Later Life

See it if you want to see two scene-stealing performances by Liam Craig and Jodie Markell. Also, a great starry set design by Steven Kemp.

Don't see it if you don't like slowly paced plays. "Later Life" is in dire need of a shot of adrenalin.

See it if a quaint story about making a special connection with someone makes you feel good about life.

Don't see it if experiencing a play about later life romance blossoming make your heart turn cold.

Also The Keen Company’s production of A. R. Gurney’s play 1993 play Later Life proved to be a charming evening in the theater. Laurence Lau leads the four cast play in the title character role of Austin. He brings everything that is right and good in the world to the role. Actress Barbara Garrick brings a great deal of moxie to the character role of Ruth with the exception of her voice, which was GRATING to the ear BEYOND belief. The four member cast is rounded out by Liam Craig and Jodie Markell who SPLENDIDLY portray all the other male and female party guests with great comic flair. I enjoyed the play, but would have loved it even more if lead actress’s voice were more pleasing to the ear then it was.... Read more Read less

See it if Don't. There is nothing to redeem this show. The subject matter is not developed, the characters are cliched, the chemistry non-existent.

Don't see it if you care for theater. A complete waste of 90 minutes. There is no message, no learning, no experience or growth. Poor example of Gurney

See it if you want a nice nap....

Don't see it if you want to feel entertained and like happy endings.

See it if If you're sentimental about reconnecting with past romantic partners and don't mind seeing a dated play with corny stock characters.

Don't see it if Just don't bother w/this one ... embarrassingly cliched characters run in and out of this out of date play where you care about no one.

See it if I.liked it because I like shows about that milieu, upper class civilized folks who do foolish things

Don't see it if If you want something lively, where people change and don't repeat the same mistake

See it if You want to see the supporting actors outshine the leads

Don't see it if You’re a fan of Barbara’s work because she did not deliver in this play.

See it if You enjoy long involved conversations and great period references from the 80’s

Don't see it if You prefer something lighter or musical

Also At times very slow, at times very absorbing. In the end I left feeling unsatisfied.... Read more Read less

See it if There are some amusing moments, mostly thanks to Markel who does a great job at playing many comic characters - she steals the show.

Don't see it if You enjoy stories that can be based in reality. Nearly everything that occurs is completely unrealistic, character choices make no sense.

Also I didn't buy into the "love story" that is at the core of the show. I didn't see any chemistry and didn't believe that either of the two characters had any real feelings towards each other.

Also the parade of side characters sometimes work (again kudos to Markel) but at other times they wear out their welcome. We saw this in early previews so things may improve over time.... Read more Read less

See it if It about meeting again years later, being older.

Don't see it if You looking for a lot to happen.

Also This really don't hold my interest, slow, and like other reviewers say I didn't see/feel anything between main characters... Read more Read less

See it if you are a Gurney fan and enjoy a play where not much gets resolved. The secondary characters play several roles most ingeniously.

Don't see it if you prefer a drama where issues get resolved, dialogue is not dated and action moves along more quickly.

Also There was no spark to this play. I never could get involved with the story. The character studies were good and the actors were excellent. The staging was very good.... Read more Read less

See it if You appreciate Gurney. He always has something interesting to say.

Don't see it if You’re not a Gurney fan

See it if you enjoy a show that has many lack luster conversations that reach no conclusion. Some bright moments but otherwise just bland.

Don't see it if you want interesting dialog and a show with a plot.

See it if you are a Gurney fan or can find potential in the unspoken and undramatized.

Don't see it if you want to see any normal dramatic elements, particularly character change, or logic in character interactions.

Also I couldn't find any reason to care about the characters, so the flaws made the play seem juvenile and trivial.... Read more Read less

See it if you like Gurney's stage milieu: the dying breed of New England WASP whose most salient emotion is quiet regret over what might have been

Don't see it if problems of privileged, white urbanites don't engage you; stereotypes put you off: though amusingly satirized by good actors

Also Hard to say what drew Keen to produce this mildly amusing, lesser Gurney at this particular moment. Director Silverstein brings no new insights to the material, which often feels dated (particularly the "everybody else" characters played skillfully by Markell and Craig). Even among Gurney's oeuvre, its ambition is slight and appeal as mild as the suppressed emotions of the leading man.... Read more Read less

See it if you reckon the world would benefit if we were all more civil with each other and you delight in seeing actors play multiple roles.

Don't see it if you've never seen an A.R. Gurney play before since this "meet cute" 2.0 scenario doesn't build into one of his stronger dramedies.

See it if you are okay with a mediocre evening of theater. It's not bad but it's not especially good. The staging is lovely.

Don't see it if you want a story that goes someplace, is relevant and has meaning.

See it if You are a real fan of the playwright

Don't see it if You enjoy a meaty plot

See it if you are a fan of a story that takes place in 1993 with vapid characters who have no chemistry. It is slow-moving, with jokes that fall flat.

Don't see it if you expect to either laugh or cry after watching a romantic comedy. It does not seem believable. The ending was disappointing.

Also The set was beautiful. The lighting was exquisite and very romantic.

See it if you enjoy dated plays.

Don't see it if don't like dated material that goes nowhere.