On Stage: “We Had a World”

Photos: Jeremy Daniel

We Had a World

Years ago, I remember seeing a cartoon depicting two lonely people sitting in a huge convention center below a banner welcoming “Children From Functional Families.”

We all come from dysfunctional families, which is why it’s so easy to relate to Joshua Harmon’s “We Had a World,” an engrossing, ferocious and often funny memory play, having its world premiere at Manhattan Theatre Club’s Stage II.

It’s an ode to his grandmother Renee, played by Joanna Gleason, one of Fairfield County’s finest actors, who delivers a rich, riveting, rapturous performance.

Outspoken Renee opens the drama, telling her writer-grandson Josh (Andrew Barth Feldman), “I’ve got your next play. It’s called ‘Battle of the Titans’ about your mother and your aunt. It’ll be ‘Virginia Woolf, Part 2.’”

“I want you to promise me something,” she adds, revealing a tantalizing touch of wickedness. “Make it as bitter and vitriolic as possible. It ought to be a real humdinger.”

“There’s no straight line to tell this story.” Josh earnestly explains. “It’s confusing.”

First, there’s the strained relationship between eccentric, alcoholic Renee and Josh’s judgmental lawyer mother Ellen (Jeanine Serralles), followed by Ellen’s tense, awkward estrangement from her sister Susan.

Living on Manhattan’s Upper West Side over a period of 30 years, the family weathers several unconventional crises, primarily precipitated by the complicated mother-daughter conflict between whimsical Renee and uptight Ellen.

Unfolding in a non-linear structure from various characters’ perspectives, the narrative is occasionally confusing and often repetitive. But that’s a minor quibble because the talented acting trio rises above the contrivances to propel the production, deftly directed by Trip Cullman.

Kudos to John Lee Beatty’s simplistic set design, lit by Ben Stanton with sound by Sinan Refik Zafa and time-authentic costumes by Kaye Voyce.

For a memory refresh: Joanna Gleason won a Tony for “Into the Woods,” Andrew Barth Feldman was the first actual teenager to star in “Dear Evan Hanson,” and Jeanine Serralles played the title role in “Gloria.” Joshua Harmon’s previous plays include “Prayer for the French Republic” and “Significant Other.”