Twice a month on the Token Theatre Friends video series and podcasts, theatre critics (and theatre besties) Jose Solís and Diep Tran bring a POC perspective to the performing arts.
This week the Friends head to the underworld, literally, as they talk to Amber Gray and Kay Trinidad of Hadestown. The actors, who play the goddess Persephone and one of the Fates, respectively, share their experiences coming back to the show after it won the Tony Award for Best Musical, and discuss the work yet to be done in the theatre industry to improve representation. They also share their dream roles, which leads to Gray doing an Evita impression.
The audio of the interview is also available on the podcast, where the Friends review two shows currently playing in New York City:
Toni Stone by Lydia Diamond, at Roundabout Theatre Company through August 11 ($79-$89). Diamond’s play focuses on the life of the first woman to play in the baseball Negro League, or any professional baseball league for that matter. But Diamond’s storytelling approach made the Friends wonder, who is this play meant for?
Unmaking Toulouse-Lautrec by Mara Lieberman, from Bated Breath Theatre Company through September 4 ($25-$35) This immersive take on the life of the impressionistic master includes can-can dancers, recreations of famous paintings, and inventive set pieces. Plus it takes place in a cocktail lounge, which means the champagne flows freely.
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