BWW Reviews: Feiffer's I'M GONNA PRAY FOR YOU SO HARD, a Dynamic Father/Daughter Drama

The father/daughter relationship Halley Feiffer presents in her dynamic and heart-gripping new drama, I'm Gonna Pray For You So Hard, is the kind audiences are more accustomed to seeing played out by a father and son; the successful dad, maybe a former sports hero, encouraging his boy, trying to follow in his footsteps, to greatness. At first it seems nurturing and supportive, but gradually the destructive nature becomes more and more apparent.

In director Trip Cullman's tense and darkly comic production, Feiffer begins with a roar and doesn't let up until the shattering, but inevitable, finish. Ella (Betty Gilpin) is a young actress cast as Masha in an experimental Off-Broadway revival of The Seagull. She was hoping to be cast as Nina, but the role went to a traditionally attractive actress whose success is suggested to be attributed more to her looks than her skills.

On opening night, instead of celebrating with her cast-mates, Ella is drinking wine with her father, David (Reed Birney), a celebrated, award-winning playwright who ran away from his disapproving father's home at an early age to pursue a life in the theatre.

Set designer Mark Wendland does a terrific job depicting David's Upper West Side railroad apartment, cluttered with books and awards.

It's Ella's night, but David dominates the conversation as they wait for the New York Times review to be posted on the Internet. Birney's crusty, old-school playwright is extraordinarily entertaining at first, as he rails against the critics and regales with stories of Broadway's Golden Age. Ella doesn't say very much for long stretches, but she dutifully cheers him on and Gilpin plays it with the excitable jumpiness of a puppy happily yapping for her owner's approval.

But after more wine, some bong hits and, finally, a few snorts, David's subtle cruelty in the way he demands the best from his daughter surfaces, as does her fear of disappointing him and frustration in not being able to please him.

In a shorter second scene, taking place after a significant change in their relationship, Feiffer has both characters doing something that could look silly in the hands of lesser actors, but Gilpin and Birney make excellent and believable transitions.

The juicier role goes to Birney, as Feiffer creates a colorful Broadway biography for David and embellishes him with a reckless, salty way of expressing himself. The accomplished actor responds with one of his most memorable stage portraits.

But Gilpin's Ella, though mostly a reactive character, is very sympathetic and it becomes truly sad to see how her father's influence eventually shapes her personality.

The elements here are all top shelf. I'm Gonna Pray For You So Hard is an excellent new play showcasing two excellent performances.

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