All That Chat - DINNER WITH FRIENDS Tonight

HOME ALL THAT CHAT ATC WEST COAST SHOPPIN' RUSH BOARD FAQS

LOGIN REGISTER SEARCH FLAT MODE

not logged in

DINNER WITH FRIENDS Tonight

Posted by:	sergius 11:53 pm EDT 04/02/14

This is a very beautiful, sharply observed play. It manages to be universal, timeless even, without sacrificing emotional specificity. We know these characters not because they look or act like us, but because they feel like us. And Margulies understands the paradox of intimacy: how it liberates AND constrains. Two couples makes two different decisions, and he's deeply sympathetic to both. It isn't easy to theatricalize empathy without resorting to facile sentiment--a nod without conviction--but Margulies achieves a sort of equanimous compassion--and grace--here that is formidable. If this iteration of DINNER WITH FRIENDS is slightly more precise than it is feelingful, it's still something to see. Chekhov famously said: "If you don't want to be lonely, never marry," and while DINNER WITH FRIENDS is a gloss on this irreconcilable grief, it yet finds comfort in stasis AND change, and hope in the not mere or meager possibility of being alone together that intimacy promises.

reply \|

Previous:	re: Happy 90th Birthday to Doris Day! - ianx73 11:22 am EDT 04/03/14
Next:	re: DINNER WITH FRIENDS Tonight - gad90210 06:24 am EDT 04/03/14

Thread:	re: DINNER WITH FRIENDS Tonight - gad90210 06:24 am EDT 04/03/14

All That Chat is intended for the discussion of theatre news and opinion
subject to the terms and conditions of the Terms of Service. (Please take all off-topic discussion to private email.)