In the Wake ***

Lisa Kron's latest play, now at The Public Theater, in a production directed by Leigh Silverman, chronicles the travails, both public and private, of an East Village activist and her circle during the Bush (W.) years. Ellen, the right-thinking (i.e. left-thinking), annoying yet appealing heroine is played by Marin Ireland. Although I enjoyed her immensely in "Reasons To Be Pretty," I thought she was too perky and manic here. Most of the other characters are vividly portrayed, in particular Deirdre O'Connell's Judy, a visiting international aid worker who challenges Ellen's view of life. The Thanksgiving 2000 dinner that opens the play gets things off to a very good start, but things bog down a bit, particularly in the second act. At 2 1/2 hours, it could have been trimmed a bit. Nevertheless, it makes for a mostly lively evening.