald Holder is both bold and brazen. He brings out the sets with his remarkable washing and color schemes. The sound was some of the best I have heard in quite some time. Beth Lake is consuming with her sound; the depth is remarkable, as were the projections.

While McNeal is not a good person by nature, Downey brings out his vulnerable side, his funny and lite side. As a writer, Downey is in the realm both as an actor and the inevitability that he brings to this role.

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What a treat seeing the great Robert Downey on stage! In his Broadway debut, he performed like a seasoned veteran! While the cast around him for the most part was good, two were weak... the Dr and the New York Times reporter. Both were flat.

The sound, the sets and the sound were fantastic. As I said, Sher put-forth and excellent directorial show!

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Next up is "Yellow Face". The Broadway plate is full this fall. King Lear at the Shed looks impressive, Romeo and Juliet is highly anticipated. The big winner this season could be the show with a very big cast, Our Town. The City Center is bringing an oldie but a goodie, Rag Time. Hold on to Me Darling with Adam Driver is the much anticipated off Broadway show. Competing with "Darling" is Shit. Meet. Fan. This too, like Our Town, has a very big cast.

The last four seasons have had many great shows on Broadway and this fall is bringing the hits as well. The batting average ranges from 600 to 750 with a success rate. Between 6 to 7.5 for every 10 are good. I would like to see more sets. It seems that many of the shows are using just one set; more sets are more interesting and should be incorporated as such.