The Mint Theater Company’s mission to revive lost plays that still hold relevance to our time is being fulfilled by its revival of George Kelly’s The Fatal Weakness. In a country and culture where the divorce rate is over 50% and many Millennials are putting marriage off until later, Kelly’s wry exploration of marriage and fidelity feels as if it could’ve been written today by an admirer (and imitator) of the well-made play that was popular in the 1930s/1940s.

The Fatal Weakness was Kelly’s final play to premiere on Broadway when it opened in 1946. It tells the story of sentimental housewife Mrs. Ollie Epenshade (Kristin Griffith), who receives an anonymous letter informing her that her husband is cheating on her. While at first she tries to deny it, she confirms his infidelity upon deeper digging, and must decide whether to confront him or not. A subplot involves her daughter Penny’s rocky marriage to a man who knows more about his in-laws than he lets on.

What is auspiciously a comedy of manners gradually evolves into an intelligent and mature work that holds many bleak ideas and observations. For example, one character suggests that people can outgrow each other and that two people can spend too much time together. Ollie, however, is a sunray of optimism who fervently believes against all hope that two people can be happy until death, even under the least ideal circumstances.

While the play was praised in its original run by the New York Sun for its “keen understanding of character”, it also jarred some critics who couldn’t reconcile the comedic elements with the more serious themes Kelly was discussing. While the play may feel imbalanced to some, director Jesse Marchese and his cast full-heartedly embrace both the comedic and dramatic elements, wringing out the most in both. Many hilarious moments are provided by Patricia Killgarrif as the world-weary, wise-cracking maid, Anna. Kristin Griffith has built a beautiful arc for her character from dizzy housewife to grounded woman, and is both hilarious and heartbreaking throughout. Victoria Mack is suitably snobbish as Ollie’s self-absorbed daughter Penny. Cynthia Darlow exhibits exquisite comedic timing as Ollie’s cynical, yet faithful best friend Mabel Wentz. Sean Patrick Hopkins turns in a beautifully understated and earnest performance as Vernon, Penny’s husband.

Like most other productions at the Mint, the set and prop design are extremely detailed and well appointed. One particular set of props causes hilarity at the top of the second act. The element that most stands out, however, is the splotchy and rusty wall that provides the backdrop. Initially jarring, its symbolism of how the characters see marriage in a distorted manner becomes clear as the evening progresses. While there are many laughs throughout the production, this deeply serious theme renders the evening surprisingly thoughtful.

The Fatal Weakness runs at the Mint Theater (311 W 43rd street, 3rd floor) through October 26th, 2014. Tickets can be purchased at minttheater.org or by calling 866-811-4111. For more on The Fatal Weakness, read our interview with director Jesse Marchese here.