The Light
About the show
MCC's new drama introduces us to Rashad and Genesis on what should be one of the happiest days of their lives, but their joy quickly unravels when ground-shifting accusations from the past resurface. More…
Can their relationship survive the growing divide between them over who–and what – to believe? "The Light" is a reckoning that unfolds in real-time and peels away the layers of truth, doubt, pain, and ultimately the power of love.
"'The Light' is an explosive, riveting New York premiere by Chicago author Loy A. Webb on the subject of race, sex, gender, trust and loyalty ripped from the headlines at the beautiful new MCC Theater complex on W. 52nd Street. Opening the Susan & Ronald Frankel Theater, a black box theater, one of two theaters at the brand new Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space, 'The Light,' developed at Chicago's The New Colony theater company, is so stunningly directed by Logan Vaughn." Full Review
"'The Light' is the full package – great writing, superb acting, sensitive direction, excellent production values and timely, relevant subject matter presented with honesty, humor, dignity, passion and love...What makes this production of 'The Light' so special starts with playwright Loy A. Webb’s tackling of a sensitive and not often explored subject matter, and her fine ear for dialog. Logan Vaughn’s light touch at the helm and excellent use of space allow the actors to use themselves fully." Full Review
“’The Light’ is an urgent and painful story of revelation, redress, and hopeful reconciliation cued at the intersection of #MeToo and Black Lives Matter. Tautly and evocatively sketched by playwright Loy A. Webb, this exquisite two-hander starts like a rom-com before embarking on tragic territory, forcing the audience to reckon with its own baked-in biases and assumptions based on race and gender, and to do and be better.” Full Review
“A piercingly stunning new work...A play devoted to various manifestations of seeing...Webb creates a fiercely winning twosome, one so very tender and satisfying that it is a big part of what makes ‘The Light’ so completely believable and watchable...Exquisite production, directed with an acutely sensitive touch...At times, can seem objective or presentational...In any case, the writing, acting and direction are so substantive and knowing, it hardly matters.” Full Review
"This compact, superbly acted two-hander opens a new front in the ongoing -- and, too often, fractious -- dialogue about race and sex. It also introduces a playwright and director who are very much worth knowing about...'The Light' is not a polemic. Webb, a canny dramatist, provides both characters with plenty of firepower...The director, Logan Vaughn, confidently guides the action." Full Review
"Abundant thanks to director Logan Vaughn and the strapping Belcher and the beautiful Masden. They all dive bravely into this emotional maelstrom. They handle the lighter moments with blithe dexterity, yes, but their approach to the tougher twists is inspiring. It’s one of those situations where spectators leave awed that actors choose to go through such draining exercises eight times weekly." Full Review
"A compelling play receiving a superb production with excellent actors makes it something of a minor miracle...Logan Vaughn has directed a taught, rollercoaster of a love story...'The Light' is ten minutes too long and Webb needs to tighten the ending....Belcher & Masden's interactions are painfully real and there are moments you'll want to look away for fear of voyeuristically eavesdropping on such personal conversations. But don't. You won't want to miss a second." Full Review
"It resembles a mashup of themes underlying the Black Lives Matter and Me Too movements. Both Genesis and Rashad have incidents in their past that make it difficult to achieve mutual understanding. As the play turns didactic, the freshness and vitality take a hit, which is a shame because the beginning is so promising. The acting is very strong...Director Logan Vaughn occasionally lets the pace lag. The result is a flawed but interesting play." Full Review
"A fast, sometimes funny, and ultimately furious 70 minutes, and what makes it all the more remarkable is that Webb tells the story of Rashad and Genesis in real time...'The Light' plays host to a number of issues, but what’s really at the core of Webb’s play is the eternal battle of the sexes. Rashad and Genesis can’t help but talk around each other’s pain." Full Review
"The play doesn’t push any theatrical envelopes, but it does fill its sturdy, conventional box with affecting articulation and real feeling...The play works because Webb, Vaughn, Masden, and Belcher III give us not only ideas and arguments but full, familiar, suffering and striving human beings. They’re working inside a form that has its literalism and its limits, but they’re bringing dimension, tenderness, and the audacity of hope to the task." Full Review
"A blazing show that reaffirms the company’s mission to produce works that provoke timely conversation...The first 30 minutes or so of Webb’s 75-minute drama is thoroughly beguiling...Sharp observations punctuate the latter parts of the drama, which stir up audible reactions from the audience...Vaughn ably navigates the play’s changing rhythms, which rise and ebb several times, and she cultivates superb performances from her two actors." Full Review
“Webb's provocative new play...The acting is the real ace of the production. Belcher III inhabits Rashad with a natural charm...Masden as Genesis, has the right blending of back-bone and feminine vulnerability to make her character credible...If I have any reservations...it comes down to the dramaturgy and dialogue being a bit too manicured to truly mirror real-life. That said, this new theatrical venture not only speaks, but adds fresh muscle, to the MeToo movement.” Full Review
"Rarely have I seen the line between actor and character evaporate as completely as it does in the hands, bodies and faces of McKinley Belcher III and Mandi Masden's in Loy A. Webb's timely and often painful two-hander 'The Light,' which inaugurates MCC's gorgeous new Robert W. Wilson Theater Space." Full Review
"Webb is interested in social justice…she allows that interest to supersede the writing of a convincing play about…an issue of significant concern among black women…Suffice it to say that the latter two-thirds are a vitriolic debate between the lovers over [Genesis's] disgust at…Rashad's black male privilege…The excellent performances of Belcher and Masden, both as lovers and as debaters, give great vitality to the dispute but their artistry only underlines the play's contrivances." Full Review
"A play — sometimes dubious and sometimes devastating — about sexual assault and its aftershocks, it’s a rom-com, a drama and very nearly a tragedy. Do we have a word for that yet? Do we want one?...Webb writes great lines and great one-liners, but they don’t always sound like spontaneous back-and-forth. The characters matter less than the arguments. If that’s a questionable trade-off, the debate is compelling and sometimes complicated...This is a tear-struck thesis play." Full Review
See it if You want to experience true acting in a must see play with many pertinent issues that are in the forefront of current social issues.
Don't see it if You’re uncomfortable with confronting issues related to the Me-too and Black Lives Matter movements as well as our political state of affair
Also Well written, provocative, suspenseful, thought provoking.
See it if You want to see a difficult subject handled well. A small wonder.
Don't see it if You want a big extravagant play
See it if you like well written, well acted shows that make you re-think your beliefs.This is as good a show as I've seen recently.Absolutely riveting
Don't see it if you want a light rom-com.There are elements of that, but it is more about Black Lives Matter/Me Too issues.Touching on a very deep level.Go!
See it if you want to see an important piece of theater that will start an intense and important discussion - but is still filled with grace & humor.
Don't see it if you want something light and happy
See it if you're ready for a serious play that tackles many current issues in a thoughtful and emotional manner.
Don't see it if you don't want to be faced with a multitude of themes in one show (listed below).
Also Wow - what a powerhouse of a story! Starting with the excellent set de... Read more Read less
See it if you enjoy an excellent, well acted, resonant story in a great thrust stage theatre. Outstanding in every way!
Don't see it if you prefer light topics or large musical productions.
See it if powerful performances in this astoundingly realistic gut-wrenching writing. Such relevant issues treated with depth and respect. A must see.
Don't see it if you can't handle heavy emotional drama.
Also The range and intensity of emotions depicted by these 2 actors is wide... Read more Read less
See it if Strong, beautiful and disarming story. Great actors.
Don't see it if No reason not to.
See it if you crave great acting, writing, sets and topical stories; both actors are wonderful while they make you laugh then rip your heart out.
Don't see it if up close and personal is unappealing; the #metoo issue is a painful one especially if it hits too close to home; you don't like tension.
Also As it happens, I was sitting next to Masden's father who told me his d... Read more Read less
See it if a terrific piece of writing brought to life by 2 stunningly good actors. It's a great piece of theater even though there are a few moments..
Don't see it if this show is about painful subjects: sexual violence, misogyny and the inability to empathize. Looking for light? this is not your play.
Also ... that are somewhat implausible and/or predictable. Ultimately the f... Read more Read less
See it if You like serious plays about important topics that are relevant to our time.
Don't see it if You want something light and fluffy. This was intense. You want a play with a full cast
Also Extremely powerful and very well acted. Really thought provoking. This... Read more Read less
See it if You like amazing acting and a very strong, important and relevant story about a couple learning about each other.
Don't see it if You aren’t into serious stories and deep subject matter
See it if You would enjoy an intense, important meaningful powerful play that unfolds in real time and focuses important issues for our time
Don't see it if The subject matter is not meaningful for you politically or two people working out intense issues in their relationship is not of interest
Also At only 70 or so minutes, this play packs a powerful punch. It is a we... Read more Read less
See it if interested in portrayal of race, gender & power issues by 2 terrific actors in a show that is multi-layered & very timely. Great set.
Don't see it if occasionally contrived plot developments, but still well worth seeing.
Also MCC's new theater space is a winner!
See it if you want to see a timely play that deals with serious themes. Black lives matter and me too are both addressed here. Both actors fabulous.
Don't see it if you want something light. If you don't like dialogue driven dramas.
Also I liked this a lot, however at times it felt like there was almost too... Read more Read less
See it if You enjoy plays about personal relationships.
Don't see it if You are uncomfortable dealing with tough topics such as rape.
See it if you like to see powerful acting performances and relevant themes. It's a captivating piece of theater in the context of current events.
Don't see it if you're looking for something less serious. Or you don't want to see a play that alludes to such current events like Kavanaugh or R Kelly.
See it if You want to to experience incredible acting. If you want to see a piece about current issues, eg Kavanaugh, Black Lives Matter, Me Too.
Don't see it if The piece is powerful because of the dark turn it takes, which may be painful for some audience members to watch.
Also This an intense, absorbing work. Mandi Masden pours her soul into her ... Read more Read less
See it if you want to see great acting. and if you can allow yourself to be taken to the intense depths this play will take you.
Don't see it if you don't like 2 character plays - or if you aren't willing to take a journey. This is brilliantly done - but INTENSE
See it if You enjoy great acting, a thought provoking play that includes relevant topics and issues in our society and also humor.
Don't see it if You just like fluffy plays or musicals.
See it if a realistic play about a couple looking to take their relationship to the next level, struggling with modern issues of feminism and race.
Don't see it if Dark, disturbing themes are too upsetting for you. You prefer escapism.
Also This was an authentic feeling and powerful work. Mandi Masden gives a ... Read more Read less
See it if Intense two-hander evolves from romance to drama in tightly plotted 70 minutes. Achingly sensitive as lovers try to understand each other.
Don't see it if Very emotive and well done, but occasionally the messages, important as they are, overwhelm the interplay between actors.
See it if you like shows about a relationships that at first is secret and then something is revealed that changes everything
Don't see it if This play is tries to tackle specific themes and gets a little boring because the plot points are so obvious.
See it if you're looking for a show of the moment--particularly one that tackles the #MeToo movement and race relations.
Don't see it if you're looking for escapist entertainment. This show is a reflection of the current state of our country. And it ain't pretty.
See it if Are looking for a current thought provoking and emotionally charged theatrical experience. Bring a plus 1 for post show discussion
Don't see it if You see the theater as a place to escape and be entertained.
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