ArtsWest, in partnership with The Hansberry Project, is currently playing host to a powerhouse production of Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog, a revival that packs a real punch. The Pulitzer Prize-winning play is a sharp, rhythmic look at two brothers dealing with a difficult past and a shaky future. Directed by Valerie Curtis-Newton, the production moves with a steady, intentional pace. That grounded direction, paired with two heavy-hitting performances, is exactly why this show is so good. 

The entire production is anchored by ML Roberts and Yusef Seevers. Their performances are what make Topdog/Underdog work, turning this two-hander into a high-stakes power struggle that feels completely real. Roberts plays Lincoln, a former street hustler who now earns a living playing an Abraham Lincoln impersonator at a boardwalk arcade. He brings a low-key, weary dignity to the role that keeps the whole story centered. You can see the weight of his past in the way he carries himself, especially when he’s practicing his “death” for the tourists.

Opposite him, Seevers plays the younger brother, Booth, with a restless, unpredictable energy. He is a man who wants to be a “topdog” but doesn’t have the discipline to get there. There’s a mix of ego and hurt in Seevers’ performance that is hard to ignore. The chemistry between the two is the engine of the show. Whether they are sharing a cheap meal or arguing over a deck of cards, they carry the weight of the story.

The brothers’ names are a central part of the story. Their father gave them the names Lincoln and Booth as a joke before abandoning them. This choice turns out to be prophetic, casting the brothers into a historical cycle of conflict that they can’t seem to escape. By the end of the play, the irony of their names moves from a family story to a tragic reality.

Under Curtis-Newton’s direction, a veteran of the Seattle theater scene, the play’s timing is spot on. She lets the actors lean into the play’s unique style of speaking, where the silences often say just as much as the words themselves. In between, there is a jazz-heavy soundscape that periodically punctuates the action on stage.

If you’re heading to Topdog/Underdog at ArtsWest, make sure to spend some time in the lobby gallery first. Artist Myron Curry has an exhibition of paintings featuring iconic Black musicians and educators. You definitely need to pull up and see these portraits. They add a ton of character to the theater and nail the vibe before the show even starts. 

Events to watch for:

Artist Reception: Meet Myron Curry in the gallery on Thursday, February 12 at 5:30 PM.

Talk Back: A post-show discussion with Valerie Curtis-Newton and Vivian Phillips will follow the 3:00 PM matinee on Sunday, February 22.