Review - Black Tie: Culture Club

The always pleasing Gregg Edelman is an actor with a special knack for revealing the educated, articulate side of America's Average Joe and in Black Tie, A.R. Gurney's latest comedy inspired by his WASPy Buffalo upbringing, that talent is put to exceptional use.

Set in a somewhat tacky-looking Adirondack hotel suite, whose decorator was probably thinking of something more dignified (set designer John Arnone nails the inept attempt at masculine sophistication) Edelman is Curtis, father of the soon-to-be groom preparing to welcome guests at that evening's rehearsal dinner. As he nervously and excitedly models his formal wear in the mirror, anticipating the big moment where, as host of the evening, he gets to be witty and eloquent making his showcased toast, it's plain that this is an event he's been waiting for ever since watching his own father giving a toast that was the hit of his rehearsal dinner.

To say that his deceased dad is with him in spirit is no exaggeration. Not only is Curtis wearing dear old man's Black Tie ensemble, but his father's ghost (Daniel Davis, all plummy goodness) is there coaching him on the niceties of the occasion. It is not a tuxedo, it's evening wear. Gentlemen wear trousers, "gents" wear pants. Make sure you get a head start on your alcohol intake before greeting guests.

Under Mark Lamos' terrifically elegant direction, the scenes between them, besides being full of Gurney's funniest lines, ring of sweet father/son bonding through the traditions of their culture. Unfortunately, those in the world of the living see Curtis as carrying on traditions of elitism and privilege.

Word is that the parents of the bride were insulted at his invitation to take them to brunch, feeling he was showing off his wealth. Nobody is happy with his decision to dress up and Teddy's fiancé is especially displeased with Curtis' wish that his son appears in his own father's evening wear. It seems the bride would prefer the groom wear his Obama t-shirt.

The bride has also arranged for her gay ex-husband to entertain their guests with his edgy, multi-media stand-up comedy routine, which would surely make a few words from the groom's father seem superfluous.

Cast a popular television comic (Jewish, most likely) in the lead role and Black Tie has the feel of those fun but flimsy generation gap comedies that gave 1960s Broadway audiences a night full of good laughs. Carolyn McCormick as the snazzily dressed wife who isn't quite as free-thinking as she hoped she was and Elvy Yost as the dry, uninvolved daughter are familiar types, but there are also touching moments involving Teddy's youthful revolt from his father conflicting with an admiration for the man and the civility he adheres to. Though, like his parents, Teddy indulges from the suite's honor bar, his cocktail of choice is beer from a bottle.

Gurney's comedies have certainly been darker and deeper than this one but the brisk and funny dialogue, supported by a fine cast (with two first-class turns by Edelman and Daniels) make Black Tie an endearing pleasure.

Photo of Daniel Davis and Gregg Edelman by James Leynse.

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