Those character names alone leave little room for uncertainty.
And yet the gunshot that brings the dark comedy to a close drew gasps.
The actors are Tony-nominated, as is the revival itself.
Yahya Abdul Mateen II in “Topdog/Underdog” (with Corey Hawkins)Seye Isikalu/Marc J Franklin
Manhattan in HBOsWatchmen, first played Booth 16 years ago in an acting class.
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And yet Booth has continued to haunt him.
The plot ofTopdog/Underdogis as unnerving as it is (seemingly) uncomplicated.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in ‘Topdog/Underdog’Marc J. Franklin
The audience sees no other characters or performers.
Lincoln, though, has sworn off the con, having survived a violent, bloody street incident.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
DEADLINE:Tell me how you first came to knowTopdog/Underdog.
YAHYA ABDUL-MATEEN II:Sixteen years ago.
I remember Id been struggling with contemporary work.
I didnt relate to the work that Id been presenting.
It didnt feel good, or it felt good but it wasnt rewarding.
That was the shift.
It was really a gift.
DEADLINE:Im wondering, why Booth?
Was there ever a time when you wanted to play Lincoln?
ABDUL-MATEEN II:Booth was the character that I fell in love with from very early on.
So, for me, Booth was a matter of unfinished business.
I wanted to learn all the words, and I wanted to say all the words.
I had a lot of unfinished business with him.
DEADLINE:How did the Broadway production come about?
ABDUL-MATEEN II:I had told my representation that this was a play I had to do.
You know, Broadway is a labor of love but its not easy.
And it also came at the perfect time.
I was saying no to everything.
How did you get into that mental space?
ABDUL-MATEEN II:This play has to be dangerous.
Its not a safe place, and its alive.
It was never my idea to really even give a performance, you know?
I didnt want to give a presentation.
I had to sort of become delusional enough every night to think that I could do that.
DEADLINE:To be surprised on stage every night?
ABDUL-MATEEN II:To be surprised, yes.
Is that how it felt for you, on stage?
ABDUL-MATEEN II:It was devastating every night.
I get emotional even thinking about it right now because Booth didnt mean to do it.
He didnt know that that was going to happen.
You cant expect these two characters to work out the huge issues that theyre trying to work out.
They dont have the tools.
DEADLINE:In your mind, does Booth really have that $500 inheritance hidden away in the stocking?
ABDUL-MATEEN II:Absolutely.
Therehasto be $500.
I still have this thing that you gave me a long time ago.
I didnt spend it.
He can have his full-circle moment where things in his life make sense all of a sudden.
So absolutely theres $500.
ABDUL-MATEEN II:Man, let me tell you about that.
I was stubborn because Im a competitive guy.
I dont like to look bad.
Im going to be good, and so youre going to have to bevery, very,verygood.
He didnt understand that its all actually a cheat.
He doesnt have the heart to be a con man.
DEADLINE:Can you compare and contrast Booth with some of the characters you have played on screen.
What were you able to express with Booth that maybe you havent been with other characters?
But this project, it really had it all.
DEADLINE:One last question.
What does the Tony nomination mean to you?
ABDUL-MATEEN II:Im still figuring out what that means, to be honest.
The play was…Ive already won, you know what I mean?
Im thankful that the play landed with the theater community, and the nomination is a recognition of that.
