Kenneth Lonergan's comedy THIS IS OUR YOUTH is coming to Broadway for the first time, directed by Tony Award winner Anna D. Shapiro and starring Michael Cera, Kieran Culkin, and Tavi Gevinson. THIS IS OUR YOUTH follows three wayward young people as they navigate 1982 New York, recreating their broken homes in both their dysfunctional friendships and their bungled attempts at finding love. THIS IS OUR YOUTH is a living snapshot of the moment when young people first find themselves on the threshold of adulthood-far more sophisticated than their parents realize, and far less effectual than they themselves can possibly imagine.
THIS IS OUR YOUTH reminds us why The New York Times calls Kenneth Lonergan "arguably the most important American playwright of the last 20 years," and why Slate calls him "the most potent dramatic voice of his generation."
Culkin is sensational as Dennis, a talkative schemer whose occasional stumbles in no way impede his innate sense of self-confidence. Cera is nearly as strong as Warren, a willfully quirky boy who collects action figures and vintage toasters and who endures Dennis' poetic rants of invective against him like a pound puppy who craves attention no matter what form it takes...At 18, Gevinson is closer to her character's age than her castmates--but she can seem less at ease on stage for reasons that have nothing to do with Jessica's natural discomfort hanging out in a strange apartment with a virtual stranger.
In spite of it all, I walked out of the two-acter curiously unfulfilled. The play rarely feels relatable, and I'm afraid it's mostly an issue with Cera, the talented 'Juno' and 'Superbad' star who here steps into a role quite similar to that of George Michael, the awkward man-boy he played on 'Arrested Development.' That's the rub -- I think Warren would be better cast with an actor who's got more range...'This Is Our Youth' comes to life whenever Culkin -- 31, but playing a character a decade younger -- is on stage. Dennis, the alpha, is abusive, caustic, violent and a crappy friend -- and yet, you absolutely care about him, because Culkin makes him human...Gevinson, 18, a fashion blogger and burgeoning actress, does effective work making us see Jessica as a young woman trying to own her sexual identity...Shapiro directs with her usual spot-on spontaneity and fluidity.
Videos