Forget “meet-cute,” the winning rom-com trope that made writer Delia Ephron’s career. In “Left on Tenth,” Ephron’s play based on her memoir at the James Earl Jones Theater about finding love after her husband died, we get the more powerful “beshert.” As Peter Gallagher, in the role of Peter explains, it is Yiddish for fated, is much more cosmic and explosive. That’s how he defines finding love with Delia, Julianna Margulies of “ER” fame in her Broadway debut, after decades, marriages, and emails. This is more than “You’ve Got Mail.” What could go wrong?
Well, as fate would have it, Delia’s watching her blood count after losing her older sister, writer- director Nora Ephron to leukemia. Following many reassuring doctor visits, Delia’s told, it’s not looking so good today. Delia in disbelief exclaims, But I’m falling in love.
Peter Gallagher, among his many theater credits including “Guys and Dolls,” is perfect in a lover role he nailed as Jane Fonda’s younger man in “Grace & Frankie.” Here, as Peter, he helps Delia through the arduous ordeal of cancer. We should all have such a handsome and handy lover helping us through hard life passages. Still, however based on true events, this is a rom-com in high Broadway form, and with Stro directing (that’s Susan Stroman to you), Left on Tenth features dancing. Margulies does a little tap, a little soft shoe, a happy dance. And some old school ballroom dips have the audience kvelling.
And laughing. When Delia compliments the doctor’s shoes, she says she got them ages ago at a sale at Barney’s. The audience lets out a collective sigh. Barney’s! The name evokes unspeakable loss. Forget cancer! The memory of a beloved department store has us where it hurts, the very heart of elite New York City shopping. This play knows its people! Does this spontaneous expression of deep loss happen every night?
Every night, the crowds line up 800 strong, says the usher. Left on Tenth may be the hit of the season. On the night I attended Katie Couric, Tovah Feldshuh, and Brooke Shields came to cheer their friends on in superb performances. Who says the public does not want to imagine older people kissing, and yikes, in bed? This show has everything: laughs, the threat of death, and two live dogs in supporting roles. Along with Peter Francis James and Kate MacCluggage in various parts, they keep the rom-com soufflé real.
