Two New York Plays Explore Marital Suspicion and Grief

Two current New York theatre productions, "Well, I'll Let You Go" at Studio Seaview and Bedlam's "Othello" at West End Theatre, both delve into themes of marital suspicion and grief. "Well, I'll Let You Go," written by actor Bubba Weiler, follows retired schoolteacher Maggie (Quincy Tyler Bernstine) as she navigates the aftermath of her husband Marv's death in a community college shooting. The play, which had a Brooklyn run last year, features a narrator (Matthew Maher) who fills in the gaps of Maggie's blanked-out inner life. Guests arrive one by one, each holding a clue about Marv's death, transforming the quiet drama into a true-crime story. Standout performances include Will Dagger as the needy cousin and Constance Shulman as the bossy funeral director. The play culminates in a revelation about the nature of long marriage and self-knowledge. Meanwhile, Bedlam's "Othello" features artistic director Eric Tucker as Iago, playing him as a disarming broheim rather than an obvious creep. The production uses only four actors in a minimalist setting, with Susannah Hoffman playing Desdemona, Brabantio, and Cassio; Susannah Millonzi as Roderigo and Emilia; and Ryan Quinn as Othello and Bianca. The staging highlights Iago's manipulation and Othello's insecurities, including racialized self-loathing. Both plays explore how well partners know each other and the triggers that can unravel relationships.