Total Rating: 
**3/4
Opened: 
January 10, 2002
Ended: 
February 10, 2002
Country: 
USA
State: 
New York
City: 
New York
Company/Producers: 
Atlantic Theater Company
Theater Type: 
off-Broadway
Theater: 
Atlantic Theater
Theater Address: 
336 West 20th Street
Phone: 
(212) 239-6200
Running Time: 
2 hrs, 15 min
Genre: 
Comedy
Author: 
Harold Brighouse
Director: 
David Warren
Review: 

Hobson's Choice, Harold Brighouse's 1915 play about a bootmaker and his three unmarried daughters, is an enjoyable peek into the marriage customs of the time and seems to be an early voice for the value of a person for himself rather than for his position. And it can be viewed as an early feminist statement as Martha Plimpton runs the family and makes a man out of a mouse (David Aaron Baker) -- two fine performances. The entire cast is good, but the over-the-top Brian Murray, who performs rather than acts, is a jarring, unrealistic note, although often quite entertaining.

Clear direction by David Warren, sets by Derek McLane, costumes by Laura Bauer and lighting by Kenneth Posner are all first rate.

Cast: 
David Aaron Baker, Katie Carr, Jim Frangione, Austin Lysy, Peter Maloney, Aedin Moloney, Brian Murray, Darren Pettie, Martha Plimpton, Judith Roberts, Amy Wilson, Christopher Wynkoop
Technical: 
Sets: Derek McLane; Costumes: Laura Bauer; Lighting: Kenneth Posner; Orig. Music & Sound: Fitz Patton; Casting: Bernard Telsey Casting; PSM: Thomas Borchard; Prod Mgr: Kurt Gardner; General Manager: Ryan Freeman; PR: Boneau/Bryan-Brown
Critic: 
Richmond Shepard
Date Reviewed: 
January 2002