Loose Ends
T. Schreiber Theatre revives Michael Weller's 1970 play about a young couple grappling with conflicting opinions on the importance of having a career versus raising a family.
... Read morePaul is a Peace Corps dropout and Susan is in free fall when they meet on a beach in Bali. They end up moving to Boston, marrying, then separating, and reconnecting in New York. She has become a successful photographer, he a successful film editor. He wants children, she doesn't. 'Loose Ends' revolves around the eternal questions that haunt the couple: “Am I enough?” “Where do we go from here?,” and “How do we define success?"
- Official Site
- 2 hours and 45 minutes
- Already closed
- The Gloria Maddox Theatre @ T. Schreiber Studio (Chelsea)
Cast & Creatives (13)
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Reviews (29)
5 Critics' Reviews
"It’s difficult to sit through a 2½-hour play disliking the protagonist. Nor does it help that Loren Bidner delivers a one-note portrayal of the exasperating young man. Unfortunately, he’s not alone. I’ve seen some first-rate productions at T. Schreiber. This one is not well cast...Terry Schreiber’s direction is uneven...Many of the actors don’t listen to one another...While 'Loose Ends' rings true to its era, why a revival now?" Full Review
"The eight-scene structure provides a wonderful framework within which the play examines a long-term relationship...However, some of the simpler moments the play explores, while lovely and insightful, don’t provide enough conflict to sustain the play’s lengthier run time. This is in part because the play’s conflicts are largely internal. The performances, directed by Terry Schreiber, thus become key in bringing out the unsaid conflicts." Full Review
"The script still feels fresh with clever dialogue...The supporting cast was also marvelous...It was with them that the heart of the show beat. On the other hand, the two main characters portrayed by Bidner and Vink, are not the type of people you feel inclined to cheer for. It doesn’t help that both actors give us one-dimensional performances...The production is also hurt by long transitions...While the play seemed perfect for the times, I don’t see the point of a revival today." Full Review
“The last scenes of this somewhat meandering play are brilliant…Once this play really wakes up, it becomes risky. And these actors are up for that. There is an inconsistent level of performance but the actors make a journey together that’s emotionally touching when it counts…The director Terry Schreiber deserves kudos for fulfilling the slowly developing gift of this play and for guiding his actors on this surprisingly funny and rocky road.” Full Review
"Weller’s drama has to be more than trying to choose between a family or career during the '70s. Yet the depth of their problems, and even their backstories, are never entirely explored...The climaxes do not lead to powerful payoffs but more or less take the characters back to where they originally started...Various undeveloped characters arbitrarily show up, lending a viewer hope that they will move the story forward or eventually reappear. But they are used only as short-lived comic relief." Full Review
24 Members' Reviews
See it if You want to see a play that is strongly based in the 70's. You want to see a play about a couple and their mainly ups and some downs.
Don't see it if You are not interested in a love story. you don't want to see a fun play. You don't like anything 70's
Also The performers did a good job with this performance. This was a very f... Read more Read less
See it if you like comedies
Don't see it if you don't like comedies
See it if If you were a 60's teen becoming a 70's adult add about 5 points, if conflicting emotions and life choices entertain you, this is for you
Don't see it if This is about coming of age so if you find that old hat stay away. Also if you prefer large staged productions this is not for you
See it if you remember the 70s with nostalgia, like clever scenery, student actors (actually quite good), don't mind long shows.
Don't see it if you remember the 70s as just too much, you don't like characters that are too full of themselves to make much of relationships.
See it if Nice to reflect upon the 70's. Small stage does nice job with clever usage of materials for the set. T. Schreiber himself directs.
Don't see it if do not want to see some up and coming actors from the various classes at the studio.
See it if you enjoy plays about relationship and marriage struggles; well written, real-life dialogue
Don't see it if you don't like an almost 3 hour runtime. Can be a bit slow at times.
See it if you're in the mood for a meandering, intimate trip through a couple's evolving relationship over the course of a few decades.
Don't see it if you want high production values, super professional acting, or a taut narrative. It felt a bit amateur, like an ambitious college play.
See it if You have fond memories of the 1970s and want to compare experiences.
Don't see it if You aren't content to follow a long story from youth to adulthood with many characters.
See it if You want to see a great script acted with so-so actors. The leads start strong but in the 2nd act they seem bored with the play.
Don't see it if You are looking for great consistant performances.
See it if you look a one dimensional look at characters who are each extremely annoying and frustrating.
Don't see it if you want to learn anything about the human condition.
See it if want to get a look into the 1970's
Don't see it if a 2:45 show scares you. BEWARE, this started at 8PM I didn't get out of the theater until 11PM. Show has it listed at 2hrs but its not.
Also The best way I can describe this play is that if someone invited you t... Read more Read less
See it if revisiting the 70s & the conflicts of the well connected, marriage/family vs. job, having it all, etc. are issues u want 2 see discussed
Don't see it if you're looking 4 insights into the 70s, a plot driven storyline, well developed characters, or scenes that go on 2 long drive you crazy
See it if you would like to see a show about a couple's romance and relationships during the 1970s, involving their trials and tribulations
Don't see it if you're not interested happenings in the '70s, issues with a young couple's dating and marriage, involving problems many couples face then as
Also Although the play took place during the '70s, change the clothes and s... Read more Read less
See it if you lived through the 70s and are nostalgic for the transition from flower child to materialistic adult; like any relationship story
Don't see it if you lived through the 70s and do NOT care to relive that era; don't like meagerly drawn protagonists & too many unnecessary characters
Also T. Schreiber Studios generally puts on worthy productions & that's why... Read more Read less
See it if you're crazy about relationship dramas
Don't see it if it gets really boring at times
See it if Great acting, relationship oriented plays are your thing. The actors were really awesome and "got into" their roles.
Don't see it if You want lighter fair with a happy ending, or if you have trouble relating to the "70's." It's a little dated but has a definite message.
See it if You have an appreciation for a well written, relationship heavy play.
Don't see it if You can't handle watching the demise of a relationship over time.
See it if You like dramas about relationships over time; if you're interested in the decade of the 1970s
Don't see it if You don't like relationship dramas
See it if you enjoy a small studio atmosphere with good acting. Not the best production by Schreiber Studio I've seen
Don't see it if you're after something that's a little faster moving
See it if Life's decision making always challenges you and never quite comes to a conclusion. Good acting, great staging.
Don't see it if A three hour story following a self indulgent couple isn't your thing.
See it if You want a play that takes you back to the 1970s.
Don't see it if You don't like theatre that runs over two hours.
See it if You don't mind guessing what may come next and like some comedic acting
Don't see it if you don't like quick nudity or longer than necessary relationship plays
See it if you like good acting, directing, scenic elements- story about sexual politics in 1970's America.
Don't see it if a story about a woman who has to choose between having a career or a family
See it if You like plays that take you into the heart of a character.
Don't see it if You don't like dramas.