Wendy Wasserstein's 1997 play "An American Daughter," currently in an Off-Broadway revival by La Femme Theatre Productions, is largely viewed as a dated and uneven production. The play, which focuses on a female Surgeon General nominee whose career is threatened by a scandal involving an ignored jury duty notice, premiered less than 30 years ago but feels like a "quaint period piece" according to New York Stage Review. Critics note that its themes, such as bipartisan cooperation and media outrage over minor oversights, no longer resonate in today's political climate, though its depiction of gender-based double standards remains relevant.
A significant point of contention for reviewers is the casting of Jean Lichty, founder and artistic director of La Femme Theatre Productions, in the lead role of Lyssa Dent Hughes. Lichty is described as being significantly older than the part calls for and delivering a "vocally grating, one-note performance" that detracts from the show, as reported by New York Stage Review and TheaterMania.com. This casting choice is seen as contributing to the production's overall weakness, despite Lichty having appeared in previous company productions.
The play itself is criticized for being overstuffed with minor subplots and supporting characters, leading to underdeveloped relationships and a lack of focus on its main themes. The current revival reportedly uses a script cobbled together from various versions Wasserstein tinkered with, resulting in a rambling second act. While some performances, such as those by Montego Glover, Dakin Matthews, and Mary Beth Peil, are praised, the younger actors and the sluggish staging are seen as further weakening the production, making it feel longer than its already stretched-out two-and-a-half hours. The general consensus is that this revival fails to elevate what was already considered one of Wasserstein's lesser plays.
