Last month, I got to attend the second to last performance of Lincoln Center Theater's "The Skin of Our Teeth". The play ran for 26 previews and 35 regular performances opening on April 25, 2022 and closing May 29, 2022.
Lincoln Center's revival of Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize-winning play (with additional material by Brandon Jacobs-Jenkens) is the first iteration to return to Broadway since its premiere in 1942.
The production was directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz in her broadway debut and featured designs by Adam Rigg (scenic), Montana Levi Blanco (costume), Yi Zhao (lighting), Palmer Hefferan (sound), and Hannah Wasileski (projection).
The opening night cast featured James Vincent Meredith (Mr. Antrobus), Roslyn Ruff (Mrs. Antrobus), Julian Robertson (Henry Antrobus), Paige Gilbert (Gladys Antrobus), and Gabby Beans (Sabina).
"The Skin of Our Teeth" chronicles the adventures of the Antrobus family as they navigate the challenges of human existence. The first act takes place on the cusp of an ice age. The Antrobus's welcome refugees and adorable dinosaur puppets into their home despite their domestic struggles. In the second act, the family encounters the excitement and danger of Atlantic City just before a terrible storm. The third act finds the family recovering from civil war and coming to terms with the human experience.
What makes "The Skin of Our Teeth" so interesting (besides for the cute dinosaurs) is how modern it feels. The writing style is contemporary and features many fourth wall breaks and timely themes (the refugee crisis seemingly very topical).
After closing, the show was nominated for six Tony Awards including:
Best Direction of a Play (Lileana Blain-Cruz)
Best Leading Actress in a Play (Gabby Beans)
Best Scenic Design of a Play (Adam Rigg)
Best Costume Design of a Play (Montana Levi Blanco)
Best Lighting Design of a Play (Yi Zhao)
Best Sound Design of a Play (Palmer Hefferan)
The production won only one award with Montana Levi Blanco very deservingly taking home best costume design. You can watch his post win interview here.
It's been almost a month since my trip to "The Skin of Our Teeth" and the elements of the show that have stuck with me the most since then have been the incredible Gabby Beans as Sabina, the costumes, just how perfect the Vivian Beaumont theatre was for such an epic play, and the absolutely fabulous pre show playlist curated by Miss Blain-Cruz herself.
Did you get the chance to see "The Skin of Our Teeth"? I would love to hear your thoughts about the production!
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