In ‘American Classic,’ Kevin Kline and Laura Linney deliver a love letter to theater

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The charming and humorous new series, “American Classic,” starts streaming Sunday on MGM+. It’s a heartfelt tribute to the world of theater and the people who create local productions. Kevin Kline stars as Richard Bean, a self-absorbed actor preparing to perform “King Lear” on Broadway. Though famous, he struggles with the performance, needing encouragement to go on stage and often forgetting his lines. After a drunken confrontation with a critical New York Times reviewer – which is captured on video – he’s temporarily removed from the play. His agent (Tony Shalhoub) suggests he leave town to avoid further publicity, like characters used to do in old gangster films.

When Richard learns his mother, a famous actress named Jane Alexander, has passed away, he returns to his childhood home in Pennsylvania. His family, a theatrical dynasty similar to the Barrymores, once owned a renowned theater, but now, due to financial struggles, it’s been reduced to hosting low-budget dinner shows like “Nunsense” and “Forever Plaid” – a far cry from the serious plays Richard grew up with.

I’m really invested in this family drama! It centers around Richard, and his connections are so complex. His brother, Jon, runs the theater kitchen and is married to Kristen, who used to act with Richard and even dated him before she became mayor. Their daughter, Miranda, is a budding actress – a bit like her mom was – and dreams of going to New York, but she’s scared to share her ambitions with her parents. And it’s heartbreaking to see Richard’s dad, Linus, battling dementia, though he still tries to participate in everything and is wonderfully, openly gay. It’s a lot to keep track of, but so compelling!

Throughout the eight episodes, the show shifts from absurd humor to genuinely moving moments. Richard’s outlandish plan to lower his mother’s coffin from the ceiling during her funeral—complete with dramatic music and smoke—thankfully doesn’t happen. However, he does announce he’ll direct a production of Thornton Wilder’s play “Our Town” to try and bring the community together. He envisions a highly realistic version, ignoring the play’s simple staging requests and instead adding features like a working soda fountain, rain effects, and even a horse. But things don’t go as planned. As you might expect, the play’s title reflects the production itself, which will be performed by a cast of inexperienced actors and local townspeople playing the roles of everyday people in Grover’s Corners.

The show feels cozy and familiar, like something you might have seen in a 1990s movie, and Kevin Kline could realistically have played the lead at any age. It shares a similar lightheartedness with his film “Dave,” where he played an average guy who temporarily replaced the president. The town appears to be a cheerful, typical small town, but beneath the surface, it’s facing financial difficulties. The mayor is secretly working with a developer, Connor Boyle, who wants to build a casino where a beloved hotel currently stands. Money is a central theme, driving much of the plot through characters needing, exchanging, and losing it. Connor also wants his glamorous Russian girlfriend, Nadia, to be involved in a local play.

The new series, much like the Canadian comedy “Slings & Arrows,” cleverly mirrors the play within the show in the lives of the actors. This creates a fascinating experience for viewers, watching skilled performers portray characters who are themselves acting. Kevin Kline, a well-respected actor with a diverse career, gets to showcase his talent with famous speeches from “Hamlet” and “Henry V” – roles he’s previously performed on stage. He brings a gentle side to his character, Richard. Meanwhile, Laura Linney, known for her dramatic role in “Ozark,” enjoys playing a lighter character, though she still carries some tension. And Mary Tenney, who often played sweet and funny roles in “The Closer,” is even more charming here, and even gets to sing. In fact, everyone in the group will sing, except for Linus.

This comedy is fairly predictable – you can generally guess how things will turn out, and some plot points feel inevitable – but that’s part of its charm. It delivers exactly what you expect, offering satisfying moments and lines you might not come up with yourself. “American Classic” isn’t trying to change your mind or offer new perspectives; it simply aims to validate your existing feelings and even make them stronger. While it includes some surprising twists, the story ultimately provides a comforting sense of release when anticipated events unfold, whether they’re funny or moving. Both reactions are perfectly welcome.

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2026-03-02 10:04