Twice a month on the Token Theatre Friends video series, theatre critics (and theatre besties) Jose Solís and Diep Tran bring a POC perspective to the performing arts. This week they’re trying out a new format.
On their web series they interview theatre artists and go on field trips behind the scenes of the shows they love most. On their podcast, they discuss three shows at three different price points, then offer their picks of the best one for the money.
For the video, the Friends got an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Tony-winning revival of Once on This Island with costume designer Clint Ramos. They saw the gorgeous dresses worn by the company, met the goats, and spoke to Ramos about the show’s importance when it comes to diverse casting.
Then they interviewed Drama Desk nominee Kenita Miller, who plays Ti Moune’s mother in Island (this is her sixth time doing the show). She shared anecdotes about Tony night, and previewed her upcoming shows at Feinstein’s/54 Below (who were also gracious enough to host the Friends).
Watch those two interviews below.
On the podcast, the Friends reviewed:
Everyone’s Fine with Virginia Woolf at Abrons Arts Center, produced by Elevator Repair Service. A parody of Edward Albee’s revered classic focuses on the unjust treatment of the female characters in the show. Tickets start at $55.
Teenage Dick at the Public Theater. Mike Lew’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s Richard III which has the Machiavellian antihero as a high schooler trying to become senior class president. Tickets start at $50. (It also stars Gregg Mozgala, who you might remember from a previous TTF episode.)
Fairview at Soho Rep. Jackie Sibblies Drury’s genre-bending play goes from sitcom tropes to explosive commentary on race dynamics in entertainment. Tickets start at $35.
Download the episode here. Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Stitcher.
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Have comments, suggestions for segments, shows to plug, or thoughts on how the Friends can be even better? Contact the Token Theatre Friends via email or Twitter.
