The Tale of the Allergist's Wife at Theater J

The Tale of the Allergist's Wife

Theater J
1529 Sixteenth Street, NW Washington

Playwright Charles Busch developed an underground following with his campy send-ups of the movie stars of yesteryear in shows like Psycho Beach Party and Die, Mommie, Die! But when he turned to writing about contemporary "Upper West Side matrons," the result was a Tony-nominated smash hit The Tale of the Allergist's Wife. Meet Marjorie Taub, a typical resident of one of Manhattan's priciest neighborhoods. Despite a wealthy, compassionate husband and all the free time in the world, she's headed straight for the nuthouse. After a meltdown in the Disney Store, Marjorie promptly dives into a midlife crisis. But when an enigmatic old friend turns up and decides to stay a while, the world of this "Allergist's Wife" is shaken in ways that surprise everyone.

Thru - Jul 5, 2015

Price: $50 - $65

Running Time: 2 hrs, one intermission

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The Tale of the Allergist's Wife Reviews

Average Rating based on 4 reviews

Highly Recommended
Recommended
Somewhat Recommended
Not Recommended

Washington Post - Recommended

"...What a difference a friend makes. When we first meet Marjorie Taub, the eponymous Manhattanite in "The Tale of the Allergist's Wife," she's despondent. As depicted by Susan Rome in Theater J's stylish and funny production of the play, the middle-aged Marjorie has curled up on a chaise longue in utter dejection, wearing an embroidered bathrobe and socks. When her well-meaning husband Ira, an allergist, tries engaging her in conversation, the talk drifts toward her favorite topic: highbrow culture. But today, even art and literature can't brighten Marjorie's mood. Mention of "Waiting for Godot" makes her face crumple. A reference to Kafka prompts her to curl up in an agonized fetal position."

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- Celia Wren

MetroWeekly - Highly Recommended

"...Stylishly directed by Eleanor Holdridge, Allergist is a showpiece for Theater J’s longtime acting ace Susan Rome, who plays Marjorie in various shades of realistically over-the-top ways that would make Busch proud. Not to be outdone is Lise Bruneau, who portrays Lee as a modern-day Mame Dennis. In her hands, Lee is so alluring and captivating, it’s essentially laughable that Marjorie or her husband (Paul Morella) would ever try to resist her charms. You’ll laugh at that and so much more in this daffy play, which ultimately proves itself to be as lovable as others in Busch’s oeuvre."

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- Doug Rule

DCTheatreScene - Highly Recommended

Boasting impeccable timing by its superb cast, Theater J’s production is a breath of comic air as the summer heats up outside. This was my first encounter of Charles Busch’s 1999 play about a depressed doctor’s wife wallowing in her misery in her nicely appointed and tony apartment on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.

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- Jeff Walker

Magic Time - Highly Recommended

"...A hit Broadway comedy, The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, rounds out Theater J's 2014-2015 season in a production smartly directed by Eleanor Holdridge. Written in a mainstream mode by Charles Busch-whose oeuvre ordinarily tends toward outlandish-the play takes middle-of-the-road humor on a joy ride with so many enjoyable bends and twists the laughs could not whiz by faster."

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- John Stoltenberg

The Tale of the Allergist's Wife at Theater J