A Strange Loop is an extraordinary musical that has captivated audiences with its groundbreaking narrative and fearless exploration of identity, self-discovery and the complexities of the creative process.
Written by Michael R. Jackson, the show premiered Off-Broadway in 2021, leaving an impressive mark on the theatre world. This introspective tour de force garnered critical acclaim, earning the esteemed Pulitzer Prize for Drama, a Drama Desk Award and an Obie Award for Best Musical, among numerous other accolades. With its poignant storytelling, electrifying score, and dazzling blend of satire and vulnerability, A Strange Loop has become a transformative and unapologetically honest theatrical triumph, leaving an unforgettable imprint on the hearts and minds of its audiences. Now, this innovative original musical bursts onto the stage of the Barbican Theatre in London for a one-time-only, limited season.
Meet Usher: a black, queer writer, writing a musical about a black, queer writer writing a musical about a black, queer writer… A Strange Loop. Struggling with self-doubt, societal expectations and the internalised voices of his inner saboteur, Usher aspires to create a meaningful piece of art that reflects his lived experiences. As he battles with inner demons and navigates a world plagued with racism, homophobia and body image shaming, Usher’s journey takes a surreal and transformative turn. The musical delves deep into his mind, presenting a whirlwind of thoughts, anxieties and desires as he grapples with his own identity, striving to break free from the shackles of societal norms. Through a combination of humorous and poignant moments, A Strange Loop presents an unflinching examination of self-love, creative expression and the relentless pursuit of validation in a world that constantly tries to define and limit us.
For the Barbican run, A Strange Loop original Off-Broadway director Stephen Brackett (The Lightning Thief, Be More Chill, Buyer & Cellar, The Mad Ones, Radiant Baby) returns to London to direct Kyle Ramar Freeman (A Strange Loop on Broadway, Once on This Island, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), Sharlene Hector (Hairspray, Dreamgirls) as Thought 1, Nathan Armarkwei-Laryea (Spring Awakening, Women Beware the Devil, The Witcher) as Thought 2, Yeukayi Ushe (The Lion King, Kinky Boots, The Book of Mormon) as Thought 3, Tendai Humphrey Sitima (The Play That Goes Wrong, Malindadzimu, Immersive Great Gatsby) as Thought 4, Danny Bailey (Jesus Christ Superstar, Get Up, Stand Up!, Girl From the North Country) as Thought 5 and Eddie Elliott (Alabama Sky, The Lion King, Motown The Musical) as Thought 6. They’re supported by Kyle Birch (The Color Purple, Children of Eden 30th Anniversary Concert, Once On This Island) as Usher cover, Rebecca Bernice Amissah (Daddy, Guys & Dolls, Into The Wood) as Understudy Thought 1, Momar Diagne (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Kinky Boots, Guys & Dolls) as Understudy Thought 2, 3, 4 and Jean-Luke Worrell (Cluedo, The Comedy About a Bank Robbery, Cinderella) as Understudy Thought 5, 6.
Working often as a team, Thoughts 1-6 represented many characters throughout the journey of the show. From Usher’s thoughts to his family and even sexual partners; Sharlene Hector, Nathan Armarkwei-Laryea, Yeukayi Ushe, Tendai Humphrey Sitima, Danny Bailey and Eddie Elliott are vocally strong and performed with an ease and sense of proud abandon throughout. As Usher, Kyle Ramar Freeman shines.
Reprising the role from Broadway, Freeman delivers a performance that’s both delicate and powerful. With oodles of self-deprecating humor, Usher tentatively navigates the world and I believed Freeman one hundred percent in his portrayal. From bops such as Inner White Girl, the emotionally charged Boundaries, to the fantastically absurd AIDS Is God’s Punishment, Freeman’s vocal performance is sublime. Delivering a beautifully inspiring performance, Freeman’s portrayal of Usher deserves all the accolades coming to him and I’ll be cheering him on and eagerly awaiting awards season this year.
Much has been said by other reviewers about A Strange Loop’s themes, American references and its explicit content. Instead, I’m going to comment on how watching this show made me feel. I have never sat in a theatre before and felt how absolutely right an author has nailed the modern queer experience. Having lived this experience myself, I identified with Usher, many of the scenarios presented and the language used in the musical on an emotional level. Also as a musical theatre fan, there are certain historical performances you always wished you had the chance to see- the original production of Dreamgirls, the opening night of Rent or Hair on Broadway, or perhaps the joyous original production of The Wiz. Leaving the theatre after seeing A Strange Loop, I felt I had just witnessed a production of equal cultural and historical importance.
In A Strange Loop Michael R. Jackson has crafted a piece of theatre that redefines what modern theatre can be, a modern-day masterpiece.
Presented as a Broadway musical, Jackson tackles racism, homophobia, body shaming, self-loathing and societal and cultural shaming in a way that’s sometimes humorous, often shocking but altogether uplifting and inspirational. While A Strange Loop is fast-paced and unrelenting in it’s delivery, you don’t have to identify as queer or fat or be black or American to understand the story and it’s themes. When thinking of a way to end this review, three words came to mind to effectively describe what I felt about A Strange Loop. Those three words are “absolutely fucking incredible!” Run to see the Pulitzer Prize-winning A Strange Loop, playing at the Barbican Theatre this Summer!
Reviewed by Stuart James
