Theatre Review: The Perplexed Highlights The Privileged At MTC

Written by Richard Greenberg and directed by Lynne Meadow, The Perplexed is playing at Manhattan Theatre Club until March 29 . With a title like The Perplexed, this wedding comedy already builds curiosity; the union of two wealthy families in the midst of sordid histories and and crazy life choices. Of course, laughs are bound, yet The Perplexed is surprisingly more dramatic and revelatory to the “frustrations” of being privileged.

Margaret Colin as Evy is pure elegance, and is central to why these family members, of the upper echelons of society, are so “perplexed” with their current status in society. Yes, they are still privileged, and thus powerful, but they are not considered “progressive” or at least enough. Evy discusses the power-plays she has made as a woman rising to become a speaker in NYC’s city council and even discusses how white men have done good or, at least, want to do good as human beings for society. Yet, despite these declarations being made in a gorgeous library on a 5th avenue apartment, that was recently renovated and worth millions, she wonders why her ideas, good intentions, and ability for polticals dominance feel eroded. The irony does not escape the audience or Santo Loquasto’s set stellar set deign, but it does escape this family.

The Perplexed is a strange testament to the changing political and social tides of an American society that is inching towards a renaissance/ revolution. Each character has their troubles and judgements passed against them, but yet there is safety to their world, even if they wind up beating each other….literally. Thus, as a viewer, you watch the varied personalities go in and out of the room pondering where they fit in a wedding/ world that is ready for better when they, themselves, thought they were the “better” or “more” that was needed. In essence, it is not easy finding out that, though you are on the team, you are being benched. This family may be advancing in its ideals, but the clashes to step forward are apparent in certain dynamics.

There is the bride, the always calm Isabelle (Tessa Frazer) and the incredibly chill Caleb (JD Taylor). Honestly, they are the most unfazed couple I have ever seen on a wedding day, even inviting Isabelle’s ex to be an officiant: the mindfully stumped, yet spiritual Cyrus (Eric William Morris).Hence, all laughs and delicious drama come from the derangement of their families. Greenberg’s direction and Meadow’s witty writing rolls out a few plot twists that I did not see coming. Isabelle’s little brother, the charming Micah (Zane Pais), is a med student/ recent porn-star whom has shocked his parents, Evy and Joseph (Frank Wood), who has his own traumatic history with gay conversion therapy. Wood plays Joseph with both an aloofness and deep pain, as if his inner turmoils leave him dazed. Their dramas are in contrast to Caleb’s smiling, delightful parents: Natalie (Ilana Levine) and Ted (Gregg Edelman).Thus, while the laughs come in through characters’ personal dynamics with each other, the seriousness comes from their philosophical interactions.

One of the highlights of The Perplexed comes from a conversation between the hilariously smart Uncle James (Patrick Breen) and the collectedly amuses Patricia (Anna Itty): the latter being a Guayanese home-attendant for the unseen, but notoriously mean patriarch of the family. James is stressed because he doesn’t want to write any more award-winning novels. He wants to better the world socially and is “perplexed” by the constant joy of Patricia, who has had a harder life as a poor immigrant. The biggest laugh in the conversation comes from James’ desire for Patricia to be miserable about the injustices she faces because he is miserable despite the privileges he takes. It is a moment that highlights so many themes within Meadow’s quick, intelligent writing but particularly this one: privilege does not make you happy, but, in defining you, it makes you feel perplexed on how to be happy without it. Click Here To Buy Tickets.

Running Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes, with 1 intermission

Location: 131 W 55th St (between Sixth and Seventh avenues)
New York, NY 10019