The Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s production of The Lehman Trilogy is nothing short of epic. Spanning several generations, multiple world-altering events, and three acts, the Tony-winning masterpiece tells the story of the trio of brothers, Bavarian Jewish immigrants who longed to make the American Dream come true, Henry Lehman (David Studwell), Emanuel Lehman (Noah Keyishian), and Mayer Lehman (Jeremy Rishe), and the rise and fall of the empire they so tirelessly built.
The play, directed by Peter Flynn, written by Stefano Massini, and adapted by Ben Power, is based on the real Lehman family, but if you’re worried about a long-winded history lesson, have no fear—it feels more like a tightly-crafted, prestige TV series, with two ten-minute intermissions serving as breaks between fast-paced episodes that will have you on the edge of your seat throughout.
As I entered the theater, I was reminded by Maltz employees of the longer runtime (around three-and-a-half hours, including intermissions), but I can truly say that the play flew by! You’ll be enthralled by this family’s journey from start to finish.
While the cast is relatively small, their performances are all fantastic, made even more impressive by the fact that the three actors play almost 50 characters (including the founding brothers, as well as their descendants, business partners, spouses, and more), taking the audience on a journey lasting 164 years. The story begins in 1844, when oldest brother Henry (Studwell) migrates to America and opens a retail fabric store in Montgomery, Alabama. He’s soon joined by his brothers Emanuel (Keyishian) and Mayer (Rishe), and together, they create a thriving business. Eventually, in the wake of the Civil War, the firm expands to New York, and under the leadership of Philip Lehman, Emmanuel’s son, establishes a flourishing bank on Wall Street.
Over the decades, the Lehman dynasty navigates a variety of financial ups and downs, including the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and the ensuing Great Depression. The story culminates in the 2008 financial crisis, which alters the country’s economic infrastructure and ultimately collapses Lehman Brothers.
David Studwell, Noah Keyishian, and Jeremy Rishe all do an incredible job of telling the Lehman family’s story, and their performances highlight the differences among the three original brothers, yet also convey why they work so well together. A recurring, humorous expression that comes up throughout the play is that Henry is the “head” of the family, Emanuel is the “arm,” and Mayer is the “potato”—Henry is the ambitious, driven leader, Emanuel is the impetuous, intelligent middle brother, and Mayer is the levelheaded peacekeeper of the group.
Their dynamic grounds the show, and the actors seamlessly play off of each other. They are also able to transition into portraying different characters over the course of the story, from a Lehman Brothers work colleague to a young child in the family. They effortlessly shift their mannerisms and demeanor; although the actors’ costumes and overall appearances never change throughout the show, viewers get a clear sense of each role they play.
The entire crew also helps bring this sweeping saga to life. The Lehman family’s Judaism is an integral part of their story, although it wanes over the years as they attempt to assimilate into American society. They observe Jewish holidays like Sukkot and Hanukkah, and also partake in other traditions, such as hanging mezuzahs on their doors and sitting shiva for relatives who have passed away.
As the Hebrew Language Consultant, Avi Hoffman does a great job of training the actors, ensuring that the recitation of prayers and utterance of commonly used phrases is always authentic and skilled. The actors also take on a wide variety of accents throughout the play—one moment speaking in a Southern drawl, the next chatting like a New Yorker—which all feel realistic and natural, thanks to the help of Dialect Coach Jennifer Burke.
Costume Designer Siena Zoe Allen keeps things simple yet effective, with the actors always clad in 19th-century business suits, regardless of the time period or character. I enjoyed this costuming choice, because it really speaks to the enduring themes that The Lehman Trilogy covers, and how although the story travels through so many different eras, there are still aspects of it that feel timeless. Milagros Ponce de Leon’s set design also emulates this quality, as the conference room onstage never changes—the boardroom’s table and chairs stay the same no matter the scene.
