"Motherhood Masters Dysfunction in ‘Little Gem.’ In Elaine Murphy’s play, three women from one Dublin family tell a slice-of-life story through interwoven, interlocking monologues."
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“Three Generations of Irish Women Live, Laugh, and Love in ‘Little Gem.’ Elaine Murphy's 2008 play returns to New York City in a new Irish Repertory Theatre production.”
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"The gift of gab reigns supreme in this beguiling triptych of contemporary Irish womanhood dealing with the sheer bloody business of living…Under the sensitive, highly alert direction of Marc Atkinson Borrull, three fine actresses keep one under the spell of their unbridled candor."
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★★★★ "'Three Generations in One Family Work It All Out.' Elaine Murphy's engaging play features Marsha Mason, Brenda Meany and Lauren O'Leary."
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★★★★ “'Mothers and Daughters Tell their Stories at Irish Rep.' Marsha Mason anchors an intimate Irish drama that lives up to its title."
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"The play makes a gift of presenting us with well-conceived characters (even those we never actually see), realistic-sounding dialogue and relatable situations. Nothing here, admittedly, is remotely groundbreaking, but the work is consistently engaging, occasionally hilarious and sometimes heart wrenching."
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"Elaine Murphy guides her fictional characters through the play with a prescribed sentimentality but it rings true to life in a very engaging way. The progression of time for them is charged by their irrepressible honesty and through unapologetically personal feelings, many of which are consigned to overlap the needs and longing of the other."
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"Marsha Mason is superb as a salty Irish housewife coping with a neurotic daughter, a rebellious granddaughter and an ill husband in this engaging monologue play. It's an engrossing slice of life with biographical data, pivotal incidents and humane observations that's immaculately presented."
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