Dinner with Friends

By: Donald Margulies

Narrated by: full cast

Length: 1 hr and 35 mins

Publisher's Summary

Winner of the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for drama, Dinner with Friends examines the lives of two couples and the repercussions of divorce on their friendship. With wit, compassion, and consummate skill, playwright Donald Margulies weighs the costs of breaking up...and of staying together. Starring (in alphabetical order): Matthew Arkin as Gabe, Lisa Emery as Karen, Kevin Kilner as Tom, Dierdre O'Connell as Beth.

(P)2003 L.A. Theatre Works

Critic Reviews

• 2000 Pulitzer Prize Winner, Drama

I thought I was on Broadway

"Dinner with Friends" is an engaging stage-play recorded for radio. It is the story of one couple at the end of their relationship intertwined with the story of the couple who were their best friends. It is very funny at spots but would more properly be regarded as a drama than a comedy. This is not a dry "chick-flick" type of tearjerker. It is good theater and engaging throughout. I think anybody in a relationship would appreciate it; in fact I would warn those who are in a troubled marriage that it might hit too close to home with its common truths that are unbared. Give this one a listen. It is much different than an audiobook and I found it refreshingly so. The acting is very good, especially the actress who played the divorcing woman (great voice!).

Vivid and engrossing

This is the first time I've listened to a play, with a cast of four actors (and the laughter of a live audience). I greatly enjoyed this play, and found myself "rewinding" frequently just to hear certain scenes again. The actors are fantastic, and bring depth and life to an already strong script, as two couples come to grips with a dissolving marriage among them. In this short play, each permutation of characters appears -- the women together, the men together, the couple whose marriage has failed -- allowing their history and peculiarities to rise to the surface and become visible. I also appreciated that the messiness of these relationships remains, up through the play's ending.

Sobering! Very well done!

What made the experience of listening to Dinner with Friends (Dramatized) the most enjoyable?

It was very much like being at a play - extremely professional production! While entertaining, it was also of strong substance - serious food for thought.

What did you like best about this story?

It made me realize how so many of us just expect things will be okay, when we really should be careful not to take our loved ones for granted. Also, it was a tangible reminder that we probably never really have the full story - which goes beyond there being two sides to every story. I think there is a saying that goes, "There are actually 3 sides to every story - his side, her side, and the truth!"

Which scene was your favorite?

It was all very good - it's short - I could not pick one part over another.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

"You never really know people - not even your best friends."

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended! If you enjoy plays, you will love this presentation.

Realistic and Well Done

I enjoyed this ensemble cast of realistic characters. This was an intense drama that shed light on difficult marital conflicts. It amplified the notion of, "the grass is always greener on the other side" and hopefully gives weight to those who stay and tend the grass right where they are!

Entertaining play

I have listened to this play at least 3 times. Very enjoyable and so many jokes that makes you laugh so loud.

spactacular

beautifully written.Grat cast.I enjoyed it very very much.SUPERB .A genius playwrite.This is a treat for the mind.Delicous!

Loved it!

Wonderfully written, acted and probably will touch any married person on some personal level. Listen to it and I think you will agree.

Like a slap in the face, but with some humor.

Very well acted and amazingly written. A very authentic look at the break up of marriage and the effects on close friends.

Good Book!!

I really liked the character and how they related to each other. But I didn't like the ending.
But I did enjoy the story. A little predictable but, fun to listen to.