Henry Johnson is asking his boss to hire one of his old friends. This friend needs to get a job as a condition of his parole. The boss questions Henry as he tries to understand why he would ask such a big favor for a friend that he wasn’t that close to. The scene changes, and suddenly Henry is in prison without explanation. He’s talking with another prisoner who is warning him about the counseler that he is talking to. 

This David Mamet (Glengarry Glen Ross, Wag The Dog) play is hard to follow. A lot happens in-between scenes that is not clearly explained. Also, they have seats on the stage, but it’s not a good idea to sit there unless you like to have the actors face away from you. 

The cast is very talented. Keith Kupferer (The Great Leap, If I Forget) is superb as the blue collar prison guard with unclear intentions. Thomas Gibson (Dharma and Greg) is great as the prisoner trying to teach Henry about manipulation. Al’ Jaleel McGhee (To Catch a Fish, Breach) is very good as the skeptical boss. Lastly, Daniil Krimer is sold as the straight man of the play, Henry Johnson.

A film version starring Shia LaBeouf is planned to be released online on May 9, 2025. See the trailer here: https://youtu.be/_5u0INUpDBU?si=olNb6tjdfzymKALm

See the program here. 

Cost of a ticket: $64

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Discounted

Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Discounted > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

Get tickets now for Henry Johnson through May 4th. 

Quinn Delaney