Posted: 1/15/17 at 3:12pm
Anyone see it yet? I really liked Manchester By The Sea, so really up to see Lucas Hedges, AND I really liked The get Down, so also interested in seeing Justice Smith... I'm not going for a few weeks, although I'll probably bump my tickets to a later date if it extends.
Posted: 1/15/17 at 8:43pm
Caught it this week. It's a stellar production of a disturbing, twisted, and dark play. The cast is superb, but I think they will all greatly benefit from running it more during previews. The set, lighting, sound, and projections are also wonderful, and it's so great to continually see such high production valye being done Off-Broadway.
Without getting into spoilers, I will say that this show is one of the most intense things I have ever seen. What Trip Cullman and Anna Jordan managed to do is create this atmosphere almost solely from the text, and what you hear verbally. This is as chilling as Let The Right One In, but there are no physical effects or vampires to be found here,. It is a raw, animalistic portrayal of 4 characters who cannot love themselves, and are doomed from the start. (Very Blackbird-esque.) Watching their stories unfold is highly dismaying, but greatly satisfying, in a "Black Mirror" sort of way.
The show runs about 2 hours and 20 minutes, with a 10 minute intermission. The first act is more or less a simple coming-of-age structure of story, but the second act flies off the rails, and I truly couldn't catch my breath. Highly recommended, but not for the faint of heart.
Updated On: 1/15/17 at 08:43 PM
Posted: 1/15/17 at 9:31pm
well it's not a Jerry Herman musical so obviously you weren't going to like it.
Posted: 1/15/17 at 9:43pm
"So, based on After Eight's opinion, this is a must see !"
Well, don't say you weren't warned.
Posted: 1/15/17 at 10:05pm
I saw this on Friday. I thought the cast was mostly good, but for such a British play, I thought it would have been much more effective if they had brought over the British cast for this. I believe this played the Royal Court Theatre in London? These are VERY specific accents and the American cast has mixed results. I LOVE Ari Graynor and she brings a wonderful humanity to her part in Act 2, but I don't think she quite has the accent down. Lucas Hedges has a nice quiet intensity to the party, but for me the true star was Stefanie Lavie Owen. Her scenes, especially in act one were my favorite.
Overall, I thought the show should have been done without an intermission (it is listed as intermission-less in the program) and trimmed. The scenes leading to the end started to feel like it was going to amble on for the next few hours without an ending. Once we arrived at the final ending, I was happy. Overall I was happy seeing the fresh young cast, but I think the play could do with a few edits. I'm sure the cast will only get better with previews. Not bad for a $30 ticket.
=
Posted: 1/15/17 at 11:17pm
I've read this show has some more mature content, specifically violence. Could anyone spoiler tab or PM me some details about any of that? Would like to know before I choose my guest to bring to this, as many posters are saying it's not for the faint of heart. Thanks!
Posted: 1/15/17 at 11:27pm
Spoilers below:
- The first 10 minutes is performed with the loud audio of a semi graphic porno playing in the background.
- Very descriptive discussions about anal sex, and sex in general.
- A boy repeatedly whacks his head against the wall, leaving behind massive blood stains each time before he collapses.
- A dog, who we never meet onstage, is beaten to death offstage. We hear the boy hitting it with a pipe, and the dog whimpering. It's very upsetting.
- A discussion about what will become of a boy who has brutally beaten and raped a young girl occurs.
Posted: 1/16/17 at 12:29pm
Why After Eight would go to MCC shows, which specifically program the exact thing he hates, remains elusive... but glad the early word is good.
Question, though, if the Casting Call notice in Backstage said: "Rehearsals begin Dec. 13; runs Jan. 12-Feb. 19, 2017." Does that mean an extension is not possible? They usually build a possible extension into the notice, no?
Posted: 1/16/17 at 10:48pm
Just wondering because I also wish to see this production does anyone know if theres a promo code or discount for students for this? Greatly appreciated :)
Posted: 1/16/17 at 10:52pm
Nicole Bermeo said: "Just wondering because I also wish to see this production does anyone know if theres a promo code or discount for students for this? Greatly appreciated :)
"
They've got in-person student rush at MCC, as well as a 30-Under-30 program. All the info can be found on their website.
Additionally, they're having a promo for the anniversary season they are celebrating where certain performances have many tickets priced at $30. Good luck.
Posted: 1/17/17 at 2:05am
Just got a ticket after reading these reviews for $36 (with fees) because of their anniversary. Not a bad deal at all! Looking forward to it!
Posted: 1/21/17 at 5:54pm
Saw the matinee today. Overall it's an interesting slow-burn. All the actors are great and I wasn't distracted by the different accents. The show itself is too long. Act 1 drags and I thought maybe they deleted the intermission and then the lights came up. There's no momentum to Act 1 that leads to the devastation of Act 2. It's one of those plays where lots is implied but not much is actually said. Great direction and design. I wouldn't say it's a must see though.
Posted: 1/26/17 at 2:52pm
We left at intermission. Just not into it. And based on the spoiler plot point above (don't worry, I won't give it away) I'm very glad we didn't stay.
Posted: 2/5/17 at 9:08pm
I liked this one overall, although the subject matter is brutal. It does drag a bit (the first act felt very long, and the play just never seemed to end) but Lucas Hedges and Justice Smith are fantastic.
Posted: 2/5/17 at 10:53pm
I'm more curious about Ari Graynor's performance. I've always thought she was a talented actress and severely underrated
Posted: 2/5/17 at 10:53pm
I'm more curious about Ari Graynor's performance. I've always thought she was a talented actress and severely underrated
Posted: 2/5/17 at 11:56pm
I'm a huge fan of hers, but she's not her normal, bubbly, hilarious self here. That's not to say she's not good. She's great, but it's totally a shift from her usual stuff.
Posted: 2/6/17 at 8:55am
I thought Ari Graynor was very good but she struggled a bit with her accent.
Posted: 2/6/17 at 9:26am
Is there a code for the $30 anniversary tickets, or am I misunderstanding the offer? I can't find any information about it on the website.
Posted: 2/6/17 at 9:39am
Growl, earlier in the run those $30 seats were an option when you went to purchase, no code necessary. It could be that they're no longer offering that promotion or are sold out.
Posted: 2/6/17 at 9:50am
They are just on the website when you go to buy them, if available. No code or anything.
They just extended the show, without Justice though, so that may open some more $30 tickets up... although I'd recommend seeing it with him.
Posted: 2/6/17 at 10:01am
Are there any seats to avoid in the theater? Or any particular places to sit for the show?
