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WITH: Johnny Galecki (Alex), Neal Huff (Mitchell), Zoe Lister-Jones (Ellen) and Julie White (Diane).
Sets by Allen Moyer; Costumes by Jeff Mahshie; Lighting by Don Holder;
Presented by the Second Stage Theater 307 West 43rd Street; (212) 246-4422.
EXTENDED Through Jan. 29. Running time: two hours.
RUN TO THE PHONE AND GET A TICKET FOR THIS.
In case you need to know more…. I was in a really crappy mood last night and was lifted out of the gutter enough to utter one or two laughs. Most of the time I
spent loving the writing, the costumes, the performances and wishing I WERE Julie White.
What is it about her that is so fabulous? That she can talk a blue streak with astonishing articulation. Fabulous hair? Looks great in ANYTHING (and these
costumes are deevoooone on her) – or is it that she is just having such a great time being up on that stage it’s hard not to leave your seat and get up there with
her.? Especially if you are an out of work actor like some people I know.
This is the story of a Hollywood maven on the verge of making it. The only thing standing in her way is her client’s love life. He may be turning gay in public –
and this will make things very difficult for her. In turn she is willing to make life difficult for her client, but not to the point of destroying him. Because this,
above everything, is a play about love. It is lopsided and inconvenient and idealistic and disappointing and forgiving. And, of course, a lot more.
This is not a slick story filled with boring and predictable situations. It has some of the best arguments I have ever heard on a stage. These are characters who
love to talk and love to listen to themselves and to each other. There are no wasted words here – even though there are a lot of them – these characters say what
they mean with penknife precision. And because this is true throughout the production, garlands must be heaped upon Scott Ellis for his direction. This is a
vibrant play and it takes a steady hand to release it into the word in such a way that we lose neither of the pathos or the humor. There are moments where you
catch your breath because your heart is breaking, and there are moments where you nearly spit your lungs out of your nose because you weren’t prepared to
laugh that hard.There are moments where you catch your breath because your heart is breaking, and there are moments where you nearly spit your lungs out of
your nose because you weren’t prepared to laugh that hard.
This should go to Broadway. Right now this minute.