The Lucky One NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (140)
See it if you enjoy charming revivals of shows from the first half of the last century.
Don't see it if No reason not to see it.
See it if You enjoy period family dramas, centered around two brothers. You enjoy investigations of envy and perception
Don't see it if You dislike Noel Coward or clunky transitions.
See it if You are interested in lesser-known plays. Story is interesting but a bit predictable.
Don't see it if You don't like serious plays.
See it if an early-20th-century play about brothers who misunderstand one another, compounded by a love triangle, appeals. It is an intelligent play.
Don't see it if requiring glitz, snappy dialogue, and a ton of action. This is a thinker's play. While some moments feel empty, it made me ponder afterward. Read more
See it if you want to see a light, simple show about a relationship between two brothers.
Don't see it if you want complex issues and insights in the plays that you see.
See it if you would enjoy an exploration of sibling rivalry and family interaction set in an upper class period play. Relevant topic, well acted.
Don't see it if you're not into period pieces, high brow Brits, character studies involving envy and anger.
See it if Want to see a well written play.
Don't see it if Only want to see new plays.
See it if You want to see good drama, great performances, and a play written by a familiar name, but of children's stories.
Don't see it if You aren't interested in plays about family dynamics or might not like period pieces. Don't expect a "feel good" kind of play.
Critic Reviews (28)
“This is a clever turn by the director Jesse Marchese and his apt casting and shepherding of the actors to reveal the layers beneath Milne’s characterizations...Milne’s characters are drawn with insightful subtly…The play resonates deeply in its characterizations and propels us to look into our own souls...Kudos to the Mint Theater Company for taking on this richly complicated work and executing a presentation of which Milne couldn’t help but be proud.”
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"A slight but pleasurable tale of upper-class Edwardian desire and doom, featuring a compelling central plot but lacking any bigger scope...The cast is excellent...Jesse Marchese provides solid direction...But there’s not a whole lot of meat to the play, not enough for audiences to chew on. Milne rarely ventures past the well-groomed surface of the landed gentry and their actions. It all makes for a pleasant theatrical experience, but you’ll leave the Beckett wanting a little more."
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“This light-footed comedy of character is also a penetrating psychological drama…Jesse Marchese directs with respectful finesse, drawing lively performances that balance realism and theatricality just as the script seems to demand. This production serves well as both an introduction to Milne the playwright and a welcome window on a fascinating period in theater history. An interesting dual character study, it’s thoroughly well-mounted and just plain fun to boot.”
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"Should be seen by all who cherish the pre-golden age basket of plays that still resonate over the issues of their day...I found myself surprisingly held by this seemingly light comedy with a solid foundation of irony underneath it. With the proper pace and impeccable acting to deliver its age old charms, 'The Lucky One' reminds us that craft was once not a derogatory term: that even a light offering, when played with style, could send one out into the night with much to think about."
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"A subtle, yet poignant production...While Milne’s drama does not emanate taut, dramatic tension, it does offer a wonderfully human look at the complexities of sibling rivalry. For the most part, director Jesse Marchese’s cast pulls off convincing British accents...Works like this remind us why the Mint is such a vital part of New York’s landscape. They neither rely on spectacle nor gimmicks, but instead, focus on quality stories, beautiful language, and actual person-to-person communication."
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"Milne has some insightful and surprising things to say...Unfortunately, he doesn't get around to saying them until the third act. Until then, the play slogs along, relying too much on embarrassing 'comic relief' and predictable drama...That third act springs to life. The show becomes thoughtful, thought-provoking, and compelling...It almost seemed that director Jesse Marchese asked the actors to eliminate all subtext and subtlety until late in the play."
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"The Mint Theater Company brings an excellent production to life with 'The Lucky One.' Written by A. A. Milne before 'Winnie-the-Pooh,' it is the story of two brothers and the effect of jealousy. It is a beautifully staged play with outstanding acting. And it is a very nice show, but it isn't a revelation. 'The Lucky One' tells the tale of sibling rivalry well, but one that seems ordinary. It moves from point A to B to C, but nothing really surprises here."
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"'The Lucky One' does not disappoint...Sets by Vicki R. Davis and costumes by Martha Hally lend a particularly effective note. An elegant pair of opposing staircases gives performers the occasional opportunity to play scenes at varied physical levels...Under Jesse Marchese’s direction, the company is uniformly fine, with excellent ensemble playing, generally to be expected in Mint productions."
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