Engaging ‘Straight White Men’ at Wilbury

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Being a straight white man, I was curious to see Young Jen Lee’s “Straight White Men,” one of the most talked about plays in New York City these days.

Director Vince Petronio has given his four actors plenty of space in the old Trinity Church hall, doing the play on floor level, close to its audience.

Unlike the old TV series, “My Three Sons,” this play has a serious undertone to the antics of the three sons who gather at their father’s house for their annual Christmas celebration.

Ed, the father (Roger Lemilin) is retired. Drew (Gunnar Manchester) is a successful writer. Jake (Josh Short) a successful banker. And then there is older brother Matt (Dave Rabinow), the brightest of the three, and most likely to succeed, who has chosen to move in with his father, take unchallenging temp jobs with non-profits, and settle for an uncomplicated existence.

The first act is mostly filled with the antics of three brothers getting together to relive old times, act silly, and occasionally shock their father with reminiscences of things they had done as kids.

While it gets a bit overwhelming at times, it sets the scene for what is to come in the second act.

There is a fifth character in the play that is never seen but often referred to. (If you look carefully, you will see a photo of someone very close to the director)

The father’s wife and mother of his three sons have died, but her values still play an important role in their lives. She had raised them to understand that they lived a privileged life and should not take that for granted.

That value plays a strong part, especially in the second act, where the two “successful” brothers question Matt’s lack of ambition and lack of desire to do some more meaningful with his life.

Questions are raised as to why, questions which Matt never fully explains, leaving his brothers, and the audience, to draw their own conclusions.

Isn’t it enough for him to just try to be useful?

“Straight White Men” raises many questions about privilege and will make you think about your own position in society. With what is going on in our country right now, it will also make you think about where we as a nation are going.

Under the excellent direction of Vince Petronio, the play gives us much to think about. Just don’t expect much to be resolved, as playwright Lee brings the action to a rather abrupt conclusion.

“Straight White Men” is running in rotating rep with “Di and Viv and Rose,” which we will review next week, through December 22.

For information on times and reservations, call 400-7100 or go online at www.thewilberygroup.org.

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