*** Recommended *** Kate Arrington’s new play, Another Marriage, onstage in Steppenwolf’s newest space, is an interesting depiction of a relationship – the courtship, the marriage, the birth of a child, the girlfriend, the divorce, and the afterwards – all told from the teen daughter’s somewhat skewed perspective – of what she knew and what she guessed. The relationship at the heart of Another Marriage is curiously superficial. 3 Spotlights
Another Marriage is directed by Terry Kinney. Scenic Designer Robert Brill had a lot of space to work with in Steppenwolf’s new Ensemble Theater in Honor of Helen Zell. He chose to lay out an open loft with a turntable at the center. During many of the key scenes, Nick and Sunny are slowly rotating so everyone can see them. Unfortunately, this made it a little more difficult to hear them whenever their backs were turned. Finally, there’s something that looks like a giant scoreboard suspended above the space. Prior to every scene, the daughter, Jo (Nicole Scimeca), types a scene-setting comment on her tablet.
Nick (Ian Barford) is a rather capricious guy, always looking for the next great rush. At first, it’s Sunny (Judy Greer). While walking outside in the winter, he asked her to marry him by taking off his coat, then the rest of his clothes to show that he’s serious. By the way, Barford just isn’t that buff so be warned.
Sunny and Nick moved into a beautiful loft. She worked from home, he was a professor. In due course, Sunny gave birth to a beautiful baby girl they called Jo. While she was preoccupied with the baby, he met Macassidy (Caroline Neff) at ‘one of those’ parties.
Macassidy was Nick’s next great rush, so he asked Sunny for a divorce. Shortly after he moved out, Nick called Sunny. When he asked about Jo, she was so angry she told him that Jo was dead. Sharing custody with Nick, Sunny got used to dealing with Macassidy - until she shared her truth.
Note: Guests are encouraged but not required to wear masks while inside the building.
Another Marriage has been extended through July 30th in the Ensemble Theater in Honor of Helen Zell, Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted Street, Chicago. Self-parking is available in the Steppenwolf Garage, accessible parking in the lot north of Front Bar. Valet parking is also available. $15. Running time is 2 hours, 15 minutes, including an intermission.
Performances are Tuesdays through Fridays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 2:30 & 7:30 pm, Sundays at 2:30 pm. Tickets range from $20-$86. FYI (312) 335-1650 or www.steppenwolf.org.