Review: ‘Menage à Quatre’ at Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Davidson/Valentini Theatre
- Dondre Tuck
- Aug 12
- 3 min read
Peter Lefcourt’s “Menage à Quatre” — having its world premiere produced by Sweet Talk Productions at the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Davidson/Valentini Theatre — features two long-time Los Angeles couples whose seemingly solid friendship fractures under the weight of suspicion, infidelity and secrets.
After years of sharing food, drinks and laughter, the dynamic shifts when Gary confides in his friend Reuben that he believes his wife Jeannie is cheating. Determined to uncover the truth, Gary hires a private detective, triggering a chain of events that tests every relationship. The play explores infidelity, revenge, truth and forgiveness, showing how trust can be both fragile and transformative.
Under Ryan O’Connor’s direction, performances are grounded yet lighthearted, each actor clearly building characters with distinct backstories. Daniel Montgomery stands out, narrating with ease while seamlessly shifting into multiple memorable roles, including the detective. Jeremy S. Walker as Gary and Matthew Downs as Reuben bring an authentic bromance to the stage, their contrasting personalities allowing for plenty of playful moments.
Sarah Wolter as Reuben’s wife Meg delivers sharp comedic timing with bold, engaging choices, while Carly J. Casey balances vulnerability and emotional detachment as Jeannie, adding depth to the foursome’s dynamic. One of the most memorable moments comes when Gary, in disbelief, confronts Jeannie about her affair as she desperately begs for forgiveness.
O’Connor keeps the show’s energy high and the pace relentless, matching the madness of the unfolding events. Told through a mix of narration and dramatization, the storytelling feels fresh and theatrical. While the pacing is faster than I am used to, it fits the heightened stakes. Scene transitions are particularly creative, flowing seamlessly and keeping the audience immersed.
The set, designed by Brad Bentz with projections by Brian Christopher Russell, is exceptional. The realistic home, complete with living room, kitchen, dining table, liquor bar and pull-down bed, feels expansive despite the intimate space. The white walls become a canvas for projections, instantly transforming the setting into new locations, including a sailboat to Meg’s art studio. This visual storytelling adds depth and vibrancy to the production.
Jesse Mandapat’s sound design elevates the experience, syncing perfectly with the actors’ cues and enhancing the show’s rhythm. The precision in timing and atmosphere make each scene feel authentic and immersive.
At its core, “Menage à Quatre” is about how infidelity impacts people differently. Gary is devastated by his wife’s betrayal. Meg prefers ignorance, lashing out at Gary for revealing the truth. Jeannie lives with guilt but cannot deny the pleasure she finds in the affair. Reuben seems more upset about being caught than about the act itself. The play makes it clear that infidelity is not one-dimensional. It is personal, messy and unpredictable.
A second theme, truth, threads through the piece. Gary is determined to uncover it, though warned by a detective that it might not bring peace. Meg never suspects Reuben, yet his confession crushes her. Both she and Reuben avoid outright lies but never tell the whole truth. When truth and infidelity collide, the results are messy, complex and deeply human. Sometimes, the truth liberates. Other times, it destroys.
From start to finish during a recent performance, the audience was engaged, and so was I. “Menage à Quatre” is for lovers, cheaters and the truth seekers. It is live theatre with the pacing and energy of a screenplay, brought to life by committed performances and imaginative design. I highly recommend this show! I left impressed, entertained and thinking about the cost of honesty.
“Menage à Quatre” continues through Aug. 17 at the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Davidson/Valentini Theatre, 1125 N. McCadden Pl., Los Angeles, with shows Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased through.Onstage411.com/Quatre. Run time is 90 minutes with no intermission.
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