There's nothing like an old-fashioned George Kaufman/Edna Ferber classic comedy, such as The Royal Family, to light up and lighten up Broadway. Doug Hughes' revival of this gem leaves no comic stone unturned.
Rosemary Harris and Jan Maxwell play mother and daughter, Fanny and Julie, the acting doyenes of the the eccentric theatrical Cavendish family (think Barrymores), whose daily routines get disrupted by news that their granddaughter/daughter plans to leave the stage for marriage. Add to mix, Tony, the dashing stage actor son (think John B.) turned disgruntled movie star on the run from legal beavers over a director he hit and an actress he made promises to.
The esteemed Tony and Drama Desk-winning Miss Harris essays the role with great aplomb. However, great acting emantating from Miss Harris is no surprise. She had the distinction of playing the role of daughter Julie in Ellis Rabb's acclaimed 1975 revival. (Miss Harris had been married to Rabb.)
But The Royal Family truly belongs to Jan Maxwell. As Julie, she runs all the emotional gamuts and runs them extraordinarily well. Her performance in the second act is especially memorable. And three cheers for Reg Rogers as Tony, who can ham it up as well as he can fence.
