The Commons of Pensacola, Too Familiar Ground

The Commons of Pensacola @ the Manhattan Theatre Club has 3 interesting draws:  Sarah Jessica Parker, Blythe Danner & actress Amanda Peete as playwright.  The Commons is a riff on the Bernie Madoff scandal.  The play takes up after the conviction of their husband/father and the wife and daughters are left with collateral damage.  The wife, Judith (Blythe Danner) has retreated to FL from NYC & is living in a tiny, squalid aptmt.  Judith is in failing health with early dementia.  The shambles of her life cause her to remark "I am the only one in FL who can't wait for alzheimer's."  Judith needs to borrow money from her daughter, Becca, (SJP) and her boyfriend, Gabe to pay her help's weekly salary.  Judith questions her what she's owed & demands receipts & the use of coupons.  Judith's extravagant lifestyle has been shattered.  Becca, 43, is a homeless, has-been TV actress who is dating Gabe, a 29 yr. old journalist.  Gabe uses Becca to get to Judith for an inside interview.  The real question is was Judith complicit in her husband's illicit activities.  I'm puzzled whether the play was intended as a serious drama or a spoof.  It was a droll melodrama with wearisome emotional rants. The skilled veteran actresses, Danner & Parker could not instill vigor in this all too familiar scenario.  Cate Blanchett played the relinquished socialite with perfection in Blue Jasmine.  And, Amanda Peet should not give up her day job.