Quick Hit Theater Review: The Common Pursuit

The Common Pursuit
By Simon Gray
Directed by Moises Kaufman
Roundabout Theatre Company

What is it about?
A group of friends at Cambridge idealistically begins a literary magazine called The Common Pursuit edited by Stuart Thorne (Josh Cooke). Contributing to the periodical are self-loathing poet Humphry Taylor (Tim McGeever), chain-smoking, coughing Nick Finchling (Lucas Near-Verbrugghe), Peter Whetworth (Kieran Campion), known to the gang as Captain Marvel for his numerous female conquests and Martin Musgrove Jacob Fishel), who handles the business side of things when he isn't lusting after Stuart's girlfriend, Marigold Watson (Kristen Bush). Jump nine years later and the magazine is in trouble. So is Stuart's and Marigold's relationship -- she's pregnant, but economics say she will have to abort the child. Some of the friends offer possible solutions to save The Common Pursuit including using their influence to get an arts grant, but Stuart is adamant about keeping it free of influence. Besides, Martin's offer to go into a business partnership with Stuart seems motivated more by his desire to be a part of Marigold's life rather than by a passion to continue publishing literary material. The plot jumps forward again and then back in time to follow the plight of these friends over 20 years who discover that life doesn't always turn out the way you plan.

What are the Highlights?
Cooke, Fishel and McGeever turn in some solid performances and bounce well off of each other at the highly different personalities. Derek McLane's set quickly adapts with a few changes to create the various locations.

What are the Lowlights?
The story tends on the boring side. It's hard to bond with any of the rather unlikable characters except for Martin, and well, there's only so far you can go in bonding with a guy whose best friend is a cat. Stuart really lost me when he seemed to think that being broke and printing the highest quality poetry was more important than Marigold's obvious desire to have the baby or the life of his child despite clear options to allow him to continue printing and support his family. Near-Verbrugghe's smoker's cough isn't believable.

What Else Do I Need to Know?
The limited engagement plays at the Laura Pels Theatre, 111 East 46th Street, NYC through July 29. For tickets and performance information: http://www.roundabouttheatre.org.

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