Mrs. Murray's Menagerie

See it if you're looking for a delightful, modern play with hilarious characters and insightful reflections on how people behave in a group.

Don't see it if you're looking for a spectacular script that can stand alone without great performances.

Also I really loved this play. It's true that it's a one scene play where not much action occurs, and on its surface it's a little like a long SNL sketch. But there's so much going on that I always found it completely engaging in addition to being hilarious from beginning to end. It contains a lot of interesting observations on how people act and react in a group setting, and the more I think about it the more depth I see. I've been thinking a lot about this play since seeing it, and expect I'll continue to think about it in the future.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy quick, somewhat witty dialogue.

Don't see it if if you want a play that builds and has a conclusion or resolution. There's a certain evenness with no change in tone or development.

See it if you want a mediocre episode of television put on stage.

Don't see it if you expect a little more for your money when you go to the theater.

See it if You like strong performances, time specific settings, and gorgeous set design.

Don't see it if You generally appreciate theater with plot, theme, or any semblance of illumination...this has none of that.

See it if You enjoy profound commentary in nuanced conversation. If you like the style of The Mad Ones’ other work, you’ll enjoy this one.

Don't see it if You are unable to understand or pick up the subtleties of human relationships.

See it if you’d like to see the latest piece from the moment’s most lauded theater collective.

Don't see it if you want to see a traditional play.

Also After a sold-out run for its lauded “Miles for Mary” last season at Playwrights Horizons, the “devised” theater troupe, The Mad Ones, has scored a berth on Signature Theater’s roster of recurring playmakers. In public forums the collective’s members appear savvy, good-natured & serious about what they do. Their current piece, “Mrs. Murray's Menagerie,” disappointed me, but people interested in theater’s future will want to see it. As in “Miles for Mary,” the troupe’s method of generating content—here a 1970s focus group—opens up the hothouse of experimental theater to the grit of everyday experience. In “Miles” the material was shaped into scenes that occurred over many months, allowing for change, development, dramatic arc & climax. The new piece is continuous; tensions simmer but never boil over. I admire its rigor. But a method designed to let the real world in has fashioned a piece that feels custom fit for a coterie audience who knows when to, almost on cue, smirk along.... Read more Read less

See it if I wouldn’t recommend this play. Slightly amusing at times but the story is so boring and repetitive.

Don't see it if I had loved this group’s previous show Miles For Mary but this did not live up to that. Missing something. Not funny. Story went nowhere.

Also The staging (people sitting around a table for the whole show) reminded me of the staging for Annie Baker's The Antipodes which was also directed by Lila Neugebauer. I didn't think it worked in The Antipodes and I don't think it works in Mrs. Murray's Menagerie. I am a fan of L. Neugebauer's work but this specific staging really was too static, although the questioner walking around and asking the questions did help a little.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to be as perplexed as I am as to why this play even exists. Given a few good performances, there is nothing to recommend this play.

Don't see it if you don't like plays in which the characters do not have an arc. Much of the dialogue is repetitive. Nothing much happens during the play.

Also There is really not enough substance to hold one's attention for 90 minutes. I felt sorry for the actors who could have used their talents in a better play. Lila Neugebauer, an otherwise fine director, should spend her time staging more credible theatrical works.... Read more Read less

See it if you are a people watcher and enjoy seeing them reveal themselves in an unusual format; surprisingly realistic focus group of many personalit

Don't see it if you prefer plays with a plot driven format, physical action and drama. This piece is more of a slice of life situation.

Also This show was a lot of fun for me - not for everyone certainly. Not as tense as similarly formatted Miles for Mary and not as boring as Antipodes in my opinion. No big laughs but definitely amusing.... Read more Read less

See it if you like people watching & look out for telling behavior/remarks. Opposite of melodrama. Observant, exact, controlled, understated.

Don't see it if you don’t read the micro as well as the macro. Not a high energy show. As well done as it is, the ordinary can be only so compelling.

Also There's a crucial, blink-and-you-miss-it moment at the end. That final move by Ernest pulled my score up 5 points. Some will find this show elusive. I think if you think about why focus groups exist, it becomes less so.

Menagerie is "funny" in the way jury duty is funny—in a wry, mirthless, self-preserving mode of humor. Most of the dialogue is in a Question & Answer format which feels limiting at first but the cast maxes out the possibilities in the second half. First half is slow. But pitch perfect characters throughout. The reflexive sugarcoating, (in)ability to address the group, the petulant defensiveness—I swear, I know these people.

More ambitious than Miles for Mary. Also sort of reminded me of The Antipodes. (Is this the mirror world of The Antipodes?!)... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy plays that are more about keenly-observed characters and small moments than a driving plot or big overarching themes

Don't see it if you need plays to be "about" something other than shared human experience

See it if You’d like a very realistic slice of life with characters you’ll recognize. Many laugh-out-loud moments. Great dialogue.But no real ending.

Don't see it if The play steadily establishes its characters, building tension like Wolves & Miles for Mary, then fizzles out. Truly a lost opportunity

Also The characters are reversed from what they would have been in the ‘70s, and it takes much of the punch out of the play. I would have thought more about what the 70s were really like, then used that to build more tension.... Read more Read less

See it if You want a night out and get the $5 tickets. You want to see something new - and understand that it may not be good.

Don't see it if You want something of any substance - it has none. You expect something of the caliber of Comet of 1812 or Rags Parkland from Ars Nova

See it if A slice of life, ensemble piece interests you.

Don't see it if A plot driven, big laughs so is what your looking for.

Also I saw this groups previously play, “Miles for Mary” and really enjoyed it. This one is not on same level. There’s really no plot. And it’s not a character study as the characters don’t get enough room to breathe. I would have been ok with that had it produced more laughs, but it mostly produced smiles. Extremely talented actors, I just wish they had more to do.... Read more Read less

See it if You like dialogue theatre and enjoy feeling like a fly on the wall

Don't see it if You prefer visual/spectacle theatre

Also If you liked Miles for Mary you’ll like this. It’s simply fantastic.

See it if You like character studies. Subtle comedy.

Don't see it if You’re looking for hug laughs, or a plot driven play.

Also I appreciated that the play is something different in style and structure, but the laughs just are big or frequent enough to not feel disappointed.... Read more Read less

See it if you love the Mad Ones and want to see these great actors work or if you want to see a work in progress and get a glimpes into the process.

Don't see it if you want a clear plot or dramatic tension. Nothing much happens. There are funny moments but a lot of missed opportunities. It gets tedious.

See it if If you like strong ensemble work, subtle & sly writing, and a story that "shows" rather than "tells"

Don't see it if You like flash

See it if you're into the magic of live theater and are willing to forgo a strong storyline.

Don't see it if you insist on a conclusive ending to every story.

Also Just as in Miles for Mary, the collective is very good at subtly building up tension and conflict. However, whereas the former had a natural ending -- a home video playing on the TV -- this current one doesn't, and without one it feels like an exercise, not a work of art. Can't signal that the play is over merely by turning off the lights. The performance didn't feel too long, so another couple of minutes could be spared on ending the show in a more creative way.... Read more Read less