Theater Online - New York Theater Reviews

When entering the Paradise theatre you are walking into a living room. The seats are set around the stage area and you cross through the East Village apartment set in order to get to your seats. The lighting is very natural for an apartment and the walls have those haphazard decorations often found in the living spaces of 20 something's. The set is by Bret Haines.

When Jamie (Lisa Ebersole) and her sister Margeaux (Stephanie Sanditz) begin talking it does not seem as if you are at a theatre at all. The conversation is quite natural, slightly funny, and a bit antagonistic. The appearance of Carl (Orran Farmer) is not completely explained, or rather the explanations change throughout the evening but he inhabits the space as if he belongs there and we enjoy the elevated banter as he toys with the women.

We find out that it is Jamie's birthday and that she has a history of family troubles, possibly alcohol problems and doesn't get along with her sister. When Jamie's husband Kevin (Haskell King) comes home, he begins to question along with us. Who is Carl“ What is he doing there? Why is everyone acting like it is just another night at home when clearly something is wrong? Why did no one answer the telephone earlier?

Very little is answered in a satisfactory manner so he takes the matter into his hands and creates a resolution.

Every performer is absolutely convincing and natural. This is a very talented group of people. The direction (Lisa Ebersole) and staging are precise; no matter where you sit you never miss a moment.

The script (Lisa Ebersole) is very sharp and I would be spoiling it if I gave away too much of this evening. It runs only 55 minutes and could use another 11 minutes or so in order that we might better understand the relationship between the sisters and their family. More enlightenment would strengthen the climax. That said, it is a very entertaining evening and highly recommended.