Leisure, Labor, Lust
About the show
This three-part queer love story in one evening spans turn-of-the-century New York, from the horrors of mental illness, to the paralysis of the immigrant, to the impossibility of being closeted, to a gothic romance. More…
Inspired by the work of Edith Wharton and Jacob Riis, 'Leisure, Labor, Lust' is a contemporary theater piece about everything America was and still is, cleverly disguised in a corset and gown. *Please note this play contains nudity. Not appropriate for children under 14.
"Edith Wharton’s Old New York milieu is so accurately replicated in the absorbing and richly theatrical drama 'Leisure, Labor, Lust' that it often seems like an adaptation rather than an original work...Farrington realizes her vision with superior artistry...She has the cast of four positioned precisely yet fluidly throughout as they deliver majestic performances. Combined with the accomplished technical elements this all results in a visually and emotionally arresting experience." Full Review
"Farrington’s smartly crafted exploration of the mores and motives of Edith Wharton’s New York...The three parts of the show, each satisfying on its own, don't entirely feel like they add up to a whole. Each is different in its pacing and performance style...Despite these quirks, the play is a potent examination of how societal constraints and personal weaknesses lead to dishonesty, both with oneself and the people who are closest, and the ripple effect that can have." Full Review
"Interesting subject matter...But unfortunately Farrington brings little new to the table...The gender-blind casting proves less a distraction...than the numerous flashbacks...Farrington's direction has the women often facing out to the audience to deliver their lines, and it's boring. With the men, the habit is less obtrusive, but nonetheless distancing. It's unfortunate she didn't trust someone else to look at the script and give it a better chance for success." Full Review
See it if you want a deliciously fun queer love story that incorporates both the people, places, and particular turn-of- the-century plot twists.
Don't see it if you are not open to non-linear plots, clever layers of deception, and the heightened nuances of language, labor, and, indeed, LUST.
See it if You want to see a cool contemporary play at a very nice non-profit theater. This is the stuff Theatre is built on.
Don't see it if You want a fully developed piece.
See it if A bit too clever for its own good but the actors elevate the material which, at times, feels a bit like a work in process. Kill intermission
Don't see it if The two actresses outshine their male counterparts, hence the last act, performed only by the men, feels long, forced and bit of a letdown.
Cast & Creatives (8)
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