The comedic works of three celebrity writers have found a home on Broadway under one roof and one title. “Relatively Speaking,” a new three-in-one play helmed by John Turturro, opened October 20 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre.
One-act plays by Ethan Coen (“Talking Cure”), Elaine May (“George is Dead”) and Woody Allen (“Honeymoon Hotel”) not only share a stage, but also an over-arching theme of family. However, the playwrights approach the topic from varying angles — including insanity, death, and marriage.
While star-turns are nothing unusual on the Great White Way, here it’s the playwrights (and director) who provide the real A-list punch to the production. But that’s not to say there are no recognizable names on stage: Julie Kavner, Steve Guttenberg and Danny Hoch are all part of the larger ensemble cast.
Previews began September 20 at the 1,058-seat Atkinson. Audiences have filled the house to an average 94 percent capacity thus far, while ticket sales for the past four weeks have totaled $2,706,200. Regular ticket prices range from $65 to $120, while premium seats are set at $175 and $200, not including $2 facility fees.
“Relatively Speaking” runs just over two hours, which includes a break after the first play and a 15-minute intermission after the second. Evening performances are staged Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., while matinees run Wednesday and Saturday at 2 p.m., and Sunday afternoons at 3 p.m.
Brooks Atkinson Theatre is located at 256 West 47th Street in New York, NY. Additional production details are available on the “Relatively Speaking” official Web site.
Opening Night: “Relatively Speaking”
Publication | Critic | Review |
Variety | Marilyn Stasio | “If…’Relatively Speaking’ had been written by playwrights named Joe Smith, Jane Doe and Sid Jones, they’d probably still be making their way through the workshop pipeline…” |
New York Times | Charles Isherwood | “…a reasonably savory tasting platter of comedies…” |
TheaterMania | Andy Propst | “…winsome, if not always winning…” |
Hollywood Reporter | David Rooney | “This comedy ménage à trois is not without laughs, but overall, it’s thin and tired.” |
The Wall Street Journal | Terry Teachout | “A bunch of talented people got conned into roasting this three-legged turkey.” |
New York Daily News | Joe Dziemianowicz | “If laughter is the best medicine, the all-star authors responsible for ‘Relatively Speaking’…might be sued for malpractice.” |