Dinner with Friends
Written by Donald Margulies
Directed by Darrelyn Marx
at Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln (map)
thru May 31 | tickets: $25 | more info
Check for half-price tickets
Read review
Multi-layered production puts monogamy under the microscope
rebekah theater project presents
Dinner with Friends
Review by Keith Glab
Produced by rebekah theater project in repertory with The Gin Game, Dinner with Friends explores the staying power of marriage and the question of when it may be right to end such a union.
Donald Margulies’ Pulitzer Prize winning script deals with topics you see addressed frequently in the theatre, but rarely do they get addressed so thoroughly. The situations presented are true-to-life rather than extraordinary, but we certainly don’t get bored watching them unfold. The play’s narrow thematic focus allows for the creation of three-dimensional characters and complex relationships between them.
The cast really gets into the skin of these characters. Karen is a judgmental perfectionist, but Birkner’s performance allows you to really like the character because we see how self-critical she also is. The affable Gabe is afforded moments of weight and poignancy that Olson is able to hit with a subtle twinkle. Sparling runs the gamut of emotions as Tom, bringing the audience from first hating him to then empathizing with him and finally not being quite sure what to make of him. Act Two opens 12 years in the past, and Ludwick’s strong performance allows us to see how much Beth has changed over the years, underscoring the new dynamic of her relationship with Tom.
The biggest issue with the production is the lack of onstage chemistry between Birkner and Olson. Both do quite well as actors, but they simply aren’t believable as a couple. Particularly since they are meant to come across as the less dysfunctional pairing, the two actors’ failure to look comfortable touching one another works against the premise of the play.
That problem aside, this well-paced production keeps the audience engaged and uncovers issues that appeared to hit really close to home for several of the couples in the audience opening night. The subject matter may not sound particularly unique, but the execution of its presentation really impresses. Do you stick out a marriage that isn’t working or do you try to find something better with another person? Your opinion may be different after you see Dinner with Friends.
Rating: ★★★
Dinner with Friends continues through May 31st at Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln (map), with performances select Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays 2pm. Tickets are $25, and are available by phone (773-935-6100) or at the door (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More information at RebekahTheatreProject.com. (Running time: 1 hour 55 minutes, includes an intermission)
artists
cast
Jamie Birkner (Karen), Carol Ludwick (Beth), Scott Olson (Gabe), James Sparling (Tom)
behind the scenes
Darrelyn Marx (director), Marinia DeFrisco (stage manager), Alec Schiff (fight coordinator)
14-0503
