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 The 70-minute work by British playwright Nick Payne, which
was first staged at the Royal Court Theatre in London in 2012,
opened on Tuesday night with the New York Times hailing it as
possibly the "most sophisticated date play Broadway has seen."
Like the musical "If/Then," starring Tony winner Idina Menzel,
"Constellations" explores the varied ways love can evolve,
chance decisions and different paths lives take.
The Hollywood Reporter described it as "a hypnotic reflection on
life, love and mortality, viewed via quantum multiverse theory."
Gyllenhaal, 34, a best Oscar nominee for "Brokeback Mountain"
who is riding high after his star turn as a driven journalist in
the critically acclaimed film "Nightcrawler," is Roland, a
sensible, grounded beekeeper.
After meeting at a rainy barbecue he falls for a quirky quantum
physicist played by Wilson, 33, a Golden Globe winner for her
role as an adulteress in the Showtime TV series "The Affair."
Their initial, awkward meeting and relationship is played out in
numerous, alternating scenarios on a stark, black stage with
clusters of white balloons hanging overhead. Flashes of light
and dark signify each change, or different path their lives can
take.
"Gyllenhaal is subtly wonderful as the earthy, calm Roland,
though in some variations he reveals petulance and frustration,"
said The New York Post newspaper.
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The New York Times described his performance as a "magnificent work
of understatement," while the Hollywood Reporter found him entirely
natural in the role and his English accent flawless.
The trade journal Variety praised his leading man good looks and
chameleon character-acting skills.
"Here he gets to play someone whose character changes from minute to
minute, and he’s pretty amazing," it added about the actor, whose
sister Maggie Gyllenhaal, made her debut on Broadway In "The Real
Thing" in October.
Critics were equally enthused with Wilson's performance.
USA Today found her a "vital presence, veering from loose-limbed
goofiness to earthy sensuality" and the New York Post praised her
agility and comedic flare.
"Together, they have something elusive: combustible chemistry," said
The New York Daily News.
(Editing by Jill Serjeant and Tom Brown)
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