Review: CLEVER LITTLE LIES at Bickford Theater At The Morris Museum

What does it mean to be happy, anyway? Can one maintain happiness in the most stressful, unpleasant circumstances? Is happiness a big picture idea; something we need to see through to the end to fully recognize? These are huge questions with even more massive answers but Clever Little Lies manages to unpack those answers with love and humor and yes, sometimes a ton of discomfort and strife. We see intricate dynamics between all different kinds of relationships. Relationships that have stood the test of time, relationships trying to push through the sleepless newborn haze of exhaustion. It's easy to feel that the green grass on the other side has hints of gold-leaf when a colossal, life changing shift happens in a family and that's just what this show explores.

Listen, I love going into New York to see a big ticket Broadway show just as much as the next person, okay, maybe a tad bit more. But I also see immense importance in patronizing local arts. Especially if a show of this quality is right down the street! There's a reason it ran successfully in Manhattan, the most ruthless place to put on a show, it's entertaining, it's universal, it's fun! If you miss out on seeing this show you're missing an opportunity to support and lift up our local artists. Make a night of it. Get there a little early and enjoy a fresh spring evening on the beautiful Morris Museum grounds. Go out for a night cap after (the show runs about an hour and half) and talk about what you just witnessed, reconnect. After all, we can all agree that everyone deserves to carve out a little time for some happiness once in a while, wouldn't you say?

Clever Little Lies by Playwright Joe DiPietro, a Tony Award-winner for the musical Memphis and the author of the long-running comedy I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, runs at the Bickford Theater in Morristown from April 20 - May 7, 2017. For tickets and more information please visit http://morrismuseum.org/main-stage-performances/.