Marriage is a crapshoot. With a failure rate in the United States of over fifty percent, it's hard to imagine what it takes to succeed. With this in mind, playwright Donald Margulies has brought together two couples over a sumptuous feast as they struggle to get it right. The result is the 2000 Pulitzer Prize winning play Dinner with Friends. It's the perfect play for the daring Actors Theatre of Phoenix, as it mixes contemporary issues, biting wit, and a hint of vicious drama. The more this company grows and explores, the more impressed I become with it.
Set in various locales in southern New England, one couple is breaking apart, while the other is desperately clinging to their marriage. Along the way is scattered pumpkin risotto, fine wines, summers on Martha's Vineyard, and offstage children. The playwright never tells us if he thinks that we were meant to be together in connubial bliss. It's all about what you do singly and as a couple with the time as it disappears.
Director Andrew Traister sends the audience barreling headlong through this hilarious explosion. When the rapid-fire lines give way to the awkwardly inexpressible, he lets the audience stew in the uncomfortable moment. He rightly uses a small amount of the stage, making the intimate almost claustrophobic. The only scene that he opens up is one that flashes back to a younger time when possibilities and Vineyard night skies seemed expansive. As the action shrinks to trios and duets, Gage Williams' excellent set tightens the frame while Mr. Traister's direction tightens the screws.
As if the sure helming weren't enough, Mr. Traister has brought together an excellent cast that works together with the synchronization of a string quartet. The central couple, played by Gene Ganssle and Debra K. Stevens, portrays their worry with tight acting. Mr. Ganssle imbues Gabe's easygoing way with a sense of growing dread, which makes amazingly effective the very last scene and especially the very last line of the show. Ms. Stevens' controlling Karen is never too overbearing or unlikeable. She is utterly genuine and understandable, even when her actions are questionable.
The crumbling couple is enjoyably played by Kim Bennett and Maren Maclean. Both take their characters a little further than realism, but this only helps to underline the tension between Gabe and Karen. Mr. Bennet's Tom is broad and slightly untrustworthy, like most New York lawyers. His easy smile and sudden launches into screaming anger are very well presented and transitioned. Ms. Maclean drives home Beth's quirky and explosive nature with her strong stage presence and commanding tone of voice.
Equal to the performances and direction are the designer's offerings, which perfectly support the show. Paul A. Black lights Mr. Williams' set as supports each scenic mood. Connie Furr-Soloman's costumes are excellently chosen, while David Temby's sound design is flawless.
This parlor drama/comedy is remarkable for its lack of preachiness. Even with the tenuous nature of relationships, there remains some vague possibility of happiness through the end of the play. With so much adversity facing couplehood, the message the audience takes home makes this an evening of enjoyment, thoughtfulness, and ultimately of hope.
Production Details:
Dinner with Friends by Donald
Margulies
Actors Theatre
of Phoenix
The
Herberger Theater Stage West, Phoenix (For a
map to location, click this
link)
(602) 253-6701
May 3rd - 19th, 2002