Theater Thursday - I Need That

We were given complimentary tickets to I Need That for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own. 

What: I Need That 

Where: American Airlines Theatre 

            227 W. 42nd St.

            New York, NY 

Who: Recommended for Ages 12 and Up

When: Through December 30, 2023

Most of us are used to Danny DeVito bringing the funny, but we may have not gotten to see his other more sensitive side. I Need That is a great opportunity to do so. DeVito really shines in the role of Sam, a widower and hoarder, who is convinced that he needs to hang onto his stuff to hang onto the memories of his late wife. He really gets to show a much softer side than he does in his typical roles, and it is a nice change of pass. 

DeVito's daughter, Lucy co-stars in the role of his daughter, Amelia, tasked with getting her father to clean up his house to avoid being kicked out and sent to an old age home. The show was in fact, written for the pair by playwright, Teresa Rebck, and they play off each other nicely. Although Lucy's acting may not seem as effortless as her father's, she is definitely a chip off the old block. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree neither in life nor in the play. 

The third character in the show is Sam's friend and neighbor, Foster played by Ray Anthony Thomas. He does a nice job in his role as well. He and DeVito play off each other nicely too.

The set is incredible. It is such an amazing job of depicting the home of a hoarder that you wonder how the actors know where to step without falling or getting hurt. It can be a bit distracting at times, however, due to the fact that there is so much to look at.

In some ways, the show goes exactly where you would expect it to go. However, there is a surprise or two along the way especially one particular plot development late in the show. To say more would be a spoiler. On the whole, the main thing to know about this show is that at its core this is a touching story about a father and daughter played by an actual father and daughter, a fact which adds an extra layer to the whole experience.

And that's our view. For more about I Need That, visit www.roundabouttheatre.org/get-tickets/2023-2024-season/i-need-that.

Tune in Saturday for Still More Theatre Saturday.

Photo credits: 

All I Need That production photos by Joan Marcus

Images used in this post have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms.
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