Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Jeff Augustin’s THE NEW ENGLANDERS is thoughtfully of-the-moment although not quite satisfying

• By drediman
• October 4, 2019
• No Comments

Kara Young, Teagle F. Bougere, and Patrick Breen in Manhattan Theatre Club’s production of “The New Englanders” by Jeff Augustin at New York City Center. Photo by Joan Marcus.

This week, the Manhattan Theatre Club production of Jeff Augustin’s The New Englanders opened Off-Broadway at New York City Center. Set in a quiet, upper middle class New England town, Mr. Augustin’s latest play tells the story of a seemingly ideal modern family comprised of two dads and a “woke” mixed-race high school-age daughter. As the play unfolds, it gradually becomes clear that all’s not well just beneath the idyllic, picture perfect veneer.

The play is thoughtfully-crafted – complete with well-written individual scenes – although I would argue that the text is perhaps better suited for film rather than theater. In my opinion, the multi-setting story and Mr. Augustin’s plotting could benefit from cinematic cuts and be further filled out with actual footage of bland small town life. As it stands as a piece of theater, however, The New Englanders somehow feels a tad unsatisfying in places, although rising director Saheem Ali manages to find quiet, affecting moments of genuine humanity throughout the one-act play. Despite these small misgivings, the piece feels very of-the-moment, and it brings up a good point about how the types of lives idealized by society may not necessarily be right for everyone, particularly people of color.

I would argue that the acting is stronger than the play. Indeed, The New Englanders is graced by a wonderful cast of actors who bring appealing personality and dimension to their respective roles. The loveable but flawed parents are played with insight and tenderness by Teagle F. Bougere and Patrick Breen (I still fondly remember Mr. Breen’s moving performance in Broadway’s Next Fall nearly a decade ago as another beleaguered gay character). As their daughter, youthful-looking Kara Young gives us just the right amount of sweet and contrasting sour. Rounding out the cast – and all quite great – are Javier Muñoz (the interloping ex-lover), Crystal Finn (the frustrated high school teacher), and Uly Schlesinger (the quirky local marijuana dealer).

RECOMMENDED

THE NEW ENGLANDERS
Off-Broadway, Play
Manhattan Theatre Club / New York City Center
1 hour, 40 minutes (without an intermission)
Through October 20