Theater Review: ‘Six Degrees of Separation’

What we are willing to believe and why

Six Degrees of Separation BROADWAYPLAY ETHEL BARRYMORE THEATRE 243 W. 47TH ST. CAST Allison Janney Ouisa Corey Hawkins Paul John Benjamin Hickey Flan Jim Bracchitta Policeman Tony Carlin Doorman Michael Countryman Larkin James Cusati-Moyer Broadway debut Hustler Ned Eisenberg Dr. Fine Lisa Emery Kitty Keenan Jolliff Broadway debut Woody Peter Mark Kendall Broadway debut Rick Cody Kostro Broadway debut Doug Sarah Mezzanotte Broadway debut Elizabeth Colby Minifie Tess Paul O'Brien Detective Chris Perfetti Trent Ned Riseley Broadway debut Ben Michael Siberry Geoffrey Written by John Guare Directed by Trip Cullman Scenic Design by Mark Wendland; Costume Design by Clint Ramos; Lighting Design by Ben Stanton; Sound Design by Darron L. West; Projection Design by Lucy Mackinnon; Wig Design by Charles LaPointe

NEW YORK—There’s a fine line between believing the truth of a situation and wanting to believe it.  The powerful Broadway revival of John Guare’s 1990 drama “Six Degrees of Separation,” based on a true story, examines that fine line.

One night, in their comfortable New York apartment, husband and wife Flan (John Benjamin Hickey) and Ouisa (Allison Janney) and their friend Geoffrey (Michael Siberry) are interrupted by the sudden arrival of Paul (Corey Hawkins), a young man who has been attacked and stabbed. Brought in by their doorman (Tony Carlin), Paul claims to be a classmate of Flan and Ouisa’s children and, since he knew they lived nearby, this was the first place he thought to go.

Any serious attempt to judge the different characters is left up to the audience.