Theater Review; The Lyons



hael Esper, Dick Latessa, Linda Lavin, and Kate Jennings Grant. Photo: Carol Rosegg

These Lyons Roar -- and Devour Each Other
By Lauren Yarger
She growls and pounces and the audience roars as Rita Lyons (Linda Lavin) attacks. In Nicky Silver’s Broadway play The Lyons, however, the unfortunate prey who find themselves devoured in her deadly jaws are her husband and children.

Rita’s husband, Ben (Dick Latessa) lies in his hospital bed wishing for impending death to come a little quicker than the doctors hope – just so he doesn’t have to listen to the endless stream of verbal abuse hurled his way by his wife, who among other things, constantly asks for input on her plans to redecorate the living room once he’s gone. She’s never liked it and can’t wait . . . 

“I’m dying, Rita,” he whines like a wounded animal.

“But try to be positive,” she replies. 

There’s not a lot of love lost here and things aren’t too much better between Ben and the children who have been summoned for a final goodbye. 

The reunion doesn’t go too well. Homosexual Curtis (Michael Esper)  has never felt his father’s approval and alcoholic Lisa (Kate Jennings Grant) hits the bottle again to cope with her failed marriage and her mother's constant disapproval.  

A melee of insult hurling ensues, and this dysfunctional family is off on the hunt for fresh blood with Ben giving that wounded cry every so often. Despite the depressing subject matter, the first act is non-stop laughs thanks to claw-sharp zinger lines and Lavin’s impeccable delivery and timing. 

The second act veers off target, however, and while it’s not quite the implosion that too often can follow such a sizzling first act, it does lose steam and focus. The scene shifts to an apartment Curtis is thinking of buying, his encounter with the real estate agent (Gregory Wooddell) -- which is weird to put it mildly -- then ends up back at the hospital where Curtis receives care from the same plain-talking nurse (Brenda Pressley) who helped his father. (Set design is by Allen Moyer). 

Director Mark Brokaw can’t help us make the abrupt shift. Silver’s goal in this disappointing second half is to trade realism for laughs (and when Brokaw doesn’t tighten timing, laughs get trampled. 

This one is worth it for the first act, however. Don’t miss the wickedly funny carnage that earned Lavin this season’s best actress award nominations and which will give Tracie Bennett's turn as Judy Garland in End of the Rainbow, some serious competition for the Tony. 

The Lyons roar at the Cort Theatre, 138 West 48^th St., NYC. Tickets: 212-239-6200; 800-432-7250.

Christians might also like to know:

-- Language

-- God’s name taken in vain

-- Sexual dialogue

-- Theological issue: there’s a sort of purgatory. I kind of liked that Ben starts being afraid he might end up in hell.