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Our Lady of 121st Street  By  cover art

Our Lady of 121st Street

By: Stephen Adly Guirgis
Narrated by: Annabelle Gurwitch, Laurence Fishburne, Orlando Jones, full cast
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Editorial reviews

When a beloved Sister serving at a Brooklyn parish dies, her passing brings together a bevy of her now-grown former students and wards who experience her loss, in part, by confronting their feelings about their childhoods. Loaded with characters superbly portrayed by an energetic cast, and with each member grinding his or her personal ax very publicly, this crisply recorded play finds its characters ultimately resolving their issues. The miking allows the performers to explore their vocal and emotional ranges unfettered by the need to "fill the hall" with their voices. Fraught with anger and humor, passion and bewilderment, commitment and loss, this audio brings listeners a place of emotional catharsis.

Publisher's summary

In this recent Off-Broadway hit, a group of old friends find themselves at Harlem's Ortiz Funeral Home to mourn the death of a beloved nun from their childhood. As they bounce off of each other with old hurts and the harsh realities of grown-up life, a murder mystery (and a few lives) begins to unravel. Hilarious, raunchy, and ultimately very touching, Stephen Adly Guirgis is a new voice to be celebrated.

(P)2004 L.A. Theatre Works

Critic reviews

"Wickedly funny, rip-roaring dark comedy." (New York Daily News)

What listeners say about Our Lady of 121st Street

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Fast paced

Non stop action, great flow, acting, story line. Kept me on edge waiting to see what was going to happen next. I thoroughly enjoyed this production. Thanks to all involved..

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2 people found this helpful

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great performance

I loved it, great dialogue and a wonderful performance . Will definitely listen to this again.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Our Lady of 121st Street: Realistic enough

I liked the realistic feel of this audiobook, from the way the characters spoke to each other to the way they acted. It was so raw, emotional, and intense. There's no resolution between the characters who had conflict, and that was the point. Conflict isn't fixed in a day. It makes the story seem all over the place and open-ended, but that is how life goes. Life isn't easy and fair. It doesn't end happy and smooth.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Wildly Entertaining

I loved every moment of this play. Stand out performance by L. Fishburne in particular. Excellent studying for aspiring actors and actresses.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Guirgis Closes On Bogosian As Voice Of Our Time

If you could sum up Our Lady of 121st Street in three words, what would they be?

Startling, Fresh, Real

What was one of the most memorable moments of Our Lady of 121st Street?

The moment at the end of Laurence Fishburne's visit to confession comes quickly to mind . In fact, his entire confessional experience stands out easily. Fishburne makes it easy to remember he's been honing his craft since childhood . Even Audibly, you almost sense his flesh and bone.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

The cast, most notably led by Fishburne, treats you to performances that sizzle and pop, thrill with joy, and recoil from horror.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was jolted when the police revealed why mourners were removed from the room. I was shocked again when the play ended with resolution without definitive resolution .

But life is like that.

Well-played, Mr. Guirgis.

Any additional comments?

I would highly recommend this title. Especially at the very low price available with member discounts .

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