Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Donald Margulies’ new family drama LONG LOST is solid but somewhat histrionic

• By drediman
• July 8, 2019
• No Comments

Lee Tergesen and Kelly AuCoin in Manhattan Theatre Club’s production of “Long Lost” by Donald Margulies at New York City Center. Photo by Joan Marcus.

I recently caught Manhattan Theatre Club’s production of Donald Margulies’ Long Lost at New York City Center, which closed over Pride weekend. This latest play by the Pulitzer Prize winner (for Dinner with Friends) tells the story of Billy, a volatile, trouble-making drifter who re-enters and disrupts the lives of his professional, successful brother and his family.

Mr. Margulies has repeatedly proven himself to be a master of the domestic American family drama, and Long Lost falls squarely within this well-trodden territory. Indeed, the play explores the limits of familial bonds, a premise almost all of us can relate to. Although Long Lost continues the playwright’s string of solidly-written plays, it appears to be to be a lesser Margulies, somewhat histrionic and lacking the authenticity of circumstance of some of his best works. Nevertheless, it’s a breath of fresh air to come across a piece of traditionally “well-written” drama in this era of outrageously structured – and some would argue – undisciplined new works.

Veteran director Daniel Sullivan’s production was slick and good-looking. Of particular note was scenic designer John Lee Beatty’s unsurprisingly handsome, Broadway-worthy set, which smoothly and completely transitioned from scene to scene with grace and fluidity. Although the cast of four was solid from top to bottom, none gave standout performances, for better or for worse, just like Mr. Margulies’ play itself.

RECOMMENDED

LONG LOST
Off-Broadway, Play
Manhattan Theatre Club / New York City Center
1 hour, 30 minutes (without an intermission)
Through June 30