An American Daughter

 An American Daughter
La Femme Theatre Productions
The Pershing Square Signature Center
September 2, 2026 

Photo courtesy of La Femme Theatre Productions

The La Femme Theatre Productions presentation of Wendy Wasserstein’s 1996 play An American Daughter contains an unpublished version of the second act.  This allows it to ring with remarkable relevance, leaving the audience with a lot to ponder.  Director Sarna Lapine brings this work to a new light with a star-studded cast who succinctly portrays the social and political landscape of the time and builds the conflict with truthful earnestness.  Set against our present political situation, the comparisons are astonishing.  

Lyssa Dent Hughes (played by Jean Lichty) is the president’s nominee for Surgeon General of the United States.  She is the daughter of Alan Hughes, a Republican Senator from Indiana (played by Dakin Matthews) and a descendant of Ulysses S. Grant.  While Lyssa is being interviewed by Timber Tucker (played by Chris Ghaffari) for national television, Morrow McCarthy, a close friend of her family (played by Ryan Spahn), casually mentions that Lyssa once ignored a summons for jury duty.  Her husband, Walter (played by Robert Sean Leonard) makes light of the incident in an attempt to move the interview along.  When the interview is aired on national television, Lyssa loses the support of the American public, particularly women.  She now faces the most monumental challenge of her career, while trying to keep her family and dignity intact. 

Montego Glover & Jean Lichty
Photo courtesy of La Femme Theatre Productions

The main storyline of a small, unintentional error becoming a huge controversy drives the action, yet it is the relationships in this play that offer the most value.  The support Lyssa receives from her family and friends is heartwarming, and sometimes questionable.  Their honesty is clear, bold, and at times brutal.  The most endearing bond is between Lyssa and her long-time friend Judith (played by Montego Glover).  Ms. Lichty and Ms. Glover portray a formidable connection from the beginning of the play.  Their friendship proves to be the most resilient as the action progresses.  They both suffer heart-breaking loss, and come out knowing they can count on one another. 

Jean Lichty & Robert Sean Leonard
Photo courtesy of La Femme Theatre Productions

Robert Sean Leonard delivers an intelligent and charismatic portrayal of Lyssa’s husband, Walter.  He is flexible and giving in their relationship, but his infidelity causes doubt for Lyssa when she needs to feel secure and grounded.  There is an ease between these two characters that crumbles as the truth is revealed.  Mr. Leonard and Ms. Lichty play each layer of their relationship with sincerity and fervor. 

Dakin Matthews & Mary Beth Peil
Photo courtesy of La Femme Productions

Dakin Matthews has a powerful presence as Republican Senator Alan Hughes.  He is pushy, arrogant, and wildly charming.  He can spin a story to create interest, then shut it down with a few sharp words.  Mary Beth Peil delivers an amazing performance as his wife, Charlotte “Chubby” Hughes.  She knows how to present herself as expected.  Just when you think that is all there is to her, she reveals her wisdom and gumption.

There are also excellent performances by Carmen Zilles, Ryan Spahn, Chris Ghaffari, and Will Devary. 

Carmen Zilles, Ryan Spahn, Robert Sean Leonard,
Mary Beth Peil, & Jean Lichty
Photo courtesy of La Femme Productions

An American Daughter is playing at The Pershing Square Signature Center through September 20.  The play presents multiple political points of view, each represented by a different character, and puts them in direct conflict.  This is a strength of Ms. Wasserstein writing, and this production highlights it beautifully.  It is an enthralling production.  

Domenick Danza

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

Prodigal Son

Prodigal Son

Manhattan Theatre Club

New York City Center Stage I

March 26, 2016

Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

I originally had a ticket to see John Patrick Shanley’s Prodigal Son at Manhattan Theatre Club when it was in previews.  Unfortunately, that was the Saturday of the big snow storm that caused the cancellation of all the Broadway and Off Broadway shows.  Due to the outstanding reviews and great word of mouth, I had trouble getting a ticket since then.  Lucky for me, I got to see it in the final weekend.

In the program notes, Mr. Shanley states that the play is “a true story for the most part.”  He continues to write, “I wish more generally that you could have shared my whole life with me, so we could discuss and compare.  These plays I write are the best I can do to make that possible.”  In this play he magnificently captures the desperation of a fiery adolescent who yearns to discover the road that will lead him to a great and productive life.  The play is full of passion and idealism, truth and desire. 

David Potters & Timothee Chalamet
Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

Jim Quinn (played by Timothee Chalamet), a troubled teen from the Bronx, is given a scholarship to Thomas More Preparatory School in New Hampshire.  One of his teachers, Alan Hoffman (played by Robert Sean Leonard) takes him under his wing, and the wife of the Headmaster (played by Annika Boras) recognizes his talent and insight.  After a few outbursts and some daring rule breaking, the Headmaster (played by Chris McGarry) begins to think that the Jim’s scholarship was not in the school’s best interest.

Robert Sean Leonard & Timothee Chalamet
Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

The performances are truly outstanding.  Timothee Chalamet is quirky and captivating in the lead role.  His physicality and Bronx accent are lyrical and poetic.  His character is overflowing with an unbridled vitality and lust for life.  Chris McGarry’s Headmaster Schmidt is complex and layered.  As his wife, Annika Boras is endearing and honest.  Robert Sean Leonard brings a subtly to the secret side of the character of Alan Hoffman that both stuns and cajoles. 

Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

The set design by Santo Loquasto is rich and creative.  He minimally conjures the estate and mansion of the New Hampshire prep school, and gracefully move each scene on and off with style.  With original music composed by Paul Simon, the audience is easily drawn into the rhythm and tempo of the setting, and can look closely into the focus and motivations of the characters.

Mr. Shanley also served as director on this production.  Truly amazing!  It would be great to see him direct at Manhattan Theatre Club again next season. 

Domenick Danza