A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE...1st Preview Review — Page 2

As a reminder....

Just because someone goes to the first preveiw and posts the first review, does not make them right.

---

And like always, a review is an opinion.

And Auggie, I hope you're right. :)

---

Updated On: 3/27/05 at 10:48 AM

Some early preview goers at Cabaret also reported that Richardson was at sea with the role of Sally Bowles. I don't know how true that was, but she sure was a marvel after opening, when I saw it. It may just take her some time in front of an audience to find the role...

---

Thanks for the review Matt. That's truly a disappointment, as Williams is one of my favorite playwrights. Let's hope the performances becoming not only engaging with time, but also spot on raw and moving. This, at the very least, is THE show that deserves a brilliant production.

---

I remember reading somewhere that Natasha's performance in Cabaret was all over the place during previews and that she didn't come into her own until opening night. And I believe she said that herself. Since the production didn't have an out-of-town try out, similar to Woolf, it'll take time for Richardson and Reilly to find their characters. Rehearsing in a studio can only do so much for an actor. They need the feeling of being on a stage in front of a paying audience to really kick their butt's into shape and give a fine performance.

Matt, I enjoyed reading your review. I have the feeling that others may appreciate Miss Richardson's performance more than you did (they may not have your notions of what a Southern woman is and not see her failing to represent that image), but I will be surprised if many people like Mr. Reiley as Stanley. There is a thread on the Off Topic Board started by a young actress who feels that she is being treated unfairly because being overweight, she can't get cast in a romantic leading role. I responded that actors need to be realistic about what parts they are right for and what parts audiences will accept them in. John C. Reiley is a superb character actor, and could be a leading man a la Paul Giamatti in Sideways, but HOT he is not, at least not to the average theater-goer. Most in the audience will fail to understand the strong sexual attraction Blanche (and Stella) feel for Stanley. When he appears shirtless, that is supposed to be a turn on for the straight ladies and gay guys in the house. John C. Reilley a turn-on? I think not. (At least not for the majority.) This is simply bad casting that should not have happened in the first place.

Tis a shame to hear that. But, Stanley does not need to be hot. He needs to be sexual - two very different things that are often mistakenly entwined. Blanche AND Stella are attracted to him because of his brutish qualities - they find the fact that Stanley is primal to be what is attractive and desirable about him.

Yuo do NOT need a hot Stanley, just one that can exude even inner sexuality and brutality. If Reilly doesn't do that, its a shame, but there is not much of a reason for Stanley to be hot.

---

I just saw this and thought it was fantastic. Natasha Richardson's performance was astonishing. I highly recommend seeing it.

I love Tasha.

---