Anyone going to MARY STUART tonight?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/30/09 at 10:07am

I'm really excited for this one! Anyone going to the first preview tonight? Be sure to report back!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/30/09 at 10:13am

Is it wrong of me that I have absolutely no interest in seeing this, Norman Conquests, West Side Story and 9-to-5?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/30/09 at 10:15am

I have no interest in seeing NORMAN CONQUESTS either. And quite frankly wish I wouldn't have paid full price for WSS. So, for two out of four, no.

Threadjack, but what's not exciting you about 9 TO 5, yankee?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/30/09 at 10:17am

I'll be there tonight. Looking forward to it!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/30/09 at 10:21am

As attractive as 2/3 of 9-to-5's leading ladies are, it's just not enough to make me pay to see a show with music written by Dolly Parton and directed by Joe Mantello. He's good with the small stuff (BLACKBIRD, RECEPTIONIST, ASSASSINS) but his big musicals and/or plays with celebs are atrocious. Updated On: 3/30/09 at 10:21 AM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/30/09 at 10:24am

I thought you saw everything, YankeeFan. Why would you choose to skip Mary Stuart, Norman Conquests and 9 to 5?

...and all three of 9 to 5's leading ladies look great!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/30/09 at 10:28am

Eh, times is hard. And I've realized...I don't need to see EVERYTHING. I'd much rather see 6 no-frills Off-Broadway shows than 9-to-5 for the same ultimate price.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/30/09 at 10:28am

This one isn't. It's definitely worth checking out.

It's nowhere near his best work but also nowhere near his worst (Mantello, that is). It's one of his better works with "bigger" shows to be honest. And Parton's music is pretty good as well. Nothing groundbreaking, but it's sweet and features some great moments. And, of course, the trio of lead ladies is fantastic. Reconsider snagging a ticket, yankee. It's nothing particularly incredible but it's highly entertaining and the best musical comedy based on a film since DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS. I'll be at the first preview (I think ha..I'm waiting a while to make sure they don't postpone the date)!

Done with threadjack...of my own thread.
Updated On: 3/30/09 at 10:28 AM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/30/09 at 10:29am

As I like to say: I'll never turn down a freebie.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/30/09 at 10:30am

Continuing the threadjack, yankee, are you going to see NEXT TO NORMAL any time soon? I remember you loving it at 2ST...it's so much better now.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/30/09 at 10:45am

Yeah. Don't know when, but I'll get there.

[MiracleElixir]

Posted: 3/30/09 at 10:53am

Has there been any rumors/reports on what's supposed to have changed since the production overseas? It's my understanding that one was substantially longer...

[Smaxie]

Posted: 3/30/09 at 11:05am

With Mary Stuart? It looks and runs the same as it did at the Donmar and the Apollo. Unlike some of the other recent London to New York transfers, the quality of the performances from the American actors is especially strong.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/30/09 at 11:29am

I'm going tonight too and can't wait. I've been excited for this since they announced it. I just hope I've haven't set my expectations too high.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 3/30/09 at 11:54am

I'm really excited for this, but I don't know why. I sort of hate history and all that, but the poster alone makes me excited.

Are there any student rush options?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/30/09 at 11:58am

Student Rush: $29.50 - Available at the Box Office only on the day of the performance - Limit 2 per valid ID - Subject to availability.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 3/30/09 at 12:05pm

hot! Thanks. Maybe I will be there!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 12:43am

Well? Anyone? I'm dying to know!!!!

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 12:58am

I just got back...yes it was that long...but overall I liked it. Janet and Harriet were awesome and the rest of the cast was pretty good, but it's all about the women. The entire production exists solely to show off the talents of the two leading ladies. In this regard it succeeds, but whenever one of them is not onstage the play drags a little.

I like historical dramas (The Lion in Winter is one of my favorite movies), so I found the material interesting. I would totally understand if someone didn't care for it though. I mean if you don't like (British) history you may walk out hating this. It is very wordy and did I mention LONG!

This is not to say there aren't moments of huge payoff. The beginning of act two was awesome, and Janet and Harriet's confrontation lived up to the hype. Their performances often aren't showy, over the top performances, but rather subtle, slowly layered build ups. Both of them completely give themselves over to their characters and I would say the performances are not to be missed.

The set design is nothing, and I mean nothing. There is a brick wall in the back and maybe a desk and bed for a scene. It is literally an empty stage for three hours. The lighting is wonderful though and really creates a dark atmosphere. The minimal design works for and against the show. It allows the focus to be on the acting, but like I said, when the women aren't there it exposes any flaws.

The costumes are a bit bizarre too. The women are in normal garb, but the men are all in business suits and ties. I don't really know the purpose of this, but I got used to it after awhile. It singled the women out even more as the stars.

All in all I liked it, but wouldn't recommend blindly to people on the street. If you love history and/or want to experience two awesome performances check it out.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 1:04am

Hm....not sure how I feel. I'm def. going to see it though. How was the rain?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 1:07am

I really wanna see this! How long was it? One intermission?

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 1:08am

The rain was great. Apparently the front row got a little misty. Janet acted her scene soaking wet to perfection. Received applause halfway through. I truly loved her performance. I would be surprised if either was snubbed of a Tony nom. They both easily deserve one.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 1:10am

I'm kind of excited because I'm going in blindly. I honestly have no clue what the play is about. Should I read up before I go or is it pretty well explained to someone who isn't so much a history buff.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 1:13am

Wickedrocks- Just one intermission. I think it ran about three hours tonight.

Rentboy- I don't think you have to know the history ahead of time. It's laid out fairly clearly, and in MUCH detail. I hadn't read the play, but knew the story beforehand though so maybe I'm not the best judge of whether it was confusing or not.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 1:17am

I had a slightly different opinion. While I did think Janet and Harriet both gave wonderful performances (and both should get nominations), the show just never soared for me.

As stated above, the play is very long and very wordy, and I felt that I was bored at times (save for the beginning of Act 2, which was excellent).

However, I can definitely see how/why people would like this show. It's certainly not bad. It just wasn't my cup of tea. I'm sure it will get good reviews, but I do think this will be a hard sell to tourists and NYers alike.

We'll see what happens...