PS: Patrick, I find this debate intellectually stimulating!

Intellectually stimulating? Uh-oh, is that allowed here?
:D

And spring212, I've never suggested the review of the play was brutal, only the assessment of Laura Linney was brutal to her.

And to Ben Brantley's credit, he really shocked me today with his review of Boeing, Boeing. I've never seen him be so completely positive about a show that is nothing but a piece of comic fluff (although he did spend much of the review sort of apologizing for liking it so much, since that IS all it is -- fluff).

Based on suggestions here, I've purchased tickets to Country Girl, Boing Boing, November, and Dizzy's Club Coca Cola with Bill Charlip Trio for our 5 night trip to NYC from California. I'm hoping to round it out with South Pacific and MacBeth, and MOMA.

Any restaurant suggestions in the theater district for one carnivore and three vegetarians? We especially like Greek, Indian, Italian.

Thanks to everyone on this & other NYC threads!

Oh god. Glory Days? Is that the one with the 4 teens and the bleachers that is playing at Circle in the Square? I have been trying to block that out of my head for a week. Dreck is the word my mother would use. Absolute crap would come from my Dad. Me? No words to describe. I am speechless with dismay that this is considered theater.

Back to Vanessa Redgrave - I did enjoy her performance in 'Long Day's Journey' - just not in 'Year of Magical Thinking.'

It is SO personal! I saw 'The Country Girl' over the weekend and although it wasn't the best thing I've seen, I enjoyed it (DH did not.) The best actor, IMO, was McDormand - I felt her pain, especially in Act II. She was authentic - that's how I would describe a good performance. Gallagher was just okay and Freeman (one of my favorite actors) just didn't do it. I can't even put my finger on it, except something was missing. If I say he was miscast, isn't that a euphemism for something critical? As I said, it is SO personal.

As for 'Boeing, Boeing,' I found his review apologetic too. I saw it last week and found my self apologizing too. Why? Well, I don't like farce at all, had no intentions of going and only went because I got very cheap tix. Act I was as expected and a tad too long, but something happened very unexpectedly to me. Somewhere during Act II, it grew on me and I found myself enjoying the play - the cast was just so good! I still can't believe that I enjoyed that fluff.

A friend of mine just emailed about Glory Days saying, "At last I've figured out why so many shows are going to the 90 minute/no intermission format. In the case of Glory Days, it's because they don't want to give the audience an opportunity to leave, or there would be no one there for the second act."

Until then, it was on my list for watching for discounts extended through June. Now it's on a different list!

Brantley gave Top Girls a good review in today's New York Times.
I enjoy hearing the feed back from those who frequent the theater on here.

I just read the review also -sounds interesting.

I have my tickets for TopGirls.

One should not overlook Off Broadway either right now. I'm booked and looking forward to Linda Lavin in The New Century at the Mitzi Newhouse, The Adding Machine (a new musical based on the old Expressionist play by Elmer Rice -- which is piling up a lot of awards), Tony winner Julie White in From Up Here at the Manhattan Theatre Club, and Neil LaBute's new play, Reasons to be Pretty.

Ooops. I see the above mentioned Glory Days closed after ONE performance (and 17 previews).

Patrick - did you ever see my comment to you in another thread about LCT membership?

Also, you should consider seeing 'August: Osage County.' It was very good.

I have tickets of August: Osage County -- just got them yesterday when Theatremania extended their discounts to July. I had been waiting for that to happen, and got front row mezzanine for $68.50.

Yes, I did see the Lincoln Center comment and didn't pursue it yet. We tend not to do a lot there, except theatre and often do "cheap" dress rehearsals for the Philharmonic -- alas none in June.

LCT membership is only theater.

Oh, thanks. I didn't catch that.

I just read about The New Century, its look like a must see. Great recommendation Patrick
Osage County looks great as well Centralparkgirl. I see that it won the Pulitzer Prize for drama.

andrew - I am seeing 'From Up Here,'
'New Century,' and 'Thurgood' next week - will report back.

I wasn't surprised that 'August: Osage County' won the pulitzer - it is so well written. I heard that the actress who plays the mother left the cast - I'm not sure if that's true - she was wonderful and it was her B'way debut.

Thank you Centralparkgirl.