On and Off Broadway

'Constellations'

A Review by Elyse Trevers

Posted

Life is filled with choices, decisions and what ifs. If/Then, the recent Broadway show starring Idina Menzel deals with different paths the main character can choose. Constellations, a wonderful British import, works on the same concept but with more skill and nuance.

In the hands of its two stars, movie hunk Jake Gyllenhaal and the delightful Ruth Wilson, (winner of the Peoples' Choice Award for television's The Affair,) the play is thoughtful, exciting, and engrossing. From the onset, playwright Nick Payne offers a series of possibilities for his two attractive characters.

Wilson plays Marianne, a quantum physicist who approaches Roland (Gyllenhaal), a beekeeper, at a barbecue explaining that it's impossible for someone to kiss his own elbow.The brief scene is replayed several times with different potential outcomes; he's not interested, he just broke up with someone, he's in a relationship, she's in a relationship, they are both interested, they begin trying to kiss their own elbows.


The play continues with scenes played in different ways-each altering the outcome. Some lines are confusing with seemingly obscure references but ultimately everything becomes clear. The play is fast paced- 65 minutes with almost as many short scenes.

Constellations is well-written but it wouldn’t be as effective without its extremely skilled actors. Wilson is expressive and puts energy into her delivery. The bearded Gyllenhaal (who never loses his British accent) manages to be vulnerable and sexy at the same time. There’s chemistry between the two of them and sometimes even tears. He has an affair, she has an affair. He wants to stay, she wants him to leave. He breaks up the relationship, she breaks up their relationship. Always a number of options - expressed with the same dialogue. It's fascinating to watch the identical line take on several different meanings.

Directed by Michael Longhurst, Constellations makes you wonder about roads not taken and outcomes not explored. However, if you choose to see the play, it will be a decision well-made.