Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Douglas McGrath’s sweet, unapologetically old fashioned theatrical memoir EVERYTHING’S FINE wistfully conjures childhood memories

• By drediman
• October 14, 2022
• No Comments

Last night, Douglas McGrath’s new play Everything’s Fine opened Off-Broadway at the DR2 Theatre just off of Union Square. Mr. McGrath is perhaps best known for penning the book for the hit bio-musical Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, as well as films such as Emma, Nicholas Nickleby, Company Man, and Bullets Over Broadway. In essence, Mr. McGrath’s one-man show is a theatrical memoir that lovingly revisits his days as a child in Texas, primarily his experiences as a spirited but endearingly confused middle schooler.

Everything’s Fine is the kind of gentle, wholesome coming-of-age tale that would be ideally experienced with a hot coco under a warm blanket in front of a fireplace. In the theater, this “coziness” factor comes gradually but inevitably as Mr. McGrath wistfully conjures family and friends from days gone by. Once he’s fondly established the cast of characters, Mr. McGrath delves into a slightly shocking episode involving his relationship with a lonely middle-aged eighth grade teacher (no spoilers here) and how it affected his life, particularly in hindsight. Despite being slightly overlong, the piece ultimately redeems itself with its abundant goodwill and generosity of spirit.

In a shift in duties, beloved stage and screen actor John Lithgow takes on the role of director for the New York premiere of Everything’s Fine. His staging appropriately sets the proceedings in an empty classroom (designed by none other than the legendary John Lee Beatty), cleverly setting the scene for the main narrative thrust of the autobiographical tale. As for Mr. McGrath’s performance, it’s everything you could wish for in such a piece – inviting, sweet, and unapologetically old fashioned.

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EVERYTHING’S FINE
Off-Broadway, Play
DR2 Theatre
1 hour, 30 minutes (without an intermission)
Open run