‘Buried Child’ extends before opening; coming ‘Robber Bridegroom’

This critic went through three books of “Quotations” (unsuccessfully!) trying to find out who was responsible for saying “home is where they have to take you in.” Because, from the opening scene of the gripping, memory provoking revival of Sam Shepard’s “Buried Child” at the Pershing Square Signature Center, the playwright’s message is clear. For some, home is a mine-field, where any interchange between family members can erupt into a present day battle that inevitably includes confrontational exchanges involving past emotional wounds — or crises — or buried secrets.

When “Buried Child” opens, on Derek McLane’s perfect set of a modest, very worn “living room” replete with exits and entrances — Dodge — the man crumpled into a heap on the worn living room sofa (in a hauntingly superb performance by personal long-time favorite actor Ed Harris) is still master of his crumpled domain; and not about to let any member of his family escape that dad may not be the man he man he once was physically, but his emotional strong-hold is intact.

The physically failing geezer, trapped in his worn body, is drowning his fate — endlessly swigging cheap booze — but cannot escape the secrets from the family’s past that have long haunted every member of his kin. In the play’s opening scene, husband Dodge is conversing — make that bantering — with his unseen spouse Halle (perfectly cast Amy Madigan, who happens to be Harris’s “real-life wife,” from her domain upstairs. When she descends Halle appears to be dropped in from another household, attractive, well-dressed for her coming luncheon liaison with the town’s preacher (Larry Pine). And the banter between husband and wife — here concern fading to bitterness as long-time spouses encounters do — make Halle seem to have created a life of her own to escape a past that “Buried Child” proves inescapable.

The player who will break your heart is Paul Sparks Tilden, the couples haunted eldest son, who seems to have finally found consolation escaping his memories of the family’s past by gathering up the neighborhood’s crop of vegetables in the family living room; wrapping himself in corn husks and carrots.

What’s buried in his family’s own backyard is never mentioned. And among other strange events in “Buried Child” is the unavoidable question of why, when Tilden’s own son, young Vince (Nat Wolff) shows up after an absence of six years having driven cross-country with his girlfriend in tow; and soon finding himself wondering why none of his family admits to recognizing him! And soon, the burst-in arrival of another son — one-legged Bradley (a menacing Rich Sommer, an essay in palpable rage clutching an electric shaver, complete a family tree bound by unspeakable tragedy — with its scion emotionally destroyed by that truth, but with his booze as a crutch rallying to insist family — in the end — is what we dare — and who we are.

For this critic, if father Dodge and son Vince most visibly embody the pangs of tragedy, when one occurs, no member of a family — once grown — can escape its lingering presence in all that follows. You won’t soon erase the image of Ed Harris’s feisty, heartbroken Dodge — maybe never. With special kudos to artistic director Scott Elliot and Derek McLane’s perfect set for heartbreak, “Buried Child” will stay with you long after you leave Sam Shepherd’s haunting-as-ever play and the New Group’s spot on production. (Tickets at 212-239-6200 or thenewgroup.org.)

Theater kicks into high gear
The Bandits are back! Since the first notice that “The Robber Bridegroom” would be riding, riding back into a town at the Roundabout Theatre this critic has been anticipating the return of a long-ago favorite. With its country score and hilarious hijinks, this tale of a handsome, handsome robber/outlaw pursued by equally adventurous, dastard kindred is remembered as a rollicking delight! Tickets right now at (212) 279-1300. Steven Pasquale as a Robin Hood destined for … Find out at the Laura Pels Theatre (111W. 46th Street)

“Women Without Men” marks the Mint Theater’s relocation to a new venue at City center Stage II on 55th St. But you can expect the vintage Mint to serve up theater with an Irish Whisky flavor at this tale of mayhem in an all-girl’s boarding school — coming direct from Dublin’s Gate Theater. Tickets now at (212) 581-1212 or minnttheater.org.

Breaking News: The extension of the just opened “Buried Child” has just been announced “Due to Demand.” Tickets are now available through April 3. Make your date with the Pershing Square Signature Center (480 W. 42nd St. post-haste!

Finally, looking ahead — book tickets now for another sure to be CSC winner. Performances begin March 23 for “Nathan the Wise,” a tale of Jewish rebellion set in 1192, starring F. Murray Abraham and Kinky Boots heart-throb Stark Sands. Ancient history brought to life by very up-to date Broadway stars! Ensure your time-trip now with tickets at (212) 252-3101 or (866) 811-4111.