A Strange Loop by Michael R. Jackson

a review by Nicky Delva

I was recently introduced to the world of theater earlier this year. I was told the first show I watched was a “classic,” it was a musical following a young white woman trying to make it out of her small town and away from her neglectful husband. The songs were great, not necessarily because I liked them, but because everyone was talented, could hit ranges effortlessly while acting and dancing, and everything felt cohesive. I’ve never been a fan of musicals, and I honestly don’t care for anything other than witty and dark and more thoughtful art, but I appreciated it in a way where I knew I could probably fall in love with this world if there were a show about shit that I cared about. 

I always thought the world of theater, especially in New York City, was reserved and made for the white upper class. As I continued to attend random shows with my friend (a certified Broadway lover), I noticed the same faces in the crowd, not literally but in essence: white. Although each show does an excellent job of drawing you into a new world through song and dance where you oftentimes forget your surroundings, I couldn’t help but still feel a little out of place once I took notice. However, A Strange Loop changed everything for me from the moment Usher rang his bell to the second the curtain closed. Beyond it being an all-black and queer cast, the plot is one of the best I’ve ever seen – everything was incredibly meta and filled with 4th wall breaks, raw internal dialogue, black family trauma, and a heartbreaking but admirable story within a story. I admit I cried a few times, but I also laughed so hard and felt engaged and in tune with the cast throughout every scene. 

To me, the coolest part of the play was Usher’s intrusive thoughts being brought to life and their multidimensional personalities evolving throughout the play. This play was beyond brilliant, and I can’t even begin to capture it with words; I just highly suggest anyone new to the world of theater to start here, especially if they are black.  Of course, the crowd was primarily white, and so many references went over their head to the point where I’d be cackling loudly and alone, but the play even pointed that out so beautifully and made a note of the ongoing battle between black people and existing comfortably in the world of theater. There was so much to unpack, whether it was self-esteem, gender, race, body dysmorphia, the trauma of the black church, and other black tropes. It almost sounds overwhelming when written out and realizing how many different perspectives and topics were represented but it was digestible and especially relatable. A Strange Loop was not only well named but also all-encompassing; I only hope to encounter more art like this, but I feel so grateful that I was able to experience this moment.