I saw this Saturday night and really enjoyed the show. It's nothing shocking or avant-garde, but rather a sold, well-written play with good dialogue and humor. Apparently the playwright, Lucy Thurber, had been a scholarship student herself, and she wrote Transfers from that perspective.
The acting was very strong all around, and the two young men who are vying for scholarships were particularly believable. I had seen Ato Blankson-Wood in The Total Bent at the Public and thought he had amazing stage presence. He's excellent here too as a natural scholar with some academic deficits who has come to terms, mostly, with being gay. (Please, somebody cast him in a musical soon!) I wasn't familiar with Juan Castano, but he more than held his own as a competitive wrestler whose focus is derailed by his living situation. They share an uneasy past, and it's interesting to see their relationship develop from this point. Nice sets too. Running time is about an hour and 45 minutes, no intermission. Worth seeing! My TDF tickets were quite good, fourth row center.
It occurred to me that another current play, Admissions, at Lincoln Center, is mining the same territory, and I would like to get over there to compare the two.
I saw Admissions the other day and really liked it and the issues it discussed. Reading some reviews of this it doesn't seem as interesting as Admissions, or is it?
Having a hard time deciding whether or not to see this. Was leaning towards no, then saw Our Lady of 121st street tonight which I felt was enjoyable but empty plot and development wise so was wishing I just gave Transfers a shot instead.
It's good I would suggest seeing it. It is focused on the experience of being a scholarship kid and the idea of having to play to elite institutions and pretend to be someone else to get it. Worth it!
joined:3/26/11
joined:
3/26/11
Posted: 4/6/18 at 12:14am