Review: ALL THE DAYS at McCarter Theatre Center

BWW Review: ALL THE DAYS at McCarter Theatre Center is gripping.

ALL THE DAYS is now playing at the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton through May 29. The show brings to the fore the intricacies of tangled and dysfunctional family relationships with both drama and comedy.

Sharyn Rothstein's production focuses on the taxing relationship between Ruth, a single, 60-something mother fighting diabetes, loneliness and the effect of the untimely death of her son. In addition, her daughter Miranda, a 30-something mother is converting to Christianity. The impending Bar Mitzvah of Miranda's son and the interaction between Miranda and her boyfriend, Stew twists the plot. But, there are even more complications. Ruth's ex-husband wants another chance and there is an herbalist who is a suitor for Ruth. While Ruth's sister Mo attempts to add reason to the mix, the portrayal of this family is distinctly problematic.

The production is spiced with fine comedy, though not all the jokes are suitable for print. That, coupled with heavy breathing from the end of an implied sex-on-the-floor scene, makes this play not one for the grade-school crowd.

In the end, despite the tumultuous events, the concept that a daughter is a daughter all the days of her life rings completely true.

ALL THE DAYS is playing at The McCarter Theatre Center, 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540, through May 29. For ticket information, call the Ticket Office, 609-258-2787, or visit www.mccarter.org.

CAST: Ruth: Caroline Aaron; Monica: Leslie Ayvazian; Stew: Justin Hagan; Miranda: Stephanie Janssen; Del: Ron Orbach; Baptiste: Raphael Nash Thompson; Jared: Matthew Kuenne.

Playwright: Sharyn Rothstein; Director, Emily Mann; Set Design: Daniel Ostling; Costume Design: Jess Goldstein; Lighting Design: Jeff Croiter; Original Music and Sound Design: Mark Bennett; Casting: Caparelliotis Casting; Production Stage Manager: Cheryl Mintz; Director of Production: David York.

Photo Credit: T. Charles Erickson