Theater Review: The Other Josh Cohen Makes You Have Hope
The reason I adored The Other Josh Cohen, playing at Westside Theater till February 24, is because it so relatable. I have yet to meet anybody whom adores themselves. At best, my friends say they are the luckiest unlucky people; still winning at life, but never feeling like they have arisen. This sentiment is far from uncommon, and The Other Josh Cohen explains this feeling as a symptom from kindness.
Do good people win in this world? Sure! Yet, we have to take long roads to get our promised lands, and Josh Cohen is a prime example of this. For 100 minutes, no intermission, “Future/ Narrator Josh Cohen” narrates the story of present “Josh,” whom is flat broke, just been robbed, and has absolutely no idea how his life got to this point and when/ it will leave it. He is the quintessential representation of every moment in your life when you felt your dreams, hopes, and potentials were all past tense. Both Joshes are amazingly charismatic, but differ in a very important way that goes beyond looks; they differ in demeanor.
Narrator Josh is played by the brightly charming David Rossmer. He is so briskly witty, open, and happily friendly, you winder how Josh Cohen (Steve Rosen) becomes this guy. He is so positive, and Rosen’s Josh, though unbelievably kind and unmalicious, is sad. he is so down on life, but still so wonderful to others, you wonder how he has survived everything. He is so giving, but he is not really receiving. Rosen oozes a pure goodness that makes the audience protective and loving towards his Josh, which is why all his mishaps are humorously sad. You want to yell, “Really?” very time another thing goes wrong for him. Yet, is that not life? No one ever gets a break from a bad day, and, unfortunately, you can’t tell it not toe get worse. Created by Rossmer and Rosen, the plays flows as giddily and easily as they do in their prospective roles.
Directed by Hunter Foster, The Other Josh Cohen is proof that life is a comedy of tragedies. You have to laugh at its madness in order not to cry, and you also have to ponder at it so as to see its strange balance. With each song, the musical shows that life has a way of resetting its scales; as if every bumpy road leads to a smooth one. Hence, musically, every song flows into to other like an exuberant plot point. These people are not breaking out into song because they have a feeling or a moral to belt, they are also trying to get Josh Cohen one step closer to his better day. Thus, every song is hilariously poignant, and backed by a phenomenal cast of actors/ musicians that can do everything.
Hannah Elless, Kate Wetherhead, Performer. Elizabeth Nestlerode, Performer. Luke Darnell, Louis Tucci add a vivacity to the musical by literary playing multiple instruments and characters. This allows the musical to have a constantly moving energy; no low or relaxing moments. Yet, set in Josh’s recently robbed living room, the musical’s ambiance is oddly welcoming and calm. You sit, watch, laugh, and subconsciously debate whether you would always do the right thing, especially when you are in need. The marvel of Josh Cohen, as a character, is that he always takes the high; no matter how hard or even endangering it can be. He feels like a Jon Snow for thirty/ forty somethings that are still schlepping it through city life, and wondering if they have failed themselves or if life failed to see them as living.
Ultimately, The Other Josh Cohen is a worthy musical because it is so optimistic. It runs on the faith that, if you are a good person, you will have a good day: maybe not today or tomorrow…….or a month from now. Yet, you will have a great day, and, in time, all the good things you did for others will lead to goods things happening for you. This is the greatest hope we can get from life and a Broadway musical. Buy tickets for The Other Josh Cohen Here. Located: Westside Theatre
407 W 43rd St (B/T 9th and 10th Aves)
