Review Roundup: MTC's THE EXPLORERS CLUB

Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of The Explorers Club, the new play by Tony Award nominee Nell Benjamin, directed by Marc Bruni, opened last night, June 20 at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street). The Explorers Club features Brian Avers (Rock 'n' Roll), Max Baker (Cyrano DeBergerac), Steven Boyer (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes), Arnie Burton (Peter and the Starcatcher), Carson Elrod (All in the Timing), David Furr (The Importance of Being Earnest), John McMartin (Into The Woods), Lorenzo Pisoni (Humor Abuse at MTC), andJennifer Westfeldt (Friends With Kids, Wonderful Town).

Tickets for The Explorers Club are available by calling CityTix at 212-581-1212, online by visiting www.nycitycenter.org, or by visiting the MTC'S New York City Center-Stage 1 (131 West 55th Street). Ticket prices are $85.

Let's see what the critics had to say...

Charles Isherwood, New York Times: The director, Marc Bruni, has assembled an accomplished cast to portray the members of this club, dedicated to scientific pursuits, which is roughly modeled on clubs of the era: the National Geographic Society is often referred to in dire tones as an irksome rival.

Keith Staskiewicz, Entertainment Weekly: The pitter-patter dialogue (and winkingly simplistic props) are also aided by some impressive physical comedy, including some eyebrow-raising acrobatics with tumblers of whiskey slid across (and off) a bar. Director Marc Bruni keeps everything whizzing by speedily, and the set, by designer Donyale Werle, is as stuffed as the many taxidermied specimens lining its walls. The stodgy environs serve as a nice counterpoint to the outrageous plot developments and hyperactive character comedy. Unlike the club's members, the play isn't really blazing any new trails into unexplored territory, but at least it's following the right path.

Joe Dziemianowicz, NY Daily News: As usual, this Manhattan Theatre Club production looks like a million bucks, thanks to Anita Yavich's period-perfect costumes and Phillip Rosenberg's glowing lights. The silent star of the show is Donyale Werle's Victorian mens's club set - a mouthwatering melange of burnished paneling, pattern pelts, huge tusks, stuffed animals and more. If your mind wanders during slow spots, your eye always has plenty to explore.

Jeremy Gerard, Bloomberg: The high point is the title number, set to Sammy Davis Jr.'s version of "Mr. Bojangles." Not the soft-shoe the song invokes, but a tap homage to an underappreciated forebear who broke rules when doing so really meant something. It's beautiful and chilling.

Marilyn Stasio, Variety: You don't have to be British to lose your composure and howl with laughter at "The Explorers," a witty spoof of all those bold Victorian adventurers who ravaged foreign lands and annihilated indigenous cultures in the name of science. Scribe Nell Benjamin (Tony nommed for "Legally Blonde") sets up these arrogant Empire builders for ridicule by proposing a buccaneering female for membership in their all-boys club. Helmer Marc Bruni ("Old Jews Telling Jokes") mows down these poseurs with a sterling cast of thespians who can deliver an idiotic line with an elegant sneer and perfect enunciation.

Brendan Lemon, Financial Times: The chief pleasure in this relatively brief two-act evening, directed by Marc Bruni, lies not in any feminist reclamation but in the old-fashioned delights of knockabout farce. Especially adept at the pratfalls are the Hugh Laurie-ish David Furr as Percy and the Hugh Grant-ish Lorenzo Pisoni as Fretway. Some of the ensemble's timing lacks precision, and the Explorers' London rival would never be called the National Geographic Society (Royal Geographical, if you please). Otherwise: The Explorers Club is walloping good fun.