Critics' reviews are rolling out for the world premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ The Comeuppance. The MacArthur Fellow's new play opened June 5 at Off-Broadway's Signature Theatre where it began previews May 17. Performances are set through June 25.
In The Comeuppance, a self-proclaimed “Multi-Ethnic Reject Group” reconvenes for the first time in years to pregame for their 20th high school reunion. They refamiliarize themselves with new versions of old selves over drinks, other substances, and a not-so-innocent truth-telling game. The cast stars Brittany Bradford (Wedding Band) as Ursula, Caleb Eberhardt (On Sugarland) as Emilio, Susannah Flood (The Cherry Orchard) as Caitlin, Bobby Moreno (72 Miles to Go) as Francisco, and Shannon Tyo (Regretfully, So The Birds Are) as Kristina.
Read the reviews here.
New York Stage Review (David Finkle)
New York Stage Review (Sandy MacDonald)
The New York Sun (Elysa Gardner)*
New York Theater (Jonathan Mandell)
New York Theatre Guide (Amelia Merrill)
The New York Times (Jesse Green)*
Talkin' Broadway (Kimberly Ramírez)
TheaterMania (Zachary Stewart)
*This review may require creating a free account or a paid subscription.
Playbill will continue to update this list as reviews come in.
Eric Ting directs the conclusion of Jacobs-Jenkins’ Premiere Residency—and Signature’s 2022-2023 season of personal works from its Resident writers. Jacobs-Jenkins said in an earlier statement, “For me, Signature has always been about putting the playwright’s specific needs at the center of a production. It is a place where I get to do more than deliver a script: I get to have a rehearsal process that is fulfilling and stimulating and full of discovery. For this play, I wanted a room where it felt like anything could happen. And Eric Ting felt exactly like the right visionary and collaborator.”
The production has set design by Arnulfo Maldonado, costume design by Jennifer Moeller and Miriam Kelleher, lighting design by Amith Chandrashaker, sound design by Palmer Hefferan, magic design by Skylar Fox, intimacy coordination by Ann C. James, and casting by Caparelliotis Casting.
In a statement about his time at Signature, Jacobs-Jenkins said, “I started my residency at Signature 10 years ago. I was barely out of graduate school, and if you’d come up to me and described my life now to me then, I’d probably file for a restraining order. I’d think you were crazy. But this is a testament to the unrivaled freedom, confidence, security, and inspiration this institution has brought into my life. This is the culmination of what has been a very significant gift of time, space, and encouragement.”
Jacobs-Jenkins' plays include Girls, Everybody, War, Gloria, Appropriate, An Octoroon, and Neighbors. The Comeuppance, which marks the end of Jacobs-Jenkins’ prolific decade as a Signature Premiere Resident playwright, takes the place of his previously announced Grass.
Visit SignatureTheatre.org.
