‘Good People’ Is A Sharp Comedy With Surprising Depth
A sharp and deeply human comedy about class, friendship, and the choices we make to get by, Good People finds plenty of humor in difficult circumstances while gradually revealing the emotional weight beneath the surface.
When I first came across this play, I began thinking – I have traveled quite a bit in my life, but my East Coast knowledge is fairly limited. I have been to Massachusetts a few times to tour colleges and attend a wedding, and my initial impression was that it was all tree farms and craft beer in some parts and old buildings in others. But when I hear someone say Southie, my immediate reference is Good Will Hunting. Thanks to those two young men, who would go on to have great careers, we all now know a little bit more about South Boston culture than we otherwise would have.
Good People centers around Margaret (aka “Margie”), a native Southie who has just lost her job for being late again and is trying to make ends meet. She lives in an apartment with her daughter, Joyce, and rent is almost due. Her landlady, Dottie, who is also her unreliable babysitter, tells Margie that if her own son continues to have money troubles, she’ll have to ask Margie to move out. But Margie is determined to find a new job, even though there are no prospects in town. When her friend Jean mentions that she ran into Margie’s old boyfriend and former Southie resident Mike Dillon – who is now a doctor – she suggests that Margie approach him and see if he might be able to give her work.
Written by David Lindsay-Abaire and directed by Lauren Berman, this is a rich and layered show that is both incredibly funny and surprisingly poignant. The script is punchy and hilarious, with quick humor and excellent comedic timing by the cast. You’ll find yourself laughing a lot.
At the same time, the show slowly lays out how someone can get stuck exactly where they have always been, one paycheck away from being on the street. How you have to decide between food for your child and dental care for yourself, and how it takes a little bit of luck – and someone looking out for you – to make a better financial life for yourself. It is hugely resonant with a slow burn of understanding for these specific lives.
The cast is fantastic, with each performer having at least one standout moment, but it is Jodi Kingsley’s Margie who grounds the show. Ms. Kingsley embodies Margie, who is not always likable, as a sarcastic, quick-witted, passive-aggressive woman who also shows immense vulnerability in every moment where she is challenged. She is intellectually uneducated, but able to fend for herself and her daughter, making the choices she sees as best with the very little that she has been given. It’s a beautifully multifaceted performance.
The sets are fantastic, starting with a large, rusty blue shipping container that opens on both sides to reveal additional rooms. There is a kitchen, complete with 80s wood paneling and crayon drawings on the walls, an upper-middle-class dining room with a fancy display of art pieces and vases on the shelves, a doctor’s office, a bingo hall, and an alley.
The Southie part of this show hangs heavily as well, reflected in the costumes, Dottie’s crafts, and the thick Boston accents. Mike, who has moved out of the neighborhood and is now a successful family man, has lost his accent – for the most part. When he is angry or frustrated, the facade drops and the aggressive Southie kid, complete with accent, comes through. It’s a great touch, reminding you that you can’t hide who you really are, no matter how hard you might try.
Good People is an emotionally vibrant play that cleverly pulls at your heartstrings between laughs. The talented cast is delightful, and the story is captivating, all supported by nice lighting choices, costumes, and sets. Definitely make the time to see it – you’ll be glad you did!
Good People runs for approximately 2 hours with one 15-minute intermission. This show is recommended for ages 13+.
4 Chairs Theatre: Good People Chicago Review – Good People is playing at Theatre Wit through 8/23/26. Tickets can be purchased on the 4 Chairs Theatre website. Theatre Wit is located at 1229 W. Belmont in Chicago.