Anyone who has lived with an artist who has gone through a period without working in his or her medium has no doubt experienced the rage of impatience, blinding insecurity and frustration. The ability of artists to transfer this vibrant rage to each other is a strong component of a fantastic, intense and thoroughly brilliant new play featuring major young talents. In Angry Young Man by Daniel Trujillo at the Currican Theater on West 29th Street, real literature jumps to life and never once flags.
The angry young man here is a theater director who has all the makings of a
tyrant but is riveting in his appeal, his passion and discerning intelligence.
In any case, he hates New York because he doesn't know it, and he leaves for
America before we get a good chance to see what he's for rather than what he's
against. Another reason for this character's strong appeal is the highly astute
energy and abilities of the actor Anthony Ruivivar. And he is beautifully
matched by his romantic co-star Lydia Radziul. The entire cast is an absolute
dream. Kaipo Schwab is magnificent as the gay character who is, perhaps, too
easily dismissed in a play where sex seems to be about the momentary dismissal
of anger. Kaipo Schwab also serves as artistic director of the Imua! Theatre
Company which presents this play. Only three years old, this company shows every
sign of excellence.
This play is intensely American in the sense that any political basis for the
passion is undeveloped in favor of the charge towards individual power, whether
it be in the blatantly commercial or not-for-profit realms. Within this,
however, is some transformative insight into the isolating and predatory factors
at play in even the most collaborative of arts and how these factors can define
personal relationships. Any criticism I have of this play emerges only because
of the high respect I have for what I see, without question, as one of the best
of new American plays. It is compelling and spellbinding. Mary Beth Hurt, move
over for Daniel Trujillo. Mr. Trujillo could well become a major American
playwright. That most of the play is in rhyming couplets and yet clearly works
only underscores the self-confident construction of a cultural artifact. The
hopes and expectations embedded in this play are mammoth, but in this particular
case are probably right on target. The easy intermix of ethnic characters is
another sign of vital health.
There are only two more evenings to see this production, Saturday and Sunday
night at the Currican Theater. This is a bright hot spot for top-notch American
theater which shouldn't be missed. In every way, this is a major production in a
setting that makes it affordable.
----David Hirsh