Review Roundup: CROSSING DELANCEY at Alliance Theatre

CROSSING DELANCEY plays at ALLIANCE THEATRE through November 25. The play that inspired the hit film, CROSSING DELANCEY is the story of Izzy, a beautiful, intelligent, single young woman, and her 80-year-old Bubbie, who is determined to see her granddaughter get married before she dies. Giving Cupid a nudge, this irascible granny hires a matchmaker and sets out to find her granddaughter the perfect mate. But will Sam, the neighborhood pickle man, be the kind of man Izzy has in mind?

The cast stars Andrew Benator as Sam, JoAnna Daniels as Hannah, Sochi Fried as Izzy, Daniel Thomas May as Tyler, and Mary Lynn Owen as Bubbie.

CROSSING DELANCEY has a book by Susan Sandler, and is directed by Leora Morris, with set design by Kat Conley, lighting design by Joseph A. Futral, sound design by Kate Marvin, and costume design by Sydney Roberts.

Let's see what the critics had to say!

Bert Osborne, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Sandler's plot proceeds predictably, but Toronto-based director Leora Morris' swift and breezy pace helps. So do most of the actors. As Izzy, Sochi Fried (also based in Toronto) is quite winning in a number of charming asides to the audience (nicely accentuated by Joseph A. Futral's lighting). At other times, though, her performance is overshadowed by the supporting characters.The formidable Andrew Benator brings an uncommon warmth and sensitivity to the wise and trustworthy Sam. His awkward courtship with Izzy rings true, and when he opens up to her about the "hard business of getting acquainted," Benator makes you feel his yearning.

Jim Farmer, Arts Atlanta: Yet what's most likely to stick in memories is Owen, who played Izzy in 1990 in a Theatrical Outfit production. Although the script doesn't flesh the character out as much as she needs, Owen's timing is precise, and she nails every scene. Technically, this is a polished, sharp-looking production. Kat Conley's sparkling set is largely dominated by Bubbie's apartment, although it also has room for Izzy's bookstore and a few other smaller locales. For a regional theater that regularly stages world premieres and cutting-edge work, the Alliance's decision to stage this play seems retro, and a little square. But the ensemble luckily bails the production out.

Photo Credit: Greg Mooney

To post a comment, you must register and login.