Serenading Louie

Serenading Louie is a play by Lanford Wilson.

Production

A 1976 Off-Broadway production of Serenading Louie played at the Circle Repertory Company from May 2 to May 30, 1976. Marshall W. Mason won an Obie Award for his direction. The cast consisted of Tanya Berezin as Mary, Trish Hawkins as Gabrielle, Edward J. Moore as Carl and Michael Storm as Alex. The production was designed by John Lee Beatty with costumes by Jennifer von Mayrhauser, and lighting by Dennis Parichy.^[1]

In 1984 a production was staged at The Public Theater, opening January 17, 1984. The cast consisted of Lindsay Crouse, Jimmie Ray Weeks, Peter Weller and Dianne Wiest (who won an Obie award for her performance). The production was directed by John Tillinger, with lighting design by Richard Nelson.^[2]

A new production was staged at London's Donmar Warehouse in 2010, running from February 11 until March 27. The production then toured to Salford, Leicester and Truro. The cast consisted of Jason Butler Harner as Alex, Jason O'Mara as Carl, Charlotte Emmerson as Gabrielle and Geraldine Somerville as Mary. The production was directed by Simon Curtis with design by Peter McKintosh.^[3]

Plot

The story involves two couples, living apparently well in identical houses in the suburbs. However, neither couple is happy in their marriage. In fact, an affair is being carried on secretly within this foursome, which leads to a very violent conclusion.^[4]

Critical reception

In her review in The Guardian, Lyn Gardner stated "This is the stuff of boulevard drama, and dressing it up with Ayckbourn-style tricks of two couples in one space, or theatrical asides, doesn't make it any more interesting", later adding that "the failure of the words to explode even during the final melodramatic moments is symptomatic of this play's ashen emptiness." ^[5]

References

External links

• Serenading Louie at the Internet off-Broadway Database
• Donmar Production Page
• Serenading Louie, Donmar Warehouse