2013-11-24  Snow Geese at Manhattan Theatre Club

We saw the new play "Snow Geese" Friday night at MTC on 47th Street. It is starring Mary-Louise Parker (from TV's Weeds), Danny Burstein, and Victoria Clark. I thoroughly enjoyed this play, which takes place in 1917 in Syracuse, NY. It is about the Gaesling family, nuevo riche who spend their summers in Syracuse at their summer home called the Lodge. We learn that the father has recently passed away and one of the sons, Duncan is about to leave to go to the war in Europe. The story deals with the two brothers, Arnold being the younger son, and their relationship to their mother and father. As is usually the case, the eldest son and first born is doted upon by the parents, sent to college, and is basically put on a pedestal, while the younger brother, who is still at home, has to deal with all the trials and tribulations of being at home. The family has taken in their friends, a German couple who more or less have been ostracized from their hometown and are staying at the summer house in Syracuse as a refuge from the intolerance of others. We learn that the father has basically gone into debt and has not let the rest of the family in on the situation. The play shows how the remaining members of the family react to this.

It was a pleasure to see Mary-Louise on stage again, and the two brothers, played by Evan Jonigkeit (Duncan) and Brian Cross (Arnold) were quite good in their roles. Danny Burstein affects a German accent and once again shows that he is an incredible actor as well as a musical comedy star. Victoria Clark, also a musical comedy star, brings out the humanity in her character nicely.

I thought the premise of this play was quite interesting showing how the rich in this country lived for many years, and how with the onslaught of World War I everything changed. Yes, we still had many of the ultra wealthy have their second homes, their servants, and their way of life unchanged, but we see how the upper middle class lives was beginning to change at this time in our history. It is interesting how we still have the separation of the rich and poor in this country and around the world. I felt as I was watching it, that this could be the American version of a Chekhov play.

As usual, the set for the show was amazing. John Lee Beatty designed it and once again shows that he is the pre-eminent set designer on Broadway. I keep looking forward to a coffee table book devoted to his set designs. I always refer to the Lincoln Center production of "Dinner at Eight" where he had a complete table setting with chairs, floral arrangements, chandeliers and complete dining service floating against a black background as you entered the theatre. It was most impressive.

I would highly recommend this play.
Gary Mathias