George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber's The Royal Family first opened on Broadway 82 years ago, and this domestic comedy about a leading theatrical family and their squibbles and squabbles is still totally entertaining theater. It's poseurs posing -- the myths and affectations of being in thee-atah, dahling is directed with a lively pace, superb timing and clean staging of its manic doings by Doug Hughes.
Reg Rogers in the John Barrymore role fills the stage as does Rosemary Harris as the dowager, and Jan Maxwell is spectacular in an award-level turn as the actress at the center of the family and the play. John Glover, Larry Pine, Tony Roberts and the entire cast are top-level performers.
Catherine Zuber has designed lovely period costumes, and John Lee Beatty's two-level set is wonderful in its detail. This is the real old stuff done with flair and panache that thoroughly entertains a contemporary audience.
