Here's the thing... Clybourne Park is good. Really good. 

Now, keep in mind, I tend to be a horrible critic in the sense that I like most of what I see, but Clybourne Park is a different sort of theatrical beast. It's not good because the story is particularly moving, or because the main character is a stand out hero. It has nothing to do with fantastical things, and there are no overly-dramatic monologues. What makes this show truly wonderful is the simple fact that it is Real (capital R real).

"What does that even mean" you may ask? Put it this way, the show takes a topic we all deal with on one level or another, and reenacts scenarios that are reminiscent of those we may experience in our day-to-day lives. No buttons, no whistles, no flowers, just people. Without getting too political I will say this: Whatever your beliefs on the existence (or not) of racism in this country, stereotypes are hard for even the purest-hearted of us to ignore. These stereotypes are the heart of the play and the nuances that make it so impactful.

Not to mention, this play is actually funny; laugh out loud funny in some parts. It is definitely that kind of I'm-so-uncomfortable-all-I-can-do-is-laugh-about-it kind of humor, but I think that in this case, that's the best kind. The clips below will give you a good preview of what exactly that looks like on the McGuire Proscenium Stage: