YOU’LL WANT TO GET CAUGHT IN THIS LOOP
A Strange Loop, a Pulitzer Prize winning, loosely autobiographical, one-act musical drama by Michael R. Jackson explores a myriad of themes related to identity, queerness, self-esteem, and religion. It first debuted off Broadway in 2019, won a Tony when it hit Broadway in 2022, and is now the West Coast premiere arrives at A.C.T’s Toni Rembe Theatre until May 12, 2024.
J. Cameron Barnett (Thought 2), Jordan Barbour (Thought 5), Avionce Hoyles (Thought 3), Malachi McCaskill (Usher), Tarra Conner Jones (Thought 1), John-Andrew Morrison (Thought 4), and Jamari Johnson Williams (Thought 6)
It’s the story of a Big Black and Queer musical writer who is writing a show about a Big Black and Queer musical writer who is writing a Big Black and Queer musical that’s “as Big Black and Queer as American Broadway” itself. Just from previews, the word was already beginning to travel around San Francisco that this was a mind-blowing, uniquely queer experience. One text I received said simply, “Trauma! But it’s good.”
Malachi McCaskill (Usher) with Tarra Conner Jones (Thought 1), Jordan Barbour (Thought 5), John-Andrew Morrison (Thought 4), Avionce Hoyles (Thought 3), J. Cameron Barnett (Thought 2), and Jamari Johnson Williams (Thought 6)
It begins in the lobby of Broadway’s The Lion King, where we meet Usher and his six, recurring intrusive Thoughts, such as “self-loathing” and “financial faggotry” — each embodied by a different actor. Usher struggles with his Queerness, body dysmorphia, relationship with his mother, and a myriad of racial, political and religious issues that will feel all-too-familiar to a queer audience.
Malachi McCaskill and the cast of A Strange Loop
Mr. Jackson focuses on the life and adventures of this struggling writer as he navigates New York City and the hyper-judgmental, white-affirming, gay social scene therein. All while trying to forge his way to commercial writing success, ideally in mainstream musical theater. All while dealing with ostensibly supportive parents who are anxious to see some return on the investment of love and dollars they’ve put into their son. All while dealing with this daily choir of malignant thoughts that brutally point out the inadequacies of his African-American, same-gender loving, twenty-something overweight body and identity. All while maybe ghost-writing a Tyler Perry stage-play, the prospect of which, as Usher sings, “…makes his bile rise.”
Avionce Hoyles (Thought 3), Jordan Barbour (Thought 5), J. Cameron Barnett (Thought 2), Tarra Conner Jones (Thought 1), John-Andrew Morrison (Thought 4), and Jamari Johnson Williams (Thought 6)
Jackson’s tremendous gifts as a composer and lyricist cannot be denied. His songs are funny, touching, soulful, complicated, beautiful, witty, moving, especially the introspective “Memory Song.” Jackson is also a savage satirist who unabashedly goes where others fear to tread — taking on mainstream Entertainment, Black culture, White culture, Gay culture — pointedly skewering one rarified idea after another.
J. Cameron Barnett (Thought 2), Tarra Conner Jones (Thought 1), Jamari Johnson Williams (Thought 6), John-Andrew Morrison (Thought 4), Malachi McCaskill (Usher), Jordan Barbour (Thought 5), and Avionce Hoyles (Thought 3)
A Strange Loop hits you in the feels, and — despite some of the heavier subject matter — stays light and forward-looking. Constant gags from the Thoughts, and some of the characters they portray from Usher’s imagination like Whitney Houston and Harriet Motherfucking Tubman ensure that you will cackle even if you don’t want to. Thanks to Arnulfo Maldonado’s incredible set design — minimal but intriguing, utilizing little more than six door frames — and Jen Schreiver’s rainbow lighting, the transformations are so smooth and well-executed as to allow you to escape into the art and get lost in the emotions of the awesome cast.
Malachi McCaskill and the cast of A Strange Loop
As Usher, Malachi McCaskill delivers a leading performance that is equal parts raw, vulnerable and confident. J. Cameron Barnett, Tarra Conner Jones, Jamari Johnson Williams, John-Andrew Morrison, Jordan Barbour, and Avionce Hoyles as the Thoughts deliver incredibly diversified performances, vocals and movement (Raja Feather Kelly‘s choreography is tight), each sprinkling their own brand of sass, flamboyance, queerness, and energy to their characters.
Jordan Barbour (Thought 5) and Malachi McCaskill (Usher)
A Strange Loop is a Black, Queer emotional thrill-ride of a musical that is entertaining, challenging and provocative.
photos by Alessandra Mello
A Strange Loop
American Conservatory Theatre
Toni Rembe Theatre, 415 Geary Street in San Francisco
ends on May 12, 2024
for tickets ($30-$170), visit ACT
Christopher J. Beale is a journalist, media host and producer based in San Francisco, CA