My Review: "Zoe's Perfect Wedding" at TheaterWorks Hartford
All Photos by Mike Marques. HUNTER RYAN HERDLICKA, BLAIR LEWIN and DANIEL JOSÉ MOLINA
The show: “Zoey’s Perfect Wedding” at TheaterWorks in Hartford
What makes it special?: A comedy by Mathew Lopez whose “The Legend of Georgia McBride” was a big hit off-Broadway and at TheaterWorks.
HALLIE ELIZA FRIEDMAN and ESTEBAN CARMONA
What makes it interesting choice?: Lopez is not an easy playwright to categorize and I like that. All of his plays are widely different. Hartford Stage did his “The Whipping Man,” “Somewhere” and the world premiere of “Reverberation” and they were as different but compelling in their own unique way. (Hartford Stage also commissioned, developed and workshopped his “The Inheritance” which went on to be a big hit in London and winning the Tony Award on Broadway — though the theater got no financial rewards for the p[lay which went on to London, Broadway and the Tony Award. Lopez’ next project includes writing the adaptation of yet another musical version of “Some Like It Hot” (third time around). But “Zoey” marks the East Coast premiere of a comedy he wrote about seven years ago.
And how was it? Those who expect the craftsmanship and bright wit of “Georgia McBride” will be very disappointed. It’s a sloppy script, lacking wit, sometimes crude, with not one character with any real appeal. After being an admirer of his many works, this is Lopez’ first big miss in my book. It’s a play that feels like it was written by a very young, unformed, naughty but not nuanced playwright — and in this case is best left at the bottom of a trunk.
RACHEL B. JOYCE, BLAIR LEWIN and HALLIE ELIZA FRIEDMAN
What’s it about?: Friends gather at a wedding reception and such events bring up fraught relationships — jealousy, troubled marriages, aimless single folk. Naturally all the reception plans go south pretty fast. (It was done own the cheap and things quickly unravel.) Wedddings and their receptions are tropes that are built for fun — nand there are a few chuckles here, but not many, and more cringes. Plot points are just too ridiculous to believe, characters — especially those who think of themselves as savvy 30somethings — are not as smart as they think. Points about class differences are shallow and the theme of how one comes to terms with one’s hopes and dreams is facile — and the conclusion unearned. Oh, I could go on. But why?
This is definitely an off-production for director Rob Ruggiero who hasn't found a consistent tone, but how could he with a play that is filled with such odd mood swings?. And each performer seems to be in a different play and not a very good one at that.
HUNTER RYAN HERDLICKA, RACHEL B. JOYCE and HALLIE ELIZA FRIEDMAN
Who will like it?: Probably those who enjoy these types of wedding receptions. The cringier the better.
Who won’t?: Those looking for a sharper sense of comedy.
For the kids?: Hell, no — unless they’re into extensive discussions about anal intercourse.
Thoughts on leaving the parking lot?: Rarely have I left a show with the feeling that things just didn’t come together at any level. The set is designed by Brian Sidney Bembridge and has an impressive hotel bathroom “reveal,” but it’s a huge and clunky effort for a scene that could have been played in a more efficient way. TheaterWorks has produced some of the best theater in the state before and during the pandemic. I’m confident that they’ll be back on track. But this was far from perfect.
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