JOHN LITHGOW: STORIES BY HEART


In this Roundabout Theatre Company presentation that affirms John Lithgow’s impressive acting ability, he tells us two stories, one titled “Haircut,” written by Ring Lardner, the other “Uncle Fred Flits By,” written by PG Wodehouse. In a way Lithgow’s charming, heartfelt introductions to the stories almost top the stories themselves.

The set designed by John Lee Beatty is a simple wood-paneled space that gives the impression of a large drawing room, which Lithgow occupies with his magnetism and likability. I have long admired his acting, most recently as a Trump-like capitalist in the film “Beatriz at Dinner.” He has staged his “Stories by Heart” in various venues, including a previous off-Broadway run, and now the work flows smoothly from all that practice, yet it seems totally fresh.

Lithgow’s prop is a family book containing the chosen stories and many more, and on the night I attended, he singled out two people in the first row to whom he displayed the book close-up. Movingly, he tells how his father would read stories from the book to him when he was a youngster. In the second act, he delves more deeply into the relationship with his mother and father, and poignantly talks about his dad, once an actor who started a theater in Ohio and did all of Shakespeare’s plays, falling into illness and depression and necessitating Lithgow’s moving in to give what special care he could. Lithgow discovered that reading the very funny “Uncle Fred Flits By” to his parents revived the spirits of his father and his mother as well. Lithgow’s recitation of the story that follows could also revive our spirits, as he masterfully brings out the humor of this very nutty tale with characters designed to make one laugh heartily.

The Lardner piece of the first act is very different, with Lithgow as a barber deftly going through the motions of working on a customer while chattily spinning a story leading to a local tragedy. It is a nice turn that reflects Lardner’s individuality as a writer. However, the “Uncle Fred” piece is much more entertaining and provides Lithgow with the opportunity to demonstrate his range with comedy and assorted character voices.

But I have to say that what stays with me most is the warmth, intimacy and gentle passion with which Lithgow introduces us into his background and love for his parents, especially his father. That is a performance unto itself, with the two stories icing on the cake. At the American Airlines Theatre, 227 West 42nd Street. Phone: 212-719-1300. Reviewed January 14, 2018.




Return to Previous Page