'Danny and the Deep Blue Sea' Revival: Intense Performances but Lacks Poignant Impact

Aubrey Plaza and Christopher Abbott star in the Off Broadway revival of John Patrick Shanley’s 1984 play 'Danny and the Deep Blue Sea' at the Lucille Lortel Theater in Manhattan.
The play, which runs for 80 minutes, is a raw and intense portrayal of two self-loathing strangers meeting in a Bronx bar, revealing their deepest secrets and traumas to each other.
Despite the strong performances from Plaza and Abbott, critics note that the play often feels like an overly prolonged exercise in acting, with rapid-fire dialogue and violent outbursts that make it an unsettling watch.
The transitions between aggressiveness, tenderness, mistrust, and shame occur abruptly, making it challenging for the audience to follow the story.
Despite its raw and chaotic nature, the play has been described as having absorbing moments but failing to strike a poignant chord.