Dinner with irony, relationships with a twist

By Cynthia Orosco

Special to the Forty-Niner

 

Friendship is put to the test when divorce becomes an issue

 

An ironic and twisted, but understandable play is "Dinner With Friends," written by Donald Margulies and directed by Daniel Sullivan.

The drama is about two married couples dealing with their friendships and marriages.

Gabe (John Carroll Lynch) and Karen (Jane Kaczmarek) play a happy couple.

They are food critics and seem to be madly in love.

The actors' performances are convincing.

The other couple, Tom and Beth (T. Scott Cunningham and Julie White), are having problems with their marriage.

The friendship between both couples is put to the test when they have to deal with the issue of divorce.

The cast complimented each other's performances.

The play is a combination of funny, serious and sad situations.

The audience is awashed with emotions as the couples' memories are brought forth like waves upon a shore.

The best quality about the play is its realistic characterizations and dialogue.The sets, lights and costumes are excellent. They perfectly fit the couples in each scene.

The lighting effects used in the second act, to represent a car coming and going, is very realistic. The play has two acts both equally enjoyable.

The production continues until Nov. 22 at the South Coast Repertory.