A Delicate Balance
About the show
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. More…
In '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.
"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 "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 "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 "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 "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 "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 "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 "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 "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
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 "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 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 "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 "Despite the witty lines and a handful of exciting moments, the production is a three-hour, very static bore." Full Review
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 You need to see this because it touches your soul
Don't see it if Nothing to say here you really must see it
See it if You like wonderful, moving theater with GREAT acting. See it if you want to laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time. A celebration of life
Don't see it if All you want is splash. (OBVIOUSLY THIS REVIEW WAS PUT UNDER THE WRONG SHOW. SPEAKING HERE, OF COURSE OF THE COLOR PURPLE.)
Also Cynthia Erivo leads a magnificent cast. Not one weak link. Wonderful, ... Read more Read less
See it if you want a good cry and to feel empowered as a woman and a human being.
Don't see it if you don't like musicals or absorbing storylines.
See it if You love powerful voices
Don't see it if You want a lot of dancing and flashy costumes
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 You want to see a performance that will move you. If you want to hear some extremely talented singers.
Don't see it if You don't like musicals.
See it if You love great singing and passionate performances.
Don't see it if You prefer Netflix
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 You want to be engrossed in the story
Don't see it if well you don't like it.
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 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 Edward Albee! A classic play performed excellently by a terrific cast.
Don't see it if You don't like plays and you don't like watching true talent.
See it if you like great acting with superb direction. One of my fav Albee works, the other who's afraid. A must see with great actors.
Don't see it if Albee is not for everyone, so do some research on Albee first to see if he is for you.
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 enjoy good actors doing their thing.
Don't see it if you're looking for a laugh-out-loud escape. This is very much a play about upper-middle class people with upper-middle class problems.
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 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 the stars of the show.
Don't see it if If you wanted something fresh from the material. Missed its mark.
Cast & Creatives
Cast and Creative Team members for this show have not yet been loaded into Show-Score. If you are affiliated with this show, and would like to accelerate the process, please contact us or read the Help.
