The Brook Arts Center revives Jean Kerr’s 1961 comedy.
By: Stuart Duncan
In 1967, Jean Kerr startled the literary world with a novel that drew readers, critical acclaim and, in time, a Hollywood movie. Please Don’t Eat The Daisies established Ms. Kerr as more than just the attractive wife of one of New York’s most respected theater critics, Walter Kerr.
But the hints were there six years earlier, when Ms. Kerr opened a modest five-character romantic comedy on Broadway (in February 1961). Titled Mary, Mary, apparently with the children’s poem "Mary, Mary, quite contrary" in mind, since the TV show Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman was still years away, the show tickled critics and audiences alike. It was the gentle tale of a wife and husband, separated for nine months and only a fortnight from the final divorce papers, who find their mutual symptoms of withdrawal too strong to survive the paper-thin attractions in their paths.
With Neil Simon not yet on the scene, a Vietnam era not yet begun, and America’s critical faculties not yet honed by television, the show ran for more than 1,500 performances. How delicious to see it once again this time at the Brook Arts Center in Bound Brook, undergoing a massive reclamation, backed by several million dollars and some very determined artists. You may have to sit in the lobby, but the set design is detailed superbly. (Watch the snow in Act II or the cover of the telephone book.)
Playwright Kerr has observed the unity of time and place. In three acts, we spend just about 24 hours in the New York City apartment of Bob. (This is one of those no-last-name comedies.) He is having some trouble in getting his expenses straight for tax time. His lawyer, Oscar, has asked Mary, his wife (separated for nine months, remember), to show up to see what she recalls. Bob isn’t exactly thrilled since he is within weeks of marrying Tiffany, a cute, sweet, perhaps clueless young thing. Meanwhile, waiting in the wings to complicate the love triangle is Dirk, a Hollywood idol, accustomed to plenty of women and obviously eager to turn a triangle into a rectangle.
Playwright Kerr has a lovely way with words: "It takes at least one to make a marriage," for example. Or, in talking about Bob’s attitude toward women: "You think that if you return a book to the library, no one will ever take it out again." Or this lovely insight: "You were hard to communicate with you were too busy communicating with yourself; the line was busy."
As might be expected in a work now four decades old, the dialogue occasionally seems bland. And, in truth, it takes a cast experienced in what used to be called The Philadelphia Story brand of delivery. This company of five is not quite there yet but may well be by the time the run is over. Laura Casey, as Mary, is making her stage debut but comes with a background as a lawyer and actuary (which, come to think of it, is a pretty good warm-up for this show). She obviously has natural talents that, when completely honed, will give her a nice range.
Rich Kline finds a gentle approach to the role of husband Bob, and it works well. He is particularly appealing in the third-act "drunk" scene (those scenes went out about the time this play was staged). Jeff Dworkin has been making roles such as Oscar, the cynical lawyer, his own for many years now and gets the big laughs here. Bob Wagner, as Dirk, has the looks and temperament of a Hollywood idol, but a bit more energy would do wonders. Evelynn Harmer has the unenviable task of playing the other woman in a work that makes the role little more than bookends (Act I and then again in Act III).
Director Gerry Appel should be patted on the back twice once for thinking of reviving the comedy and again for finding such a nice blend of actors for the piece. Eventually you will be going to the Brook. Here would be a fun way to begin.
Mary, Mary continues at the Brook Arts Center, 10 Hamilton St., Bound Brook, through Jan. 26. Performances: Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Admission costs $15, seniors and students $13. For information, call (732) 469-7700. On the Web: www.brookarts.org

