The Four of Us by Moses Itamar

by Itamar Moses

From the author of Bach at Leipzig (Faber, 2005) comes a new play about loyalty, integrity, and the price of success. When Benjamin’s first novel vaults him into literary stardom, his friend David, a struggling playwright, is thrilled for his newfound success . . . or is he? Should Benjamin help David by using his new connections? Can David even expect such favors from his friend? More importantly, who should pick up the tab at lunch? Hailed as a writer who “makes the kinds of stylistic gambles that should be applauded” (Eric Grode, The New York Sun), Itamar Moses proves once again with this inventive exploration of the evershifting ground of friendship that he is a playwright to watch. The Four of Us will have its off-Broadway premiere in March 2008 at Manhattan Theatre Club.

Genres: Plays

Paperback

First published March 18, 2008

Reviews

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

I vaguely recall having read this 10 years ago when it first came out, but it's probably even more interesting to read NOW that the author is a successful, Tony Award winning librettist. A two character play about an 'overnight sensation' novelist and an aspiring playwright, Moses rather obviously mines some personal territory here (although he's cagey about such in his terrific afterword). The play has some very funny moments (most involving mimed sexual acts with a teddy bear), but also has something to say about the high price of fame.

[Will Schmitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH my GOODNESS holy WOWZERS 🤩🤩🤩🎆

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Either there is something brilliant here that is so smart that I'm missing it, or this is just as inarticulate, unoriginal, incohesive, and useless a piece of theater as it seems. Oh well.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid dialogue. And I mean that in two ways. The dialogue was a positive in this low-action storyline. The playwright is conscious of what makes a poignant spoken moment. However, there seems little relief from said dialogue. The setting changes, but just more talking. Both characters are flawed; it's tough to like either one, but friendships are like that sometimes... two flawed people who work together to create a life for themselves. Cerebral. Your audiences must love the cerebral.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inventive structure. Same sad-creative-boy problems. Liked it!

[David Eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing two-hander for younger men. Looking at the act of creation and what is allowable in a friendship.

[Elizabetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subtle, moving, humorous.

[Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Itamar Moses' play is a bittersweet, charming fable about two young male artists coming of age in a time and place where one person's tangible success can suddenly elevate them socially far above another person. Moses explores how that situation plays itself out over time, focusing more on the relationship between these two men and how all relationships change over time, and less on the pitfalls and perils of their respective career paths and how that did or did not contribute to the strain that eventually widens the gap between both men enough so that by the end one does not even realize the other has gotten married. It's a familiar store, but well told and by turns charming and funny, worth reading or seeing, if one gets the chance. The introduction, placed at the end of the book, is almost worthy of the price in and of itself, and definitely merits a glance.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

So-so. Not as good as the previous plays I read this year.

[Clifton]

The two voices blend together and the conversation bogs down at points, but the character dynamics and storytelling structure here are absolutely brilliant.