Dinner with Friends, See It & Talk It Over With Friends

Donald Marguilies' play Dinner with Friends is a deceptively lighthearted play that is deep-seated in universal human nature.  Marguilies received the Pulitzer Prize for this play and numerous Pulitzer & Tony nominations for other works.  He has a knack for uncovering an entire story by exposing imposters and injured parties.  Its intelligence lies in discerning what is credible and what is forgivable.   The 4 character play is about 4 friends; 2 married couples.  A newly married couple, Gabe & Karen "set up" their single male/female friends, Tom & Beth.  Tom/Beth wed but then Beth shocks Gabe & Karen over their hysterically pompous meal when she blurts out Tom is leaving her for another woman.   Married couples are mysterious to those outside the marriage.  Friendships too are nebulous. One friend may not perceive the relationship as they had thought.  It's apparent everyone wants to be heard & validated yet listening/understanding another is an elusive ability.  Gabe (B'wy veteran Jeremy Shamos) is played with likeable conviction.  Karen (Marin Hinkle of 2 1/2 Men) is wonderful as the affronted friend with strong convictions.   How do people keep love alive and friendship thriving?  There is an evolution to all relationships overtime.  Sometimes "practical manners outweight abandon."  Dinner with Friends is a penetrative play that provides food rich for thought and discourse.