‘Topdog/Underdog’

Winner of the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for drama, Suzan-Lori Parks’ “Topdog/Underdog” stars Larry Bates, left, and Curtis McClarin in a revival directed by Seret Scott and with Shaun Motley as scenic designer.   (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

Curtis McClarin, right, offers “an emotionally scrupulous performance” as Lincoln in “Topdog/Underdog,” writes theater critic Charles McNulty of the Los Angeles Times. The play also stars Larry Bates as Booth.   (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

Booth (Larry Bates, left) is the underdog of the title of Suzan-Lori Parks’ play, and he seeks to replace his brother, Lincoln (Curtis McClarin) as the neighborhood card shark. They are “stuck in a grimy economic jail cell with little chance of parole,” The Times’ Charles McNulty writes.   (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

In “Topdog/Underdog,” Lincoln (Curtis McClarin, right) is crashing with brother Booth (Larry Bates) in the latter’s one-room apartment after being kicked out by his wife.   (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

Lincoln (Curtis McClarin, right) has been working in an entertainment arcade where he impersonates President Lincoln. At left is Larry Bates as Booth.   (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)