'The Receptionist' Off-Broadway review — Katie Finneran-led revival gets the job done
Read our review of The Receptionist off Broadway, a revival of Adam Bock's dark workplace comedy starring two-time Tony Award winner Katie Finneran.
Summary
- The Receptionist follows the title low-level employee who turns a blind eye to the questionable operations of her company
- The show has a strong ensemble and makes audiences think about their interconnected place in the world
- Fans of two-time Tony Award winner Katie Finneran; playwright Adam Bock; and shows that leave plenty of open questions at the end will enjoy this play
The Receptionist, off Broadway again following its 2007 premiere, makes no secret of the fact that it’s built for anxious and uncertain times. Like then. Like now. The program art, after all, features Panic Pete, a classic novelty toy for releasing stress. Squeeze Pete, and his blue eyes bulge. Goofy fun? Or grotesque?
Author Adam Bock takes a similar playful and mischievous approach in this work, in which ambiguity and complicity are just facts of life. Over and done in 80 minutes, the play is slight in scope, yet slyly and carefully crafted. It seeks to make your brain buzz about the world and, importantly, your interconnected place in it. It gets the job done.
It’s best not to know too much about the plot. The play begins with a brief but essential scene in a snug metal cell-like space. A sweaty man talks about fishing and the merciful way to kill one’s catch. As we wonder if he’s actually talking about bass and trout, the action segues to an office that’s ordinary in every way from the carpet to the fax machines. (The period is pre-iPhone.)
It’s the world in which Beverly Wilkins (Katie Finneran) reigns, with sensible shoes and a mostly sunny disposition. She capably answers phones, brews coffee, stocks supplies, juggles personal calls from her family, and lol’s at the artwork on a birthday card she’s chosen for a colleague. “A pony with a pipe!” she chortles. “People are crazy!” Mundane to the max.
That said, a vague unease hovers. Bev’s coworker Lorraine Taylor (Mallori Johnson) has boyfriend issues. Their boss, Edward Raymond (Nael Nacer), the man from the opening scene, is mysteriously late for work. Martin Dart (Will Pullen) arrives from the firm’s central office to meet with Mr. Raymond, who finally shows up, and the tone darkens. A penny drops at the midway mark with a casual mention of company violence that no one — Bev included — even flinches at.
Director Sarah Benson expertly builds the suspense as we learn more, but not all, about Bev’s employer. Led by an ace Finneran, the very model of an efficient worker bee removed from the firm’s front lines, the ensemble uniformly steps up before the play’s abrupt conclusion. In the end, that opening fish tale reverberates loudly, and the moral of Bock’s tale hits you: No one gets off the hook.
The Receptionist summary
Adam Bock’s play The Receptionist takes place at a company that becomes more sinister and questionable by the minute. He focuses on a low-level employee — the face, eyes, and ears of it — to show how everyone is part of a business’s or bureaucracy’s big picture.
Second Stage Theater’s revival at the Pershing Square Signature Center follows Manhattan Theatre Club’s debut production from 2007.
What to expect at The Receptionist
Bock’s play leaves plenty to the imagination, and responses to that will vary. Your appetite for ambiguity may impact how you feel about the play, and, specifically, about Bev. Is she a victim? Is she part of the problem? You decide. But watch closely and you may agree that Bock appears to comment on Bev’s indifference. Watch as she stealthily gobbles bites of her boss’s chocolate birthday treat. Let them eat cake, indeed.
What audiences are saying about The Receptionist
Theatregoers on Reddit and the review app Mezzanine had varied reactions to the play during early performances.
- “That ending was terrifying, the lead up to that with mundane and comedic timing was not what I was expecting.” - Reddit user u/Hour-Owl3783
- “Entertaining and thought -provoking show. Well worth seeing.” - Reddit user u/Beneficial_Wrap_5225
- “I can appreciate a little bit of mystery, but plz at least let me know SOMETHING about the company.” - Mezzanine user Cullen Hughes
- “Go into this blind. It’s a lovely little show that accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do.” - Mezzanine user B A
- “Wish it came to a bit more at the end.” - Mezzanine user Dylan Cushing
- “The ambiguity of the play itself just did not work for me at all.” - Mezzanine user Juliette
Who should see The Receptionist
- Fans of Katie Finneran's Tony Award-winning performances in Promises, Promises and Noises Off will appreciate her skillful star turn here.
- Theatregoers who appreciate Adam Bock’s work on plays including The Thugs, The Drunken City, and A Life will want to see how his mind works in this show.
- Theatregoers who like works that don’t fill in all the gaps will have plenty to discuss after the play.
Learn more about The Receptionist off Broadway
A compact play with big things on its mind about responsibility, performed by a fine-tuned cast, The Receptionist merits a spot on your schedule.
Photo credit: The Receptionist. (Photos by Joan Marcus)
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