Like

Towleroad

  • Body
  • Daily Resist
  • POLITICS
  • Travel
  • Music
  • Theatre
  • Film
  • TV
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Men
  • Marriage Equality
  • Space
  • Trans Rights
  • Books
  • Science
  • Gay Iconography
  • TowleREAD

BREAKING: In Unhinged Facebook Rant, GOP PA Rep. Daryl Metcalfe Calls Rep. Brian Sims a ‘Lying Homosexual’

Ethan Hawke Opens in ‘Clive’ Off Broadway: REVIEW

PreviousPrevious Story‘Ex-Gay’ Therapy Video Approved by State Regulators and Shown to Maryland Students is Pulled
NextNext StoryWinter Storm ‘Nemo’ from Space: PHOTO

by Naveen Kumar
February 8, 2013 | 11:18am

Share Comments

Clive top

BY NAVEEN KUMAR

Realism bites—and so does
reality, for that matter. Before Ethan and Winona, there was Bertolt Brecht, the
anti-naturalist whose 1923 play Baal,
about the self-propelled downward spiral of a poet-cum-anti-hero, serves
as inspiration for Jonathan Marc Sherman’s Clive, which opened Off Broadway last
night in a New Group production at the Acorn Theatre.

Ethan & ZoeAppropriately enough, Sherman
sets his retelling—directed by and starring frequent New Group collaborator
Ethan Hawke—squarely in the Gen-X hunk’s heyday: that angsty, flannel-clad era
when grungy rock stars burnt up quickly with unironic rage, the 1990s. It’s a
far cry from Brecht’s pre WWII Germany, but the portrait of an
artist-as-hedonistic-narcissist is a tale as old as time.

Sherman refashions Brecht’s
drunken German poet into a drunken New York City musician named Clive, played
by Hawke. Following the basic framework of Brecht’s plot, the play presents a
series of disjointed, episodic scenes rather than a clear, conventional storyline. Though increasingly bizarre in style as the play progresses, scenes chronicle the sort of typical bad behavior
you might expect from a rocker who looks like Ethan Hawke living in 1990s New
York City—plenty of booze, pills, and of course, much womanizing with consequences
of varying severity. 

You shouldn’t need to know
much about a play’s source material to greet it on its own terms (although the
New Group does provide a written insert), but a few minimally nuanced tidbits
from Brecht’s Wiki might be helpful here for anyone who didn’t go to drama
school.

Clive 3Though Brecht wrote Baal when he was twenty, before fully developing
his signature theory and practice of ‘epic theatre’ (and becoming a staunch
Marxist), nascent elements of it are on display here. Brecht and his peers were
foremost insistent that the audience never get swept up by the action of a play
and forget that they’re sitting in a theatre. Actors speak their actions (“I
wept, openly!”) often in place of performing them, and frequently address the
audience directly, breaking the so-called fourth wall.

Alienation, though not an
accepted translation of Brecht's desired effect, can feel pretty accurate in Sherman and Hawke's borrowed aesthetic.

Hawke’s ensemble cast includes
Vincent D’Onofrio (Law & Order:
Criminal Intent
), indie
darling Zoe Kazan (Angels in America),
comic chameleon Brooks Ashmanskas (Promises,
Promises
), and the playwright himself, each juggling a variety of
characters, most of whom are mistreated by Clive or worse on his way to rock-bottom.

Clive 4The production’s integration
of musical effects is both inventive and seamless, thanks in no small part to Derek McLane’s
imaginative set design with uncommon instruments built into its doors. Though with
both playwright and director busy on stage, Hawke’s staging seems to lack the
benefit of an outsider perspective.

Brecht and the distinct style
of theatre he pioneered are definitely not for everyone—i.e. if you prefer your
theatre served straight-up, complete with empathetic characters and storylines
and a slice-of-life for dessert, you'll likely want to fill up elsewhere.
Otherwise you might ask your neighbor to nudge you awake three quarters in, so
at least you can say you saw Ethan Hawke topless in a 199 seat theatre. 

Clive continues performances Off Broadway at the Acron Theatre through March 9th. 

Recent theatre features…
Martin Moran's 'All The Rage' Opens Off Broadway: REVIEW
Ben Rimalower Is Working Through His 'Patti Issues' At The Duplex: INTERVIEW
'Picnic' Starring Sebastian Stan Opens on Broadway: REVIEW
'The Other Place' Starring Laurie Metcalf Opens On Broadway: REVIEW
Rob Ashford Takes on 'Cat On A Hot Tin Roof' on Broadway: INTERVIEW

Follow Naveen Kumar on Twitter: @Mr_NaveenKumar.

PreviousPrevious Story‘Ex-Gay’ Therapy Video Approved by State Regulators and Shown to Maryland Students is Pulled
NextNext StoryWinter Storm ‘Nemo’ from Space: PHOTO
Share Like Comments

Posted February 8, 2013 at 11:18am ETC by Naveen Kumar
in Ethan Hawke, Naveen Kumar, New York, News, Review, Theatre



Follow Us

Like Towleroad

Towleroad

Video

gay rights uhuru kenyatta

Gay Rights of No Importance in Kenya, Says President Uhuru Kenyatta

Share60 Like60

darytl metcalfe brian sims

In Unhinged Facebook Rant, GOP PA Rep. Daryl Metcalfe Calls Rep. Brian Sims a ‘Lying Homosexual’

Share171 Like171

trevor bell

Rudy Giuliani, Kitchen Cabinets, Robbie Turner, Tina Fey, Tumbleweeds, Rod Rosenstein, Johnny Sins: HOT LINKS

Share38 Like38

Avicii

EDM Star Avicii Dead at 28

Share89 Like89

trump lies

On New Tape, Trump Lies About His Wealth to Get on List of ‘Forbes’ Richest People: LISTEN

Share58 Like58

theta tau

Syracuse Frat Bros Suspended for Racist, Homophobic, Anti-Semitic Video Apologize for ‘Satirical Sketch’

Share36 Like36

Hunk of the Day

dan reynolds gay

Imagine Dragons’ Dan Reynolds Strips Down with Rainbow Flag: ‘Embrace Our Sexual Diversity’

Share771 Like771

Columns

  • Recap The Queens On ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Talk the Talk [RECAP and RANKING]
  • Theatre Review Time’s Up? Not So Fast: ‘Carousel’ Is Back on Broadway: REVIEW
  • Theatre Review In ‘This Flat Earth,’ Growing Up in the Shadow of a School Shooting
  • Recap ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Queens Get App Happy and Flocked Up on the Runway [RECAP and RANKING]
  • Theatre Review In ‘Three Tall Women’ and ‘Yerma,’ Stunning Portraits of Women on the Verge: REVIEW
  • Theatre Review Chris Evans and Michael Cera Are Men in Uniform in Kenneth Lonergan’s Superb ‘Lobby Hero’: REVIEW
  • Theatre Review Andrew Garfield and Nathan Lane Star in Electrifying ‘Angels in America’: REVIEW
  • Theatre Review A Slushy ‘Frozen’ Opens on Broadway: REVIEW
  • Recap It All Comes To An End On ‘Versace: American Crime Story’ Finale: RECAP
  • Film Review Weekend Movie Review: ‘Love, Simon’ is a Must-See

Latest Posts

  • Enraged Trump: Michael Cohen is Not Going to Flip, and if He Does, He’ll Be Lying1 hour ago
  • gay rights uhuru kenyattaGay Rights of No Importance in Kenya, Says President Uhuru Kenyatta2 hours ago
  • darytl metcalfe brian simsIn Unhinged Facebook Rant, GOP PA Rep. Daryl Metcalfe Calls Rep. Brian Sims a ‘Lying Homosexual’2 hours ago
  • trevor bellRudy Giuliani, Kitchen Cabinets, Robbie Turner, Tina Fey, Tumbleweeds, Rod Rosenstein, Johnny Sins: HOT LINKS22 hours ago
  • Montreal gay villageA Gay Couple’s Guide to 5 of Montreal’s Must-Sees23 hours ago
  • AviciiEDM Star Avicii Dead at 2824 hours ago
  • rupauls drag race recapThe Queens On ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Talk the Talk [RECAP and RANKING]24 hours ago
  • second presidential debate highlightsDemocratic National Committee Sues Trump, Russia, and Wikileaks, Alleging Far-Reaching Conspiracy to Sway Election1 day ago
  • Trump Invited Putin to White House Twice During Last Phone Call: REPORT1 day ago
  • Rupert EverettRupert Everett’s Oscar Wilde Biopic ‘The Happy Prince’ Gets a Full UK Trailer: WATCH1 day ago
  • amazonGay Rights an ‘Unspoken’ Factor for Amazon in Search for New HQ, According to Insiders1 day ago
  • trump liesOn New Tape, Trump Lies About His Wealth to Get on List of ‘Forbes’ Richest People: LISTEN1 day ago
  • This Survey Is Important Even if These Gay Stock Photos are Dumb1 day ago
  • ‘Glee’ Actor Kevin McHale Discusses Sexual Orientation for First Time: Ariana Grande’s Song is ‘Gayer Than Me’1 day ago
  • Trump Lashes Out: ‘Shadey James Comey Can Leak and Lie’ But ‘Michael Flynn’s Life Can Be Totally Destroyed’1 day ago
  • theta tauSyracuse Frat Bros Suspended for Racist, Homophobic, Anti-Semitic Video Apologize for ‘Satirical Sketch’1 day ago
  • kylie stop me from fallingKylie Minogue Adds Some Cuban Heat to Her Country-Tinged Single ‘Stop Me From Falling’ – WATCH1 day ago
  • cynthia nixon governorMarriage Equality Advocates Call Out Cynthia Nixon for Flip-Flop in Praise for Cuomo1 day ago

You Might Also Like

  • cynthia nixon governorgay marriage Marriage Equality Advocates Call Out Cynthia Nixon for Flip-Flop in Praise for Cuomo
  • cynthia nixon stephen colbertNew York Cynthia Nixon Zaps ‘Bad Cuomo’ in Colbert Interview: ‘Put Some Ointment on That Burn!’
  • ada vox defying gravitymusic Drag Queen Ada Vox Stuns ‘American Idol’ with Soaring Version of ‘Defying Gravity’ – WATCH
  • New York Time’s Up? Not So Fast: ‘Carousel’ Is Back on Broadway: REVIEW
  • Peter HujarNew York You’ve Got About a Month Left to See This Stunning Gay Photo Exhibit in NYC
  • this flat earthEntertainment In ‘This Flat Earth,’ Growing Up in the Shadow of a School Shooting

Latest Posts

  • Ethan Hawke Opens in ‘Clive’ Off Broadway: REVIEW

    An enraged Donald Trump on Saturday morning came after the New York Times for a report that his personal lawyer Michael Cohen may end up turning on him and cooperating with federal investigators who raided his office and home last week. Tweeted Trump…
    Read

  • Ethan Hawke Opens in ‘Clive’ Off Broadway: REVIEW

    Asked by CNN’s Christiane Amanpour about Kenya’s laws declaring homosexuality illegal, President Uhuru Kenyatta made his position perfectly clear: “I will not engage in a subject that is not of any major importance to the people and…
    Read

  • Ethan Hawke Opens in ‘Clive’ Off Broadway: REVIEW

    Pennsylvania GOP state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe – you’ll remember him as the lawmaker who freaked out during a committee meeting last December when Rep. Matt Bradford, touched him on the arm to get his attention, declaring, “I’m a hetero…
    Read

  • Ethan Hawke Opens in ‘Clive’ Off Broadway: REVIEW

    YOU’RE HIRED. Trump hires Rudy Giuliani amid legal turmoil: “The entry of Giuliani, an experienced attorney with a combative reputation, immediately raises questions about how Trump will engage with Mueller and the leadership at Justice.…
    Read

  • Ethan Hawke Opens in ‘Clive’ Off Broadway: REVIEW

    We completely fell in love with Montreal in Quebec, Canada. We came here in the summer to celebrate the first Fierte Canada Pride, which was being hosted by Montreal. It was a blast – one of the best pride events we’ve been to, and in a very welcomin…
    Read

  • Ethan Hawke Opens in ‘Clive’ Off Broadway: REVIEW

    EDM artist, DJ and producer Avicii (aka Tim Bergling) has died at the age of 28 in Oman, according to a statement from his representative. Variety reports: ‘“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the loss of Tim Bergling, also known as Av…
    Read

  • Ethan Hawke Opens in ‘Clive’ Off Broadway: REVIEW

    Fresh off last week’s runway, Asia is furious because … well, I guess because the other girls let her help them? I get that she regrets having mismanaged her time, but, to be fair, all the girls leapt to her defense in front of the judges. Miz Cracke…
    Read

  • second presidential debate highlights

    Democratic National Committee Sues Trump, Russia, and Wikileaks, Alleging Far-Reaching Conspiracy to Sway Election

    The Democratic National Committee on Friday sued the Trump campaign, the Russian government, and Wikileaks in a multi-million dollar lawsuit claiming a vast conspiracy to sway the electorate in favor of Donald Trump. The Washington Post reports: The…
    Read

  • Trump Invited Putin to White House Twice During Last Phone Call: REPORT

    Donald Trump invited Russian president Vladimir Putin to the White House twice during a recent phone call and the Kremlin is now expecting a formal invitation, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported on Friday. Reuters reports: The news agency quote…
    Read

  • Ethan Hawke Opens in ‘Clive’ Off Broadway: REVIEW

    The Happy Prince, the Oscar Wilde biopic directed by and starring Rupert Everett, just released a full UK trailer, and it follows the iconic gay writer’s career, romance, and persecution. The film had its premiere at Sundance. Colin Firth, Emil…
    Read

Most Commented

Hot Reads

  • America’s Top Crime Family: The Trumps
  • High Stakes for LGBTQ Equality in the Anti-Gay Baker Case at the Supreme Court
  • State Department ‘Deeply Disturbed’ by Reports of Detention, Torture, and Murder of Gay Men in Chechnya
  • Anti-Gay Pastor Who Said Orlando Victims ‘Got What They Deserved’ Guilty of Sexually Molesting Boy and Girl
  • Neil Gorsuch is Trump’s Terrible, No Good Nominee for the Supreme Court: An Analysis
  • 2017 Resolutions All Gay Men Should Consider
  • Comedian Eric Andre: The Gay Interview

Today's News

Jump To Day: Choose
  • Enraged Trump: Michael Cohen is Not Going to Flip, and if He Does, He’ll Be Lying
  • Gay Rights of No Importance in Kenya, Says President Uhuru Kenyatta
  • In Unhinged Facebook Rant, GOP PA Rep. Daryl Metcalfe Calls Rep. Brian Sims a ‘Lying Homosexual’
  • Rudy Giuliani, Kitchen Cabinets, Robbie Turner, Tina Fey, Tumbleweeds, Rod Rosenstein, Johnny Sins: HOT LINKS
  • A Gay Couple’s Guide to 5 of Montreal’s Must-Sees
  • EDM Star Avicii Dead at 28
  • The Queens On ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Talk the Talk [RECAP and RANKING]
  • Democratic National Committee Sues Trump, Russia, and Wikileaks, Alleging Far-Reaching Conspiracy to Sway Election
  • Trump Invited Putin to White House Twice During Last Phone Call: REPORT
  • Rupert Everett’s Oscar Wilde Biopic ‘The Happy Prince’ Gets a Full UK Trailer: WATCH
  • Gay Rights an ‘Unspoken’ Factor for Amazon in Search for New HQ, According to Insiders
  • On New Tape, Trump Lies About His Wealth to Get on List of ‘Forbes’ Richest People: LISTEN
  • This Survey Is Important Even if These Gay Stock Photos are Dumb
  • ‘Glee’ Actor Kevin McHale Discusses Sexual Orientation for First Time: Ariana Grande’s Song is ‘Gayer Than Me’

Share This

Share3.3k Like3.3k

Read

  • Politics
  • Travel
  • Film
  • Theatre
  • Television
  • Science
  • Law – LGBT Rights
  • Columns
  • Specials

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Contributors
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Follow Us

© 2014 Towleroad. All Rights Reserved.