As someone who likes to write, I wonder how some playwrights get their work produced. Most do because of their "name" or last great play. That must be the case when it comes to "Back, Back, Back".
I enjoyed his last play "The Four of Us" about two friends both writers who advanced in their careers. One with lots of monetary success and the other with not as much. It was poignant. That's the reason I jumped on the chance to check out the final dress of this show.
I went into this show blind and left with not much information. Here's my take.
Player #1 took steroids (drug enhancements) to stay on the top
Player #2 took too much became hostile and disgruntled
Player #3 rookie player bound to follow the others and start using to get on the top
Not much else happened. The dialog was smart at points, but I felt it was "smart" for smarts sake. Nothing moved the plot along. Note to playwrights: Stop holding your audience hostage for 90 minutes without giving them a break. That holds especially true when there isn't much cause and effect in your play. The play was approximately one hour and forty five minutes long. Too, too long!
I think there could be a good narrative in the subject matter, but for two hours I think it was lost in Itamar Moses' "smart" dialog and character archetypes. I'll still go and see his next play though. One play does not a playwright make.
A good story does...
