BWW Reviews: DINNER WITH THE BOYS at NJ Rep - An Entertaining 'Killer' Comedy

"Once the family goes thumbs down on someone, it's over!" from Dinner With The Boys

It's thumbs up for New Jersey Repertory Company (NJ Rep) for their newest show, the World Premiere of Dinner With The Boys. NJ Rep is in their 17th season and this new play is their 105th production. Dinner with the Boys is already popular with metropolitan area audiences; the run is nearly sold-out in advance. The show will be on the Long Branch stage through October 5th.

Written by Dan Lauria, he also stars as Charlie. The stellar cast also includes Ray Abruzzo as Big Anthony, Jr., Morris "Moe" Rosenbaum as The Uncle Sid and Richard Zavaglia as Dominic. In Dinner With The Boys, the mobsters reap a type of havoc that is rarely encountered.

After making a hit on their friend, Leo, Charlie and Dominic have fallen from grace in the family. The two are now living together somewhere in New Jersey where seasoned cook, Dominic prepares Italian delights. But, some of his ingredients are truly questionable. Friendship, food, and fiends are all part of this dark comedy. The unsavory themes in Dinner With The Boys work well because, above all else, the show is a true parody of the violence that we consume.

With superb direction by Frank Megna, the dilemmas unfolding in Dinner With The Boys seem almost believable, even with their absurdities. And, there are the truly humorous moments like when Charlie and Dominic reminisce about the "old days," and stereotypes that include Ma Greeley, Harry the Horse and Tiny Randuzzi are discussed.

Charlie and Dominic have a long time friendship, one that is being tested by current events. As Charlie says, "A true friend is the greatest gift in the world." But, with their questionable past, will they have a future?

Lauria's play was written 8 years ago for his friends and fellow actors, Charles Durning, Dom DeLuise, Peter Falk and Jack Klugman. Yet, Lauria's play couldn't be timelier. With shows on television like Mob Wives, the recent popularity of HBO's series The Sopranos, and the never-ending fascination of the public with criminal elements, Dinner With The Boys strikes a real nerve as you may ask, "How far will people go?"

The run at NJ Rep is likely the start of many successful stagings to come for Dinner With The Boys. If you have the chance, don't miss it.

Dinner With The Boys will be on the NJ Rep stage from September 11th through October 5th. The theater is located at 179 Broadway in Long Branch, New Jersey. For tickets and more information, visit their web site at www.njrep.org or call (732) 229-3166.

Photo Credit: SuzAnne Barabas

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