After the disastrous 2008 revival, I was really worried I wouldn't like the play, even with all the talent involved. Thankfully, I was proven wrong.
Saw the show last night from first row of the 400 section. Thanks to all who mentioned that the odd-numbered side is better, it's a really awesome view, especially towards the climax, which happens basically right in front of you. (And thanks to the show's social media covering the performance, I now have proof I was practically onstage at their curtain call.)
I didn't realize until I was re-reading the reviews today that there's no sound design to speak of. Kudos to having theatre-trained actors onstage because they were as loud and crisp as anything I've seen in recent memory.
Rockwell and Fishburne were just remarkable. From the slow burn of one to the firecracker of another, the way they volleyed back and forth was just delicious. Every time I think of one, I have to think of the other. Rockwell deserved that Tony nod, and Fishburne really deserved one as well.
I can kind of understand the initial criticisms on Criss' performance, because it is so different from the other two, but maybe because he's had a few months in the role, I thought he was wonderful. A great contrast to the big performances by going small, it's so hard to believe this was the same actor who had energy to burn as Hedwig not that long ago!
I do wish at time the play slowed down a bit to let some of the darker moments linger, but you can't fault the director for wanting to showcase the energy in the words. It felt like the play had so much dialogue and yet felt like it was over before it started, and I actually wanted more.
And again, that set. Being first row, and seeing all the detail, arranged to create this incredible interactive maze for this mice to run through, it's really the fourth character in the show, and wish it got the Tony.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
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