Ngozi Anyanwu has created a smash hit with “The Monsters,” a Manhattan Theatre Club production playing at New York City Center Stage II on W 55th St. She has created a powerful story about two siblings, BIG and LIL, intensely performed by Okieriete Onaodowan and Aigner Mizzelle. The chemistry between these two actors is on fire from the opening scene. These two thespians play off of each other to perfection. There is a tension between the characters, but there is also misunderstanding, resentment, and a strained love.
Anyanwu lets the audience experience the relationship between a half-brother and sister who shared the same abusive father but had different mothers. Both mothers were the victims of the father’s abuse and paid the price by abusing substances. Both youths grew up feeling fear daily. BIG experienced a special type of trauma as a child, which cheated him of his childhood. BIG took his trauma and turned to mixed martial arts to take out his aggression on his opponent. LIL had to find ways to survive with him coming in and out of her life as a child. When we meet the characters, they have just been at BIG’s mixed martial arts match, which he won, under his professional name “The Monster.” LIL has been tracking his career for years and finally gets up the nerve to speak to him. As these siblings come back together, the audience is taken through many touching flashback scenes, revealing how loving and protective BIG was of LIL when they were children. But then how things changed when their abusive father passed away. We see that while BIG easily defeats his opponents, he struggles with his childhood demons. LIL turns to mixed martial arts to follow in her brother’s footsteps. But, it is definitely not that cut and dry. Through the intricate storyline the audience sees how monsters can be created from one’s past traumas.
This storyline has many twists and turns that will keep you captivated. There are also riveting mixed martial arts fight scenes with punches and flying kicks that are delivered in a very imaginative way.
Onaodowan is perfectly cast for this role; not only does he have an amazing physique, but when you hear what his character is struggling with, you can imagine that he would understand the issues of BIG. He delivers an extraordinarily focused performance as BIG. You can feel his struggle with trying to be seen as more than just his physical appearance. You can understand his frustration with people always wanting him to play a role as “The Monster” and not just be himself. Mizzelle is quite multi-layered as LIL. While her character is a bit timid in the beginning, she gains the confidence and determination to have a relationship with her brother somewhat quickly. She aggressively pursues breaking down the emotional barriers he felt he needed to put up against the world, and uses humor to break the tension. Watching these two actors spare between youth to present time is mesmerizing. It is staggering to realize the trauma that children in a dysfunctional home can experience and how they have to find the best way to survive. However, whatever they do to survive, it does not erase the pain, the hurt, the disappointment they experienced during their childhood. It does not erase the feeling of abandonment they feel, when, for whatever reason, one’s older, protective sibling is no longer there to support and help you. These siblings feel a number of emotions towards each other: anger, abandonment, betrayal, and resentment. It is stunning to watch how they maneuver through their emotions to try to find a common place where they can express their feelings and come to a common ground. It is beautiful when each character can finally see the other, not just seeing the person physically in front of them, but seeing that person on the inside. It is very difficult to live in a world and feel that you are not seen. Anyanwu’s production definitely packs a powerful punch that, in the end, will emotionally knock you out.
“The Monsters” is a play that will have you invested and engrossed. Anyanwu delivers intense direction of this poignant piece. It truly works that, in this case, the playwright is the director, because she truly seems to be able to give the story every element of layering and consistency that it needs to be a brilliant production. The play’s creative team does quite well and includes choreography by Rickey Tripp, scenic design by Andrew Boyce, costume design by Mika Eubanks, lighting design by Cha See, original music and sound design by Mikaal Sulaiman, and phenomenal fight direction by Gerry Rodriguez.
“The Monsters” runs 90 minutes with no intermission and no late seating. Believe me, you will be captivated, touched, and entertained. For ticket information, visit manhattantheatreclub.com.