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A MALFUNCTIONING CAROUSEL OF FAMILY LIFE Review by: Beth M, Sep 7, 2008 |
THE MARRIAGE OF BETTE AND BOO
By Beth Mandelbaum
I am grateful that I was able to catch the final performance of the run of the revival of Christopher Durang’s The Marriage of Bette and Boo, produced by the Roundabout Theater Company. I thought that this was the first time that I had been exposed to playwright Durang’s work, but when looking at the program I noted that he wrote a play that I saw several years ago at Playwrights Horizons ... read more and which I absolutely loved, Miss Witherspoon, which went on to be a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2005.
This is certainly has been a season of shows about so-called dysfunctional families, most notably August: Osage County, Harold Pinter’s The Home Coming, and also Peter and Jerry at the Second Stage. And one could perhaps apply this term to the off Broadway musical Next To Normal. And if I looked through the list of everything I have seen this season, others would undoubtedly emerge. Perhaps even Gypsy, and Grey Gardens which I just saw in a regional production in California, might well also fall into this category.
But what is so exceptional about The Marriage of Bette and Boo is the way that this darkest of dark comedies, in 33 short but potent scenes, filled with much that is horrific and shocking, seemingly unbelievable situations and inappropriate dialogue focusing on the disintegration of the playwright’s parents marriage over the course of about two decades; and then throw in the insanities of the marriages of the bride’s and the groom’s parents and other relatives, Durang has created a play that has audiences laughing, truly laughing. And given the apparent content of this play, I for one could only but feel “guilty” for laughing at what would normally make me feel sad, perhaps almost pity, maybe some compassion, for the awful ways these people treat each other..
For me it is Durang’s use of fantasy, exaggeration, the bizarre, and a surrealistic sense of things just not seeming totally real or plausible, while at the same time the actions and behaviors do express their own brand of reality, is what makes the play comedic, but truly in the blackest sense of the word. He makes us somehow find humor in the most shocking circumstances, but has to make us suspend belief, even if just for a moment or two, for this to happen.
I totally realize that this play is certainly not to everyone’s taste, and I have my own reservations about it.
But I do think that there is a very serious underlying, or perhaps not that far beneath the surface, message that this play exudes, and which is brought into unmistakably clear light during a family “therapy” or counseling session with the family priest, Father Donnally, wonderfully played by Terry Beaver: and that truth is that so many people come to him with problems that really cannot be solved and which in so many cases could be avoided if people took the time to really reflect on whether they are truly marrying the person that they want to spend the rest of their lives with. And as a caveat, the play also brings out the issue of how difficult and messy the institution of marriage actually can be. This is truly food for thought in conjunction with the insanity and hilarity of what we see as a parade of dysfunction and inhumanity that passes before our eyes in the space of two hours.
I also thought a great deal about the role of the Matt, the one surviving son of Bette and Boo (the other four were all still born), who unifies the disparate vignettes by serving as narrator all of the action and who guides us through one seeming nightmare after another. I thought that the actor who plays Matt, Charles Socarides, did a fine job of serving as the glue in between so many scenes, not always in chronological order, and of holding the audience’s interest. But for me, he had a sense of objectivity, or even detachment, if this is not putting it too strongly, as he watched, participated in, and told the tale of the marriage of Bette and Boo and accompanying characters.
Knowing the Christopher Durang played this role in the original production, produced at The public Theater in 1985, I am left with a strong sense of wondering how the playwright approached this role, which, I imagine, would have come with a great deal of “emotional baggage,” to use a phrase. I would love to know to what extent he objectively narrated these scenes, whether his was a more emotionally intense portrayal and whether he used his role in the play, face to face with such delicate autobiographical experiences, as a way to continue to make more sense of these deeply significant aspects and people in his life. All I can think is, what an opportunity.
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Review by: LD, Aug 17, 2008 |
Sorry but I just don't get it. Not really funny, not really compelling. I must have missed something. I would say that if your interets are in Catholicsim and its effect on lives and you see the humor in alcholism perhaps you will find this play more to your liking.
The play consists of many (33 in fact) short scenes and this leaves the actors no time for wardrobe or make-up changes so there are none. The story moves back and forth through ... read more time and space but this is not really a shortcoming.
Ths shortcoming is the lack of humor or substance. All the actors are terrific though.
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Adults
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Terrible -- a complete waste of time! Review by: Coldwine, Jul 22, 2008 |
This is the worst play that I have seen in the past year. (I frequent the theatre often.) I previously saw "Sex and Longing" by Durang, so I was familiar with his style.
Never has 2 hours seemed so long. Regretfully, all evidence of good humor is destroyed by the horrible, leaden story. The story drags, and the acting is just ok. This shallow, amateur portrait of a marriage gone wrong is not appropriate for anyone, at any cost.... read more.
Do yourself a favor, and choose something else.
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Adults
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A HURRAH FOR BETTE AND BOO Review by: imnotcocteau, Jul 5, 2008 |
| Durang at his best. (If you don't understand irony, stay away.) Otherwise, this is a delicious, moving, biting play that is beautifully acted by a first-class ensemble. Family life is seldomly so honestly depicted. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Large Group
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Adults
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Family Matters Review by: jaywest, Jul 2, 2008 |
| I loved this play. It is about a young man reflecting on growing up and his parents families and their problems with alcoholism and having children. Everyone is crazy in that way families are--and then some. The play is funny and sad. When it is funny, it is on the mark. I laughed so hard it hurt. Still the subject matter is rough, but the play is well-written and uniformly well-acted. For a show that features plenty of insults, there is a lot ... read more of warmth. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Spouse/Partner
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Adults
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Amusing! Not A++ but not horrible eigther Review by: nyer, Jul 2, 2008 |
| I went to see this show last night and I must say that it wasnt too bad. It was certainly not one of the best Roundabout productions. It was amusing and not a waste of time - I'm glad I went to see it. Cant say everybody will enjoy it - but I didnt regret going. You'll get a good laugh out of it!! |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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Recommended for:
Seniors, Adults
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We walked out of The Marriage of Bette and Boo Review by: Eddie G, Jun 23, 2008 |
My wife and I typically see 10 plays per year, and we've seen many good ones this year. However, The Marriage of Bette and Boo was NOT an enjoyable play for us. In fact we walked out of the play at intermission, and we weren't the only ones leaving.
The play is an autobiographical representation of Christopher Durang's life, shown in 33 scenes. We say only the first 15 or so and that was enough. In fact, after the first two scenes it was ... read more clear the play didn't have the comedic rhythm or the biting edge of "August - Osage County".
The actors had little to work with, but they seemed as bored as we were. It was tough for us to hear some parts of the play, since the lady in front of us was snoring mid-way through the first act. Perhaps we should have all followed her example. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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