Mary Page Marlowe

Tracy Letts, the brilliant playwright who fabricated this beautiful and somewhat heavy plot, makes extensive use of subtle metaphors to represent the various problems and dilemmas that the titular character faces. Mary Page Marlowe is a non-linear play, and seamlessly shifts between timelines — this helps connect the later years of Mary Page, a woman who has made mistakes and suffered for making them; and the events that transpired in the life of a young Mary Page. There are few shows that focus on character as intensely as Mary Page Marlowe. The questions that the play asks its audience are on a profoundly philosophical plane.

The Story

Mary Page Marlowe is the story of a woman who, like many others, finds herself moving through multiple romantic relationships in life. She seeks answers to difficult questions, such as, ‘Why is my life turning out the way it is?’ The story begins with Mary Page telling her children that they are going to be moving away from their home in Ohio to Lexington, Kentucky. She finds it difficult to explain the gravity of a divorce to her kids, who do not seem to be understanding the premise. The scene after this features a Tarot Card reader who seems to be predicting Mary Page’s future. This is where much of the play begins to make sense. The classic conflict between determinism and free will is elegantly brought out here. You will even travel from the post-World War II era of Mary Page’s childhood to her somewhat stable 60s.

This is a play that genuinely respects the audience’s desire to have a fulfilling experience. The heavy aura that pervades the entire performance is sure to leave you hungry for more.

Good for

Lovers of Drama | Family Audiences | Fans of Intense Plots

Critics Reviews

“Intensely thoughtful more than dramatically intense, the work has depth and an elegant potency, but its purposeful distancing effects make it more likely to be much admired than wildly popular.”
- Variety

“The choice to have so many actors portray Mary Page is more deliberate than necessary; a central theme is the fluidity of identity. Ms. Shapiro’s staging, on a handsome set designed by Todd Rosenthal, reinforces the idea.”
- NY Times