'The Heidi Chronicles' Returns With New Enticements to Witness

Heidi (Elisabeth Moss) and Scoop (Jason Biggs) have history in "The Heidi Chronicles." Photos by Joan Marcus.

BY TAMARA BECK

FEMINISM as a movement has evolved or perhaps devolved since the 1960s. Women of a certain age recall the allure of bra-burnings.

The younger ones tend to distance themselves from their elder sisters. Being a feminist feels like a betrayal of their sexuality.

"The Heidi Chronicles," in revival at the Music Box Theatre (recently rolled back from 9 Aug. to 3 May), is here to remind us all that liberation – both sexual and careerist – was a goal of the feminist movement. (See video below).

Wendy Wasserstein won a Pulitzer in 1989 for "The Heidi Chronicles," which also grabbed a Best Play Tony that year.

In this production of "The Heidi Chronicles," there is a well-delineated timeline for Heidi Holland (Elisabeth Moss) as she grows from awkward teen to awkward woman. EM never seems fully at home in her Heidi except in scenes where she is lecturing on art history. Heidi is a professor of art who laments the neglect of female painters.

While still in high school, she meets Peter Patrone (Bryce Pinkham) who becomes a lifelong friend. She attends the dance at which Peter and she meet with her other bestie, Susan Johnston (Ali Ahn).

In college, Heidi goes on to meet the irresistibly charming and self-centered Scoop Rosenbaum (Jason Biggs). Their encounter at a rally for Eugene McCarthy leads to an on-again off-again love affair.

Despite that their friendship survives even after Scoop marries. JB's Scoop is carelessly charismatic and flamboyant. BP is excellent as Peter to EM's Heidi. (The Swiss tale in which Peter and Heidi are prominent gets a mention in the course of the play. And, yes, one might also be put in mind of a well-known Peter and Wendy in children's lore.)

In the ensemble, AA is a standout and very funny as Susan who goes from callow teen to a deeply committed young adult and back again to a shallow and successful professional woman as she matures.

Ali Ahn, Elisabeth Moss and Elise Kibler in "The Heidi Chronicles."

Tracee Chimo is a character actress who gets to trot out and display her many talents in a variety of roles. Foremost of these is her turn as April, TV host with a fleeting attention span who interviews middle-aged Heidi, Peter and Scoop as representative boomers.

As the action slows and dulls toward the end of the second act, it looks as if this production, under Pam MacKinnon's direction, is abandoning the entertainment value of "The Heidi Chronicles" in favor of its valuable historical perspective.

Peter Negrini is responsible for the enlivening video montage that keeps the earlier scenes moving. John Lee Beatty has designed a well-appointed, yet minimalist set that also moves with the times of Heidi's story.

Tracee Chimo, Jason Biggs, Elisabeth Moss and Bryce Pinkham in "The Heidi Chronicles."

The revival of this important work mostly attracts two distinct groups. It appeals to those who lived through the times it describes. In the other camp, the draws are JB (“Orange Is the New Black,” "American Pie"), EM (“Mad Men,” “Top of the Lake”) and BP (Tony-nominated in "A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder.")

Even in an imperfect form, though, it's good to see Wendy Wasserstein's work back on a Broadway stage.

Visit http://www.theheidichroniclesonbroadway.com/ to learn more about "The Heidi Chronicles."

'A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder' Isn't as Serious as All of That

Joanna Glushak, Lauren Worsham, Bryce Pinkham, Lisa O'Hare and Jefferson Mays in "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder." Photos by Joan Marcus.

BY TAMARA BECK

KNOCKING off relatives in order to take one's rightful place in the family can't really be criminal, can it?

"A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder" issues a resounding acquittal. The play is in an open run at the Walter Kerr Theatre and produced in association with Hartford Stage and San Diego's the Old Globe Theatre.

Monty Navarro (Bryce Pinkham), the very charming disinherited heir to the D'Ysquith earldom, systematically dispatches the other eight (all played by Jefferson Mays) in line for - or, as in the case of Lord Adalbert, holding - the title. His is a mission of revenge for his mother's unfair banishment, as well as a claim to his birthright. (See video below).

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Adding to his troubles, Monty yearns for the coquettish Sibella Hallward (Lisa O'Hare) who in turn yearns for riches and comfort he seemingly cannot provide. As it turns out, Monty's eccentric cousin, Phoebe D'Ysquith (Lauren Worsham), proves to be a perfect match for the up-and-comer.

While most of Monty's cousins continue to shun him, D'Ysquith, Sr. takes him in as a clerk in his brokerage. Monty thrives there, despite being unschooled and impoverished. Meanwhile, he also hones his other newly discovered talent. Poison would be the Victorian fallback, but Monty is far more inventive at offing his relations.

"A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder" carries forth in the farcical tradition of its antecedents. It is based on the same book by Roy Horniman that engendered the Alec Guinness film, "Kind Hearts and Coronets."

Sibella Hallward (Lisa O‘Hare) is the object of Monty Navarro’s (Bryce Pinkham) desire in "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder."

The names have been changed (from D'Ascoyne in the film) in Robert L. Freedman's musical play to protect the guilty. RLF and Steven Lutvak are responsible for the clever lyrics, and SL has written the lovely tunes.

"A Gentleman's Guide..." is imbued with a lovely soft touch of vaudeville, not just in its songs but in Alexander Dodge's puppetstage-like sets. BP and JM lead the way with their versatile and elegant performances.

Standing out in supporting roles in the fine ensemble, expertly directed by Darko Tresnjak, are Joanna Glushak as Lady Eugenia, Adalbert's peevish and crotchety wife, along with LW and LO'H.

Jefferson Mays, Jennifer Smith and Bryce Pinkham figure in "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder."

There is plenty of wow in the special effects (projection design by Aaron Rhyne) and the handsome period costuming by Linda Cho.

Despite all the wattage, however, "A Gentleman's Guide..." is light and trifling fare.

Visit http://www.agentlemansguidebroadway.com to learn more about "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder."