Images: 
Total Rating: 
***1/4
Previews: 
January 23, 2009
Opened: 
February 5, 2009
Ended: 
open run
Country: 
USA
State: 
New York
City: 
New York
Company/Producers: 
Little Mensch Holding Company, Kit Productions & Dan Israely.
Theater Type: 
off-Broadway
Theater: 
St. Luke's Theater
Theater Address: 
308 West 46th Street
Phone: 
212-239-6200
Genre: 
Solo Drama
Author: 
Richard Krevolin & Joseph Bologna, loosely adapting Robert Rockaway's bio,
Director: 
Joseph Bologna
Review: 

In Lansky, by Richard Krevolin and Joseph Bologna, the charismatic and fascinating actor Mike Burstyn gives us an odd portrait of a Jewish gangster, Meyer Lansky, who was the brains, the money-manipulator, behind a lot of Mafia activities during prohibition.

This is a tale of an immigrant family moving to America, of an anti-Nazi, anti-Bund fighter, a supporter of the State if Israel. It takes place in 1971 when the aged Lansky tried to be admitted to Israel as a citizen so he could die there. It's a great performance of a gripping story, and by the end, some of the real inner workings of Lansky's psyche are revealed by this powerful actor.

The settings are created mostly by Graham Kindred's fine lighting, and Bologna's direction is crisp and exciting - there's not a dull moment in this compelling drama.<

Cast: 
Mike Burstyn
Critic: 
Richmond Shepard
Date Reviewed: 
February 2009