Seven actors perform on a detailed stage set resembling an old, grand Southern home with a large staircase. A shirtless man stands at the center near a worn yellow couch, surrounded by others in casual clothes. Two women lean on the staircase railing, one partway down the stairs and another higher up. Three more actors stand scattered around, watching tensely. The scene is cluttered with vintage furniture and boxes, evoking a sense of family conflict and decay.

A Riveting Start to the Season: The Old Globe’s Appropriate Captivates with Power and Grace

Home - Musicals and Plays Reviews - A Riveting Start to the Season: The Old Globe’s Appropriate Captivates with Power and Grace

Star Ratings

• Acting: ★★★★★

• Staging: ★★★★★

• Scenic Design: ★★★★★

• Lighting: ★★★★★

• Hair and Makeup: ★★★★☆

The Old Globe’s production of Appropriate, directed by Steve H. Brodnax III, launches the theater’s new season with an emotionally charged family drama. Written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, this play examines themes of forgiveness, accountability, and the unresolved traumas of their family history. With a stellar cast, incredible staging, and a thoughtful exploration of its weighty themes, Appropriate delivers a powerful theater experience that leaves audiences deeply moved.

Three actors perform a scene onstage in a cluttered, old-fashioned living room set. A man in a dress shirt and slacks (left) and a woman in a pink shirt and jeans (right) stand around a seated man wearing a casual shirt, shorts, and sandals, who looks intently at a large book or album. Around them are scattered boxes, a trash bag, an old bicycle, and vintage furniture, suggesting they are sorting through belongings.
(from left) Steve Kazee as Bo, Daniel Petzold as Franz, and Maggie Lacey as Toni in Appropriate, 2025. Photo by Jim Cox.

From the moment the lights dim, the audience is immersed in a tense and uneasy atmosphere. The sound of cicadas fills the theater, a constant, swarming hum that seeps into your consciousness and amplifies the tension. The chorus of cicadas underscores the oppressive setting of the family’s crumbling plantation home. Much like the cicadas—emerging from the ground every 15 years in a burst of life—this story is about long-buried truths rising to the surface, creating a boiling point for the fractured family at its center. 

The play begins with Franz (Daniel Petzold) and River (Brynn Tucker) arriving at the family estate, setting the tone for the story’s themes of accountability and forgiveness. Their quiet yet emotionally charged interaction establishes the groundwork for the chaos to come. Though the opening feels deliberately paced, the tension is palpable, and once the full ensemble is on stage, the drama unfolds with relentless intensity.

Every performance in this production is exceptional, with the cast working as a seamless ensemble to bring the complexities of these characters to life. Maggie Lacey as Toni is mesmerizing. Her portrayal of the eldest sibling, grappling with loss, responsibility, and buried anger, is nothing short of transformative. Lacey captures the fragility and strength of a woman who has carried the weight of her family for too long.

Daniel Petzold’s Franz is another standout, embodying the struggle of a man seeking redemption while confronting his family’s judgment. Brynn Tucker as River brings emotional depth to the play’s exploration of forgiveness and accountability, making her presence an integral part of the story’s progression. Steve Casey’s Beau, the middle sibling, anchors much of the sibling conflict, with Sarah Stiles delivering a sharp and compelling performance as his wife, Rachel.

Daniel Dale and Maggie Lacey sit side by side on a worn couch in a cozy, vintage living room setting. Dale, wearing a Kanye West T-shirt and looking serious, faces Lacey, who smiles warmly while wrapped in a red-and-white quilt. A vintage lamp and wooden side table complete the intimate, emotional scene from Appropriate (2025).
Daniel Dale as Rhys and Maggie Lacey as Toni in Appropriate, 2025. Photo by Jim Cox.

Daniel Dale as Rhys, Beau’s son, brings a surprising layer of humor and authenticity to the production. While his role is smaller, his interactions—especially in a pivotal comedic moment toward the end—bring levity to an otherwise emotionally heavy narrative. Reese’s presence also highlights generational divides within the family, offering a glimpse of youthful hope amidst the tension.

The production design elevates every element of the show. Arnel Sancianco’s scenic design is stunning, with the crumbling plantation home serving as both a literal and metaphorical representation of the family’s legacy. The two-level set is brilliantly utilized, creating dynamic visuals that heighten the drama. Alan C. Edwards’ lighting design enhances the mood, with naturalistic lighting transitions—from dim moonlight to harsh daylight—mirroring the characters’ emotional states. The sound design, led by the omnipresent cicadas, further immerses the audience, making the tension almost visceral.

Despite its heavy themes, Appropriate skillfully balances moments of humor and humanity, ensuring the audience remains engaged. The pacing, while slow at first, builds to an explosive crescendo as the family’s buried secrets come to light. This is not just a family drama—it’s a reflection of America’s own struggles with history, accountability, and the fragility of human connections.

Appropriate is a theatrical triumph that leaves you thinking long after the curtain falls. Tickets are selling quickly, and for good reason: this is a must-see production that challenges, provokes, and inspires.

What is ‘Appropriate’ about at The Old Globe?

‘Appropriate’ is a family drama exploring themes of forgiveness, accountability, and buried family trauma, set in a crumbling plantation home.

Who directed ‘Appropriate’ at The Old Globe?

Steve H. Brodnax III directed the production of ‘Appropriate’ at The Old Globe.

Who are some standout performers in ‘Appropriate’?

Maggie Lacey as Toni and Daniel Petzold as Franz are standout performers, delivering emotionally powerful and nuanced performances.

What makes the staging of ‘Appropriate’ unique?

The staging features a detailed two-level set of a decaying plantation home, immersive sound design with cicadas, and naturalistic lighting that mirrors the characters’ emotional states.

Is ‘Appropriate’ recommended to see?

‘Appropriate’ at The Old Globe is highly recommended, praised as a theatrical triumph that challenges, provokes, and inspires audiences.

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