Profile for Sauja

I didn't know the show before last night, but I had a lot of fun. Kerry Butler was the biggest highlight for me personally. I can imagine this feeling electrifying in a small off-Broadway house. In City Center, it felt a little lost, particularly because of the sound issues. Still, I'm delighted that I saw it. And I think Act 2 was particularly strong. 

That this season gives us this stunner and the exceptional Liberation at the same time is a gift. Two of the best plays in recent memory.

 

Count me among those who think Stock is doing remarkable work (as are Metcalf and Drea). I believed these people on a fundamental level. Which made the pivot from its more comedic opening to its deeply emotional final scenes hit me like a ton of bricks. Don't think I've cried that hard at a show since I first saw Fun Home.

Got an email that says presale starts tomorrow. It doesn’t say what theater it’s playing, though! Anyone know? It’s weirdly not on the show’s website either.

Cast list included in this article. Looks like most, if not all the originals are back. https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/cats-the-jellicle-ball-sets-broadway-venue-dates-and-cast-including-andre-de-shields

Per a presale email I got this morning, it’s finally coming. Broadhurst Theater, performances begin March 18!

Anyone know how the partial view seats on the far sides of orchestra row L are? I wanna see Bob and wouldn't mind if they were a bit obstructed but don't want to grab them if they're truly terrible.

Groff hasn’t missed a single performance, has he? With new cast members going in, I’m just thinking about how long original contracts were for and whether he’ll have at least a vacation coming up sometime. Because it’s built so, so much around his own persona, I’m deeply curious how the show would/will play with someone else going on as Bobby. 

I’m of the opinion that Quincy Tyler Bernstine is one of our best actors, and she stuns in this steadily unfolding mystery of a play about grief. The supporting cast is also stunning, most with one scene each. It’s only getting a month run and playing to about a hundred people a night, but this is a very special show. I loved it and hope it gets the attention it deserves.

This sounds a lot like Coen's previous Atlantic effort, Almost an Evening, which was similarly three very short plays, loosely linked. I remember that show as being a pleasure, if a bit thin. F. Murray Abraham have a delightful performance as God, which has stuck with me. 

 

My prediction is that it will be perfectly enjoyable. 

Fabulous news. I adored this play at the Pels. One of the best new plays in recent memory. Will be glad to have another chance to see it.

I'm down for a new critical voice, but I'm genuinely concerned that this might be part of a larger cutting back of culture content (not just theater, given the other three). We might be left with reviews coming from a hodgepodge of critics whose takes are impossible to pin down because they won't have the space to even build a solid lead-critic footprint. I'm not worried about Jesse losing the role. I'm worried about whether the role itself will be lost.

I saw her in Cabaret and was underwhelmed, but she had the unenviable job of following up Natasha Richardson who gave one of my favorite live performances of all time. So while I didn’t love Leigh’s Sally, I don’t know that my 18-year-old self would have been much more open to anyone’s performance at that time. 

90/110, but I want to give myself an extra 5 for getting one of the two gay playwright streets right. :)

Will say that was one of the smoother presales I’ve had in a minute!

Thank you!