NY Theater Review by Sandi Durell
Everyone wants to be Chekhov! But why Donald Margulies who is such a talented Pulitizer Prize winning playwright (Dinner With Friends, Time Stands Still)? Yet “The Country House” (in the spirit of ‘The Seagull’ and ‘Uncle Vanya’), is a sea of chatter and relatives we know all too well, who once again gather to do their family duties of cliché-driven participation in this comedy-drama in a Berkshire style country home (comfortably designed by John Lee Beatty).
But Walter has not come alone to the family gathering; no, he’s brought his younger girlfriend actress Nell (a fair-haired sweet Kate Jennings Grant) – not a really well thought out move on his part.
Anna, having met a younger actor friend of years ago at the local supermarket (and with whom she may have had a little fling?), when finding out his house is being fumigated, invites him to stay at her country house as well. Michael (Daniel Sunjata) plays well as a famous TV star who is preparing for a local stage production and, according to Susie, has been her love since she was in her crib.
All the women play at seducing the self-effacing Michael and there are many chuckles within the 2+ hours (with intermission) in this production by the Manhattan Theater Club.
The major problem, however, is that although the dialog is filled with fast-paced repartee, much of it comes off as hackneyed and orchestrated.
But you can always count on Ms. Danner for a delightful nuanced performance, in this case as an aging glamorous self-absorbed actress, especially endearing when she quips “There are no Broadway stars, dear. Not anymore. Oh, there are stars on Broadway, but they’re not Broadway stars.”
Well, there surely are many star-quality actors in ‘The Country House;’ just not enough meat for them to sink their teeth into even under the guidance of Margulies’ friend-director Daniel Sullivan.
*Photos: Joan Marcus
The Country House continues thru November 9th – Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, 261 West 47 St. 212 239-6200 www.thecountryhousebway.com