A PLAY BY DAVID LINDSAY-ABAIRE.
Welcome to Southie, a Boston neighborhood where a night on the town means a few rounds of bingo, where this month’s paycheck covers last month’s bills, and where Margie Walsh has just been let go from yet another job. Facing eviction and scrambling to catch a break, Margie thinks an old fling who’s made it out of Southie might be her ticket to a fresh new start. But is this apparently self-made man secure enough to face his humble beginnings? Margie is about to risk what little she has left to find out. With his signature humorous glow, Lindsay-Abaire explores the struggles, shifting loyalties and unshakeable hopes that come with having next to nothing in America.
This play is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service
65 East 56th Street, NY, NY - dramatists.com
REVIEWS
"Merely Players Presents never disappoints. They remind us that good storytelling and powerful performances trump spectacle any day! There are some pretty special moments happening in this black box space!"
"Good People was an incredible production! From the first minute I became immersed in the lives of the Southies of Boston! The performances of every cast member were so believable, so beautiful that the story was masterfully told! Kudos to the director and all involved! I was blown away and touched and impressed, as only Merely Players Presents can effectively execute on their stage!"
"After seeing such a great production of “Gloria” by the Merely Players in Doraville a few weeks ago, I returned to see “Good People,” a wonderful play by David Lindsay-Abaire. I knew it wasn’t going to be the same incredible cast, so I wondered if they would match the previous production. I am happy to report, they absolutely did! Joanie McElroy should be commended for her taste in selecting plays, directors – Kevin Dew for this play - and talented actors to perform these stories. If you are in the Atlanta area and love theater, I highly recommend going to see, “Good People,” a story of a lady from Southie in Boston who makes a courageous decision as a 17 year-old and spends the rest of her life paying for her integrity. Julie Smith, who plays Margie, does a wonderful job. At the age of 46, she’s a woman who does all she can to do the right thing, a good person. It’s impossible not to root for her. A couple of notes about the show. The scenes with Julie and her two Southie friends, Lory Cox who plays Dottie, and Tracey Egan who plays Jean, are hilarious during their time playing bingo and filling the audience in on the history of these women and the people from their old neighborhood. Also, one of the best scenes I have ever seen in theater takes place in the second act as Margie confronts her past head on with Steve Carell look-alike, Mike Weiselberg (Mike) and Jessica Wise (Kate). In real life, Margie’s character would have walked away fairly quickly, but in theater we get to see her expose the truth, which is what makes those moments so special. Mike, Margie and Kate deliver wonderful performances in that scene!"
- John Ruane, Atlanta Theater Buzz
"Blown away. Blown away. Good People is great. I don’t know how else to put it because I am still coming down off the high from being in the audience. The director was able to capture everything that the play was supposed to be about. And the actors? Lory Cox, Tracey Egan, Mike Weiselberg, and the rest… every single one had such intent and intensity and never once did I think that these weren’t blue collar folks from Boston. 1st scene on the actors hit every layered meaning and no moment was wasted. So well written and so much loyalty shown between the characters/actors. The loyalty they brought to each other is why stories set in Boston are so appealing, imo, and the cast and crew of Good People at Merely Players Presents taught me this today (I always figured it was just the accents). There is a lot of theater going on rn, but you must, must see this. Perfect."
"Let’s Talk Theater !
GOOD PEOPLE
Good God! Directed brilliantly by Kevin Dew the acting was stellar! The story is painful but honest. I can’t single out any actor because they were ALL amazing. I can’t say enough. Go see this show!"
