Smart People
Tickets from $64 Buy Tickets
Cititour.com Review
There can be no more topical subject today in America than racism, especially the espousal on many fronts that white people hate and fear African-Americans. (Just ask Beyonce). As it happens, topicality is the strongest asset Lydia R. Diamond’s play “Smart People,” now being presented at Second Stage Theatre under Kenny Leon’s brisk direction, has going for it. Yes, Diamond’s work – which is set in the 13 months leading up to the first term of Barack Obama -- has some trenchant observations about race in America, But it’s much less smart, and far more muddled, than the author probably intended.
The play’s main protagonist is the aptly-named Brian White (TV favorite Joshua Jackson, whose impressive naked body is more memorable than his uneven performance), a Harvard neuroscience professor who has set out to prove that whites are biologically racist. That he manages to do so makes him remarkably unpopular at Harvard, although his personality alone would probably do the trick. He’s not just naïve and entitled (which is likely what Diamond intended), but in Jackson’s hands, he’s downright abrasive.
Therefore, it’s not surprising that his only friend is hotheaded African-American doctor Jackson Moore (a passionate Marhershala Ali), who is a resident at Mass General and who runs a clinic for young women in Chinatown. His volatility, which plays a part in him quitting one of those jobs, extends outside his work life, especially in his dealings with Valerie (“Creed” star Tessa Thompson, who is just as luminous onstage as she is onscreen), a young African-American actress who also works as Brian’s assistant to help pay her bills. One can understand their lust for each other, even their attraction, but the fact that Valerie would ever speak to him post-date given his actions almost defies belief. He’s yet another smart person, like Brian, who does dumb (or at least self-destructive things).
Speaking of which there’s Ginny (a very good Anne Son), a hard-as-a-rock, Asian-American psychologist who also teaches at Harvard and becomes romantically involved with Brian. She’s gorgeous and a certified genius, albeit one with next-to-no social skills. It’s hard to tell if we are meant to sympathize with her because she’s overcome the prejudices against her race and gender. But call me whatever, I couldn’t.
I also wish Diamond hadn’t felt the need to intertwine this quartet so completely; Ginny ends up working at Jackson’s clinic, and even encounters Valerie there (although she mistakes her for the receptionist). It makes the play feel more schematic than necessary, although the one scene towards the end when all four finally end up in the same room (at Brian’s house) is among the show’s best.
One hopes Diamond’s play does lead to some serious, unheated discussion about how we treat others. But I suspect the biggest question that will be on the lips of smart audience members is “why did this play get produced?”
By Brian Scott Lipton
Visit the Site
http://2st.com/shows/current-production/smart-people
Cast
Mahershala Ali, Joshua Jackson, Anne Son, Tessa Thompson
Open/Close Dates
Opening 1/27/2016
Closing 3/6/2016
Box Office
212-246-4422
Theatre Info
Second Stage Theatre
307 West 43rd Street
New York, NY 10036
Map
Comments
Sign up for our newsletter !