My overall impression
Playwright Catherine Pelonero had the idea to spoof the kitchen sink variety of family dramas, but instead of concocting a compelling story in which her stock characters are blatantly aware of their dysfunctions, she merely presents a repetitive drone of a piece that is silly and sophomoric – instead of funny and enlightening. Even if you are familiar with the plays that she pokes fun at, the thinly drawn characters merely comment on their situation – making for poor satire (the joke where a delivery man actually delivers a kitchen sink falls flat because the sink serves no other purpose; it’s a set-up with no punch line).
This structure leaves the actors no other recourse than to flounder in an attempt to flesh out characters; the most successful was Monica Martin as a trashy, trumpet-blowing, alcoholic.
Pelonero is advised to re-visit O’Neill, Williams, Miller, et al, and create a strong story first, and then craft the satire around that. This is why satire is extremely difficult to manifest – you have to be as serious with your subject matter as the plays which are being parodied. Unfortunately, not a recommended show.
