An exquisite "Mystery"; Pinkins triumphs in "Rasheeda"

One of the immeasurable joys of off-Broadway theater is discovering terrific young playwrights that offer unique and thoughtful dramatic approaches and perspectives.  A fIne example of that is now on display at Lincoln Center's Mitzi Newhouse theater in the form of Bathsheba Doran's excellent new play "The Mystery of Love and Sex."  I last encountered Ms. Doran's work several years ago in Playwrights Horizons' production of "Kin," which was one of the best new plays I had seen in recent years.  I am thrilled to report that Ms. Doran has created another masterful dramatic work with "Mystery," a play that is a richly textured, finely layered and subtly complex exploration of love, relationships and family.  Lincoln Center and director Sam Gold have given this play an exquisite production with a top-notch cast (including Tony Shalhoub, Diane Lane, Gayle Rankin and Mamoudou Athie) that expertly translates the well nuanced writing.  I cannot wait to see Ms. Doran's next play.

The dangers of toxic racial environments in society at large and in the workplace are comically and disturbingly explored in The New Group's mounting of "Rasheeda Speaking."  Tonya Pinkins and Diane Wiest lead the 4 person cast, and while Ms. Wiest is great, Ms. Pinkins gives a performance that is simply stunning.  Together, they skillfully mine the comedic and provocative elements of this solid play that confounds, twists and cunningly subverts audience perceptions and sympathies.  Admittedly, Ms. Pinkins has always been one of my favorite stage performers, but here she takes her acting to a whole new level in a difficult role that really makes or breaks the play.  Unquestionably, she makes this one terriffic, and does so in a peerless manner.