A Delicate Balance
John Lithgow and Glenn Close star in Edward Albee's masterwork about a married couple struggling with their divorced daughter, alcoholic sister, and best friends all visiting on the same weekend.
... Read moreIn 'A Delicate Balance', Agnes (Glenn Close) and Tobias (John Lithgow), a long-married couple, must maintain their equilibrium as over the course of a weekend they welcome home their 36-year-old daughter after the collapse of her fourth marriage, and give shelter to their best friends, all the while tolerating Agnes’ alcoholic sister Claire. Tony-nominee Pam MacKinoon directs the Broadway revival.
- Official Site
- 2 hours and 55 minutes
- Already closed
- The John Golden Theatre (Midtown W)
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Reviews (145)
14 Critics' Reviews
"Great Edward Albee, tepid production...although the play still dazzles with wit, gorgeous writing and the lurking terror of mortality, Director Pam MacKinnon spells things out here instead of letting Albee toy with us through suggestion and suspense. Nothing, alas, is delicate." Full Review
for a previous production "As you would expect of these highly accomplished, multi-award-winning cast members, none of them are bad. But they’re giving us the play, instead of living it." Full Review
for a previous production "A Christmas fruitcake left out too long - boozy and loaded with goodies - but its also on the dry side. Albee’s writing brims with black humor and red-hot loathing. The show, by contrast, is a benign beige." Full Review
for a previous production "A Delicate Balance is no play for sissies...a brilliantly constructed if ultimately unfathomable play that only Edward Albee can get away with writing." Full Review
for a previous production "Pam MacKinnon directs this solid revival with a keen ear for the curling, teasing rhythms of Albee’s ornate lines, and the performances are top-notch...this Pulitzer winner still stings and sings." Full Review
for a previous production "Whether audiences are encountering A Delicate Balance for the first time or for reappraisal, watching the six supremely accomplished actors in this cast bite into their roles is thrilling." Full Review
for a previous production Things finally become interesting, even zany, in the second scene of the second act. Until then, though, “A Delicate Balance” comes across like a dramatically static rewrite of “Virginia Woolf” with rather less drinking and much less cursing." Full Review
for a previous production "Despite the witty lines and a handful of exciting moments, the production is a three-hour, very static bore." Full Review
for a previous production "Perhaps to those watching an Albee play for the first time, the delicate balance will be realized. For those who've seen it--and much of his canon--before, this revival could feel a bit off-balance." Full Review
for a previous production "Albee's gift to humanity, you might say: a pleasurable three acts of watching others teeter on the brink, which always helps you last another day on terra firma yourself." Full Review
for a previous production "Whip-smart and wickedly funny, the 1966 play is showcased in a very good production that’s cool, well-composed and captivating." Full Review
for a previous production "Great Edward Albee, tepid production...although the play still dazzles with wit, gorgeous writing and the lurking terror of mortality, Director Pam MacKinnon spells things out here instead of letting Albee toy with us through suggestion and suspense. Nothing, alas, is delicate." Full Review
for a previous production "In this bracing new revival, fine actors find the warmth in Albee’s stinging message. It's a pleasure to see them in roles that accommodate both their intensity and their flair for nuance." Full Review
for a previous production "MacKinnon’s feisty if occasionally restless revival makes intriguing work of Albee. The production can feel like it’s oscillating speeds, but the constant is shimmering character work, and why wouldn’t you expect that from such a cast of heavy-hitters?" Full Review
131 Members' Reviews
See it if you want to see amazing performers and are willing to look past the vagueness of Albee's plot.
Don't see it if you don't like Albee's writing. I think you really have to be an Albee fan to love this, though the performers are fantastic.
See it if I was so disappointed in DB. GClose was dull! No one could lift the show above her dead weight. I wanted one of the many drinks poured!
Don't see it if Albee creates fascinating situations and characters, but this production had no life. Not enjoyable.
See it if you want to see a great play from one of the best playwrights there is. A great uncomfortable drama.
Don't see it if you are looking for light entertainment.
See it if You love powerful music with an absorbing story and incredible performances.
Don't see it if You do not like stripped down musical productions.
See it if Beautifully mounted, well directed with outstanding talent, great energy and touching. Remarkable cast! The book was prettified.
Don't see it if if a production reflecting current problems is not interesting to you.
See it if You love strong performances and Albee's writing. It's a wonderful play.
Don't see it if you don't like slow plays or thinking plays. It's a play more for the mind.
See it if You love the stars of the show.
Don't see it if If you wanted something fresh from the material. Missed its mark.
See it if You love Edward Albee, no matter how weak the production.
Don't see it if You don't like Albee and can't sit still for a three hour play.
See it if You want to see the actors in it and are interested in the play. Beautiful set.
Don't see it if Don't want to see a dated slow drama
See it if Of course the performances were great, as was the writing.
Don't see it if This play is dated, deals with the problems of self-indulgent people. I didn't find it relevant to today. For me, it was a big who cares.
See it if you are a huge play buff and tend to go see shows because they feature big name actors.
Don't see it if you don't like shows in which the characters complain and bicker endlessly. My least favourite show to date.
See it if you're a fan of albee, drama, and great actors
Don't see it if you prefer light, fluffy entertainment or to leave the theatre on a high
See it if you are a fan of Albee and his themes. Great performances.
Don't see it if you prefer faster paced shows.
See it if you love an understated drama, love bickering families, love Albee or any of the amazing actors in it, have a tolerance for long monologues.
Don't see it if you can't stand improbably long monologues or repressed drama.
See it if you want to see a classic
Don't see it if you hate family drama
See it if you love glenn close
Don't see it if you hate a play with little comedy.
See it if You're a fan of Glen Close or the other stars in the show.
Don't see it if You like slow moving or overly wordy shows.
See it if probably just don't see it, even if you're a fan of Albee, and even despite the phenomenal cast.
Don't see it if you're on the fence about it. The first-rate cast does not help this from being a deeply confused and confusing production.
See it if You wanna see one of the greatest show on Broadway right now
Don't see it if You don't have a heart
See it if You want to see a vibrant, energetic production with great singing.
Don't see it if You want to understand every word. Some lyrics and lines difficult to understand.
See it if you like show-stopping numbers and great story-telling.
Don't see it if you can't handle realistic storylines
See it if I saw the original production 4 times, this scaled down version is amazing and much better. 3rd time and Heather Headley/Cynthia amazing!
Don't see it if you don't want to cry or be affected by a powerful performance
See it if I was disappointed with this production. Glenn Close was an inspired casting choice but she bored me to death. Far from Edward Albee's best
Don't see it if you dislike self-important plays, unrelateable characters.
See it if This is one of Albee's best works. The performances this time don't quite connect, however. A disappointment, but a noble effort
Don't see it if you're not willing to support important work, even if flawed
See it if Glenn Close never disappoints.
Don't see it if If you need a fast moving production. 3 hours of LONG monologues was just too much.