Good People (play)
Encyclopedia
Good People is a 2011 play
by David Lindsay-Abaire
. The world premiere was staged by the Manhattan Theatre Club
in New York City. The production was nominated for two 2011 Tony Awards – Best Play
and Best Leading Actress in a Play
(Frances McDormand
), with the latter winning.
neighborhood, is fired from her job as a cashier
at a dollar store
. A single mother, and "knowing that she and her handicapped daughter are only a single paycheck away from desperate straits", Margie goes to her old boyfriend Mike, a doctor, looking for employment. Margie ends up being invited to Mike's birthday party, and even though the party is canceled, she shows up at his house unexpectedly. Margie feels alienated after Mike's wife mistakes her as a caterer coming to dispose of the party paraphernalia
.
at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on February 8, 2011, and opened on March 3. Good People is directed by Daniel J. Sullivan
and stars Frances McDormand as Margie and Tate Donovan
as Mike. Other cast members are Becky Ann Baker
as Jean, Patrick Carroll as Stevie, Estelle Parsons
as Dottie, and Renée Elise Goldsberry
as Kate. The creative team includes sets by John Lee Beatty
, costumes by David Zinn, and lighting by Pat Collins
. The limited engagement run concluded on May 29, 2011, after 101 regular performances and 27 previews.
At the performance prior to the Broadway production's closing night (May 28), an audience member's cell phone "boldly rang in the [theater] ... [a]nd the woman took the call". According to Michael Musto in The Village Voice
:
in Los Angeles
, California
, will produce Good People in April 2012. No cast or creative team has been announced.
in The New York Times
writing:
The Variety Magazine
review noted, "If 'Good People' isn't a hit for Manhattan Theater Club, there is no justice in the land . . . McDormand has an uncanny affinity for women who work hard to make a living and suck it up without complaint." However, Talkin' Broadways Matthew Murray called the show "no better energizing this inert premise" and called the lead roles "miscast".
Jason Clark, in Slant Magazine
, stated, "Only David Lindsay-Abaire could write scenes of downtrodden Southie ... As sensitive a modern playwright as can be heard these days, the setups for the scenes in his grandly entertaining Good People—his best work to date—sound like doomed-to-fail, ivory tower-slanted scenarios: a minimum-wage employee being fired for dismal work, an uneasy meeting of old flames (one of which has a spouse of a different race), the needs of a child with a major disability ... Instead of holding up the play's lead character Margaret (Frances McDormand) as a victim of hard luck, the playwright shrewdly uses her as an example of how choices can make or break us, and the smallest twists of fate determine our path."
In a negative review, Terry Teachout (The Wall Street Journal
), wrote, "I doubt it's a coincidence that they are exactly the kinds of people who fit into the familiar sociological narrative that permeates every page of this play. In Mr. Lindsay-Abaire's America, success is purely a matter of luck, and virtue inheres solely in those who are luckless. So what if Mikey worked hard? Why should anybody deserve any credit for working hard? Hence the crude deck-stacking built into the script of Good People, in which Mikey is the callous villain who forgot where he came from and Margie the plucky Southie gal who may be the least little bit racist (though she never says anything nasty to Mikey's wife—that would be going too far!) but is otherwise a perfect heroine-victim."
Play (theatre)
A play is a form of literature written by a playwright, usually consisting of scripted dialogue between characters, intended for theatrical performance rather than just reading. There are rare dramatists, notably George Bernard Shaw, who have had little preference whether their plays were performed...
by David Lindsay-Abaire
David Lindsay-Abaire
David Lindsay-Abaire is an American playwright and lyricist. He received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2007 for his play Rabbit Hole, which also earned several Tony Award nominations.-Early life and education:...
. The world premiere was staged by the Manhattan Theatre Club
Manhattan Theatre Club
Manhattan Theatre Club is a theater company located in New York City. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Lynne Meadow and Executive Producer Barry Grove, Manhattan Theatre Club has grown since its founding in 1970 from an Off-Off Broadway showcase into one of the country’s most acclaimed...
in New York City. The production was nominated for two 2011 Tony Awards – Best Play
Tony Award for Best Play
The Tony Award for Best Play is an annual award celebrating achievements in live American theatre, including musical theatre, honoring productions on Broadway in New York. It currently takes place in mid-June each year.There was no award in the Tony's first year...
and Best Leading Actress in a Play
Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play
This is a list of the winners and nominations of Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play. The award has been presented since 1947, and is for performance in new productions or revivals.-1940s:...
(Frances McDormand
Frances McDormand
Frances Louise McDormand is an American film and stage actress. She has starred in a number of films, including her Academy Award-winning performance as Marge Gunderson in Fargo, in 1996...
), with the latter winning.
Synopsis
Margie Walsh, a resident of Southie, a BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
neighborhood, is fired from her job as a cashier
Cashier
Cashier is an occupation focused on the handling of cash money.- Retail :In a shop, a cashier is a person who scans the goods through a machine called a cash register that the consumer wishes to purchase at the retail store. After all of the goods have been scanned, the cashier then collects...
at a dollar store
Dollar store
A variety store or price-point retailer is a retail store that sells inexpensive items, often with a single price for all items in the store...
. A single mother, and "knowing that she and her handicapped daughter are only a single paycheck away from desperate straits", Margie goes to her old boyfriend Mike, a doctor, looking for employment. Margie ends up being invited to Mike's birthday party, and even though the party is canceled, she shows up at his house unexpectedly. Margie feels alienated after Mike's wife mistakes her as a caterer coming to dispose of the party paraphernalia
Paraphernalia
In modern usage, the word paraphernalia most commonly refers to apparatus, equipment, or furnishing used in or necessary for a particular activity as in, "Beth is such an avid sports fan that her walls are covered with baseball paraphernalia"....
.
Broadway (2011)
The show began previews on BroadwayBroadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on February 8, 2011, and opened on March 3. Good People is directed by Daniel J. Sullivan
Daniel J. Sullivan
Daniel J. Sullivan is an American theatre and film director and playwright.-Life and career:Sullivan was born in Wray, Colorado, the son of Mary Catherine and John Martin Sullivan. He was raised in San Francisco, where he graduated from San Francisco State University...
and stars Frances McDormand as Margie and Tate Donovan
Tate Donovan
Tate Buckley Donovan is an American actor. He is known for his role in the FX drama Damages, as Tom Shayes, and for his role as Jimmy Cooper in the American teen drama television series The O.C....
as Mike. Other cast members are Becky Ann Baker
Becky Ann Baker
Becky Ann Baker is an American actress who is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Jean Weir on NBC's Emmy Award-winning Freaks and Geeks.-Early life:Baker was born Becky Gelke in Fort Knox, Kentucky...
as Jean, Patrick Carroll as Stevie, Estelle Parsons
Estelle Parsons
Estelle Margaret Parsons is an American theatre, film and television actress and occasional theatrical director.After studying law, Parsons became a singer before deciding to pursue a career in acting. She worked for the television program Today and made her stage debut in 1961...
as Dottie, and Renée Elise Goldsberry
Renee Elise Goldsberry
Renee Elise Goldsberry is an American actress, singer and songwriter.Goldsberry was born in San Jose, California and raised in both Houston, Texas and Detroit, Michigan. After graduating from Cranbrook Kingswood School in Bloomfield Hills she went to Carnegie Mellon University where she graduated...
as Kate. The creative team includes sets by John Lee Beatty
John Lee Beatty
John Lee Beatty is an American scenic designer. He was born in Palo Alto, California and grew up in Claremont. His father was dean of students at Pomona College and his mother had also work in academia. While he was English major at Brown University, he also directed, wrote, acted and drew posters...
, costumes by David Zinn, and lighting by Pat Collins
Pat Collins (lighting designer)
Pat Collins is an American lighting designer.Collins made her Broadway debut with a 1976 revival of Threepenny Opera. Her additional New York City credits include Ain't Misbehavin, King of Hearts, I'm Not Rappaport, Execution of Justice, The Heidi Chronicles, Conversations with My Father, The...
. The limited engagement run concluded on May 29, 2011, after 101 regular performances and 27 previews.
At the performance prior to the Broadway production's closing night (May 28), an audience member's cell phone "boldly rang in the [theater] ... [a]nd the woman took the call". According to Michael Musto in The Village Voice
The Village Voice
The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
:
Los Angeles (2012)
In July 2011, it was announced that the Geffen PlayhouseGeffen Playhouse
The Geffen Playhouse is a not for profit performing arts theater in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Originally named the Westwood Playhouse, UCLA purchased the property in 1993. UCLA's then chancellor, Charles E. Young, appointed Gil Cates Producing Director...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, will produce Good People in April 2012. No cast or creative team has been announced.
Original Broadway cast
- Tate Donovan as "Mike"
- Frances McDormand as "Margie"
- Estelle Parsons as "Dottie"
- Becky Ann Baker as "Jean"
- Patrick Carroll as "Stevie"
- Renée Elise Goldsberry as "Kate"
Awards and nominations
| Award | Outcome | |
| 2011 Drama League Award Drama League Award The Drama League Awards, created in 1935, honor distinguished productions and performances both on Broadway and Off-Broadway, in addition to recognizing exemplary career achievements in theatre, musical theatre, and directing... s |
||
| Distinguished Production of a Play | ||
| Distinguished Performance: Frances McDormand | ||
| Distinguished Performance: Estelle Parsons | ||
| 2011 Outer Critics Circle Awards | ||
| Outstanding New Broadway Play | ||
| Outstanding Director of a Play: Daniel Sullivan | ||
| Outstanding Actress in a Play: Frances McDormand | ||
| Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play: Estelle Parsons | ||
| Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play: Renée Elise Goldsberry | ||
| 2011 Drama Desk Award Drama Desk Award The Drama Desk Awards, which are given annually in a number of categories, are the only major New York theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway compete against each other in the same category... s |
||
| Outstanding Play | ||
| Outstanding Actress in a Play: Frances McDormand | ||
| 2011 Tony Award Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway... s |
||
| Best Play | ||
| Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play: Frances McDormand | ||
| 2011 New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards | ||
| Best Play of the 2010-2011 Season | ||
Response
Good People received mostly positive reviews, with Ben BrantleyBen Brantley
Benjamin D. "Ben" Brantley is an American journalist and the chief theater critic of The New York Times.-Life and career:...
in The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
writing:
- "Embodied with an ideal balance of expertise and empathy by Frances McDormand, Margie (as her friends call her, using a hard "g") is the not-quite heroine of David Lindsay-Abaire’s "Good People," the very fine new play that opened Thursday night at the Samuel J. Friedman Theater. And discovering how Margie operates — and where she’s coming from — is one of the more subtly surprising treats of this theater season."
The Variety Magazine
Variety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
review noted, "If 'Good People' isn't a hit for Manhattan Theater Club, there is no justice in the land . . . McDormand has an uncanny affinity for women who work hard to make a living and suck it up without complaint." However, Talkin' Broadways Matthew Murray called the show "no better energizing this inert premise" and called the lead roles "miscast".
Jason Clark, in Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine is an online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York Film Festival.- History :...
, stated, "Only David Lindsay-Abaire could write scenes of downtrodden Southie ... As sensitive a modern playwright as can be heard these days, the setups for the scenes in his grandly entertaining Good People—his best work to date—sound like doomed-to-fail, ivory tower-slanted scenarios: a minimum-wage employee being fired for dismal work, an uneasy meeting of old flames (one of which has a spouse of a different race), the needs of a child with a major disability ... Instead of holding up the play's lead character Margaret (Frances McDormand) as a victim of hard luck, the playwright shrewdly uses her as an example of how choices can make or break us, and the smallest twists of fate determine our path."
In a negative review, Terry Teachout (The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal is an American English-language international daily newspaper. It is published in New York City by Dow Jones & Company, a division of News Corporation, along with the Asian and European editions of the Journal....
), wrote, "I doubt it's a coincidence that they are exactly the kinds of people who fit into the familiar sociological narrative that permeates every page of this play. In Mr. Lindsay-Abaire's America, success is purely a matter of luck, and virtue inheres solely in those who are luckless. So what if Mikey worked hard? Why should anybody deserve any credit for working hard? Hence the crude deck-stacking built into the script of Good People, in which Mikey is the callous villain who forgot where he came from and Margie the plucky Southie gal who may be the least little bit racist (though she never says anything nasty to Mikey's wife—that would be going too far!) but is otherwise a perfect heroine-victim."
External links
- Official website
- Good People at Broadway.comBroadway theatreBroadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
- Good People at the Internet Broadway DatabaseInternet Broadway DatabaseThe Internet Broadway Database is an online database of Broadway theatre productions and their personnel. It is operated by the Research Department of The Broadway League, a trade association for the North American commercial theatre community....