Lunar Eclipse
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Cititour.com Review
It should be no surprise to anyone with a passing knowledge of astronomy that a lunar eclipse – in which the Moon directly passes into Earth's shadow – can briefly turn even the brightest night dark. Similarly, it’s unsurprising that Donald Margulies’ touching new play, “Lunar Eclipse,” now being presented by Second Stage at the Pershing Square Signature Center, will concern a dark night of the soul for the long-married George and Em, brought to blazing life by the always reliable Reed Birney and Lisa Emery in superb performances.
For the entirety of the 80-minute play (or should I say acting exercise), sensitively directed by Kate Whoriskey, the pair sit in Walt Spangler’s brilliantly conceived diorama of a set, representing part of the lush and vast Kentucky farm that has been part of George’s family for generations. (Sarah Sahn’s fine projections provide the rest of the visual interest,)
The play’s conceit (or should I say gimmick) is that the couple is watching a lunar eclipse unfold – which George is excited about, while Em is mostly disinterested. The event (with its many phases) gives the pair ample time to reminisce, recollect, and reconsider the details of their decades-long marriage.
However, it also becomes quickly apparent that this kind of deep conversation between them occurs as infrequently as an eclipse. As it progresses, we wonder if they will be strong enough to survive all the cards finally being laid out on the table, most notably their differing feelings about their late son, Tom
Margulies sketches the pair as complex individuals, as well as opposites who nonetheless were attracted to each other. The flannel-shirt wearing George is often gruff, impatient, and moody, and it comes as no shock that he felt closer to the array of family dogs (most notably, the recently deceased Bella) than he did to the pair’s children or perhaps even Em. Rather conveniently, bourbon (and fear) seems have to loosened his lips on this particular evening, allowing him to more fully express his feelings, some of which upset and even scare Em.
For her part, Em presents herself – to George and the world – as a simple, mostly cheerful woman who has been predominantly content with her decision to become a farmer’s wife and a mother. But, like George, she has chosen to keep some of her deepest and most honest feelings hidden, and it’s impossible for one’s heart not to break once she voices them, especially when they’re not always well-received by George.
Despite the unmatched skill of Birney and Emery, who both infuse Margulies’ words and his silences with layers of meaning, the ultimately too-slight “Lunar Eclipse” feels as inconsequential as its titular subject. Just as George is disappointed that the clouds muted his chance to the view the eclipse’s colorful “Japanese Lantern” effect, audiences may leave the theater feeling that the play was also a missed opportunity for something more spectacular.
By Brian Scott Lipton
Visit the Site
https://2st.com
Open/Close Dates
Opening 6/3/2025
Closing Open-ended
Theatre Info
Pershing Square Signature Center
480 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036
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