André
Holland, better known as an actor, brings a deft hand as a director to Greg
Keller’s play, Dutch Masters.
It is an intriguing, tense and thoughtful two hander that rifts on race and
class while exploring a relationship between two young men who meet by
happenstance on the subway.
Set in
1992, before cell phones made everyone feel a little safer and the subway was a
bit more frightening, Eric, an African – American young man, initiates a conversation
with Steve – a young white man trying to ignore everything around him. Talking
on the subway is disconcerting enough, and Eric makes it more so by pushing a
conversation even though Steve is trying to politely ignore him. The play keeps
the audience guessing at motives. Eric is too interested in Steve, sometimes
threatening and other times ingratiating. When Eric convinces or demands that
Steve get off the train to get high with him, we don’t understand much, except
this is a bad idea.
 |
| Jake Horowitz and Ian Duff in Dutch Masters - Photo, Spencer Moses |
What
follows is fascinating. Eric slowly dishes out information that convinces Steve
that Eric knows a lot more than he lets on. Small insights and random details
about Steve’s life. It is enough to keep Steve interested and uncomfortable. After
this, the play turns, again and again, in ways that are unexpected.
Ian Duff
plays Eric, a street kid who is smart, with a forceful personality both
seductive and a bit frightening. Mr. Duff is excellent in the role, playing off
the street-ness of Eric without falling into stereotypical behavior. Steve is played by Jake Horowitz. Mr. Horowitz
does a great job in a role that is deferential without being too wimpy. Steve
tries extra hard to not be a racist, but is tripped up by Eric’s actions, only
to find they are often an act.
Dutch Masters is about
the way these two young adults see life, often even the same incidents, through
completely different eyes. Sometimes the views are aligned, but more often disparate
vantage points preclude a common understanding. It is done wonderfully and I recommend
Dutch Masters highly. It is a
surprising and interesting show designed to pull you off center.
Dutch Masters | Playwright: Greg Keller | Director: André Holland |Cast: Ian Duff, Jake
Horowitz | website
