A Los Angeles Theatre Review: ‘A Strange Loop’

I’m always wary when there’s any production lauded with so much critical praise and attention that I lower my expectations significantly, especially when they come straight from Broadway (I can’t help it, I’m fiercely proud of my local Los Angeles theatre community and the talents they offer).

But after watching the Center Theatre Group‘s mounting of A Strange Loop at the Ahmanson Theatre last night however, I can only add my voice to the praise choir to this incredible production, written (book, music, and lyrics) by Michael R. Jackson and directed by Tony Award nominee Stephen Brackett. This musical is simply a must-see.

Hell-bent on breaking free of his own self-perception, Usher, a young, gay, Black writer who hates his day job, writes a musical about a young, gay, Black writer who’s writing a musical about a young, gay, Black writer… a strange loop. Usher grapples with desires, identity, and instincts he both loves and loathes, all brought to life on stage by a hilarious, straight-talking ensemble.

From L to R: Tarra Conner Jones, Jordan Barbour, John-Andrew Morrison, Malachi McCaskill, Avionce Hoyles, J. Cameron Barnett, and Jamari Johson Williams in “A Strange Loop” at Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre June 5 through June 30, 2024. Photo by Alessandra Mello.

One of the first things I always pay attention to when watching diverse theatre that’s especially being performed in a mainstream larger theatre is if the production is playing it safe by making white people laugh with the show’s wink-wink jokes of acknowledging them in the audience and not go much further from there. Judging from the few white audience members who abruptly left in shock and dismay throughout the show, that was definitely not the case and I say that in the most positive way. A Strange Loop seems deceptively pleasing with their music sounding very similar to what a person would typically expect from a Broadway production but with the raw, unyielding, and unflinching lyrics that forces the audience to pay attention and also confront their own biases when it comes to queerness, Blackness, and their relationship with white supremacy.

From L to R: Avionce Hoyles, J. Cameron Barnett, Malachi McCaskill, Jamari Johnson Williams, Jordan Barbour, and John-Andrew Morrison in “A Strange Loop” at Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre June 5 through June 30, 2024. Photo by Alessandra Mello.

There were so many moments throughout the musical that I would think in awe of how such a musical was even able to be recognized in the first place. And the answer was quite simple. The show is just that amazing. From providing hard critiques about the Black entertainment community (to which there were many) to acknowledgement of how one can never escape from white supremacy in order to succeed financially in it, to finally redefining what “success” truly means to an individual and finding integrity & genuine happiness along the way. I was laughing hysterically and moved to tears by the entire journey while also being blown away by the sheer acting and musical talent of the entire cast for there were only gods and goddesses on the stage.

From L to R: J. Cameron Barnett, Tarra Conner Jones, Jamari Johnson Williams, John-Andrew Morrison, Malachi McCaskill, Jordan Barbour, Avionce Hoyles in “A Strange Loop” at Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre June 5 through June 30, 2024. Photo by Alessandra Mello.

Malachi McCaskill takes the audience on a most extraordinary journey as the main lead Usher and accompanying him are his Thoughts which are played by an incredible supporting cast of Avionce Hoyles, J. Cameron Barnett, Carlis Shane Clark, John-Andrew Morrison, Jordan Barbour, and Tarra Conner Jones. Special mentions to John-Andrew Morrison who made us absolutely believe that he is Usher’s mother, J. Cameron Barnett whose entrances and exits are some of the best I’ve ever seen, and Avionce Hoyles with some of the best dang pipes I’ve ever heard. Holy moly, can Avionce belt those notes out. There’s a lot of “best” because the talent seen on stage by all the actors are just that good.

From L to R: Jamari Johnson Williams, Tarra Conner Jones, Jordan Barbour, Malachi McCaskill, John-Andrew Morrison, Avionce Hoyles, and J. Cameron Barnett in “A Strange Loop” at Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre June 5 through June 30, 2024. Photo by Alessandra Mello.

With such a wonderful cast and crew that utilizes the space that’s a feast for the eyes and ears (kudos to scenic designer Arnulfo Maldonado, lighting designer Jen Schriever and sound designer Drew Levy), I must also give a shoutout to production stage manager Edmond O’Neal and stage managers Camella Coopilton and Julia Formanek for weaving through all the transitions, especially in the moments of chaos. There is art and efficiency in stage managing and it is with them that magic can happen. And that’s what this show is: magic. But it’s magic that will dare to provoke, even if it makes you feel uncomfortable. Because then you must ask yourself why you feel uncomfortable? Magic that does that kind of questioning is the best kind of magic and it is here that I leave only the best of praises to this musical and that I hope to see Center Theatre Group (under the new leadership of Snehal Desai) continue to bring productions that dazzle and challenge as well as my challenge to all theatre companies to hire these amazing artists beyond the minority check mark box.

From L to R: Avionce Hoyles, Jordan Barbour, J. Cameron Barnett, Tarra Conner Jones, John-Andrew Morrison, and Jamari Johnson Williams in “A Strange Loop” at Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre June 5 through June 30, 2024. Photo by Alessandra Mello.

Venue: Ahmanson Theatre, 135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90012
Dates: Now through Sunday, June 30, 2024
Schedule: Tuesday through Friday evenings at 8:00 p.m.;
Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m

Tickets: Prices — begin at $35
Website — CenterTheatreGroup.org
Phone — Audience Services at (213) 628-2772
In person — Center Theatre Group Box Office (at the Ahmanson Theatre) at The
Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012
Groups —centertheatregroup.org/tickets/groups-and-corporate-offers
Access — Center Theatre Group offers a number of services to accommodate
persons requiring mobility, vision, and hearing access.
For more information, please visit CenterTheatreGroup.org/Access.

Special performance date mentions:
Black Out Night: June 5
Black Out Night is an all-inclusive space where Black-identifying individuals are celebrated, centered, and welcomed. The event begins at 6:30pm with a pre-show reception and community partner celebration at The Music Center campus, featuring Black-owned businesses and inspiring L.A. Black and LGBTQIA+ organizations. Following this, attendees will enjoy a performance of A Strange Loop, culminating in an exclusive post-show talkback session hosted by a special guest.

Pride Night: June 6
Pride Night is a selected performance dedicated for the LGBTQIA+ Community to gather in celebration of A Strange Loop rocking the Ahmanson stage during Pride month! Join us at 6:30pm at The Music Center campus for a pre-show reception and LGBTQIA+ community partner celebration. Then, enjoy a performance of A Strange Loop and stay for an engaging post-show talkback session moderated by a special guest.

Opening Night: June 7
Come party with us and Broadway Rave on the Jerry Moss Plaza after the performance on this special night. Celebrate A Strange Loop by dancing and singing along your favorite Broadway hits!

Juneteenth: June 19 at 8pm
In honor of Juneteenth, we will host a captivating talkback session following the performance of A Strange Loop, moderated by Phill Wilson, co-founder of the Dance for Life Festival and a leading figure in HIV/AIDS and Black LGBTQ+ movements. You won’t want to miss this engaging conversation with the cast and Black community leaders.