Written by Jon Robin Baitz
Directed by Michael Morris

Cast
Neil Patrick Harris – Young Anton/Burt Sarris
Lawrence Pressman – Anton Kilgallen
Josh Radnor _ Sam Arlen/Young Sandy
Ron Rifkin – Sandy Sonenberg/Dr. Moritz Schiffman
Patricia Wettig – Katie Arlen/Lillian Sonenberg

The Kirk Douglas Theatre, Los Angeles
13-Dec-04 to 02-Jan-05

“A true tragedy, the play traces the rise and fall of Sandy Sonnenberg, a man obsessed with his business persuits and controlling his own sexuality. By pure willpower, and 20 years of daily psychiatrist visits, he denies his identity and becomes an incredibly successful man with a devoted wife with fullfilling, lasting and deep friendships. But denying himself, his identity, leads to his involvement with a young entrepenuer who brings about financial ruin not only for him, but for everyone who trusted him. The play travels back and forth, from the late sixties through the present with eloquent scenes and exuberant dialogue and a direct-address monologue to set the scenes.”

“The play’s one incongruity is that Anton and Young Anton don’t seem to be the same person. This is partly in the writing. In the youthful seduction scene, Young Anton wants Young Sandy first to hold his hand, to connect as people. The mature Anton never demonstrates such sensitivity. And Lawrence Pressman as the older Anton uses effeminate gestures never displayed by Neil Patrick Harris as young Anton. But this is a quibble in the work of a fine cast, brilliantly directed by Michael Morris.

Patricia Wettig manages to bring charm to Sandy’s overbearing mother Lillian and effortless strength to Katie Arlen. Josh Radnor is dynamic as Sam and Young Sandy. Neil Patrick Harris is charismatic as Burt and smoothly sophisticated as Young Anton. Lawrence Pressman brings weight to Anton and Rifkin’s portrayal of the tormented complex Sandy is the beating heart of the show.”
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