The Country House in Manhattan
To Manhattan to the theater … to see “The Country House” by Donald Margulies.
First, the journey across the 59th Street Bridge, aka, the Queensborough Bridge, aka, The Ed Koch Queensborough Bridge. This will give you folks who are not familiar with New York City a feel for the expanse. Going into Manhattan, the center of the Universe.
Can you find the tram?
A little background about the playwright, Donald Margulies:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Margulies
The Country House in in preview at The Friedman Theater, through Manhattan Theater Club
The wonderful cast:
Blythe Danner, Eric Lange, Sarah Steele,
David Rasche, Daniel Sunjata, Kate Jennings Grant
Did you know that Blythe Danner was married to Bruce Paltrow (film and television director and producer) and is Gwyneth Paltrow’s mother?
About the play.
The setting is the Berkshires, near Williamstown, Massachusetts, an area I visit annually (and I know the Wild Oats health Food market that was mentioned.) The area is bucolic, peaceful and full of culture. It is here that a family full of actors convenes: a matriarch grandmother, her granddaughter, her son, her former son-in-law, his new girlfriend, and to further stir the pot, a handsome young family friend. They are all tied in some form of grief and loss; the mother of the young girl, has died of cancer. Thus we have: a brother, mother, husband, child and friend who are affected and we see how each handles the battles and dances of hearts and egos.
Sometimes the youngest is the wisest.
The word in the ladies’ room was that the play was terrific, the word in my row was the same.
What was even more terrific was that initially unbeknownst to me, the playwright was there, with his wife, sitting very close by; he was able to here the laughter and the applause for many of his lines.
Bravo, Donald, you have another winner.
Wonderful, and quite unique view of NY. Loved the every day home town vision as opposed to the glorified and highly edited view we get to see in movies. Yes you do have the city, and the “centre of the universe”, but we have the trams!!! 🙂
the reviews for the play are terrific. He has another success on his hands. You Margulies are very talented people.
Sounds like a wonderful play Sue, thanks for posting all the extras!
Great blog!
You are very well connected, Sue. Are you and Donald cousins? Are you close?
I also feel that Manhattan is a sort of centre of the universe. Sort of. Especially for theatres. If I ever manage a trip to New York I will certainly go to Broadway to see a play. Hopefully by Donald Margulies.
What an exciting post.