The Busy World Is Hushed

Hannah is a widowed Episcopal minister. Brandt is the young literary assistant she hires to help her translate a long-lost gospel. Thomas is her prodigal gay son, who spends his life trying to distance himself from his mother and anyone who might love him. These three characters form the complex and humorous triangle at the heart of this play about faith and family. This excellent audio presentation is the result of the high-level performances delivered by Jill Clayburgh, Hamish Linklater, and Luke MacFarlane. Since they were the original off-Broadway cast, they easily bring dramatic and dynamic range to their characters. Included is an exclusive author interview that provides great insights. M.R.E. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

October 1, 2007
Bunin's play is ideal for recording, as it features only three actors and one set. Clayburgh very adeptly portrays Hannah, a widowed minister, who hires a young gay assistant, Brandt (Linklater), to help her write a book about a newly discovered gospel, possibly preceding those in the New Testament. Her itinerant gay son, Thomas (MacFarlan), has returned to help. The two young men sound disconcertingly alike: intelligent but a bit smug. When Hannah mentions that gospels were common following the death of Jesus, the importance of a new one is diminished, and it becomes apparent that Hannah's personal problems are at the heart of the play. Her decision to encourage the somewhat withdrawn Brandt to love her son will haunt her by the play's climax. The soft-spoken Clayburgh gets to play raucous and uncontrolled before she regains her poise. The last disc has an interview with Bunin saying that his play is emotionally autobiographical: his father was half Jewish and his mother Catholic, so "naturally" he was raised Episcopalian and attended a Quaker school. His play is heavy on religious declamations and overwrought emotionally but has a sense of purpose.

December 24, 2007
Bunin's play is ideal for recording, as it features only three actors and one set. Clayburgh very adeptly portrays Hannah, a widowed minister, who hires a young gay assistant, Brandt (Linklater), to help her write a book about a newly discovered gospel, possibly preceding those in the New Testament. Her itinerant gay son, Thomas (MacFarlan), has returned to help. The two young men sound disconcertingly alike: intelligent but a bit smug. When Hannah mentions that gospels were common following the death of Jesus, the importance of a new one is diminished, and it becomes apparent that Hannah's personal problems are at the heart of the play. Her decision to encourage the somewhat withdrawn Brandt to love her son will haunt her by the play's climax. The soft-spoken Clayburgh gets to play raucous and uncontrolled before she regains her poise. The last disc has an interview with Bunin saying that his play is emotionally autobiographical: his father was half Jewish and his mother Catholic, so "naturally" he was raised Episcopalian and attended a Quaker school. His play is heavy on religious declamations and overwrought emotionally but has a sense of purpose.

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