As Stoppard fans know, the author is typically skillful with his use of language whether with an acerbic barb or clever character insight. However, here we find a group of actors parading their involvements and emotions as if on display rather than making us feel for them.

But it is amusing to watch the main performers in action—Ewan McGregor, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Cynthia Nixon and Josh Hamilton, as well as the featured Alex Breaux, Ronan Raftery and Madeline Weinstein.

The play deals with the delicate balance between love, infidelity and jealousy, with the progression of partners and the ties that bind. Director Sam Gold’s staging, with important assists from set designer David Finn, handily accents the different time frames. Charlotte (Nixon) and Henry (McGregor) have had a long relationship. But Henry has moved on to a relationship with Annie (Gyllenhaal). Henry is a writer, Annie is an actress, and there is some very funny dialogue as Henry castigates Annie for agreeing to be in a play by Billy, whom he thinks is a terrible writer. But Annie will not be deterred, and we already sense that she’ll find more to like about Billy than his writing.

It is especially gratifying to see Ewan McGregor in his Broadway debut. He has had plenty of stage experience in England, but I have known him primarily through his films. He is a superb actor and a very likable one. His portrayal of Henry touched me the most in this production.