What I liked
See above.
What I didn't like
See above.
My overall impression
Given the sit-com nature of the script and direction, and given that a few characters (the brother, his roommate) are used for conflict more than story, and given that it’s yet another Turkey Day family reunion, it’s surprising that “Thanksgiving” works as well as it does, especially for a first time out. This production also has going for it a stage full of distinctive performers, but Gary Poux as the put-upon fiancee mines the most comic gold from character-driven humor. There are even surprises and spit-takes.
My issue is that the playwright keeps dousing her potential by giving characters inauthentic reactions and moments in order to get to the next layer of dirty laundry airing. I would love to see this stretched out into a two-act comedy that allows for characters to show up for dinner in a more languid manner; everything happens too fast and some of it is too silly to stick. For the Fringe, I recommend it. Outside of the Fringe, it needs work.
