New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


?>

 

Review of "Clever Little Lies"


By Gary Wien

originally published: 12/01/2013


(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Marriage is difficult. Ask anyone that's ever been married and they're bound to admit that there are moments in time that threaten to unravel all of the good memories accumulated over the years. "Clever Little Lies" is about such moments. An outrageously funny comedy, "Clever Little Lies" offers more than just laughs. This well-written play (making its world premiere here) evokes the relationship tension of Edward Albee, the non-stop barrage of one-liners a la Neil Simon, and the morality of Arthur Miller.

"Clever Little Lies" begins in the locker room of Bill's gym where he has just lost a tennis match to his father. This, in itself, worries Bill, Sr. His son never loses. It's clear he's got something distracting him. He's always prided himself on being as much of a friend as a father; a situation that backfires on him here when his son reveals he's not only been having an affair, but is in love with a much younger woman -- a relationship that began while his wife was deep into pregnancy with their first child.

"Maybe she's just a friend," his father suggests.

"Trust me dad, she's not a friend," Bill, Jr. replies. "We have sex all of the time."

The father is sworn to secrecy about the affair, but is afraid Bill's mother will pry it out of him. "She has ways of extracting things out of me," he said. The mother, played by Marlo Thomas, runs a book store and laments how nobody goes to bookstores to buy books anymore.

"There was a girl who came into the store and asked 'Where can I find an F. Scott Fitzgerald?' I said, which book? She said, 'No, a t-shirt.' The worst thing is I had one to sell her!"




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



Marlo's impeccable comic timing is on display throughout the play. Despite having plans for the night, Alice senses there is something wrong with her husband. She manages to pry enough information to realize it has to do with her son and his wife, Jane. She insists they come over for dinner tonight, talking Jane out of her book club meeting and screwing up her son's plans with his mistress.

When they arrive, the son confronts his father about what did he tell her? The father replies, "I told her you had a man problem."

"What's a man problem," the son replies.

"She thinks you're impotent."


The night is one of many surprises as it's revealed that Jane doesn't want to return to work, something that is a shock to Bill, Jr. who had already made plans to spend more time with his mistress with his wife out of the house. Meanwhile, the mistress (who expected Jane to be at her book club) keeps calling Bill's cell phone. Jane, who admits to sensing problems in the marriage surprises her husband with a huge gift that only makes things worse. A web of lies built up over lifetimes intersect during the night. Truths are told that were never meant to be revealed, making everyone struggle to accept the reality of the situation. At one point, Bill, Jr. tries to comfort his wife by saying, "I want the marriage my parents have." His wife replies, "I was hoping for something better."

"Clever Little Lies" was written by Joe DiPietro and directed by David Saint. The play stars Marlo Thomas as Alice (the mother), Jim Stanek (Bill Jr.), Greg Mulavey (Bill, Sr.), and Kate Weatherhead (Jane). George Street has once again put together a simply stellar cast, but for me Jim Stanek steals the show with some of the best non-verbal acting I've ever seen. His character does more with facial expressions, slumping, and the way he walks than any writer could ever describe.




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



There are intense, powerful things happening between the lines here. While the play is laugh at loud funny, it holds a bold message as well. If you have a good marriage, this play will probably make you appreciate what you have. If your marriage is struggling, this may sound a wake up call to you. It's what theatre should always strive for -- to hold meaning above and beyond the stage. Highly recommended, but with enough adult language that you should keep the kids at home.

"Clever Little Lies" runs now through December 22 at George Street Playhouse, 9 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick, NJ. For more information on the theatre visit http://www.gsponline.org




Gary Wien has been covering the arts since 2001 and has had work published with Jersey Arts, Upstage Magazine, Elmore Magazine, Princeton Magazine, Backstreets and other publications. He is a three-time winner of the Asbury Music Award for Top Music Journalist and the author of Beyond the Palace (the first book on the history of rock and roll in Asbury Park) and Are You Listening? The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 by New Jersey Artists. In addition, he runs New Jersey Stage and the online radio station The Penguin Rocks. He can be contacted at gary@newjerseystage.com.

FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Vivid

Vivid Summer Solos: My Name is Lucy Barton

Wednesday, July 16, 2025 @ 6:30pm
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey
68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ 07901
category: theatre


 

The

The Mallard

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
category: theatre


 

The

The MAC players at the Middletown Arts Center present "Hairspray"

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
category: theatre


 

The

The Mallard

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
category: theatre


 

Good

Good Riddance; A Gnarly Murder Mystery Dinner, Dude!

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 6:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ 07008
category: theatre


 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

The

The 7th Annual Rogue Theater Festival to Present 37 New Productions

(NEW YORK, NY) -- Rogue Theatre Festival (RTF) returns with a bold and eclectic lineup for their 7th annual celebration of new works. This year, the festival will showcase 37 original plays and musicals, including fully staged productions, short plays, staged readings, and digital streaming performances. The Flea Theatre in Tribeca hosts this year's festival with performances running August 4-10, 2025 running in association with Abingdon Theatre Company. Staged Readings will be performed in The Pete theatre, series of Shorts and Fully Staged productions will take place in The Siggy at The Flea.



Without

Without a Clue Productions presents "Mrs. Roper Romp" and "A Golden Girls Murder Mystery: A Family Affair" at Resorts Casino Hotel

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Without a Cue Productions heads to the Jersey Shore this summer with two cult classics coming to Atlantic City. Come for the caftan muumuus and stay for the Janet and Jack Tripper cocktails, as Mrs. Roper Romp brings the wild 70s fun to Resorts Casino Hotel. Don your best Mrs. Roper costume (and red curly haired wig!) and win fun prizes as you play party games and dance to Yacht rock inspired by the iconic hit show Three's Company. From the 70s to the 80s and early 90s, get ready to celebrate your favorite Golden Girls.



The

The Theater Project presents Kaleidoscope Kabaret 2025 in Summit

(SUMMIT, NJ) -– Six playwrights. Fourteen actors. Three singers. A band.



The Complete Works of William Shakespeare

'The Complete Works of William Shakespeare' Extends Its Run in Madison, NJ

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ)'s summer offering is The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again]. It is a fast paced, high energy, and humorous presentation of the works of The Bard.



Brookdale

Brookdale Summer Shakespeare presents William Shakespeare's "Macbeth"

(LINCROFT, NJ) -- Brookdale Performing Arts Center's Summer Shakespeare returns for its 23rd season with a free production of one of William Shakespeare's most gripping and haunting tragedies, Macbeth. This annual outdoor event continues to be a beloved tradition, offering free, high-quality theater to the community in the scenic setting of the college's Great Lawn. Performances run July 10-13 and July 17-20, 2025.