“Under the skilled direction of Hardart, a cast with a solid understanding of period style captures the complex notes of Barry's style...Not a brilliant work, ‘You and I’ is nevertheless engaging throughout, and, in its ironic finale...it is surprisingly moving. It also stands on its own in its consideration of the soul-wearying effects of the American culture of business...And, even in this early work, Barry's philosophy is clearly stated.”
Read more

"Under Hardart's uncertain direction, 'You and I' emerges as a footnote to a notable career, a good-natured but vapid drawing-room comedy whose chief interest lies in how Barry spun so many autobiographical threads into it...It's a sweet play; truly...Love and warmth permeate the stage, every character is well-intentioned...We're not convinced, however, that 'You and I' can still arrestingly hold a stage, or that its themes aren't better stated in other works."
Read more

"This would be fine if the artificial style of the play and the dated twenties slang did not seem arch and affected. And while director Michael Hardart's production is always stylish and graceful, he has not helped greatly with his casting or his mannered and theatrical approach to the material. The characters talk in an elevated, literate language but … are basically very simple people, not the kind who sit around tossing off bon mots. Here they speak Barry's realistic lines as though they do."
Read more

"Barry's play would need a far more polished and well-cast company…than presently assembled…to give its dated-sounding dialogue…stagy characters, and plot contrivances the fire they desperately require…Hardart has helped them convey some of their roles' shifting nuances but…they're unable to make Barry's old-fashioned, 'darling'-sprinkled, upper-class locutions sound natural...Hardart's direction succeeds merely in making the two hour and 15-minute running time seem longer."
Read more

“A vibrant script, insightful where human nature is concerned, witty and, in the end, heartrending...Hardart’s accomplished staging features a balanced ensemble cast of endearing players, with three leads who lend just the right buoyancy to Barry’s witty dialogue. But what’s best is how they capture the poignancy of the playwright’s subtext, as well as of his text...If only such graceful, stylish talk could be heard more often nowadays—onstage and off!”
Read more