Playwright Craig Lucas tries to dazzle us with footwork in his skewed mish-mash of a comedy, Reckless. Some of his writing sparkles with witty surprises, but ultimately, it is the cast that keeps the show alive and interesting. Mary-Louise Parker shines with an impeccable sense of comic timing as a wife whose husband confesses that he has taken out a contract on her life. A solid, strong, convincing Michael O'Keefe secures the center, and a quirky, charming Rosie Perez tickles us with whatever she says (or doesn't say). It's all just a fun piece of fluff with an anti-psychotherapy theme woven in -- more of a kooky vaudeville show than a play, well directed by Mark Brokaw and well performed by the entire cast, including Debra Monk.
The set by Allen Moyer is quite clever, and lighting by Christopher Akerlind and costumes by Michael Krass aid and abet the proceedings pleasingly. Want to see a great play? This ain't it. Want to see a great comedienne? Parker's it.
Previews:
September 22, 2004
Opened:
October 14, 2004
Ended:
December 19, 2004
Country:
USA
State:
New York
City:
New York
Company/Producers:
Second Stage Theater & Manhattan Theater Club
Theater Type:
Broadway
Theater:
Biltmore Theater
Theater Address:
261 West 47th Street
Running Time:
1 hr, 45 min
Genre:
Dark Comedy
Director:
Mark Brokaw
Review:
Parental:
adult themes, mild violence
Cast:
Mary Louise Parker, Michael O'Keefe, Debra Monk
Technical:
Set: Allen Moyer; Lighting: Christopher Akerlind; Costumes: Michael Krass
Other Critics:
TOTALTHEATER David Lefkowitz ?
Critic:
Richmond Shepard
Date Reviewed:
October 2004
