It’s Only a Play
Reviewed by Iris Mann
Theatre 40
Through April 23
Terence McNally’s sendup of people who populate the Broadway theater is a bit of fluff, and very funny. If the second act is a little long, and could do with some judicious editing, that can be overcome by hitting just the right comedic note. However, the production at Theatre 40, directed by the gifted Larry Eisenberg, falls a bit short.
The action takes place in the expensive-looking bedroom of Julia Budder’s (Mouchette van Helsdingen) townhouse. It is the opening night of The Golden Egg, Budder’s first solo venture as a producer. Everyone is waiting for the reviews, particularly the New York Times review by critic Ben Brantley.
Among the characters are the playwright, Peter Austin (Fox Carney), making his Broadway debut, and his best friend, actor James Wicker (Todd Andrew Ball), who had turned down the lead role in Austin’s play in favor of becoming the well-known star of a TV sitcom. Wicker has flown in from L.A. for his friend’s opening. Then there is the bizarre British director, Frank Finger (Peter Henry Bussian), about to be made a Lord by the Queen; and a critic, Ira Drew (Jeffrey Winner), who is also a secret playwright.
McNally is skewering theater types, and he uses them to make his personal comments on the state of the theater. In a particularly long speech, the playwright opines, “We’ve let Broadway stop mattering and handed it over to the Brits and the movie-to-musical franchises…” In addition, there are inside jokes, such as the remark Budder makes when speaking of cutting costs, which is actually McNalley’s reference to the demands made by some of the stage unions; “What about those men playing poker in the basement? I know they’re musicians – but we’re not a musical.”
He also has his characters reek of overblown, fragile egos, and bitchiness, as they drop acerbic one-liners about each other and such celebrities as Rita Moreno and Liza Minnelli. These snide, often hilarious, comments need to be dropped like little bombs, but in this presentation they sometimes got lost, so the actors lose the laughs.
It would help if director Eisenberg had his actors, who are all talented, pick up the pace, which should be snappy but frequently lagged. In addition, the characters are archetypes of a sort, so for the satire to work, their signature characteristics need to be heightened, while still maintaining a sense of reality. The performers sometimes descend to a level of naturalism that doesn’t suit the material.
Faring best under the circumstances are Joe Clabby, who is likeable and fresh as a naïve aspiring actor taking care of the guests’ coats at the party; and Cheryl David, whose delivery is delicious as the leading lady of Austin’s play. (Her character is a drug abusing diva who is on parole after accidentally killing two people, so she has to wear an ankle bracelet which, she complains, went off during her big monologue.)
Among the highlights of the evening are the elegantly appointed set designed by Jeff G. Rack, and the glamorous costuming by Michael Mullen.
Theatre 40, 241 S. Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills; Thu. –Sat., 7:30 pm.; Sun., 2 pm.; through April 23. (310)364-0535 or https://theatre40.org. Running time: 1 hr. 58 mins. with one intermission.
