Watch Them Close: Topdog/Underdog At Old Globe

October 8, 2026

Suzan-Lori Parks' Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Topdog/Underdog" is currently being staged at The Old Globe Theatre under the direction of Steve H. Broadnax III, featuring two Black brothers named Lincoln and Booth in an ironic reference to American history. The production centers on the complex relationship between Lincoln, a former card hustler who now works impersonating Abraham Lincoln at an arcade, and his brother Booth, an aspiring con artist still pursuing the street hustle life.

Who is affected

Lincoln and Booth (the two Black brothers who are the main characters)
Black theater patrons (specifically invited to Black Theatre Night)
The audience members (brought inside the brothers' world through theater-in-the-round staging)
The actors Alano Miller (playing Lincoln) and Elijah Jones (playing Booth)

What action is being taken

The play "Topdog/Underdog" is currently playing at The Old Globe Theatre
Director Steve H. Broadnax III is staging the production
Alano Miller and Elijah Jones are performing as the two brothers
The Old Globe is sponsoring a Black Theatre Night on October 9 featuring a pre-show mixer

Why it matters

The play matters because it explores profound themes of Black masculinity, survival, and the intergenerational trauma of abandonment while revealing how unresolved childhood wounds can become destructive forces within loving relationships. The production demonstrates how two people who once stood together against the world can eventually turn on each other, making visible the pain that swagger and humor often disguise in Black men's lives.

What's next

The play runs through October 18
Black Theatre Night is scheduled for October 9, featuring a pre-show mixer and community viewing experience
Tickets are available at www.theoldglobe.org

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint