In their new, larger off-Broadway home at the Greenwich Theater, Ars Nova presents Mrs. Murray’s Menagerie. The play was created by The Mad Ones and the ensemble, similar to the formula used for the hilarious Miles for Mary a few seasons ago. The former was about a group of teachers assembling in the school lounge to discuss a fundraiser. This play concerns a focus group of parents giving feedback on proposed sequels to a beloved children’s television series.
The entire theater has been reconfigured to look like a community center (excellent set design by You-Shin Chen and Laura Jellinek). When Jim (Marc Bovino) arrives to begin setting up a table with blank name cards, he walks over to the kitchen and dials the rotary phone. We are firmly in the 1970’s in this subtly stinging yet firmly comedic examination of human perceptions.
Six parents of young children are providing feedback to Dale (Brad Heberlee), the moderator. Jim is the scribe and recorder of the discussion. Dale informs the group that Mrs. Murray’s Menagerie is only going to be on television for one more year. The lead actress is retiring. Before moving on to the sequels, the group is asked to comment on the existing series. What do we like about the show? Dislike? How does it relate to your family? If you were to offer a piece of advice, what would that be?
Three women and three men are providing roundtable feedback. At first, they are tentative as one would expect when strangers get together. Personality traits do emerge. Cici (January LaVoy) is admittedly bossy. Wayne (Michael Dalto) is a flannel wearing blue collar type. As conversations flow, opinions are similar and different, creating many levels of tension.
The audience observes this wholly naturalistic meeting. Acutely directed by Lila Neugebauer, Mrs. Murray’s Menagerie hardly seems like a play. The words are memorable and effortlessly believable. Each characters body language adds volumes of information about their personalities. In a very close call, my favorite performance is Stephanie Wright Thompson’s Gloria. A bit more timid than the others, she comments “that’s what I was going to say.” When the conversation turns to breakfast, she feels the sting of judgment from the others (at least in her head). We see defensiveness and simmering annoyance on her face and in her reply.
The completely realistic atmosphere adds layers of complexity to the focus group discussion. How are we alike and different as parents? What is an effective punishment for misbehavior? Which of the show’s many puppets do your children relate to the most? One of Mrs. Murray’s friends is described as “flamboyant.” How we see others, our biases and prejudices pepper all of this remarkably clever dialogue.
In Miles for Mary, the characters were sharply drawn caricatures of school teachers. The conflicts were heavier and sharper. This play is more modulated during confrontational moments which makes sense. Teachers who work together for years would have a natural rhythm to their interactions based on a shared history. Complete strangers talking about themselves and their children would logically be more guarded.
Mrs. Murray’s Menagerie is exceptional theater. The entire cast is superb. A creative idea has been carefully cultivated to bloom by these actors and this theater company. Inventive and hilarious, the play succeeds in elevating a very specific situation into a psychological study of ourselves and how our viewpoints shape how we see the world. No lecturing, grandiose speeches or pontificating needed. Just watch, listen and think.
Which sequel do you prefer? Candace’s Cabinet or Teddy’s Treehouse? Take a seat and find out. Laughs are guaranteed.