A Raisin in the Sun Previews- Page 3

[Sweetpsmom]

Posted: 3/10/14 at 3:09pm

The change in Walter Lee's age does not matter. His age does not take away from the storyline at all. Ask my 12 year old son. We dissected and analyzed the play this past year, and he was able to relate to each character.

I saw an interview with the Director, Kenny Leon, and he said that there are some slight changes from the original (ie Walter's age, and even what we hear from Travis' character).

Again, I am looking forward to taking him to see this performance.

[wonkit]

Posted: 3/10/14 at 4:48pm

The director is changing dialogue, too?

[Depaultheatrekid]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 4:52pm

Has no one seen the show this week, or would care to comment on Mr. Washington? or the overall production?

[kidbroadway2]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 9:29pm

Can't wait to see this!

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 9:40pm

So, now we're just going to start changing dialogue so people who are wrong for a role can play them anyway? Who cares? The playwright's dead! Let's do whatever we want!

Ridiculous.

[Kad]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 9:45pm

None of the regular preview-goers here have seen this, and the only two reviews are from someone who won't share details and another who left at intermission?

Wheee!

Updated On: 3/12/14 at 09:45 PM

[AC126748]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 10:19pm

Well, I'm going next week, and I'll gladly post thoughts then if anyone is interested.

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 11:54pm

snagged a ticket for 67 dollars yesterday as I was walking out Denzel and two other cast members were just hanging outside the stagedoor, i began to say hello to Mr Washington but before I could get a word out he goes NO (assuming i wanted a photo/autograph) and I went oh i just wanted to say I just bought my ticket and im looking forward to the production (at which he had a big smile on his face) he shakes my hand and says thank you, i say break a leg and begin to walk away and he shouts "Put a coat on!" (i was wearing a shirt and shorts) it was 55 degrees out.

[Depaultheatrekid]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 1:02am

So he was basically an ass to you, until he realized you just bought a ticket, and hadn't seen the show yet?

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 1:02am

^yep lol

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 6:30am

i began to say hello to Mr Washington but before I could get a word out he goes NO

What a presumptouos @ss.

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 11:29am

^ thus why i continued what i was going to say regardless, not everyone wants a photo with you dude some folks just want to say hello and wish you luck with your show lol

[Depaultheatrekid]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 4:23pm

Did no one on the boards see the show this week? is this revival going to be that much of a Non-event? sad, for such a wonderful maybe the perfect play.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 5:20pm

Please post your thoughts, AC! I always love reading your posts. I'll be going later in the week.

[Sweetpsmom]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 5:43pm

There is not much feedback on this board. Going to Twitter ; )

[mikem]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 6:16pm

Unless Raisin starts getting must-see buzz, I don't think it's going to be a big topic of discussion on these boards. I can only speak for myself, but I've seen Raisin before, and I've seen Denzel before. There are no discount or rush tickets. Initial comments are lukewarm. I'm not racing to buy full-price tickets to see this production, and I'm guessing a lot of people feel the same way.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 6:27pm

I'm waiting for Sweetp to post so we can ask him about Walter Lee's age.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 7:03pm

You're offended by "Cp time?" Really? Please. I was in Gospel Choir in college. Rehearsal started at 7pm. No one ever showed up until about 7:45pm.

[Sthunderrocker]

Posted: 3/17/14 at 4:31am

I saw the second preview. Overall I got the feeling that it could be really good before its done, if they work at it. There were some obvious tiny line flubs, moments of reaching for the lines, and spots that just didn't gel, but I guess that's to be expected two public shows in. I'd agree that Anika and Sophie were fantastic and LaTonya shines as well. I wasn't 100% happy with Jason Dirden as George... partly a directorial thing. Sean Patrick Thomas was pretty good as Joseph... and was popular at the stage door. Denzel was great to see... fun to watch. My criticism would be that he could be better. His version of the character is one that he could do in his sleep. He didn't seem to have challenged himself to portray the kind of drama that you expect from him. That's unfair, as this is stage and not film, but such is life. Also, whether due to the audience I was in and their responses, or due to the acting that inspired those responses, the show came off a little more on the gospel side than I am used too for this play... if you understand what I mean. So in all, it could be really great if it can tighten up...
S

Updated On: 3/17/14 at 04:31 AM

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 3/17/14 at 6:18am

gospel side meaning it was a mostly black audience who wouldn't shut the **** up for some reason, seriously every-time theirs a show like this, this happens...WHY?!??

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 3/17/14 at 7:28am

Updated On: 3/17/14 at 07:28 AM

[darreyl102]

Posted: 3/17/14 at 12:11pm

[Sthunderrocker]

Posted: 3/18/14 at 4:49am

Lol... yes the audience was involved (not really in a bad way), but the acting leaned in that direction too. Its hard to explain. Played to stereotype a little? As opposed to a more stolid performance relying on the dialogue to push the points? Hard to put my finger on. Just my impressions.
S

Updated On: 3/18/14 at 04:49 AM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 3/18/14 at 9:26am

Have the (non-black) people who complain about black audiences at Broadway shows written by and for black people ever thought that maybe they are the ones who are intruding on other peoples' experiences rather than the other way around? And really, if you are gonna complain about black people, just say it, rather than doing this whole "it was very gospel, if you know what I mean" sort of thing; because FYI, not mentioning the word black, doesn't mean your comment isn't asinine.
And PlayItAgain, next time you attack black audiences, maybe you should use a basic dictionary so at least you sound smart while doing it; in other words, at least those audiences might know the difference between "theirs" and "there's."
I wish BWW threads about, say, Tom Stoppard plays fell apart even half as quickly as threads about anything remotely involving race.

[Depaultheatrekid]

Posted: 3/18/14 at 10:17am

Thank You ray-andallthatjazz86, for calling a thing a thing! So often people say racist things on this board, and they get looked over or played off as witty banter or jokes, when in fact they're not either.

Anyway, Sthunderrocker thanks for your review of the show. Just still can't believe everyone seems to think he is kind of average and not good. So unfortunate that he chose to do this play, instead of a NEW play or letting an age appropriate fresh new leading man take on the role to ReDefine it for another generation.