That age-old power battle of employer vs. worker—specifically, of the domineering middle-aged boss (male) vs. accomplished younger employee (female) variety—is waged once again in Tim Marriott’s Appraisal, a Brits Off Broadway entry at 59E59. A high quotient of smarts, insights, and humor combine to provide a swiftly paced, enjoyable battle of ideas. The puttering old white guy—literally so, practicing his swing with a gold-plated putter when no one is watching—is inevitably on the losing end of the stick.
Nicky (Alex Sunderhaus) arrives, well prepared, for her annual review with old-school CEO Jo (played by the author). As is typical in this type of aggressive battle covered by an overlay of politeness, Jo holds all the cards. Or does he? The banter touches on many bases of the age-old animosity, although in our modern times it can be anticipated that Nicky will not be content to be steamrolled. Or, at least, that author Marriott is determined to let the best man, or woman, prevail.
Marriott is also determined to do so with abundant laughter; what’s more, he seems intent on providing himself with a juicy role as the workplace dinosaur in mismatched socks with a target on his back. A British actor-writer with a background in television, his role in Appraisal seems tailor-made for his talents. He is well matched here by Sunderhaus, who does especially well at cloaking Nicky’s motivations throughout the 60-minute one-act. Director Margarett Perry, meanwhile, supports her actors at every turn along the way.
Sitting here in 2024, you might find the comic quotient of Appraisal unexpectedly wafting you back the 1960s. Not to the world of Neil Simon; more in the direction of the battling wordplay of Mike Nichols and Elaine May or Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson. The all-but-forgotten playwright Murray Schisgal provided a pair of 1962 one-acts for the Wallachs, produced off-Broadway under the title The Typists and The Tiger. He then surpassed himself with the subversive 1964 comedy hit Luv (starring Eli and Anne and Alan Arkin, directed by Mike). While times and styles have changed, Marriott gives us that same type of satirically intellectualized, fiercely waged combat over the office desk.
HE: Integrity. It’s what the brand stands for. So we need clarity, to avoid any confusion, you see? So we need transparency and integrity. It’s our watchword.
SHE: Which word?
HE: ‘Watchword.’
SHE: No… which word… ‘Transparency’, ‘integrity’, that’s two words.
HE: Ah! I see… ‘which word’… very good! Haha.
SHE: Yes. So?
HE: Yes. Well. Integrity. Obviously.
Obviously.
Marriott provides Jo with a mouthful of excuses every time he puts his foot in it (his mouth). Familiar behavior, but it doesn’t quite work anymore. Even if you are the boss. However, it all makes for a highly enjoyable comic lark for an early summer’s evening.
Appraisal opened June 20, 2024, at 59E59 and runs through June 30. Tickets and information: 59e59.org
