Excellent production from opening to ending scene. The cast is superb and the writing poignant. The show is laugh out loud funny with a deep, heartfelt twist of friendship.

Enjoyed the play, love the venue, but was not thrilled with Gary Cole's catatonic portrayal of Arthur. I kept wishing I was seeing Michael McKean. Edi Gathegi was great as Franco.

This play was wonderful. The acting writing and directing were great. The fight scene could have been tighter, but I highly recommend this show to everyone!!!
Wonderful!

Slow at times, but overall a funny and touching play. The Geffen is intimate and a beautiful venue for this.

Cast was very good; however the play was disjointed and needs a good rewrite.

Excellent play. Everything was "superior" - from the production, to the acting, to the lighting design to the venue. We really enjoyed this play.

Funny, witty writing. Strong actors and performances. A touching tale that hits on elements of race and ethnicity, class and geography, and politics and history. Not to mention, the everyday human struggles of loss and depression, optimism and hope, relationships and friendship, and second chances. A wonderfully moving tale that all takes place within a donut shop. Fantastic!

A generally enjoyable play - with a warmth that was totally lacking in August, Osage County. Very good acting and a wonderful stage set. The play is long - really 3 hours with intermission as opposed to the 2 hours shown in the program. Like others, I thought the fight scene - and its whole premise - was silly and should have been cut. But otherwise, an engaging and thought-provoking evening.

Well cast, well written, well acted, well done.

Well acted and staged. Engaging themes.

Left at intermission.

Excellent play. Brilliant writing, great cast. Highly recommend it.

We loved Tracy Letts' August, Osage County," and "Superior Donuts" is just as engaging. Strong, believable performances by Gary Cole and Edi Gathagi in the main roles in a play that unfolds in unexpected ways. We know that Arthur (Cole) and Franco (Edi) are going to click on some level, but just how and why are at the crux of the play; the same is true of Arthur and Officer Randy Osteen (Mary Beth Fisher). Letts is adept at exploring the way unpredictable relationships can develop when we open our small minds and let the world speak to us. The denouement of the play is foreshadowed, but when it comes, it is a blow to the heart. The resolution is painful, but satisfying in its own way. Nothing will fix Franco's physical loss, but we leave with hope for the curative power of human connection.

Really enjoyed this play. Big fan of the author who also penned "August: Osage County." This one was not as gritty as that one, but I enjoyed it all the same. Loved Gary Cole in the lead. Would recommend it to anyone.

Gary Cole, lead actor, reliably excellent. Remaining cast complemented one another & resulted in quality entertainment.

The first act was dynamite, thanks to Edi Gathegi, who played the livewire Franco with heart and pizzazz. The second act fell flat for me, too many plot ends unresolved. If Officer Randy was a great date and possibly a major part of Arthur's future, why is she not on stage at the end? What about Arthur's daughter-- is he not even going to try to contact her? This is not as glomy as August:OC, but writer Tracy Letts seems to be afraid of happiness.

three-dimensional, well-written, well-acted characters that you really care about... even tho you probably wouldn't want to spend a lot of time around most of them - story has several well-wrought surprises, tho one major development is easily guessed way ahead of time - also, a major moment of physicality could use some work - doesn't really matter, though, 'cause the people & their interactions are what's important here -

First act held out a lot of promise, but the second suffered from a series of middling digressions. Some of the devices, like the single copy of the young writers book, and the tough Irish bookie, seemed to have been retrieved from a workbook of time tested devices. But well acted and diverting.

Tracy Lett's play, Superior Donuts, is a taut, compact play with exceptionally strong character development. The cast expertly brings each of his characters to life, creating a seamless ensemble performance. Definitely worth seeing.

Worth seeing.The fight scene was too long. Had difficulty hearing some of the words--we were seated in the mezzanine.

We thoroughly enjoyed this show. Each actor was outstanding. It was an excellent experience.

Good show. Some have said the script is thin. I didn't think so, but I think the director and actors failed to tap into it as well as they could have. The young man who drives the action in the play is especially good.

Great performance. I see a lot of plays. This and God of Carnage the two best of the year

Love Tracy Letts and loved all the actors in this production. So nice to see Ron Bottitta on stage again after his brilliant performance in The Sunset Limited.

Long and tedious in places. Two hours 15" is too long. The fight scene is ridiculous; but some of the humor is great. You are exhausted by the end.

I would not recommend this show to others.
Technical was nice: set, costumes, lighting, train and traffic sounds. Not so good was music with shrillness.
Some good dialogue at times.
Sterotypes galore, even when made fun of them.
Slow pacing usually.

Booked "Front Mezzanine" as those were the best seats offered. With only 5 rows in the Mezzanine, I thought that calling the 3rd row the "Front" was a little inaccurate. The seats were a great value for the ticket price. Even the "Back" mezzanine would have been pretty good seats.

Good Acting, the story line is a bit Depressing. Could have used some more laugh out loud humour.....Long awkward pauses to where all you could hear where people caughing in the audiance....the fight scene was very interesting ...strangly choreographed and a bit out of place but I liked it....I didn't qwite feel like the two main characters connected.......

SUPERIOR DONUTS was somewhat disappointing, given the brilliance of AUGUST, OSAGE COUNTY by one of America's best younger playwrights. While the dialogue was generally clever and ,at times, comedic, the characters relatively interesting, though familiar,
the story-line was very predictable, and, in the case of the climactic fight scene not credible in execution, and far too long for audience involvement or appreciation. The night I attended there was barely any applause for the end of it, which was, apparently, designed to garner plaudits with
the victor's hand being raised like a boxing victory in a ring.

The lead's solo speeches, and generally the interpretation of the role seemed too laconic for my taste. At bit more verbal energy, and eye-level playing front might have communicated more of Arthur's inner life and issues. Gary Cole, a fine actor playing Arthur, is perhaps miscast, in a role in which a character actor (Paul Giamatti seems more the type) seems to me more appropriate casting . The young African-American actor in the second lead was terrific, and the rest of the cast, especially the Russian store-owner/friend, were excellent, as were all the design elements, although the counter placement forced a lot of profile playing by the actors. Being from Chicago, I appreciated the "L" sounds of the elevated train, and the inside/outside scene design.

Glad I attended, but this is not a must-see play/production.

Not the usual humor. The fight sequence is tragically too long and not well choreographed. The play needs editing; almost 3 hours is much too long.

Well written, clever, excellent acting

Great cast somewhat burdened with an overwrought script and overly obvious directorial approach. Some very fine moments shine through and the audience seemed to enjoy it throughout.

Wonderful play about life from the perspective of people of several different ages (20's, 50's, 80's, as well as from different cultures and nationalities. Well-acted, funny, clever and overall very enjoyable. As usual, great price and seats from Goldstar. (mezzanine, row s, dead center). The geffen is not a big theater, so all seats are good.

I liked it; I thought the pacing was a bit slow and the fight scene over-done; the acting was very good and the young man outstanding.

The acting and writing were superb. Very funny and very touching. A real look at the human condition and how disparate people can come together to create friendships and "families."

A far cry from Bug and August Osage County but in many aspects I liked this even more. Not as hard hitting as the prior two but a thoroughly enjoyable show. The performances and most of the production elements were excellent.

Writing and cast were terrific. Could have used fewer "El" sounds, they were effective -- up to a point. Also found that the fight scene could have been shorter.

I had no idea what this play was going to be about. At first, I thought it was a one man show: Tracy Letts delivering monologues about his life. Then I was under the impression that it was going to be a 2 man show with Tracy Letts and Gary Cole. And then, I picked up the playbill.....I know, I have know idea how I came up with those.
I loved this play. I liked and cared about the characters so much I didn't want the play to end and I don't think I've ever experienced that kind feeling about a play... And I was sitting in the friggin' mezzanine. That's how amazing the cast was.

Very involving and touching performance. Casting was wonderful.

The energy of the cast was great and the relationships between the characters was memorable.

Enjoyed "Superior Donuts" excellent play with touching performances and story. The Geffen Playhouse is a lovely theater.

this is a small theater, so it seems all the seats have a pretty good view. We sat on the far left of the theater and the view was not compromised. I loved the play.

Excelllent performances and dialogue. A very funny and poignant script delivered perfectly by the actors. First time at the Geffen Play house and this was a great introduction to the theater.

I really enjoyed this play. Edi Gathegi was GREAT as Franco. Gary Cole was good, but I thought he delivered some of his monologues a tad slow. Still, this was another smart, entertaining play by playwright Tracy Letts. We were in the "front" mezzanine (third row), but it didn't matter because the entire mezzanine is only about 5 rows. The theater is very small and intimate, so you can see and hear everything regardless of where you sit. It was a great venue! For those of you familiar with the Pasadena Playhouse, the Geffen is similar.

Good seats. Theater has great sight lines.

The play is weak. Good performances but story has little surprises and is not told particularly well. There is a drawn out fiight scene that is a tad embarrassing and rather amateurish. The playwright has cashed in a great deal of his good will of his Pulitzer.

Moving and funny. Great performances by the actors.

So well acted! Makes you think. There's always a brighter tomorrow.

Great play, great actors, great writing.

Excellent writing, spirited delivery, well cast, inspired set decor, well-paced. A very entertaining evening of theater.

Solid writing, good acting, but not moving. I want to be moved or at least say it was a brave play that did not work. Best I can say is it's not bad or boring, but not great. Only problem is fight scene which went on too long and looked too fake from where I sat.

Awesome 1st act...a little slower and more dramatic in the second. Edi Gathegi was terrific in the 1st half...really made the play! The cast were all very good as well.

Tracy Lett is an excellent writer. The stories that come out on stage have meaning to everyone in the audience. Superior Donuts had the audience laughing, cheering, and thinking about issues that are still happening on a daily basis. The Geffen is a great place to see live theater.

Amazing performance by the cast and the story would touch anyone's heart.

Really good show. A bit long at 2.5 hours, but Gary Cole was great. If you are from Chi-Town, this is a nice tribute to your town.

Great story, acting, and set design. Regardless if you frequent stage productions or not, there is something for everyone in this play. It's been a while since I've seen an inspiring production. I love theatre again.

Great first act, second act not as good. Fight scene went on too long! Lovely theater, good location

This was my first time at the Geffen and I had such a great experience. First off, the theater is beautiful and parking is cheap and convenient. I loved the show as well. Gary Cole and Edi Gathegi grabbed you and never let go, mixing hysterical humor and really touching moments. The only "complaint" I would have is that the fight scene goes on a little long but that's a small criticism for a show that really hit home with me.

A touching, beautiful show.

It is a play that could be better with a little work. We enjoyed it, but did not enjoy the fight scene, or the lack of energy from Gary Cole. The young man was fantastic!!

A story full of caring and sadness. Not of Osage County quality, but good enough to satisfy nonetheless. The staging, acting, & pacing were all sharp, and the young actor Edi Gathegi was particularly compelling. I can still feel his energy!

great cast, direction, set and a very good script. A very satisfying evening of theater. Go!

I loved this play. Everyone on stage was wonderful, but I particularly enjoyed the fantastic interplay between Arthur and Franco. Great dialogue, and great performances: Gary Cole certainly lived up to my high expectations (I've been a fan since his Midnight Caller days!) and Edi Gathegi was a revelation. I have to admit I thought the play itself faltered a little during one very physical scene, and I preferred the start and middle to the end, but overall a _great_ evening!

A nice evening's entertainment, though certainly not a gournd-breaking play. The ultimate outcome is predictable from about 15 minutes into the play. The character who drives the action is very likeable, but, alas, impausible in the given setting. Good performances.

Top notch. We agree with the L.A. Times review.

It was very good, I will recommend it, thanks

Superb performance by the cast, especially Edi Gathegi and Gary Cole. One of the best plays we've seen at the Geffen this past year.

This is a tour de force for all of the actors involved in this production including Gary Cole and Edi Gathegi. Wow, such wonderful performances. I'm a big fan of Tracy Letts work and I have to say I enjoyed this one more than August: Osage County.

Pace was slow. Fight scene was terrible. At least get your fist close to someone when you are pretending to hit them.

We went in with NO EXPECTATIONS and were pleased we did so. It was a great preformance. The storyline and themes were powerful. There were two scenes that were a little slow for overall excellant performance.

I liked the play and performances by all, I quess I would have like to see Superior stay in buiness and succeed, but that was my only complaint. I would recommend it to anyone.

James

This production is tightly played, well directed, superbly acted, and the play itself is very well written. I was cranky from a long day as was my b/f and we were both tearing up from laughter within ten minutes. It is poignant, timely, and smart. The dialects are sharp, the staging is fluid, and the set design is both welcoming and evocative of the neighborhood and city in which the story takes place. I see a lot of theatre, and am thinking of seeing it again!

The cast is tremendous. I highly recommend this production!

This is a really good play and the audience was really into it, making it a great experience. The actor playing Franco was terrific - his energy jumped off the stage. At the end he was very affecting. Arthur was not so believable -- he didn't seem to look or act his age, and his motivation and the fight seemed to come out of nowhere. The Russians were a hoot.

This was just what my friend and I needed after too much boring-solid professional theatre and passionate-but-messy fringe work: a really smart play, with really lovely acting, with laughs and charm and just enough meaning to feel moved.
Gary Cole does a fine job, working with simplicity and care and confidence. Edi Gathegi is filled with oodles of charm and skill and talent. The rest of the cast is just right.
This is easily the best all-around production I've ever seen at the Geffen, which has to be the most hit-and-miss big name theatre in LA, between shaky new-ish scripts (the awful Robert Schenkkan play By The Waters of Babylon...poor Shannon Cochran, such a talent) and a neverending parade of TV-level actors...this is NOT what Steppenwolf was all about, no matter how much they claim it as their inspiration and even employ some of the same staff.
Come on Geffen...liven things up with smarter casting and sharper scripts. And if you have to, just pluck them right from their Broadway runs, like this smart production of Superior Donuts.

I had a very pleasant evening. The highlight of the show was the lead performance by Gary Cole, who got a standing ovation at the final curtain call.

Wonderfully performed, well written and directed. Emotional payoff was good.

This is one of the best plays I've attended in the last year. It was very well acted, made me laugh (great lines), made me sad, made me think. Time flew by. Loved every moment.

I really enjoyed the show! Great performances and great script! The cultural references in the play made this native Chicagoan nostalgic for her youth.

Superior Donuts was one great play; I loved it. All the actors on the stage were superb and it was an evening I will not forget. I want to see this play again.

Ensemble acting at its finest! Great writing and direction. Really happy to see a Geffen play that we had no inclination to walk out on as we have on past plays there.

First Rate. All aspects of the production were excellent. The play has been referred in the press as a "lighter" play (as compared to "August: Osage County") and as a comedy, and although there are certainly lots of laughs, I perceived this play as more of a drama, and a bittersweet one. As in AOC, the characters are highly ideosyncratic and somewhat disfunctional, lone anti-social individuals who consciously cut ties to friends and family. Superior Donuts offers hope for recovery, but still leaves the audience with a gentle sadness at opportunity lost.

Fabulous!! Great cast. Even better writing!! Geffen venue was perfect for this type of play. Loved every second!

Best thing I've seen at the Geffen, out of about 5 plays in the past few years! Excellent production of a pretty good play by the prolific Tracy Letts. Loved all the actors, the direction, set, lighting, and sound. Bravo!

A must-see for all fans of Tracy Letts, and an entertaining and nicely staged production for theatre lovers in general. Excellent performances all around, Edi Gathegi particularly outstanding. Don't expect "August: Osage County" and you won't be disappointed.

Good play but August Osage County was better.

It was a funny play but I did not care for the plot.

The story was interesting but the acting was not stellar. The show picked-up at the appearance of Franco - I thought he carried the show. It was a nice mix of drama and comedy but it was slow to develop. I didn't get into the story until the middle of the first act. I also became more interested in Arthur's soliloquy -- the story of his past was interesting probably more so than what was happening then. The set design was simple but it did a good job using lights and sound to show the passing of time and transitioning to the next scene.

I thoroughly enjoyed the play. I would recommend it to all my friends.

This was a wonderful play - serious and funny. The set was spectacular. It was like another character in the play. They way they moved from scene to scene witht the sound and light effects of an elevated train above the doughnut shop was a great touch. The two main leads added a great deal to the script by their acting.

Thoroughly accessible and entertaining. First act arguably stronger than second, and some may view denouement as a disappointment. Second male lead steals the show!

Good cast and play.

It was just OK. The performances were great, but the story promised something and went nowhere. Arthur's character was shallow and his words did not match up with his willingness to go hand to hand in an all out fight. I guess I am old fashioned. I was hoping for all or some the futurecasts to develop and for the shop to out star Starbucks complete with live poetry readings. Arthur's is a loser and he gave up. Not inspiring to us dreamers of a better life.
R. Ellman

Great play...amazing cast with a standout performance by Edi Gathegi who, in my opinion, makes the show! I think there was extraneous stuff and the writing could be tightened up a bit but all in all, a wonderful night at the theatre....Shorten by 10-15 minutes and it's perfect!

Overall this was an enjoyable and an interesting play. However, it was too long, running about 2 hours and 40 minutes. The performances were top rate and the storyline held my interest. The audience gave the cast a standing ovation.

A thoroughly enjoyable evening at the wonderful Geffen Theater. Superior Doughnuts was funny, well-acted and touching.

***Just a thoroughly enjoyable experience*** The acting, the writing, the lighting...all of it was superior.

The physicality of Edi Gathegi was enchanting. The overall character of Gary Cole was well crafted - I'm from Chicago. Letts has a strong ability to draft believable characters who very different from each other.

Some minor elements took me out of it just a little. I felt the fight scene was great in places, but the sound effects were too heavy handed at points, and of course the choreography is difficult to get just right - but they did an okay job at it. IF the fight could be tightened up, that would make things even better. Also, I didn't feel Arthur's character needed to be SO CLEAR that he was talking to himself in the very beginning when he almost differentiated voices while asking himself questions.

Other than those two minor things everything felt warm, worn, and welcome, like Chicago. The worn walls and sides of the refrigerator made me feel at home. Things are intimate, even the tragedies, in Chicago.

the story line lost it's way half way through, really too bad. I could not recommend this play.