HomeSpacerSpacerSpacerSpacer Spacer
BWW SocialTwitterFacebookGoogle PlusRSS Feeds
 
 
LOG IN | REGISTER NOW!

TICKET CENTRAL
Broadway
Off-Bway
Tours
London
Help, Pick Me a Show

BWW Reviews: MRS. WHITNEY Follows Her Heart

BWW-Reviews-MRS-WHITNEY-Follows-Her-Heart-20010101

Mrs. Whitney

Written by John Kolvenbach, Directed by Kyle Fabel; Scenic Designer, Campbell Baird; Costume Designer, Deb Newhall; Lighting Designer, Paul Hackenmueller; Sound Designer, Jason E. Weber; Stage Manager, Emily F. McMullen; Asst. Stage Manager, Peter Crewe

CAST: Joel Colodner, Rebecca Harris, Deidre Madigan, Jay Ben Markson, Dennis Parlato

Performances through April 8 at Merrimack Repertory Theatre, 50 E. Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA; Box Office 978-543-4MRT (4678) or www.merrimackrep.org

If Margaret Whitney heeded her mother's sayings, such as "Never go grocery shopping on an empty stomach," there wouldn't be much to her story beyond the lamentations of a lonely sixty-year old divorcée and recent empty-nester. However, playwright John Kolvenbach decides to let her see what will happen when she takes a thoroughly ill-advised action to turn her life around and goes searching for the ne'er-do-well ex-husband she sent packing two decades earlier. Mrs. Whitney takes an unsentimental and humorous look at the lengths to which people will go in pursuit of romance as the antidote to isolation.

In the wake of her only daughter's marriage, Margaret (Deidre Madigan) is alone on Christmas until she receives an evening visit from her doleful friend Francis (Joel Colodner), a not-so-happily married man who secretly admires her. They are mutually down in the dumps and share their disenchantment about the holidays over a few drinks. When Margaret, a self-described romantic, tells Francis her plan to seek salvation and communion with Tom Whitney, his reaction is swift and awful; he offers himself to her in lieu of that foolhardy idea. However, her curiosity has the better of her and Margaret needs to find out if Tom may have changed enough to become a viable option to rescue her from her plight. As she explains to Francis, visiting Tom while feeling starved for companionship parallels her mother's maxim about grocery shopping, but her desire is so great that she intends to throw caution to the wind.

Margaret shows up unannounced at Tom's house and meets Louisa (Rebecca Harris), long-suffering wife number five. She learns that although he has stopped drinking, the rest of his irresponsible, unreliable behavior patterns continue. He disappears for long stretches of time, he can't hold a job, and he's far better at getting married than staying married. The two women are wary of each other at first, but eventually Louisa asks Margaret for advice about whether or not to leave her husband and Margaret settles in to await Tom's return from his latest wanderings.

At this juncture, Kolvenbach's story has already stretched the boundaries of believability, but his quirky characters are interesting and delightful, not to mention lovingly portrayed, so that we want to continue to get to know them. In fact, that illustrates one of the themes that motivates Margaret, wanting to be known and to know another. One of the reasons why Tom remains attractive to her despite his long list of shortcomings is the knowledge they have of each other. When he arrives home to find his first wife bonding with his college-age son Fin, Tom's surprise seems minimal in comparison to his eventual pleasure at being reunited with the woman who knows him so well and for whom he has always carried a torch.

The serial relationships of his father have had a strong impact on Fin (Jay Ben Markson) as reflected in his inability to form a realistic connection with a girl he likes. As much as he denies any interest in having Margaret "mother" him, he turns to her for guidance. She acknowledges that she is equally foolish in affairs of the heart, but recognizes that the compelling yearning that they share is one of the deep-seated components of the human condition. Ultimately, it explains why Francis acts out of character, the choice Louisa makes, and the potency of the attachment between Tom and Margaret.


Leave Comments


5 DAYS TO GO - VOTING IS OPEN - CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW!
LIVE UPDATE: WICKED vs. THE BOOK OF MORMON for Best Revival of a Play and More...


Nancy GrossmanFrom producing and starring in family holiday pageants as a child, to avid member of Broadway Across America and Show of the Month Club, Nancy has cultivated her love of the art and respect for the craft of theatre. She fulfilled a dream when she became an adult-onset tap dancer in the early 90's ("Gotta dance!"); she fulfills another by providing reviews for BroadwayWorld.com and evolving as a freelance writer. Nancy is an alumna of Syracuse University and a retired Probation Officer-in-Charge in the Massachusetts Trial Court system.
Past Articles by This Author:

More Articles by This Author...

BWW TV: MATILDA's Bertie Carvel Sings 'The Smell of Rebellion'BWW TV: MATILDA's Bertie Carvel Sings 'The Smell of Rebellion'BWW TV: Chatting with the Cast of MURDER BALLAD on Opening Night; Conlee, Jones, Levy, and Swenson!BWW TV: Chatting with the Cast of MURDER BALLAD on Opening Night; Conlee, Jones, Levy, and Swenson!BWW TV Exclusive: CUTTING-EDGE COMPOSERS CORNER - Vivino, Krop, Daniel & Trumble Sing Paul Loesel and Scott Burkell's 'Ordinary Day'BWW TV Exclusive: CUTTING-EDGE COMPOSERS CORNER - Vivino, Krop, Daniel & Trumble Sing Paul Loesel and Scott Burkell's 'Ordinary Day'STAGE TUBE: See the Cast of THE LITTLE MERMAID Fly at Paper Mill Playhouse!STAGE TUBE: See the Cast of THE LITTLE MERMAID Fly at Paper Mill Playhouse!VIDEO: Elisabeth Moss Calls Jeremy Piven 'Unprofessional' for Leaving SPEED-THE-PLOW on WATCH WHAT HAPPENS LIVEVIDEO: Elisabeth Moss Calls Jeremy Piven 'Unprofessional' for Leaving SPEED-THE-PLOW on WATCH WHAT HAPPENS LIVEBWW TV EXCLUSIVE: Claybourne Elder Talks VENICE at the Public Theater- Go Behind the Scenes at Rehearsal!BWW TV EXCLUSIVE: Claybourne Elder Talks VENICE at the Public Theater- Go Behind the Scenes at Rehearsal!STAGE TUBE: CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Makes Its West End Debut - The Audience Reacts!STAGE TUBE: CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Makes Its West End Debut - The Audience Reacts!STAGE TUBE: First Look at New German Pre-Broadway ROCKY CommercialSTAGE TUBE: First Look at New German Pre-Broadway ROCKY CommercialMEGA STAGE TUBE: Listen to THE CRAFT - THE MUSICAL Demos; Set for NYC Reading This YearMEGA STAGE TUBE: Listen to THE CRAFT - THE MUSICAL Demos; Set for NYC Reading This YearBWW TV Exclusive: BACKSTAGE WITH RICHARD RIDGE- PIPPIN's Mann &  d'Amboise on Bringing the Classic Back to Broadway, Married Life, & More!BWW TV Exclusive: BACKSTAGE WITH RICHARD RIDGE- PIPPIN's Mann & d'Amboise on Bringing the Classic Back to Broadway, Married Life, & More!STAGE TUBE: Douglas Carter Beane Gives Advice for Creativity in Philadelphia Commencement AddressSTAGE TUBE: Douglas Carter Beane Gives Advice for Creativity in Philadelphia Commencement AddressBWW TV Exclusive: Meet the 2013 Tony Nominees- Peter DuBois on Huntington Theatre Company's Special TonyBWW TV Exclusive: Meet the 2013 Tony Nominees- Peter DuBois on Huntington Theatre Company's Special TonySTAGE TUBE: Go Behind the Scenes of the 2013 Tony Awards Promo Shoot with Laura Osnes, Cyndi Lauper, Lilla Crawford & More!STAGE TUBE: Go Behind the Scenes of the 2013 Tony Awards Promo Shoot with Laura Osnes, Cyndi Lauper, Lilla Crawford & More!STAGE TUBE: Nicolas Dromard Performs Benefit Concert for Young at ArtsSTAGE TUBE: Nicolas Dromard Performs Benefit Concert for Young at ArtsVideo: Join Them! Cast of PIPPIN Performs 'Magic to Do' & 'Corner of the Sky' on GOOD MORNING AMERICAVideo: Join Them! Cast of PIPPIN Performs 'Magic to Do' & 'Corner of the Sky' on GOOD MORNING AMERICASTAGE TUBE: Watch THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD's Stephanie J. Block and Will Chase Prepare for the Tonys!STAGE TUBE: Watch THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD's Stephanie J. Block and Will Chase Prepare for the Tonys!STAGE TUBE: Behind the Scenes at 54 Below with Bebe Neuwirth and More!STAGE TUBE: Behind the Scenes at 54 Below with Bebe Neuwirth and More!

5 DAYS TO GO - CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW!
LIVE UPDATE:
WICKED vs. THE BOOK OF MORMON for Best Revival of a Play...

Only $59!
Save up to 30%
Save on Tickets!
Save up to 35%
Save on Tickets!
Only $79!

BWW Review: PIRATES OF PENZANCE at A.R.T.
NEW
BWW Review: TAPPIN' THRU LIFE: AN EVENING WITH MAU...
NEW
BWW Boston Review: ON THE TOWN
NEW
BWW Review: ON THE TOWN
NEW
BWW Boston Review: FROM DENMARK WITH LOVE: A 007/H...
NEW

Robert Diamond's Blog
BWW Awards Voting!
Michael Dale's Broadway Blog
Nikolai and the Others
BroadwayGirl NYC Blog
Tony Noms Pt. 1
BLOG
2 More Productions Announced
CERASARO
GLEE Goes Out Singing

GUEST BLOG- Paige Faure - A Happy Buzz

GUEST BLOG- Kelly McCormick of PTC's LES MIS - Dirt On, Dirt Off





Now Playing:
Now Playing on Broadway Web Radio You Could Never Shame Me from Kiss Of The Spider Woman - The Musical on 1993 Original London Cast.

BWW TV: Chatting with the Cast of MURDER BALLAD on Opening Night; Conlee, Jones, Levy, and Swenson!

Photo Coverage: York Theatre Presents NEO 9, Feat. Brescia, Burgess & More

Jacqueline Brookes Memorial to be Held at Circle in the Square Theatre, 6/4

BWW TV Exclusive: CUTTING-EDGE COMPOSERS CORNER - Vivino, Krop, Daniel & Trumble Sing Paul Loesel and Scott Burkell's 'Ordinary Day'

POLL: Which SMASH Show Should Win the Tony on the Series Finale?

STAGE TUBE: See the Cast of THE LITTLE MERMAID Fly at Paper Mill Playhouse!

THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As with Your Favorite Broadway Stars- Joey Calveri

BWW TV EXCLUSIVE: Claybourne Elder Talks VENICE at the Public Theater- Go Behind the Scenes at Rehearsal!

SPECIAL COVERAGE: All the 2013 Drama Desk Award Winners - MATILDA, VANYA AND SONIA, PIPPIN, VIRGINIA WOOLF and More!Drama Desk Award Winners - MATILDA, VANYA AND SONIA, PIPPIN, VIRGINIA WOOLF & More!
STAGE TUBE: The Cast of MATILDA Performs on The View!STAGE TUBE: MATILDA Cast Performs on The View!
CHUCK Star Zachary Levi and Krysta Rodriguez Set to Lead FIRST DATE on Broadway; Opens August 8CHUCK Star Zachary Levi and Krysta Rodriguez Set to Lead FIRST DATE
Paris SUNDAY IN THE PARK Now Available For DownloadParis SUNDAY IN THE PARK Now Available For Download
STAGE TUBE: See the Cast of THE LITTLE MERMAID Fly at Paper Mill Playhouse!TV: See the Cast of Paper Mill's THE LITTLE MERMAID Fly!

BWW TV World Logo
  
BWW Movies World Logo
  
BWW Fashion World Logo
  
BWW Music World Logo
BWW Geeks World Logo
  
BWW Opera World Logo
  
BWW Dance World Logo
  
BWW Classical World Logo

All Materials Copyright 2013 Wisdom Digital Media | Privacy Policy | RSS/XMLFeeds