The Old Neighborhood

In these three former one-acts, David Mamet gets autobiographical, and the result is some of his most deeply felt writing — along with the usual surfeit of f--- yous. Peter Riegert gives a quietly effective performance as Mamet's returning-home alter ego, Bobby Gould, but it's the powerful Patti LuPone who walks off with the show. As Bobby's sister, she convincingly boils over with rage at their deceased parents. In the role of the ex-girlfriend in the elliptical third play, Rebecca Pidgeon has much less to work with, though LuPone's part shows that Mamet actually is capable of writing strong female characters. The Old Neighborhood shows that he can — and should — go home again. B+

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