At Home at the Zoo

At Home at the Zoo

Signature Theatre

The Pershing Square Signature Center

February 10, 2018

Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre

Edward Albee’s At Home at the Zoo, the two act version of his 1959 groundbreaking play The Zoo Story, is presently bring presented at Signature Theatre.  The production is excellently cast.  Director Lila Neugebauer has an expansive vision for the play.  The timing and character development are amazingly precise.

Peter (played by Robert Sean Leonard) is at home reading when his wife, Ann (played by Katie Finneran) enters from the kitchen and proclaims, “We should talk.”  Peter is so immersed in his reading that he does not hear her.  She manage to get his attention.  They get to talking, and it is viscerally understood how complacent they are in their marriage.  They are both very happy living in their Upper East Side apartment with their two daughters, two cats, and two parakeets, then Ann mentions her occasional need for something more animalistic.  Peter is perplexed.  He goes to Central Park to read, where he meets Jerry (played by Paul Sparks).  Again, Peter is so immersed in his reading that at first he does not notice that someone is talking to him.  Jerry, however, is  much more successful than Ann at getting Peter’s animal nature aroused.

Katie Finneran & Robert Sean Leonard
Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre

Robert Sean Leonard and Katie Finneran are captivating in Act I.  Their relationship is deeply rooted and realistic, based on decades of familiarity and comfort.  Their dialogue reveals new aspects of both their personalities, yet they remain calm and accepting with one another.  Paul Sparks is intoxicating as Jerry.  His rhythm and physicality keep you engaged through Edward Albee’s detailed monologues in Act II.  The connections between these characters are vital to the climactic impact of the play, and this cast masterfully creates the bonds that are needed.

Paul Sparks & Robert Sean Leonard
Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre

Scenic design by Andrew Lieberman is open and abstract.  The realistic green arm chair in Act I and the five iron and wood park benches in Act II keep the action grounded and realistic.  Edward Albee’s At Home at the Zoo: Homelife & The Zoo Story is playing at Pershing Square Signature Center through March 11.  Go see it!

Domenick Danza