Act One Previews — Page 2

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#26

Act One Previews

Posted: 3/22/14 at 12:46am

Saw the first preview as well and have to agree with everything that has been said - this was way too long and very slow/unnecessarily detailed. I never felt invested in the success of the show within a show (Once In A Lifetime), especially because the bits they did show (of the rehearsal process, etc.) did not seem engaging or funny :/ I did think Shaloub was wonderful, though. He transitions between characters and accents flawlessly, playing three completely different roles (the father, Kaufman, and older Moss Hart). I'm a big Santino fan and enjoyed him. Definitely an easy presence. I feel like this one is a case of flawed material, not performance or anything else. And just because it bears repeating, this set is perhaps the most beautiful I have ever seen. I would honestly recommend going to see the show just for the set. The cast maneuvers all the staircases flawlessly and the rooms are just gorgeous. Andrea was great, but I felt like the material was stifling her humor a bit. She's funnier than that. I will say, though, there were a number of lines that got me really laughing. So perhaps if they cut a lot (and I mean a LOT), this will improve? I am sort of interested in reading the book! Heard lots of audience members saying the book is a lot better.

BTW I sat in the side orchestra and thought the view was great! I can imagine that the view of that set from the mezzanine is nice, but I could see everything and loved being so close to the actors. No complaints on that front! (Except that the seats are so tight...my poor knees!)

#27

Act One Previews

Posted: 3/23/14 at 11:43pm

I'm hoping this becomes great. I love the book.

"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

#28

Act One Previews

Posted: 3/24/14 at 12:02am

After you read the book, read DAZZLER, the true story of Moss Hart by Steven Bach.

#29

Act One Previews

Posted: 3/26/14 at 3:29pm

Intermission and I have to say, I am enjoying it. Tony S and Andrea M are really good. Yes, it is a little long. But it's conveying the story well. Set is amazing.

#30

Act One Previews

Posted: 3/26/14 at 3:46pm

I'm glad to hear this, because I was starting to dread seeing this show! (I have tickets for early April.)

#31

Act One Previews

Posted: 3/26/14 at 4:07pm

Just read this thread and it is breaking my heart.

When I was young and first fell in love with the theater, reading Moss Hart's Act One (for the first of at least half a dozen times) set me on a path of reading Howard Teichmann's GEORGE S. KAUFMAN: AN INTIMATE PORTRAIT to Scott Merdith's 700-page GEORGE S. KAUFMAN AND HIS FRIENDS then moving on to multiple biographies of Dorothy Parker (including Marion Meade's absolutely perfect WHAT FRESH HELL IS THIS?) and Kaufman's other friends from the Algonquin Round Table, through the decades to DAZZLER, which tells the story behind Act One.

I had such high hopes for this but wondered whether James Lapine was really the right person to tell the story of one-half of the team that perfected the American well-made play. (George S. Kaufman on how to write a three-act play: "Act One: Get the hero up a tree. Act Two: Throw stones at him. Act Three: Get the son-of-a-bitch back down.")

Whizzer's words make me wonder if Lapine call make this at all satisfying:

Act One was so exasperating because the characters are discussing overlong and problematic plays. They are so adept at show doctoring, but the man writing this play desperately needed his characters to start fixing the dialogue in the play they were appearing, not the one they were writing.

#32

Posted: 3/26/14 at 5:02pm

Sorry phone posted too many times.

Updated On: 3/26/14 at 05:02 PM

#39

Act One Previews

Posted: 3/26/14 at 5:04pm

Is it long?

#40

Act One Previews

Posted: 3/26/14 at 5:05pm

It’s long, and it got her in the end.

CHURCH DOOR TOUCAN GAY MARKETING PUPPIES MUSICAL THEATER STAPLES PERIOD OIL BITCHY SNARK HOLES

#41

Act One Previews

Posted: 3/26/14 at 5:07pm

Something long in the end... Jeez, now I'm sad I'm not going until May 15.

Now t/d/b/a haterobics on here.

#42

Act One Previews

Posted: 3/26/14 at 5:21pm

Sorry about the multiple posts. I really enjoyed it. I look forward to returning later in the run to see if they made some needed cuts. The cast is incredible. The set is amazing. I found the end to be very touching.

#43

Act One Previews

Posted: 3/26/14 at 5:23pm

So you prefer it be cut, rather than uncut as it's too long?

Those seem like unrelated issues.

Now t/d/b/a haterobics on here.

#44

Act One Previews

Posted: 3/26/14 at 5:27pm

Saw the show last night. While its been cut down from the 3 hour 10 minute runtime mentioned earlier in the thread...its still too long. I think its 2 hours 40 minutes now. roughly. Its funny that for a play called "Act One" where Moss Hart writes a brilliant first act but needs to work one the rest: the first act of this piece of theatre is drawn out forever. It needs some serious cutting from Mr Lapine. A good 15 mintues if not more still need to go. It comes off like a laundry list of events, and there is so much to get to, they happen in such quick succession that none of the dramatic/impactful moments get a chance to land.

He should have followed the model of a bio like Spielbergs Lincoln. Which focused on telling one defining story rather than explore every single moment of a mans life. Because act two is infinitely better. Shalhoub switches almost exclusively to playing Kaufman and we get to see the relationship between the two writers progress as they sort out Once in a Lifetime. It would be stronger if this had been the sole focus, with only Fontana playing Hart and Shalhoub playing Kaufman, and getting to their partnership quicker. In the end it is a classic story of rising above ones standing through hard work and achieving your wildest dreams. I really enjoyed the second half, and where it ended. Lapine just needs to start crossing out pages like Kaufman would, otherwise they should retitle the play "Act Two"

#45

Act One Previews

Posted: 3/27/14 at 12:31am

I have a remaining slot open during my NY Visit in May. Should I see "Mothers and Sons" or "Act One"? I appreciate input from those who've seen both. And yes, I do realize Act One is still in previews.

"It does what a musical is supposed to do; it takes you to another world. And it gives you a little tune to carry in your head. Something to take you away from the dreary horrors of the real world. A little something for when you're feeling blue. You know?"

#46

Act One Previews

Posted: 3/27/14 at 12:49am

A couple of you have mentioned the set, but can anyone talk about Jane Greenwood's costumes? She's been nominated for a Tony 18 times before, and I'm hoping she finally gets to win. (She's been designing costumes for over 50 years on Broadway and is long overdue.)

#47

Act One Previews

Posted: 4/3/14 at 9:05am

Saw it last night. I've been a member of Lincoln Center for over 20 years, and I think this was the worst thing I've seen there. What a waste of a great set and talented cast. Lapine's script is a meandering mess. It's clear that he idolizes Moss Hart, but he sure didn't find a way to dramatize Hart's story.

Word of mouth on this one must be spreading. Usually LCT previews are packed with subscribers, but last night the mezzanine had about 10 people, and the two sides of the orchestra were empty.

#48

Act One Previews

Posted: 4/3/14 at 9:28am

^ Worse than the recent Macbeth?

I was excited about this but it looks I'll be skipping it.

#49

Act One Previews

Posted: 4/3/14 at 10:27am

Hmmmm, that's a tough call. That production of Macbeth was pretty bad. But at least there was still Shakespeare's words to enjoy, even if they weren't always presented very well. There is very little to enjoy in Lapine's script.

#50

Act One Previews

Posted: 4/3/14 at 5:35pm

I was hoping to read the show got better. Sucks that it didn't.

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