NEW YORK—The last line of Terrance McNally's new Broadway play "Deuce" is rather prophetic when a character, known only as "An Admirer" (Michael Mulheren) says "Look at them. This time really look. You will not see their likes again." While the gentlemen is talking about Midge Barker and Leona Mullen, two former women's tennis stars who were the most celebrated champions in mixed doubles history, he could easily be referring to, respectively, Marian Seldes and Angela Lansbury, two celebrated actresses who play the ladies in question. Their presence on the stage is the main reason to see this rather skimpy, but pleasant enough work.
Set at the U.S. Open Tennis Championships, Midge and Leona (who retired in 1974) are the guests of honor. In between watching the various matches (nice sound design by Paul Charlier and video and projection design by Sven Ortel), the two begin to exorcise some ghosts from the past. In their glory days, the two were magic on the court and virtually unbeatable. Their personal lives, however, had not been as bright. Midge was married to a man who left her for a younger woman while Leona, a widow from her first marriage, has settled into a conformable relationship with her second husband but still carries a torch for the man she lost. Midge also has never forgiven herself for losing a major tournament, something her partner has long put behind her.
There are several interesting observations in the text, such as how many of today's former sports figures end up as broadcasters, and how fleeting fame can be—the latter evidenced when two television commentators (Brian Haley and Joanna P. Adler) are introducing Midge and Leona and aren't sure which is which. But the main problem is a major lack of character definition with the leads, which are never as full formed or well-defined as they should be. As a result, we never really forget we're seeing Lansbury and Seldes, instead of the characters they're playing, which weakens the overall effect of the play.
That point aside, both women are a delight to watch. Seldes offers a nice combination of passion, common sense and over-the-top attitude, making her seem like an eccentric aunt (one you'd love to spend time with for at least a little while). Lansbury, appearing in her first Broadway show since 1983, offers a more low-key performance, her words a mixture of sadness, pain and bitterness, as if she's still carrying burdens from decades before.
The supporting players are good, especially Mulheren in a scene where he asks Midge and Leona for their autographs. Michael Blakemore's direction is strong and keeps the story (with mainly consists of dialogue between Midge and Leona) moving well.
There's little one hasn't seen before in "Deuce," other than perhaps the setting, but it's real treat to see these two bright lights of the theatre strut their stuff.
Deuce
Music Box Theatre
239 West 45th Street
Tickets: 212-239-6200, 800-432-7250 or www.telecharge.com
Closes: August 19, 2007
Judd Hollander is the New York correspondent for the London publication THE STAGE.
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