Eastern Standard

by Richard Greenberg

Four Manhattan yuppies strike up a friendship in a chic uptown restaurant after a bag lady involves them in an altercation. A month later, the four self-involved Manhattanites (three men and one woman), having fallen instantly in love with one another, converge at a seaside residence, hoping to alleviate their shaped sense of alienation and purposelessness with a misguided attempt at rehabilitating May, the bag lady who brought them all together. In their pretense at public mindedness, they all seek either an escape from their own problems or redemption from the lives they used to live. How do you tell the man who's eagerly pursuing you, and whom you really love, that you have the AIDS virus? How does your sister react to the news of your illness when she s trying to start a new relationship of her own? How does an immensely successful architect make amends to society for years of blotting our cities' skylines with his postmodern monstrosities? And can all these questions really be answered by taking May off her medication and teaching her about the finer things in life, like preparing place settings for a dinner party? Ultimately not, and in the end, sobered but still game, the two couples, one heterosexual, one homosexual, have remained together to drink a toast to the "accidental happiness" that, with luck, may still come their way.

Genres: Plays, Theatre, Drama

72 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Richard Greenberg was an American playwright and television writer known for his subversively humorous depictions of middle-class American life. He had more than 25 plays premiere on Broadway, off-Broadway, and off-off-Broadway in New York City and eight at the South Coast Repertory Theatre in Costa Mesa, California, including The Violet Hour, Everett Beekin, and Hurrah at Last. Greenberg is perhaps best known for his 2002 play Take Me Out.

Reviews

[Ashton E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this play (which it’s hard to say that sometimes about plays if you can’t visualize them). I loved the characters and a good ole happy ending. It was interesting how six strangers at a restaurant could end up becoming friends but that’s what’s so intriguing about it.

[Kodie Warnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m sorry but is Drew from this play and David from Schitt’s Creek the same person?

[Guian Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

peter’s monologue… woah…

[Romeo Channer · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Lovely little comedy. More appealing as a series of juicy scenes than as a play I’d really crave a production of.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this play--from start to finish. Most of the characters were likable despite their slight selfish, obnoxious, or deceitful tendencies. There was a bit in the middle that I was kind of displeased through, but it was quickly followed by a scene that I really enjoyed. The dialogue throughout was on point.

[Letitia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish someone would do this play, it's funny, sweet and wonderfully written. I'd love to see a good production!

[Marie Farrell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of lame & arrogant with a few nice moments. Saw some friends put it on just after I read it. They did well but it's still not a great play.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very charming comedy.

[Yael Mccue · Rating 3 out of 5]

A seminal whiny "I don't know what it means to be American" kind of play. Witty and funny despite all its pretense.

[Brian McCann · Rating 5 out of 5]

2017: Perfect example of a well-structured play from the 1980s. So glad I saw the original production.

2025: Enjoyed revisiting a play I saw with Uncle Richard in 1988.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dated in that everything in it is a cliche now, but it is a well written cliche at least. A classic little romance tied up in an eighties bow, but it never quite connected. Aims for My Man Godfrey but just felt a little gross to me.