Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your accountsSaved for Latersection.
The ferns keep growing.
(Its not like people are doingThe Frogsnearly as often.)
A large part of that lies just in the casting.
Star-cast as this production is, you already know there will be more than meets the eye.
Charleys live-on-air denunciation of his partner in Franklin Shepard, Inc. immediately wins you over.
They are never sweeter than when doing their little triple-pinky promise.
(To be fair, she doesnt have much depth in the book to cling to.)
Aside from the framing around Franks memory, what sticks strongest in this version is Lindsay Mendezs Mary.
but then becomes an alcoholic and (horror of horrors) a drama critic.
Faith in her friends talents and in their ability to eventually get it together and right one anothers wrongs.
He looks backward to find her looking forward toward a reconciliation that doesnt come.
Is there something real in Mary and Franks dynamic of Sondheim and Rodgerss trial marriage?
Shes doing an archaeological dig along with Frank.
The production becomes about this endless return to the past, for Frank and for the show itself.
In the brokenness of that history lies the allure of the show.
What was imperfect is more interesting, as dramatic material, than what worked.
It gives us imagined agency.
