Metropolitan Playhouse Presents

THE AWFUL TRUTH

American Theatre of Actors
The Sargent Theatre
220 East 4th Street
NY NY

18 Sept-18 Oct 2015

Written by Arthur Richman
Directed by Michael Hardart

Featuring: J. Stephen Brantley, Benjamin Russell, Mark August, Alexandra O’Daly, Emily Jon Mitchell, Erin Leigh Schmoyer, Nate Washburn, Eden Epstein

Since 1925, THE AWFUL TRUTH has been the basis of numerous film adaptations. However, it was never published. The Metropolitan Playhouse found the stage manuscript in the New York Library of the Performing Arts and decided to give it life on the stage. It’s a terrific idea, but also risky since the 1937 Cary Grant/Irene Dunne film version is so memorable. The film is a frothy confection that breezes by in 91 minutes. This stage version is neither breezy nor frothy.

Alexandra O’Daly is lovely, but seems to be playing Lady Mary of Downton Abbey, all haughtiness and repressed emotions. She needs a little more twinkle in her eye while she enjoys knowing she can manipulate men so easily, even if there is a little desperation to getting back the one man she truly loves. Nate Washburn is a little more successful with the brash charm his character needs. All the supporting characters are fine.

Set and lights are excellent, suggesting lush upperclass apartments within the tiny stage space.

- Jean Tait -