Written by Cusi Cram
Directed by Pam MacKinnon
Synopsis: In this world premiere production, trust fund darling Emma imagines what her life would have been like had she come from a less privileged background. Trouble is, she chronicles her alternate life in a new tell-all "memoir" that was sold for a hefty advance. When Emma is exposed, will her sister, Tess, stand by her? Or will Emma's deceit destroy their already fractured relationship? This dark comedy brings up questions of legacy, loyalty and what it means to belong.
NEW YORK TIMES:
"Maybe and maybe not, but skillful storytelling still counts for something. “A Lifetime Burning” tries to blend far too many tones, plotlines and ideas into a brisk 90 minutes of theater, resulting in a play that never delves beneath the surface of its glibly spoken characters and topical story. Ms. Westfeldt brings persuasive glimmers of fragility to the scenes in which we are given glimpses of Emma’s emotional susceptibility, but the character remains a cipher whose actual life feels almost as contrived as her imaginary one."
Read the whole review HERE.
NEW YORK POST:
"YOU know a play isn't working when the main thing it inspires is real estate envy. In Cusi Cram's "A Lifetime Burning," it's hard to concentrate on the plot -- about a young writer who writes a sensational but fictitious memoir -- when all you can think about is Kris Stone's gorgeous apartment setting, a homage to Design Within Reach."
Read the whole review HERE.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS:
"Cram's script is consistently entertaining, if glib. And its depiction of the way book deals are made seems pretty sketchy. The action in the 90-minute one-act plows past logic to dishy detours: manic-depression, abortion, affairs, a dead dog, date rape, divorce and lawsuits. It's a lot to wade through, only to end up with two little big girls doing some emotional eating (ice cream, what else?) and wondering what might have been had Mom and Dad been different."
Read the whole review HERE.
THEATERMANIA:
"Unfortunately, Cram stumbles with her rich mixture of themes and stories; the play also tackles Tess' disintegrating marriage, the nature of opposites attracting, and eventually, the reality of the childhood that the sisters shared. While Pam MacKinnon's direction is zestful, it never successfully unifies the sometimes bewildering array of ideas and themes Cram has included in the piece."
Read the whole review HERE.
VARIETY:
"Must we feel sorry for the wealthy and bored? Cusi Cram says yes with "A Lifetime Burning," a play redeemed in execution from its unpromising premise...Depending on how anxious you are to pity the fortunate, the play is either an instant winner or a slow burn, but all are likely to dig fabulous perfs from leads Christina Kirk and Jennifer Westfeldt under Pam MacKinnon's nimble direction"
Read the whole review HERE.
BACKSTAGE:
"Pam MacKinnon's fluid staging handles the transitions between the present, the past, and Emma's imagination with nary a bump, aided by David Weiner's subtle lighting and the set by Kris Stone, which is as chic and stylish as Cram's elegant script."
Read the whole review HERE.
TIME OUT NY:
"Tantalizing hints gleam throughout that perhaps Cram intended something more subversive and metatheatrical—when scenes seemed flat, I wanted it to be evidence of Emma’s weak imagination, not Cram’s. However, aside from one half-hearted attempt to tinker with the world of the play, Cram plays it disappointingly safe. "
Read the whole review HERE.
AMNY:
"Though Cram deserves credit for taking on a very timely topic, her exploration of Emma’s psyche feels just as unconvincing and phony as the fabricated memoir that the character penned. Luckily, Jennifer Westfeldt proves yet again to be a gorgeous and extremely captivating actress who can soak in a challenging role and triumphantly rise above a problematic play. Here’s hoping she’ll be onstage again soon."
Read the whole review HERE.
