Following a multi-award winning world premiere at Playwrights Horizons, A Strange Loop, written by Michael R. Jackson and directed by Stephen Brackett, makes its Broadway debut in spring 2022. Get A Strange Loop tickets on New York Theatre Guide now.
What is A Strange Loop about?
A Strange Loop is a musical by a Black, gay writer about a Black, gay writer working on a show about a Black, gay writer. The main character is Usher, who works a day job he hates as a theatre usher. His passion is writing, and he wants to make a go of that, so he spends his spare time working on an original musical, essentially about "himself." The main character of Usher's show is, like Usher, a writer who hates his day job and wants to follow his passion.
But it's not so easy for Usher: The one professional writing gig he gets — ghostwriting a new Tyler Perry play — he hates. He's at a constant war with himself as an artist too, battling the self-deprecating, straight-shooting thoughts in his head, brought to life in A Strange Loop by a raucous ensemble. He has to contend with his own demons in order to free himself from his "strange loop" and become not just the writer with the day job who wants to make it, but the writer who makes it.
A Strange Loop had its world premiere off Broadway in 2019. The acclaimed production won Lucille Lortel, Drama Desk, Obie, Outer Critic's Circle, Off-Broadway Alliance, New York Drama Critic's Circle, and Drama League Awards, including multiple Best Musical accolades, Best Actor nods for Larry Owens as Usher, and awards for Jackson's book and songs. Jackson himself won the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for A Strange Loop, becoming the first Black person to do so for writing a musical.
The musical went on to run in Washington, D.C., at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. With the exception of Owens, the cast and leading creative team — including director Brackett and choreographer Raja Feather Kelly — reprised their roles for the D.C. production, which was extended by a week due to popular demand. The same team from A Strange Loop in D.C. moved with the production to Broadway.
What is the A Strange Loop running time?
A Strange Loop runs 100 minutes with no intermission. The show is recommended for ages 16 and up.
Tickets to A Strange Loop are available now. Get your A Strange Loop tickets on New York Theatre Guide today.
