The critic sits on her balcony, writing a review about a musical about a fat Black gay man writing a musical about a fat Black gay man writing a musical. A Strange Loop indeed, a never ending cycle of writing about theatre which is itself about writing theatre. As she reflects on the soul-touching lyrics and artful construction of both the physical and spoken worlds of the text, she knows that this play, this day, will have changed her life.

Directed by Ray Hogg, the Canadian Premiere of Michael R. Jackson’s A Strange Loop has quite literally taken a village to produce, with four companies coming together to make this production happen. However, if this is any indication of what is possible from such collaborations, then the bar has certainly been set for the myriad collabs we’re expecting in Toronto theatre this coming season. Everything from the design to the musicians to the artists on stage, this is truly a top-notch production.

We meet Usher at his day job: an usher for Broadway’s production of The Lion King. Usher is an aspiring writer, and he’s working on a musical called “A Strange Loop”, about a young Black gay man writing a musical. We also meet Usher’s thoughts, six of them which float around the stage and take the form of the other players in Usher’s life like his family (who all have suspiciously familiar Lion Kingesque names) or his manager. As Usher approaches his champagne birthday, 26 on the 26th, he can’t help but feel like his life is stagnant: he only has sex about once a year, his parents say they love him but don’t support his queerness or his passion for the arts, and he can’t seem to get “A Strange Loop” into the right hands. He feels forced to take work like writing a Tyler Perry-style musical, which his folks are thrilled about, just to make ends meet (forget about his mounting student debt). Usher is finally forced to seriously ask himself, does he need to change, or is he simply holding himself back from greatness?

An element to Jackson’s text which I wasn’t fully expecting was how forward it was about certain things. It’s wildly refreshing, once you get over the initial shock of hearing the N word the first time. This is also the second play I’ve seen where Harriet Tubman has had a fierce mouth on her, and I have to say, I love it. There’s a sort of matter-of-factness about how Usher thinks of his life, and talks openly about being a fat gay Black man. Yet even in the scene where he’s having his annual birthday sexual encounter, the racism coming from his trick was uncomfortable; but I also understand that it’s supposed to be. We’re experiencing the world through Usher’s eyes, and his discomfort becomes our discomfort.

Yet there is also something profoundly healing and validating about A Strange Loop. To see Usher have to negotiate with his thoughts, to see how they can overwhelm him or make a problem into so much more than it is can feel like seeing your own mind reflected on stage; it certainly did for me. It’s comforting, in a way, to know that others feel like you do, and theatre is a brilliant way to express those thoughts and feelings and to share them with others who might need to know that they’re not alone, either. A Strange Loop does this in spades, along with a serious grounding in psychotherapy: the title itself is a reference to a concept which has shaped how we look at the self.

Brian Dudkiewicz’s masterful set design takes practicality to a whole new level. Massive pieces of wall roll on tracks on and off stage. On one side is a mirror-like surface which has a reflective quality (though doesn’t blind you with Michelle Ramsey’s fun and lively lighting design). The reverse side of these pieces has the sets of the locations we require for the play: the lobby of The Lion King, the locker room at the theatre, and Usher’s apartment. The cast deftly manoeuvre these set pieces, working as a team to create Usher’s reality. Even when things go awry, like a piece falling off the top of the set or Usher’s pen-holder toppling off the table, they work together to ensure everyone is safe and the show can go on; a perfect display of the professionalism found within this amazing cast. 

Malachi McCaskill stars as Usher. I was so excited to see him perform just from the little snippets I had been seeing online and McCaskill did NOT disappoint. His stunning vocal range and vulnerable performance make it a no-brainer as to why he was cast; this role is tailor made for him. Sierra Holder, Nathanael Judah, Marcus Nance, Matt Nethersole, David Andrew Reid, and Amaka Umeh comprise the chorus of Usher’s thoughts. Holder brings all the attitude, but also a compassionate side as Usher’s sexual ambivalence. Umeh is feisty as they take on the role of Usher’s self-loathing. It was amazing to watch Usher interact with that thought in particular, as self-loathing seems to occupy a great deal of his mind. Nance brings an undeniable sexiness to his role, as does Reid. Nethersole has great comedic timing and is perfect as Usher’s slimy agent. Judah’s commanding presence and fierce delivery make for a perfect addition to this crew. The talent in A Strange Loop is reason enough to come and witness this moving piece, but the story they so beautifully tell makes the time fly by and the tears flow from your eyes.

The critic sits on her balcony, writing a review about a musical about a fat Black gay man writing a musical about a fat Black gay man writing a musical. She thinks about how her heart has been changed by this show; how she left feeling understood, entertained, and most of all, hopeful. She knows she’s going to be listening to the music over and over, happy to relive the memories of this production of A Strange Loop. 

A Strange Loop runs in the Baillie Theatre at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts until June 1. For more information and tickets, visit: https://www.soulpepper.ca/performances/a-strange-loop

---

Cover Photo: The Cast of A Strange Loop. Photo by Dahlia Katz.

---

Thank you to my Patrons:

N. Bushnik, S. Fisher, B. Kinnon, D. Moyes

And to my supporters who’ve bought me a coffee:

Angelica and Paul, Anonymous, Adrianna, Caitlin, Jonathan, and Jada

Would you like to become a Patron? Check out my Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/AViewfromtheBox

Or, you can buy me a coffee at: buymeacoffee.com/aviewfromthebox