Report Card---"The Lyons"

This is the last Broadway Report Card before the Tony Awards.

"The Lyons" is a play that I highly recommend.
It stars Linda Lavin, who is nominated for best actress, although the play is not.
Linda Lavin is great in this, and certainly deserves the nomination.
The play is not nominated, and I consider this criminal.
It's not quite as good as Clybourne Park", but nothing is.
"The Lyons" is a ball-busting and gut-busting comedy with a tremendous dramatic
underpinning.
It is about major family discord, dying, and keeping secrets.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Very much so.
A+.

Compelling even?

Quite often.
A+.

Is it good storytelling?
Excellent.
A+.

Is it well written?

The dialogue is first-rate.
A+.

Is it well cast? Well played?, Well staged?

Yes to all three. Linda Lavin and Dick Latessa in particular are wonderful.
A+

Is it too long? Too short?

The length is perfect.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Yes, and yes, tremendously on all counts.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

Always surprising.
A+.

Is it worth the forty bucks I paid to get in?

Absolutely.
A+.

Is it controversial?

Somewhat.
A.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

There's what to mull over.
A.

Is it funny?

It is fucking hilarious.
A+.

Is it a story worth telling?

Yet even more.
A+.

Is it impressive ?

Highly.
A+


Overall grade: A.

I can't imagine why this wasn't at least nominated for best play.

More about Linda Lavin next time.

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