Review: 'The Lehman Trilogy' Is Compelling and Inventive

Critically acclaimed "The Lehman Trilogy" arrives in Los Angeles after its oft-delayed 2021 Broadway run. Because two of the original cast from the West End and Broadway are still in play, the show feels like an event.

A three-plus hour, three-person play with two intermissions, the idea of doing a show about the collapse of a financial institution seems like it could be a slog. But with three actors portraying a total of over 70 characters (while focusing on the Lehman family), Stefano Massini's epic play, as directed by Sam Mendes, is surprisingly compelling, funny, and fast-moving. Despite three hour-long acts, the show flies by as the actors navigate almost three centuries of family success and strife.
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While this reviewer was not familiar with the history on display here (and I'm not good with numbers or finance), it is important to note that the play really does keep you invested and explains (without dumbing down) how a financial business is born and works.�
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The play begins in 1844 with the three Lehman brothers arriving in America from Bavaria and starting a few small businesses that continually evolve. The first to arrive is the innovative Henry (Simon Russell Beale), who sets up the first business – a suit shop. He is followed by the more serious Emanual (Howard W. Overshown), and when they continually butt heads, their third brother Mayer (Adam Godley) arrives to get in between them and balance their business dealings out. He also has some terrific ideas.�
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As the brothers' businesses morph and change, other characters enter the fray, from future wives, eventual children, and any number of business associates, all portrayed effortlessly by the limber cast. It's mind-boggling and stupendously entertaining to watch, and it's hard to imagine anyone but this cast taking over the reins. (To be fair, Overshown is a new addition after Ben Miles left for other pursuits.)

Scenic design by Ed Devlin is spectacular, utilizing a rotating corporate office set that transforms as it moves, simply by displaying the set from different vantage points. The large projection screen that works as a transforming backdrop adds deeper layers to the scenes, giving the action on stage a variety of textures in space and time.
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It's hard to single out any of the three actors here, because they are all fantastic. Beale probably has a showier role playing a variety of characters that he easily navigates, causing the audience to anticipate every time he is front and center. But that doesn't take away from Godley, who has a number of "wow" moments, as well as Overshown, who navigates his multiple characters with ease.
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It's weird to say that a play about a financial crisis is a blast, but it is. Not only is it an interesting piece of history, but it explores dreams, ingenuity, greed, and loss with honesty and careful reflection. Don't let the subject matter or running time give you pause. This is one of the best plays to come around in a while. Inventive, clever, and timely, it's one you won't soon forget.
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"The Lehman Trilogy" runs�through April 10th�at the Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles. For more information or for tickets, visit�www.ctgla.org.