End of Summer
Metropolitan Playhouse presents a rare revival of S.N. Behrman’s 1936 dramedy about a wealthy family finally facing the revolution waiting in the wings.
Charming and radiant oil heiress Leonie Frothingham whiles away the summer of '36 at the seaside, where cocktails flow with the tides, and lovers come and go like mosquitoes. But with the Great Depression ravaging the country, even Leonie’s idyllic retreat is not protected from the tremors of the times. Her just-come-of-age daughter cultivates misgivings about capitalism’s inequities. Her long-indulgent husband now seeks a divorce so that he may marry a career woman. And Leonie’s latest flame, a magnetic psychoanalyst, insinuates himself into each relationship with an awfully self-serving "disinterest." This summer, Leonie might be shaken enough to come down to earth, but the status quo has some powerful protectors.
- Official Site
- 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Already closed
- Metropolitan Playhouse (East Village)
Cast & Creatives (15)
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Reviews (13)
3 Critics' Reviews
"The comedy to be found in 'End of Summer' is of a peculiarly diluted sort, as is the veiled political commentary running through it. The play wants to cast a spell of civilized good humor, but its charm has faded with the years, so much so that at times it barely appears to be about anything at all...It can't be said that the director, Alexander Harrington, has managed to find a meaningful dramatic pattern amid the acres of talk…'End of Summer's' charms prove to be elusive." Full Review
“Though Harrington’s production is both elegant and polished, he made some serious mistakes in the characterizations. Leonie Frothingham is described as girlish and young; however, she does have a daughter of 20. Erin Beirnard both looks and plays Leonie as though she is herself a teenager. The problem is that the behavior of a teenage girl in a mature woman is totally unacceptable, changing the character relationships.” Full Review
"There is much to praise...The ensemble work is strong...Harrington’s pacing has a delightful musicality...There are a few shortcomings that disrupt an otherwise strong production. Behrman’s script lays out very clear character objectives, but these intentions sometimes disappear, rendering it rather unclear who wants what and why. Moments of line fumbling added to this ambiguity...Kudos to Metropolitan Playhouse for remounting a piece that continues to resonate in a 21st-century context." Full Review
10 Members' Reviews
See it if good acting; thought provoking piece about relationships and life
Don't see it if you don't like a small theater with somewhat cramped seats; dated period pieces.
See it if U like smart & witty dialogue, 3 dimensional characters,unconventional relationships.Great writing, well directed. Interesting, entertaining
Don't see it if U find young actors playing older characters distracting. Performances mostly good but the lead (the mother) seemed to be played all wrong.
See it if You like the work of Behrman and enjoy parlor plays depicting a different time. The depiction of class struggle still resonates today.
Don't see it if It's slow and lacking a lot of drama or action. However, its pace is part of charm and what you might expect from a period, parlor piece.
See it if like old plays by masterful writers, beautifully produced with exceptional costumes.
Don't see it if you do not have the patience for a old fashioned long play.
See it if you like rarely performed old plays about the wealthy in Depression America and how money can influence & destroy your beliefs and passions
Don't see it if you don't like dated, long plays that are more talk than action.
See it if you enjoy an absorbing drama with rich dialogue; minimal yet great set design; beautiful dresses; intimate theater.
Don't see it if you like splashy productions.
See it if if you want to visit this old subject with nothing new to add
Don't see it if if you want to see more thought provoking play
See it if You want to see a show that comments on social issues of past that are still relevant today.
Don't see it if You don't like period pieces or talky drawing room plays.
See it if You're a fan of 1930s movies
Don't see it if You don't like talky plays
See it if you like Noel Coward style serio-comedies with political nuance
Don't see it if If you don't like old-fashioned plays about rich people