August 4, 2002

Herb Gardner's I'M NOT RAPPAPORT, now revived on Broadway, is a joyful experience. Two AK's, one of them an old red, sitting on a park bench in New York coping with the contemporary world and the frustrations of being old, letting the brilliance of Gardner pour out of their mouths, is a rare theatrical treat. Performed by the sensational Judd Hirsch in a turn that can only be accomplished by many years of understanding the character (he won a Tony for the same role years ago) and with fine support by Ben
Vereen and a very good Anthony Arkin, the delights multiply as the play unfolds. Daniel Sullivan's snappy direction, the perfect Central Park set by Tony Walton, with excellent lighting by Pat Collins and just right costumes by Teresa Snider-Stein, all help bring the play to full life, juxtaposing Hirsch's absurd behavior with a natural reality in the stage picture. This is a comedic, and very moving show that digs deep into the psyche of the two old men, and it's one not to be missed.

**** Richmond Shepard-- Performing Arts INSIDER