Broadway Banter - Spring '10
 

Thanks for the suggestion of starting a new thread periodically. I'm running off to see 'Looped' this afternoon. I'll be back with some thoughts including the GTG - great, great idea!

CPG, thanks for starting a new thread.

In case anyone is looking for the original "Broadway Banter" thread (from approx Oct 2009 - Feb 2010), here's the link: http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...way-banter.cfm

I am IN for a BrodwayBanter GTG. You NYers can pick the place, although I feel like I know what places you might recommend from reading all your dining posts over the yrs, lol. With the boltbus RT at $20-$30 from DC, would love to combine a GTG w/a show. mclaurie, howard, CPG, all you others, would love to meet you and discuss some theater and yada yada.

My son and his GF are seeing Behanding tonight and I see it on Wed. night. Can't wait, much anticipation. Planning next trip after this one to NYC already, but that one will be for Tribeca film and TOAST, although there is so much good theater on now, how can I resist a show.

Reviews on these threads guide me in choice. I love the recs here, and the honestly and insight.

CPG - awaiting your review of Looped; its on my list.
And add me to the GTG list, plese emd3

Hi Rhea - 'Looped' was very enjoyable and Valerie Harper is terrific. Between her dialogue and her delivery, you will laugh a lot - and also learn a lot about Talulah. I had mixed feelings about her main co-star, but the truth is he plays a repressed up tight guy, so maybe that was it. I highly recommend it and think her performance is not to be missed.

I saw 'Measure for Measure' last week, a play I had never read before. It started a bit uneven and then grew from there. Very good cast, interesting story and, imo, an unusual Shakespearean ending. Small theater - don't sit in 1st row - lead actor is a major spitter.

Despite the not so stellar NYT's review of 'The Miracle Worker' this week I thoroughly enjoyed it and think it's worth seeing.

So, how about a GTG in April or May? When are people visiting?

FYI, "The Miracle Worker" is threatening to close if it doesn't generate more ticket sales/audience:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...773149990.html
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/20...w-could-close/

I could only chuckle over one of the comments in the latter article, when the writer referred to Alison Pill as a "high profile star."

yk - thanks for the articles.

Sometimes reviewers, like Ben Brantley, really annoy me. They check their notes from the original production years ago and make lots of comparisons. Having never seen the original, I enjoyed the 'Miracle Worker' a lot and especially liked the staging. So, the reviewer may deter theater goers (who never saw the original and won't make comparisons) from seeing a worthwhile production. On the other hand, I didn't enjoy the revival of 'Man of La Mancha' a few seasons ago because I did remember the incredible original.

yk's article mentioned 'Last Fall.' I saw it Monday and the although I enjoyed it, it isn't a must see for someone who sees few productions. There are five characters - one was a bit weak, imo.

Yay! I scanned the other thread looking for ideas for this weekend. I want to see "something" on Saturday night, but can't make up my mind. Uggghhh.

TR

CPG, you are wrong about Brantley's review of the revival of The Miracle Worker. He did not refer to his notes from his original review. He was referring to Brooks Atkinson, the Times reviewer at that time. Mr. Brantley is not old enough to have been a reviewer 51 years ago. Further, his point in bringing up that review was to show that the two actors were highly praised at that time, but that the play itself was not! Further, his point was not to make comparisons, but to show where and how this production was a disappointment.
To me, that's all fair comment.

Has anyone seen The Addams Family? Tickets are 95-100, want to make sure it is worth it!

When I first heard that The Miracle Worker was being staged at Circle in the Square in the round, my first thought was "how would I know which seat faced Helen as she learns the word water?" That is the defining moment in the play and the idea of not being able to see the actress make that recognition in her face would leave me feeling very empty (it's even known as "THE recognition scene"). So I was not surprised that nearly every critic mentioned how the staging of the play did NOT work in the round.

Howard, I stand corrected on Brantley's age, etc. That's what I get for reading the Times at 6:30 am when I'm half asleep! But seriously, there are other reviews - many - where the critic compares the new version to the original. That in itself isn't always a bad thing, but in THIS case, what I am saying - and I'll say it again - is that I didn't see the original, therefore I can't make the comparison and I very much enjoyed the play. Sometimes, I repeat, sometimes, a critic may pan a decent production and its days are numbered. That is a reality. Sometimes, bad productions defy critics and go on for a long time. That is also a reality. My opinion was that the Miracle Worker was very enjoyable and moving and I liked it - as did the audience on the day I was there. Conclusion: I recommend it, especially discounted.

As far as the play NOT working in the round, well, it did for me. Maybe I got lucky, but as I mentioned in another post, I liked the staging especially the set suspended from wires above the stage. As far as where I was seated, Helen was not directly in front of me, but I had no problem seeing her in 'THE recognition scene.' I saw well enough to be extremely moved. As far as every other seat in the theater, I can't vouch, but neither could I for balcony or corners, etc. in a traditional theater setting. Or for that matter sitting behind a very tall person (which is happening more and more to me lately.)

CPG, it all boils down to a basic difference of opinion. You liked the show and Bend Brantley didn't!

Howard - Exactly - which really means nothing in the scheme of things! I have a friend who goes to theater at least 4 times per week. Theater is a great passion in her life and many times we don't enjoy the same productions - that's life!

Hey, if it's any consolation, I'm among the minority that didn't like Wicked!
My favorites? In alphabetical order: musicals--A Chorus Line, Follies and West Side Story; straight plays--Long Day's Journey into Night (the Vanessa Redgrave/Brian Denehy production--no other straight play comes close to that one!)

I didn't love 'Wicked' - thought it was okay.

I saw the original 'Chorus Line' three times - was so disappointed in the revival.

Just curious - was it this production of 'West Side Story' or the original?

I don't like to list favorites, but one of the best dramatic performances I ever saw was Christopher Plummer as 'King Lear.'

I also saw that great production of LDJ.

It was both productions of West Side Story....well, actually, it was four different productions that I've seen and loved all four....the music and dancing is what that show's all about and all four sparkled using those two criteria!
I saw the original A Chorus Line six times!
Yes, Christopher Plummer was an outstanding Lear, but we enjoyed him more as Barrymore a few years earlier. And, let us not forget Brian Denehy's performance as Willy Loman!

Talk about memory lane! I saw Denehy in 'Death of a Salesman' too - WOW!

Back to WSS - Where were the four productions?
Did you ever see the NYC Ballet do 'West Side Story Suite?' I've seen it many times and it's just wonderful, but short.

Let's see...I saw the original West Side Story, then a summer stock production (I forget where), then a revival that featured Debbie Allen ( forgot who else was in it) and the current revival. And, yes, we've seen the NYC Ballet's West Side Story Suite as well. And to further validate my love of the show, I have the LP, tape and CD of the original cast!