Having it all….

Trudi Jackson, Daisy Hughes, Alan Cox, and Mark Rice-Oxley  in “Playing With Grown Ups,” part of Brits Off Broadway at 59E59 Theaters. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

“I am woman, hear me roar,” the radio blares. In the background a baby wails in distress as only babies can.
In Hannah Patterson’s drama, “Playing With Grown Ups.” at 59E59 Theaters through May 18th, the choices — have a family, enjoy a career– seem to be constricting. For Joanna (Trudi Jackson), at any rate, the ones she’s made are stifling. Her husband, Robert (Mark Rice-Oxley), pays lip service about wanting to be a care-at-home dad, while he’s wrapped up in his work. Robert has to worry about the possibility that as a film professor he may soon be redundant.

Daisy Hughes and Trudi Jackson in “Playing With Grown Ups,” part of Brits Off Broadway at 59E59 Theaters. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

Even Jake (Alan Cox), Robert’s head of department and Joanna’s ex, is on edge. Jake’s seventeen year old pick up, Stella (Daisy Hughes) is the only one wise beyond her years, as she calmly observes the “grown ups” in mid life crisis.

Mark Rice-Oxley and Trudi Jackson in “Playing With Grown Ups,” part of Brits Off Broadway at 59E59 Theaters. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

Stella’s role as confidante, muse, or siren is a bit tenuous, although Daisy Hughes is extremely winsome. Just as Robert and Joanna have the off-stage Lily crying over the baby monitor, Stella’s oft-quoted mother bolsters her character.  When Joanna asks if she’s read Sylvia Plath, Stella says, “Please. My mum’s a psychotherapist. I grew up on Sylvia Plath.”

Daisy Hughes and Alan Cox in “Playing With Grown Ups,” part of Brits Off Broadway at 59E59 Theaters. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

Somewhere midway through, “Playing With Grown Ups” loses some steam, whether because of the script or the direction by Hannah Eidinow is unclear. It soon picks up plenty of emotion and energy as it draws to its inevitable conclusion.

The acting is excellent. Not a misstep from any of them: Trudi Jackson’s steady meltdown; Mark Rice-Oxley’s cluelessness; Alan Cox’s detached bonhomie, and Daisy Hughes’ sweet knowing innocence are all spot on.

As a sample of the proto-feminism in  “Playing With Grown Ups,” let us submit this favorite dialog exchange: (Stella says) “There’s so much going on with women at the same time…..” (Joanna inserts) “One seamless, endless state of doing.” (Stella) “Men make a song and dance of doing one thing. Really loudly….”

To learn more about “Playing With Grown Ups,” please visit www.59e59.org.