Lois Smith in 'The Old Friends' Off Broadway.

I had the pleasure of seeing Lois Smith (Zoe Cannell, "Somerset", Eleanor Conrad, "The Doctors") last night in the opening preview of this Horton Foote play which began at the Signature Theatre (42nd & 10th Ave.). She plays the downtroden matriarch of a Texas family, living with her selfish and wealthy daughter and involved in the romantic and sexual intrigues of the people in their social circle, which includes Betty Buckley as a fabulously drunken matron. For those who have recently seen the other Horton Foote play represented on Broadway ("A Trip to Bountiful", which ironically Ms. Smith appeared in several years back), I highly recommend it for its exposition of the downfall of a wealthy white family as the world changes.

I didn't get to see Ms. Smith in those two soap roles I mention above, but recall her delightful presence from character roles on "Another World", "The Edge of Night", "All My Children" and "One Life to Live" (as Dorian's money-grubbing aunt!). But to see her live on stage is a dream come true as she is a true living stage legend who is now starting to get her due after years in the business.