Six Degrees of Separation

By: John Guare

Narrated by: Chuma Hunter-Gault, Alan Alda, full cast

Length: 1 hr and 21 mins

Publisher's Summary

In a Fifth Avenue apartment high above Central Park, a weathy art dealer and his wife are trying to interest a moneyed friend in a $2 million investment when an unexpected young guest arrives - and changes their lives forever. Veering effortlessly from hilarity to pathos, this dazzling play was lauded by The New York Times as "transcendent, magical, and a masterwork." Performed by a full cast starring Alan Alda, Swoosie Kurtz, and Chuma Hunter-Gault.

(P)2000 L.A. Theatre Works, All Rights Reserved

Critic Reviews

"...an excellent production of Guare's famous play." (Library Journal)

Good but not great.

I wanted to give this one five stars, but it just misses the mark. Even on stage, it is a very difficult play to make work, and this audio production, despite the best efforts of an expert cast, especially Swoosie Kurtz, never quite leaves the page. The play, by "House of Blue Leaves" author Guare, has interesting things to say about celebrity, art, loneliness, and the lives of the not-quite-super rich, and has several good monologues, but it never fully comes together, in my opinion. All that being said, this production is well worth hearing, both for Guare's thoughts and Kurtz's excellent vocal work.

Funny and brilliant.

I loved every moment of it. From beginning to end, the writing was amazing.

Magnificent! I loved the actress who played Ouisa

I loved the actress who played Ouisa and Laul was absolutely amazing too. I much prefer this Paul to the one in the movie. I imagine him with dreadlocks. The play itself is very profpund and perfectly written.

Compelling Satire

Even though the Upper Eastside dialogue seemed a bit too writerly to be real, I found this to be a compelling story once the charming imposter entered the picture. Lots of twists and turns and a long, philosophical monologues on art, the imagination and Catcher In the Rye that may or may not be your thing.

Thought provoking & funny theatre, makes you think

This play is one which will make you chuckle out loud at times as the story unfolds, and will leave you thinking. It's an exploration of society, friendship, trust and honesty which will stay with you long after the end of the performance. The performances are solid, nuanced, and the play loses nothing in its transfer to an audiobook. Go ahead, immerse yourself in this drama about modern life, art, film and friendships.

Six Degrees of Genius

Would you listen to Six Degrees of Separation again? Why?

I have listened to this performance a dozen times already. It is WONDERFUL and alive.

Who was your favorite character and why?

None of the characters are particularly endearing but Swoozie Kurtz breathes life into Ouisa Kitteridge.

Any additional comments?

It is beautifully done and although it seems to race at time it is the complete play done completely with love.