'Glory Days' Graduates Too Soon To Broadway

Fishburne, appearing a little less sleek than one is accustomed to, infuses a charming performance with layers of wit and mischievous self-awareness. His Marshall emerges as a fully three-dimensional hero, one who seems to savor telling stories on himself almost as much as he does striking blows against the forces of reaction and division. This actor's way with an anecdote leavens what might have turned into a night at the museum.

Director Leonard Foglia creates an atmosphere both charged and intimate. A huge, monochromatic Jasper Johns evocation of the Stars and Stripes looms over the stage; the flag is used at times as a screen for handsome documentary images from the periods Marshall describes.

The production over which Fishburne presides is an affecting platform for an appreciation of a remarkable American. Just before the house lights dimmed on the evening I attended, a distinguished-looking older man scurried down the aisle. The gentleman was none other than Sen. Ted Kennedy. No doubt others with a warm spot for those glory days will be rushing to "Thurgood," too.

Glory Days, music and lyrics by Nick Blaemire, book by James Gardiner. Directed by Eric Schaeffer. Costumes, Sasha Ludwig-Siegel; lighting, Mark Lanks; sound, Peter Hylenski; musical director, Ethan Popp; orchestrations, Jesse Vargas. About 85 minutes. At Circle in the Square, 1633 Broadway, New York.

Thurgood, by George Stevens Jr. Directed by Leonard Foglia. Set, Allen Moyer; costumes, Jane Greenwood; lighting, Brian Nason; projections, Elaine J. McCarthy; sound, Ryan Rumery. About 1 hour 40 minutes. At Booth Theatre, 222 W. 45th St., New York.

For both shows, call 800-432-7250 or visit http://www.telecharge.com.