Magnificent, epic theater for our time: ‘Head of Passes’

In one of the world’s most anthologized poems, W. H. Auden’s “The Second Coming” he wrote of a changing civilization where “Things Fall Apart,” “the centre cannot hold.” There are many variations of the famous poem, as it leaped to the forefront of my mind as I held my breath during the final half of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s haunting, terrifying judgment on a modern world where virtues of the past have been abandoned by many of a younger generation who see a world without hope.

“Head of Passes,” the still young playwright’s awesome new epic on a “center” no longer holding is set, with Auden’s poem soon obviously in mind if you know it — in a crumbling house near the Head of Passes, where the Mississippi River meets the Gulf of Mexico. The time is the distant present. And the final haunting scenario that follows the gradual disintegration of what was to be a birthday celebration of the assorted “families: aged matriarch, Shelah (the altogether magnificent Phylicia Rashad in a “break your heart” lead performance — a “party” destroyed by circumstances you must chill to yourself at the Public Theater.
The news that “Head of Passes” has just been extended for an additional week will hopefully find that additional prelude will be a precursor to this fully realized American tragedy to Broadway, where it belongs, hopefully again starring Rashad, whose central role as the now aged, in poor health matriarch of a brood of close to distant relatives and “would be” who’ve long made her home the safe haven in their fragmented lives.

“Head of Passes” long first act fleshes out the various kith and kin that arrive for the “surprise” party at the crumbling domain as a fierce rainstorm gradually wins the battle that reduces the old house to a sodden mess. And the crumbling mess of Shelah’s home brings with it far worse news about the fate of the tribe who had shared the matriarch’s generosity in living their selfish, self-serving lives.

What had been the bunker between the old lady and her kin and kith was an abiding faith in her God up in Heaven whom she devotedly trusted would be there for her in difficult times throughout her generously accepting role as Shelah this is the matriarch’s discovery is her faith could not save theme of revered matriarch — cranky — but never excluding her kin — or their kin — or kin of the moment.

In the short act following intermission we learn of her family’s “fate” iin the storm—and with it what will break your own heart is that the old woman discovers her faith could not save them—and the results of that literally staggering knowledge Every performance in “Head of Passes” is perfectly, memorably honed, with special kudos to Shelah’s caring doctor(Robert Joy), to closest friend Mae (Arnetia Walker, to selfish “daughter” Cookie (Alana Arenas) representing the worse of her self-centered generation — but still loved and accepted because she is “family.”

The short post-intermission tear-buster where further crises will be left for you to discover is a further testament to the magnificence of Phylicia Rashad’s starring role —surely to be recognized in this season’s outstanding performances. And equal praise belongs to director Tina Landau and the superb production team for every perfect aspect of “Head of Passes. Perfection is a rare and thrilling result in theater. “Head of Passes,” long in gestation—is an epic triumph under the caring guidance of his theatrical “home base” at the Public theater.

I have been a devoted “fan” since his very first play at the Public, “The Brother’s Size”, in 2007And this exquisitely crafted, --sure to become a classic work of art and genius is also a tribute to all who have nurtured the playwright. With the extension of “Head of Passes” through Sunday, May 1 a new block of tickets is now on sale with tickets available at (212) 967-7555. For additional information on becoming a member or Partner of the Public the number to call is (212) 967-755.5

NEW NEWS!!: Other new theater you’ll surely want to visit include the Public’s “Dry Powder” a play about the inner sanctums of high Wall Street Finance from back-stabbing to even lower ambitions.

And the current “Nathan the Wise” at CSC which takes us back to ancient times to reveal what faith can’t and can accomplish! The one thing rain can’t dampen is great theater!!