THE HANGOVER REPORT – John Patrick Shanley’s THE PORTUGUESE KID at once fizzes and fizzles

Jason Alexander and Sherie Rene Scott in Manhattan Theatre Club's production of "The Portuguese Kid" by John Patrick Shanley at New York City Center.

Jason Alexander and Sherie Rene Scott in Manhattan Theatre Club’s production of “The Portuguese Kid” by John Patrick Shanley at New York City Center.

Last night at City Center, I got a chance to catch up with John Patrick Shanley’s latest play The Portuguese Kid, courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club. The handsomely-mounted Off-Broadway production, smoothly directed by the playwright, takes its cue from the comedy of manners mold made popular by the likes of Noël Coward. Indeed, the plot of The Portuguese Kid brings to mind that Coward masterpiece Private Lives, as well as a healthy dose of Ingmar Bergman’s Smiles of a Summer Night. The twist: replacing affected British conduct with larger-than-life guido-esque behavior. The results are wildly uneven.

Mr. Shanley scored a commercial and critical comedic hit a few seasons back with his hilarious and warm Outside Mullingar (which successfully brought Debra Messing to Broadway), also produced by Manhattan Theatre Club. It’s a shame, therefore, to report that Mr. Shanley’s latest fizzes and fizzles in equal measure. No doubt, when The Portuguese Kid is good, it’s very good. Mr. Shanley, a consummate pro at his craft, thoroughly understands the nuances of human interaction. It’s when his characters go-for-broke broad, which is often in this play, that the piece falls short. Nonetheless, the breezy 100-minute production handily entertains without leaving much of an impact.

The acting can’t be faulted. Jason Alexander, making a welcome return to the legitimate stage, and Sherie Rene Scott lustily lead a quintet of actors (Pico Alexander, Aimee Carrero, and Mary Testa round out the cast); they all admirably throw themselves at the material. Mr. Alexander and Ms. Scott, displaying wonderful chemistry, beautifully play off each other, as well as their attractive young counterparts. And Ms. Testa, as Mr. Alexander’s mother in the play, nearly runs away with the show with her deeply funny antics.

SOMEWHAT RECOMMENDED 

 

THE PORTUGUESE KID
Off-Broadway, Play
Manhattan Theatre Club at New York City Center
1 hour, 40 minutes (without an intermission)
Through December 10

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

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