THE HANGOVER REPORT – Sofia Alvarez’s FRIEND ART is interesting but could use another draft

90Luckily I was able to catch one of the final performances of Sofia Alvarez’s new play Friend Art, which closes today at the McGinn/Cazale Theater. Although Ms. Alvarez’s play, which chronicles the the evolving friendship between two very different 20-something couples, contains some zippy dialogue and interesting observations regarding friends and art, it could benefit from another draft. As it currently stands, the play feels unfinished. The closing scene, in particular, feels unsure about how it wants to end the play.

The production, smartly directed by Portia Krieger, is part of Second Stage’s Uptown series. It looks great on a set by Daniel Zimmerman which strongly calls to mind the tiered loft set of the original production of Rent.  Asta Bennie Hostetter’s witty costumes also contribute by subtly delineating each of the four character’s socio-economic profile. The four actors – Zoe Chao, Aaron Costa Ganis, Anabelle LeMieux, Constantine Maroulis – are fantastic. They do well to imbue each of these vain, somewhat unlikeable characters with something that approaches charisma.

SOMEWHAT RECOMMENDED

 

FRIEND ART
Off-Broadway, Play
Second Stage Uptown at the McGinn/Cazale Theater
1 hour, 25 minutes (without an intermission)
Through June 12

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

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