Pretty, Pretty Good: Fish in the Dark on Broadway

For a solid decade or two Neil Simon was the reigning comedic playwright on Broadway.  His crown must now be passed to, of all people, Larry David who makes his debut as playwright and actor in “Fish in the Dark.”  The critics will label it “pretty, pretty good” a classic line from David’s largely improvised HBO show “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”

Surrounding himself with a top-notch cast including Jayne Houdyshell, Ben Shenkman, Jerry Adler, Marylouise Burke and Lewis J. Stalden, David can’t help but fare well.  The plot is typical David – misunderstanding of a father’s death bed intentions lead to brotherly and marital strife, bruised feelings and ego, and biting funny one-liners. 

David brings an everyman’s misanthropy to common thoughts, expressing that which we all may think but would never dare to utter.  And utter it he does, fearlessly, while also protecting himself and foisting responsibility for his actions on others.  This formula worked wonders on “Seinfeld” and continued on “Curb” and last year’s HBO movie “Clear History.”

Now with a strong advance ticket sale, David is the hottest comedic ticket in town.  And deservedly so.  Anyone who can make Rosie Perez intelligible and funny deserves a Tony Award.

The show works.  For a Broadway newbie, David acquits himself well.  He told “60 Minutes” this past Sunday; he’s wearing his own clothes because it takes him a long time to work clothes in.  The pacing, lines, plot move quickly and fearlessly. 

Now the question arises to who has the guts to take over for David after the proposed 14 week run.  Jason Alexander?  Jerry Seinfeld?  Find your way over to the Cort Theater for “Fish in the Dark” – it’s worth whatever they force you to pay.