Our Very Own Carlin McCullough 

Reviewed by Lara J. Altunian 
The Geffen Playhouse 
Through July 29 

RECOMMENDED 

Growing pains are the main theme of Amanda Peet’s Our Very Own Carlin McCullough — a play about the discovery of a child tennis star, whose budding career and developing talents create a confusing family dynamic. Well-formed characters and a strong plot make for an engaging story that skillfully taps into the human condition. As the characters navigate through Carlin’s once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a professional player, their shifting attitudes and clumsy methods of coping form a compelling scenario with an emotional ending.

An ex–tennis pro affectionately known as Coach Jay (Joe Tippett) takes a young aficionado under his wing. At age 10, Carlin (Abigail Dylan Harrison) is impressively good at the sport. Her single, booze-loving mother Cyn (Mamie Gummer) does not fully understand the depth of her daughter’s talent at first, but supportively stands by her side, juggling her love for Carlin with the crush she has on her coach. Jay’s increased involvement with the family leads him to assume the role of an unofficial father-figure. He crosses the traditional lines of professionalism with touchy, hands-on teaching methods that trigger questions among outside observers and slowly cause Cyn to doubt him as well. As Carlin’s abilities continue to flourish, Cyn must choose between allowing Jay to keep on teaching her daughter one-on-one, or sending her to an academy, which Jay argues will stunt her growth.

Peet’s writing blends family drama with comedic moments that humanize and add dimension to the characters. After Jay and Cyn develop a mutual emotional dependency, they find themselves caught between wanting to keep their three-person dynamic sacred and simple, and having to confront accusations that each is using Carlin’s success for personal gain — fame for Jay and fortune for Cyn. Natural-sounding dialogue and strong performances have you rooting for both characters, whose dedication — despite their missteps — shines a light on the difficulties of parenthood and the pressures that come from making life-altering decisions that can make or break a person’s future.

Tippett and Gummer do an excellent job playing off of each other. Despite the early reveal of their characters’ faults and insecurities, both actors find a way to add new layers with each discussion they have. The second act brings out their best and worst sides, in a climactic argument that has them addressing every last thought and feeling they have about Carlin and one another — with tense revelations that had viewers gasping and leaning forward in their seats.

Harrison is very good as the young and innocent Carlin, a child with endless possibilities for a bright future and few worries outside of impressing her coach. As the unsure and brooding 17-year-old Carlin, Caroline Heffernan transforms her younger version’s eagerness to please into mature feelings that complicate her ability to make her own decisions. Heffernan‘s performance highlights Carlin’s teetering state between childhood and womanhood. Despite not wanting to emulate her mother, she is possessed by the same conflicting desires.

Tim Makabee’s elaborate set design makes for easy transitions between the off-court, kitchen and hotel-room settings that dominate the narrative. The production values — which include a lighting design (Lap Chi Chu) that incorporates the outdoor flood lights seen at sporting events — create an ambiance that keeps audience members fully immersed in the world of tennis the entire time, despite not seeing a single moment of sporting action.

Overall, the plot’s steady pace, its build-up to the unexpected changes in the second half and its final denouement make Our Very Own Carlin McCullough a compelling story even non-tennis fans can appreciate and enjoy.

 Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood; Thurs.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; through July 29. (310) 208-5454 or https://www.geffenplayhouse.org/our-very-own-carlin-mccullough. Running time: 2 hours with one 15-minute intermission.