A Strange Loop is, indeed, a Pulitzer Prize winner, and counts as producers such luminaries as Alan Cumming, Mindy Kaling, and Jennifer Hudson. But it is not, as touted, "Something for everyone." I'm a straight, white, middle-aged, woman from Westchester, and even after a life in (and out) of the theater, this show was a bit much to take.
The plot revolves around a young black man named Usher who is trying to write a musical about his life in the theater. He is surrounded by six players, who are his inner Thoughts, almost exclusively negative. There's not much plot or action; we are shown Usher having anal sex with a father figure (a real eye opener), visiting his family, who hopes he'll write a "Tyler Perry spiritual show" (have they met him?), and fellow subway travelers in skimpy, see-through outfits (Halloween in the Village?). Usher has to confront all his demons, "too fat," "too ugly," “undesirable."
The night I attended, the production show was halted about about 15 minutes in, and the lead actor was replaced by the understudy, Kyle Ramar Freeman. Freeman has a magnificent, soaring voice, and he hits those high notes with ease. He's also a fine actor. In fact, everyone in the company is superbly talented. We're told that all the performers are both black and gay; this begs the question: do they have to be? Usher has an inner White girl; what if someone in the cast is straight? These performers are so talented, I think their personal sexual preferences are irrelevant.
But before you invite Granny to see this show, make sure she has a high tolerance for: four letter words, the "n" word said over and over again, and lots of vivid descriptions of male-on-male sex. She may surprise you… but I doubt it.
