SIGNIFICANT OTHER--A Significant Improvement Over the Off Broadway Run

By Joseph Cervelli

Exactly what happened? I must say I was quite taken back  after seeing the Broadway transfer to the Booth Theater  of Joshua Harmon’s  “Significant Other”. While others found the play funny and touching heaping praise upon lead actor Gideon Glick, I found his 29 year old character Jordan Berman whiny, annoying and intolerable. It struck me incomprehensible that Jordan who is gay would someday every find anyone because of his attitude. 

Well, wipe that slate clean. The show appears to be the same--snappy dialogue and some very hilarious turns by two of the three female leads along with a delightful performance by Barbara Barrie reprising the role of Jordan’s grandmother who is suffering what from  appears to be the early stages of dementia. But the big change is that Glick seemed to have toned down the irritating characteristics of Jordan. I now felt  deeply for this young man whose immaturity seems to be one obstacle in hampering him to find the right guy. Even some of his antics which were originally  grating are now quite charming. It appears that Glick has delved deeper into Jordan along with might be the great help of director Trip Cullman. On the first go of seeing the show I did not think there was any way for this young man in finding someone. But by the play’s end my feelings were changed. There certainly is a guy out there for him.

Jordan’s three female friends help him to find solace from not having a guy in his life. They party at the local club and the women look to him as their little brother or “sister”. The problem is that while he is having no luck finding anyone they are on their way to getting married. Of course, he does himself no good fixating on his hunky co-worker Will (John Behlmann) whom he invites to the movies. Problem is he does not even know if Will is actually gay. The scene where Jordan is unsure in sending him a ridiculously lengthy email or not which was rather over the top first go is now precious. 

Sas Goldberg is a complete hoot as Kiki the sweetly crude friend who is the first to get married. Rebecca Naomi Jones is excellent as the second more steady young woman who is on her way to matrimony. But the one that has a more upsetting affect upon Jordan is his closest friend Laura played by the superb Lindsay Mendez. She is caring and loving towards him and her upcoming vows have a severely detrimental effect upon him.  

My feelings about the show changed even more so during their explosive fight when he rips into her for not thinking enough about him. His temper tantrums in the prior production were obnoxious and you felt little sympathy for him . But now his brittle turn is tinged with a kind of fragile quality that was missing.  In turn, Laura’s  rebuttal of his diatribe now rings more effectively now. It is a balanced exchange and Mendez especially pulls it off beautifully. Even though these are about young people today, those of all ages whether gay or straight can feel left out while their friends are finding that special person while they have not. 

From not feeling much towards the play last season, I must say I was completely taken with every moment of this production.  

Tickets are available at the Booth Theater 222 West 45th Street or by calling 212.239.6200.

PHOTO CREDIT: JOAN MARCUS