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Blackout Songs Opens at MCC Theater, Pairing Visceral Acting With Fragmented Memory

The U.S. premiere draws strong notices for Abbey Lee, Owen Teague under Rory McGregor.

Overview

  • The production began January 27 at the Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space and runs through February 28.
  • Joe White’s two-hander follows unnamed lovers shaped by alcoholism and AA in a nonlinear sequence that mirrors blackout gaps.
  • Reviewers cite standout design by Scott Pask, Stacey Derosier and Brian Hickey that carves scenes into pools of memory.
  • Notices praise the leads’ physical, emotionally charged work while noting confusion, repetition and limited character depth.
  • The play originated at Hampstead Theatre in 2022 with an Olivier nomination, and this run marks Abbey Lee’s American stage debut and Owen Teague’s New York stage debut.