Theater Review: Party Face Leaves You Smashed With Good Laughs

You would not think a group of family and friends uniting after one of them was institutionalized for a mental breakdown is a hilarious concept, but it sure open the doors for some comedic truths. No one pushes our buttons quite like family, which is why the facts of our happy and toxic dynamic could be veiled in comedy. Yes, comedy is the choice to laugh at tragedy, but Party Face shows it how we cope through the road to truth.

Gina Costigan as Mollie feels fragile but eager to be strong. Recently released from a mental institution, Mollie walks around the stage as if, at any moment, she could break down again. Yet, in her awareness of her vulnerable state, she wishes for someone to teach her how to properly mend. Isobel Mahon has written a few, good characters to make the attempt. Hayley Mills as Carmel was clearly favored by the crowd, and was the physical comedienne out of the five actress. Though regal in disposition, she could prat fall better than anyone. It is was clear the crowd admired her, and so did her daughters Mollie and Maeve (Brenda Meaney). Both spend the entire play struggling between wanting her approval, and feeling like she did not have theirs, as well.

Mills plays Carmel with elegance and an uncanny way to gracefully deflect serious conversation. She is all about looking good, having a laugh, and sharing some wine, which is why she connects so much with Chloe. Allison Jean White as Chloe is hilarious. She is vain, oblivious, and incredibly inconsiderate. White uses her body and commanding, “cute” presence to mark every inch of Party Face’s beautiful space. Jeff Ridenour has created a set that looks like a modern home, but its grey textures reflect how grey and cold its inhabitants feel. Amanda Bearse has fabulous directed her cast to assure the audience truly feels like a guest. The actors run around, on and off the stage, and speak directly to us like, we too were invited to this party gone wrong. Yet, if I were going to this party, I would want to go with Bernie. 

Though only apart of the second half of this play, Klea Blackhurst as Bernie steals the show. She is so particular, nuanced, joyful, and strangely wise. She rejuvenates the second of half Party Face, and subtly steers it into its sincerest confrontations on mental health. We all have a “mental sick day”. There are certain moments and tragedies, in our life, from which our brain cannot seem to surpass our reality. While everyone surrounds Mollie by the end of the night, everyone realizes that they have avoided very real pains, and cannot judge Molly on how she decided to go through hers. Each woman contemplates the choices she has made for their self, their children, and their husbands. In life, your relationships are a reflection of how you are manifesting your self-worth, and all these women are in bad relationships, except for Bernie; who can deemed the “craziest” out of the 5 because of her OCD/ manic depression.

There is a lot to unpack about Party Face, which can be divided between laughs and hard-hitting self-esteem issues. While you giggle through the brisk pace of this two hour show, including a 15 minute intermission, afterwards, you can really discuss the heartbreak of these women and their misconceptions on what it means to be strong. Carmel and Chloe connect because they believe their outer beauty veils their inner darkness. While Meaney’s Maeve bulldozes with her resilient demeanor through anyone with a facade, while managing to mask her own inner pain. Yet, it is Mollie and Bernie, again “the crazies”, whom are most willing to feel their hurt so they can heal it. For More Information on Party Face Click Click Here.

Party Face Is Playing At The New York City Center Until April 8.

Located: City Center Stage II
131 West 55th Street
(Between 6th and 7th avenues)