159 in the Shade

Deuce, by Terrance McNally, is not one of his better plays. But it serves the purpose of showcasing the prodigious talents of Angela Lansbury (81) and Marian Seldes (78), who play (and are) two elderly ladies clearing up some misunderstandings from the days they were doubles-playing tennis champions with multiple major triumphs world wide. It’s an enjoyable exercise in star-power and therefore a lot of fun, but it was like seeing two beloved and eccentric aunts putting on a show for beloved and forgiving children and grandchildren. Our opinions are thus colored by our affection and admiration for their gallantry and, of course, we are all impressed when people of a certain age can remember their lines (mostly) and don’t fall off their chairs, or the stage, at key moments.

The play works well when these two ladies are reminiscing and confessing and regretting but it crashes whenever two sportscasters pop up, themselves former (second rate) tennis players of the modern era. Their characters are so supercilious and self-serving they become a parody worthy of Saturday Night Live. They get the laughs but risk messing up what is really a nice memory play for the two leading ladies. My companion suggested that these sportscasters might be merely a theatrical device to allow the two stars (who never leave the stage) to catch their breath and maybe take a sip of water. The other clunker is yet a fifth member of the cast who serves as sort of a Greek chorus of admiration for the two women and is, thus, totally unnecessary. These women have our love and admiration from hello.

The caveats I have about the evening are minor and, truthfully, I’m so in awe of Angela Lansbury there’s not much more I can say that wouldn’t sound ungrateful.