Girl, Interrupted review The stage adaptation of Susanna Kaysen’s ‘Girl, Interrupted,’ featuring songs by Aimee Mann, is a showcase for Mann’s compositions but is less successful as a conduit for Kaysen’s arguments. While the play offers insight into the inner lives of troubled young women, the direction’s restraint keeps the deeper meaning at a distance. The performances, particularly from Juliana Canfield and King Princess, are notable, but the production lilts through its world rather than diving into it.

• The stage adaptation of ‘Girl, Interrupted’ at the Public Theater features songs by Aimee Mann, inspired by Susanna Kaysen’s memoir.
• The play is described as a “play with music” rather than a traditional musical, with songs offering insight into characters’ inner lives.
• Key characters include Susanna, Lisa, Grace, Daisy, and Polly, each with different mental health struggles.
• The stage version tones down the cinematic overstatement of the film adaptation, focusing on a more grounded portrayal.
• Aimee Mann’s songs, like “Burn It Out” and “Robert Lowell and Sylvia Plath,” are highlighted for their poetic insight into characters’ minds.
• Director Jo Bonney’s staging is noted for its restraint, which, while elegant, may lessen the impact of Kaysen’s conclusions.
• Juliana Canfield’s portrayal of Susanna is praised for its quiet intelligence, while King Princess offers a shrewd underplaying of Lisa.
• The reviewer suggests the production leans more towards “music with a play attached” due to the strength of Mann’s songs.