On & Off Broadway

‘Long Day’s Journey Into Night” and ‘The Crucible’

Reviews by Elyse Trevers

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What makes a classic? A story with characters and themes that touch the viewer. Two such classic plays have been revived this season on Broadway, Eugene O’ Neill’s Long Days’ Journey Into Night and Arthur Miller’s The Crucible.

Long Day’s Journey Into Night tells the story of actor James Tyrone, his wife Mary and their two sons James Jr. (Michael Shannon) and Edmund (John Gallagher Jr.). It’s about addiction and passion, mistakes and accountability. Mary is a morphine addict, often getting “clean” only to relapse. The judgmental attitude of her family seems somewhat ironic as the men constantly drink and often get drunk. Obviously, they also have their own addictions.

The characters go through blame and denial. Many of the family’s issues are blamed on James’ stinginess. Had he gotten a good doctor when Mary took ill after the birth of Edmund, then perhaps she would not have become addicted to painkillers. This is truly a dysfunctional family. Yet throughout it all, even as they put each other down and rail away, they really do appear to love one another.

The play itself is filled with poetry and Shakespeare. Unless the roles are played by superb performers, it can feel excessively long. Jessica Lange is a revelation as Mary. She is coquettish and shrewish, soft and brittle and can change temperaments mid-sentence. One can easily see the flirtatious pretty girl that James fell in love with. She also conveys the aura of loneliness and vulnerability. Gabriel Byrne plays the penurious father James. Despite the drinking, his badgering of his son and benign neglect of his wife, Byrne creates an attractive and appealing character. With his slight Irish brogue, he is charming and shows affection through a slight touch or gesture.

As James Jr., Michael Shannon is piercing and shrill, especially in his final alcoholic scene. Gallagher is more convincing as the younger consumptive son, Neither gives a particularly effective performance.

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