Theater Review: “Cool Hand Luke”

The latest incarnation of “Cool Hand Luke,” is a great and powerful theatrical one, now playing at the “59E59” Theater in New York City.

A classic novel by Donn Pearce and later a superb movie starring Paul Newman with great performances by George Kennedy and Jo Van Fleet, “Cool Hand Luke” hits hard regarding conformity, horrible conditions and those elements of society that keep so many people down.

This stage version adapted by Emma Reeves and directed by Joe Tantolo was equally powerful.

Lawrence Jansen, whose performance reminded me of the superb actor, Matthew McConaughey, stars as “Luke Jackson.”

He grasps and performs the physical and emotional components of “Luke,” railing for God/”The Big Guy” to come forth and help. That portion of Mr. Jansen’s work was truly mesmerizing and meaningful.

The rest of the ensemble, Mike Jansen, Nick Paglino, Lars Drew, Brett Warnke, Jason Bragg Stanley, Jarrod Zayas, Ken King, Kirstina Doelling and Julia Torres all deserve high praise for making the great novel, then movie, fall into that category in this stage production.

For ticket info, click here.

Lawrence Jansen as Luke