David Hyde Pierce and Mary Catherine Garrison.Dated, but Pleasant – and the Costumes are to Die For
By Lauren Yarger
Manhattan Theatre Club’s revival of Accent on Youth starring David Hyde Pierce is a sleepy sort of play. It has been around for years (since 1934 to be exact) and playwright Samson Raphaelson’s work has a rather dated feel to it, but for some reason, and I’m not sure I’ll be able to put my finger on why exactly, I really enjoyed it.
There isn’t a lot of plot, making the play a surprise choice for a revival, not to mention films over the years starring Bing Crosby and Clark Gable. But Pierce fits the bill nicely as witty Steven Gaye, a successful Broadway playwright who has written an uneven play that just doesn’t seem to work about a romance between an older guy and a younger woman. The cast of characters Gaye has asked to play his characters on stage are Miss Darling (Lisa Banes), Dickie Reynolds (David Furr) and Frank Galloway (Byron Jennings).
Former flame Genevieve Lang (Rosie Benton) invites Gaye to chuck it all and run away with her to Finland. Gaye tells his butler Flogdell (Charles Kimbrough) to pack his bags, but a sudden declaration of love from his younger secretary, Linda Brown (Mary Catherine Garrison), changes everything. Life suddenly imitates art and Gaye is inspired about how to make the play’s romance work.
Brown goes on to star in the play as she and Gaye become and item. When Dickie falls in love with his leading lady, however, the real-life plot takes an unscripted Cyrano twist. Flogdell enjoys his own May-December romance as well.
It’s a light, uncomplicated, and fun evening at the theater, thanks in part to tight direction by Daniel Sullivan on John Lee Beatty’s book-lined, gentleman’s quarters set.
The other part, and the real highlight in this production, is the fabulous 1930s-era costumes by Jane Greenwood worn by Benton and Garrison. From business skirt suits to evening gowns, each is stunning. Every time one of the actresses appeared, I would want to run out and buy what she was wearing, right down to the shoes. Pierce sports an attractive smoking jacket and robe in addition to his suits as well.
Accent on Youth plays through June 28 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, 261 W. 47th St., NYC. For tickets, click here. For special group rates, click here.
By Lauren Yarger
Manhattan Theatre Club’s revival of Accent on Youth starring David Hyde Pierce is a sleepy sort of play. It has been around for years (since 1934 to be exact) and playwright Samson Raphaelson’s work has a rather dated feel to it, but for some reason, and I’m not sure I’ll be able to put my finger on why exactly, I really enjoyed it.
There isn’t a lot of plot, making the play a surprise choice for a revival, not to mention films over the years starring Bing Crosby and Clark Gable. But Pierce fits the bill nicely as witty Steven Gaye, a successful Broadway playwright who has written an uneven play that just doesn’t seem to work about a romance between an older guy and a younger woman. The cast of characters Gaye has asked to play his characters on stage are Miss Darling (Lisa Banes), Dickie Reynolds (David Furr) and Frank Galloway (Byron Jennings).
Former flame Genevieve Lang (Rosie Benton) invites Gaye to chuck it all and run away with her to Finland. Gaye tells his butler Flogdell (Charles Kimbrough) to pack his bags, but a sudden declaration of love from his younger secretary, Linda Brown (Mary Catherine Garrison), changes everything. Life suddenly imitates art and Gaye is inspired about how to make the play’s romance work.
Brown goes on to star in the play as she and Gaye become and item. When Dickie falls in love with his leading lady, however, the real-life plot takes an unscripted Cyrano twist. Flogdell enjoys his own May-December romance as well.
It’s a light, uncomplicated, and fun evening at the theater, thanks in part to tight direction by Daniel Sullivan on John Lee Beatty’s book-lined, gentleman’s quarters set.
The other part, and the real highlight in this production, is the fabulous 1930s-era costumes by Jane Greenwood worn by Benton and Garrison. From business skirt suits to evening gowns, each is stunning. Every time one of the actresses appeared, I would want to run out and buy what she was wearing, right down to the shoes. Pierce sports an attractive smoking jacket and robe in addition to his suits as well.
Accent on Youth plays through June 28 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, 261 W. 47th St., NYC. For tickets, click here. For special group rates, click here.
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