Joshua Harmon, the current playwright du jour of Broadway (“Bad Jews,” “Significant Other,” “Admissions”) has a new play, “Skintight” commissioned by Roundabout, playing at the Larua Pels Theatre, and staring Idina Menzel. Yes, you read that correctly: the same Tony-winning musical theater actress famous for “Take Me or Leave Me” and “Defying Gravity” is currently performing in an Off-Broadway play.
Although audiences may be initially confused — or disappointed even — to see legendary belter Idina Menzel not sing a single note in this new play, they will leave pleasantly surprised. Menzel has proven her acting chops, clearly ready to conquer the world of straight dramas just like she did musicals.
Last time the theater community saw Menzel onstage it was for “If/Then” her forgettable musical that certainly did not become anyone’s favorite, not even for diehard Idina fans. Lets just say If her last show had Joshua Harmon as a writer, Then it would have been much better.
Thankfully this time she has found a stellar team to work with: not only Mr. Harmon but Daniel Aukin, who directed both “Bad Jews” and “Admissions.” Mr. Aukin tackles this play with a fierce exactitude that revels in Harmon’s signature ethical ambiguities. The play concerns middle aged Jodi (Menzel), whose ex-husband left her for a 20-something cycling instructor. To…