A few thoughts on BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/31/09 at 7:24pm

I guess any commentary is moot now, but if there's any justice in the theatrical world, the show wouldn't be closing tomorrow.

It really is a splendid production, a joy from start to finish. I was more taken by the work of the younger cast members - Noah Robbins, Alexandra Socha, Gracie Lawrence and Santino Fontana - than the adults, but Laura Metcalf, Denis Boutsikaris and Jessica Hecht shine, as well.

Robbins and Fontana have a very lovely rapport, and there scenes are probably some of the most genuine I've seen on stage in a long time.

David Cromer did a fine job with the play, the laughs are there, but now there's heart, too.

This isn't a situation like AMERICAN BUFFALO last year, with general miscasting and misdirection. Here you have something really special that people just had no desire to see.

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 10/31/09 at 7:45pm

Very well said Yankee! I second everything you said. So very sad this wonderful revival could not find an audience, but I feel very honored that I got to see it.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 1:27am

Glad you liked it, yankee. It's a really strong production; it deserved a much longer run.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 2:14am

Did it just have crappy ticket sales or what? I really wanted to see this. I was very excited. Or was it being pushed out by the theater owners?

[blueq123]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 4:38am

According to the gross reports, the show peaked at 60.9% capacity this past week, but the average ticket price never even reached $30. Basically, the majority of audience members were comped.

[garyl]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 12:27pm

how come there is a big ad in the NYT today????

[Smaxie]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 12:29pm

Because the Arts & Leisure gets printed on Tuesday night.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 2:22pm

Oh, well that sucks. It does seem like a random time to revive it. And a rather large theater, and not very good foot traffic.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 2:38pm

I saw it yesterday (matinee) and it was my favorite show so far this season. I need to see Ragtime again I think to LOVE it but now this is my favorite.

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 2:54pm

On the contrary, RentBoy86, I think in a recession is the perfect time to revive this play.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 5:56pm

On the other hand, a production of BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS that presents the play as if it were high tragedy can't really expect to run for too long.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 5:58pm

What production presents it as pure tragedy? Certainly not this one. Anyway, I don't think it would have mattered if this production were presented as if it were a Marx Brothers movie, it still wouldn't have run. There just was, sadly, absolutely zero interest in it from the public.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 8:44pm

The night I saw BBM it came off like Odets, earnest family melodrama with only occasonal sprinkled laughs. I'm not glad it is closing by any means, but I can't be terribly surprised that a show that so completely confounds the audience's expectation of being even remotely entertained is closing.

I'm sorry to be missing Laurie Metcalf's performance in BROADWAY BOUND.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 8:49pm

"I'm sorry to be missing Laurie Metcalf's performance in BROADWAY BOUND."

Agreed.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 8:51pm

Roscoe - the production received a lot of laughs when I saw it, so perhaps it was simply a question of the company gelling with the material. At any rate, I do think word of mouth on the show was good. I truly think this is one of those sad, rare instances in which a good production met with good reviews and good word of mouth just couldn't find an audience.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 9:17pm

It got laughs when I saw it too, but not many, and I saw it after it opened and they'd gotten those mostly good reviews. There didn't seem to be a lot of enthusiasm in the audience that night, the show didn't get the usually obligatory standing ovation.

Whatever. Cromer will go on to bigger and better things.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 9:23pm

God I wish I had been able to get to NYC to see this production before it closed.

Thank god for bootlegs.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 9:25pm

the show didnt get a standing ovation when i saw it either. but it's not exactly a show that calls for a standing ovation, it ends so quietly. and i didnt feel the urge to stand. but i still say it was one of the best shows of the season. even as i sat.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 9:26pm

Oh please. The only shows that routinely get standing ovations are musicals. And half the time I have to stand just out of obligation.

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 9:27pm

That's even how I felt about OUR TOWN. Brilliant, but I felt no need to stand. It wasn't asking for it.

One of the problems may have been the delay between BROADWAY BOUND and BRIGHTON BEACH. I was planning on waiting to see both of them together. I think had they opened together sooner, it might have been beneficial. That could just be wishful thinking.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 9:33pm

I think it would have helped for sure. As with anything, you have to strike while interest is still fresh in people's minds. The idea of actually running the shows in rep seems to have been fairly poorly laid out. More like - lets get the first one open and worry about the other one later as opposed to really trying to sell the two as one event.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 10:00pm

I agree. I was holding out to see them both like back to back.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 10:00pm

I agree. I was holding out to see them both like back to back.

[TonyVincent]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 10:13pm

LOVED Brighton Beach and SO disappointed that Broadway Bound won't open!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 10:20pm

"More like - lets get the first one open and worry about the other one later as opposed to really trying to sell the two as one event."

That worked for Angels in America. But then again, that was ages ago.