John Krasinski's "Angry Alan" Explores the Dark Side of the Manosphere Off-Broadway

The state of modern masculinity is a hot topic, and John Krasinski is wading into the thick of it with "Angry Alan," a new off-Broadway play that confronts the anxieties and insecurities plaguing men today. Staged at Studio Seaview and directed by Sam Gold, the production offers a searing look at one man's descent into the world of men's rights activism.

Krasinski plays Roger, a seemingly ordinary man navigating the frustrations of a post-divorce, mid-life existence. Stripped of his former corporate status and now managing a grocery store dairy section, Roger finds himself adrift and increasingly susceptible to the siren song of online echo chambers.

Written by Penelope Skinner, the play explores Roger's radicalization as he falls under the sway of "Angry Alan," a charismatic but controversial figure who preaches a gospel of male victimhood. Through Alan's videos and online presence, Roger finds validation for his own feelings of inadequacy and resentment.

As Roger delves deeper into the "manosphere," he attends seminars and rallies, spewing hateful rhetoric that alienates his friends and family. The play doesn't shy away from the ugliness of Roger's views, forcing audiences to confront uncomfortable truths about the spread of misogyny and resentment in online spaces.

Krasinski's performance is a revelation. Shedding his affable, everyman image, he embodies Roger's vulnerability and anger with unnerving authenticity. It's a bold choice for the actor, one that challenges audiences to empathize with a character whose beliefs are deeply problematic.

"Angry Alan" is not a comfortable piece of theater. It's a provocative and unsettling exploration of the forces driving male discontent in the 21st century. It's a play that demands attention and sparks difficult conversations about gender, power, and the search for identity in a digital world.

Running through August 3rd at Studio Seaview, "Angry Alan" is a must-see for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the complexities of modern masculinity.