A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS - First Preview Thoughts- Page 3

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 12:44am

Just a skrim that covered the center of the stage with a drawing on it of people...ha sorry I wasn't looking very closely.

And adam, I was JUST about to add that.

I literally thought the same exact thing. It was like a cheap imitation of Borat... in the middle of the 1500's...
Updated On: 9/13/08 at 12:44 AM

[Little-Lotte]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 12:47am

It was a scrim of a Holbein type of sketch of Thomas More and (I believe) his entire family.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 12:50am

<<< Did anyone feel like Triney Sandoval, playing the Spanish guy, was performing a completely different play than the rest of them? It was like he walked out of a 19th century French farce or something.
>>

I felt like I was watching Adolfo from "Drowsy" !!! I dont know what that was all about !!! Just reading the rest of the thread.... WAT, you beat me to it !!!!

And yes.... It was beyond freezing !!!

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 1:13am

My friend leaned over to me and said "I am Aldolpho!" I started laughing...there was a resemblance.

Ha! I thought the exact same thing!

My thoughts are pretty much in line with what everyone else has said. I found that the first act dragged a bit, though it picked up near the end with Langella's big speech, and was completely enthralled by Act 2. Langella, Page, & Zach Grenier (Cromwell) were the highlights for me. I really did not like Jeremy Strong's performance, he was so wooden and stilted.
Still, Frank Langella gave a masterful performance (hello Tony nom!) and I would recommend it just for him.

And yes, the theatre was ice cold tonight. As I was walking out I heard several other patrons complaining about the temperature as well.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 1:14am

That was absolutely Adolpho. I thought that after about three seconds. The characterization was so out of place.

The transitional music sounded like it was lifted from a combination of The Lieutenant of Inishmore and Mauritius. Of course after looking at the playbill I noticed that the same person did the music for this show and Mauritius. I'm with you adamgreer, it was so weird with all of the loud percussion and then the chimes.

I'll echo everyone else's statements about Patrick Page. The show came to life during his one scene. Although that could have just been the lighting...

I also enjoyed Zach Grenier as Cromwell.

Overall that was worth my ten dollars.... which is basically how I felt about Les Liaisons Dangereuses.

Did anyone bother stagedooring? It had stopped raining, but I just wasn't up to it after working all day.

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 1:15am

This was the large picture that hung in front of the scenery. Though the design of the set was GREAT!

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 1:17am

I tried to stage door, but I got tired of waiting after half an hour and went to get a bus home.

[being.jeremiah]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 1:23am

I was there, too.

Langella was fine, as usual. Page was a breath of freshness. All others, mhm. I kind of figured out what was going to happen with the roof. Look ma, strings!

I get why the company would revive this kind of play... but why this play?

Looking forward to Pal Joey.

[Vespertine1228]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 2:53am

The production this summer at the Berkshire Theatre Festival ran an excruciating 3 hours and 20 minutes, so I'm excited to hear that at least this version will be shorter.

[BwayLeadman]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 3:36am

everyone around me was sleeping...

[Here I Am]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 5:34am

I was terribly bored during Act One, but I found Act Two to be pretty excellent. Especially Frank Langella's unbelieveably brilliant performance.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 8:25am

I laughed when I read this... From the ATC boards:

<< Never mind that other board the attention span isn't too long over there >>

Yeah.... ok... I think "attention span" is being confused with not being snarky enough.

Give me a break. If the theatre had not been so cold, I think the actors would have been totally drowned out by the sounds of snoring !!

Too much of the show dragged.

The show is worth seeing for Langella, but I would never forgive myself if I paid full price.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 10:16am

Can anyone post the song list? Thanx in advansed.

[chickfila]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 11:15am

I too found it very long and boring, although Act 2 was certainly much better than Act 1. Langella was wonderful and SPOILER loved his sly smile to the audience just before turning towards the stairs to meet his death.

The actress who played Meg was horrible and her voice was like chalk on a chalkboard. I found the lack of English accent for many in the cast laughable, particularly the jailer who sounded like he came from Brooklyn.

Worth the $10, glad I didn't pay more.

By the way, does Langella sign at the stage door? Even though I didn't like the show, I'd love to get the window card signed.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 11:29am

<< particularly the jailer who sounded like he came from Brooklyn.
>>

Yeah, that was bad !!! Totally agree.

I think I needed more Page-- He was VERY good, in his brief time on stage.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 11:31am

The some do some don't accents thing did bug me. It should be either everyone does it or no one does it. Sure a lack of them would be anachronistic and not true to life, but it would be preferable to the mix we got last night.

(Thanks again testing!! :) I booked it up to take a pic of the mob scene at the Broadhurst for 12 of 12.)

[Testing1232]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 11:34am

You are VERY welcome, Jordan !!! Great seeing you again (as always !!)

[adamgreer]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 1:15pm

I think I needed more Page-- He was VERY good, in his brief time on stage.

He was very nearly the highlight of the show for me. The production was only ever interesting in his one scene.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 1:21pm

Sueleen: Here's the songlist...

Act I:
Processional/Look Around You
Am I Beautiful?
Man of Love
The Question
What Choice Have I?
We Shall Do It!
Improbable as Spring
Power
The Question

Act II:
Consecration
'tis Love
Sincerity
The Test
Replay the Game
A New Way to Turn
Will No One Rid Me?
So Many Other Worlds

[MaximumAmbition]

Posted: 9/14/08 at 1:12am

The show is really awesome! Though i do hope it gets better. It was freezing in the theatre!! Maybe its how frank wants it..

When you went, was it freezing in the theatre? Do you think its the show is too long?
Updated On: 9/14/08 at 01:12 AM

[TheScript2]

Posted: 9/14/08 at 1:22am

it was freezing in the theatre when i went on the first preview night. Besides the show.. did anyone else notice the the really cuteguy who works there? I think hes an usher. Hes really cute.He's asian, handsome and really nice. lol i hope when i go back he's working. did anyone else notice him?

[MiracleElixir]

Posted: 9/14/08 at 5:03am

To be honest, I'm usually the first to defend works that are deemed "slow" or "boring" by some, and I'll accuse people of not being bright enough to deal with something that isn't a fast-moving, effects-driven spectacular. I think certain shows need to move at their own pace, take their time telling their stories and slowly involve us using the careful craft of the storytelling.

But holy s**t, I don't think I've ever felt so numb, detached and deadened by a play before. I kept trying to be involved but as it went on, I kept feeling my eyes glazing over and waiting to be gripped by anything. I think, no matter how poor/boring/etc a show is, it's incredibly disrespectful to go to sleep during a performance, but there were a handful of times in Act II I TRIED to shut my eyes and pass out for a few minutes, but sadly (due to a few Diet Cokes ingested beforehand) it was not to be.

Langella was good, and every aspect of the production was serviceable and "well-done," but I've never had another theatrical experience where I felt like such an lame-brained pleibian. The crowd on the way out was muttering words like "fantastic," so what do I know, but I couldn't wait for it all to end.
Updated On: 9/14/08 at 05:03 AM

[bythesword84]

Posted: 9/15/08 at 1:36am

I saw the matinee today, and let me preface this by saying I adore everything historical. My Master's is in English Medieval History. I live for this stuff.

I fell asleep. I wish I were exaggerating. I stayed awake the first act because I was so cold. I considered trying to sit somewhere else at intermission but then I heard so many people complaining that I knew it was pointless. I've never been so cold in a theatre in my life- it was a major distraction. Then in Act II I fell asleep. Twice, because I woke up the first time just to realize how cold I was. Even with my two naps it felt like it dragged on forever.

I have no problems with Langella as an actor, but I felt he seriously failed in this production. I am one who believes in sticking to some form of historical realism- and 70 playing 57 is hard for me to digest. If he looked the right age, fine, but I felt like I was watching an old man who was heavy with life experience and old wisdom and retired to his fate. I didn't feel like his (More's) convictions came across convincingly at all.I thought he played the sort of dry humor fine, but otherwise was utterly unengaging and failed to provide the depth needed to make this piece truly work and not put one to sleep...because it is long, and it is very slow paced, which makes the performances even more important.

[logan0215]

Posted: 9/15/08 at 1:54am

I was at the first preview but can't say I was in my right mind to give a fair review (I was stood up on a date... yea its as awesome as it sounds).

But Jesus tapdancing Christ, it was cold in there. For once I wasn't happy about having a one-seat "freak barrier" around me because I would have preferred to have some form of body heat nearby.

I hated the performance by the actor portraying Richard Rich, thought Langella was superb, thought Page brought some life to the show but was chewing the scenery a bit too much for me. I'm probably in a minority in thinking that, but for a such a more reservedly acted piece his choices came out of left field and left me a bit annoyed.