Alec Baldwin back on B'way in ART — Page 2

quizking101 said: "I think a lot of people seeing PLAZA SUITE felt more attracted to the familiarity of the actors and the novelty that they were a married couple playing multiple married couples...I doubt it was the actual play itself.

That being said - despite having illustrious careers, both did far better work in the past than whatever this was. It was so tired, dry, and boring that I can't believe I thought I struck gold when I got a cheap balcony ticket early in the run. Poor SJP was really working overtime to make her comedy land, but Matthew was so painfully bland and square (delivering every line in a staccato, almost quizzical, fashion), that what could be have supremely funny felt tedious.

Having seen Plaza Suite a few times, I cannot relate at all to it being boring or bland. You probably should have attended later in the run as it just got better as it went. It was 2 actors bringing terrific comedic timing to a play that, for its time, was expertly crafted by Simon. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and audiences seemed to be delighted. Regardless of why this show was almost fully attended, people showed up and the objective is to get people in the seats. Theater attendance has not rebounded, also due to several reasons and that fact can’t be ignored. If you choose not to attend because you don’t like the material, that’s certainly your choice, but star performers are greatly needed in any material they choose to help this rebound along.

Who would be playing who? Assuming Leguizamo is Yvan (the Alfred Molina part), Baldwin seems more of a Serge (Garber) and Shalhoub seems more of a Marc (Alda)?

Seems like there should be a little more age diversity.

TheatreMonkey said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Who would be playing who? Assuming Leguizamo is Yvan (the Alfred Molina part), Baldwin seems more of a Serge (Garber) and Shalhoub seems more of a Marc (Alda)?

Seems like there should be a little more age diversity."

Curious as to why you feel there needs to be more age diversity -- a fundamental element is the trios 15-year-old friendship, and the life changes they've been through together. While it is not explicitly (if I recall correctly) stated that they are (or have to be) exactly the same age, I have to think that having them of different generations or some such, really isn't necessary or further illuminating. But I'm curious to hear if there's an aspect that you would think enhanced by such a change! (I mean that honestly, and in no way snarky! People are at each other's throats on here of late...)"



Yes, the characters are supposed to be middle aged - 40's to 50's. At 64, Baldwin is actually a bit old for the part. I am assuming he is playing Marc however, since Leguizamo is obviously Yvan and Serge is probably the least interesting role of the three. Marc is kind of the "lead" and drives most of the action of the play. It's also the role in the play best suited for Baldwin, since the character is...how to put it...he has a "strong personality."

I love this show! I was lucky enough to see the original production several times when I lived in NYC and was ushering. Saw the original cast (perfection) and the first replacement cast. Both were wonderful in their own right, but those original three were truly something else. There were rumors back then of a FRASIER replacement cast with Kelsey Grammer, David Hyde-Pierce, and John Mahoney taking on the roles. Sad that never happened! Also, there were rumors of an all-female replacement cast (don't remember if there were names attached or not) that didn't happen either. Excited at the prospect of getting to see this play again!

The Distinctive Baritone said: "TheatreMonkey said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Who would be playing who? Assuming Leguizamo is Yvan (the Alfred Molina part), Baldwin seems more of a Serge (Garber) and Shalhoub seems more of a Marc (Alda)?

Seems like there should be a little more age diversity."

Curious as to why you feel there needs to be more age diversity -- a fundamental element is the trios 15-year-old friendship, and the life changes they've been through together. While it is not explicitly (if I recall correctly) stated that they are (or have to be) exactly the same age, I have to think that having them of different generations or some such, really isn't necessary or further illuminating. But I'm curious to hear if there's an aspect that you would think enhanced by such a change! (I mean that honestly, and in no way snarky! People are at each other's throats on here of late...)"



Yes, the characters are supposed to be middle aged - 40's to 50's. At 64, Baldwin is actually a bit old for the part. I am assuming he is playing Marc however, since Leguizamo is obviously Yvan and Serge is probably the least interesting role of the three. Marc is kind of the "lead" and drives most of the action of the play. It's also the role in the play best suited for Baldwin, since the character is...how to put it...he has a "strong personality.""

And the idea of having a mid-life crisis is a strong theme through the play. The characters all need to be roughly in the same age bracket.


I think this trio is great casting. Yvan is really the award bait role here, as he has a lengthy and potentially show-stopping monologue (in the script, it’s a single sentence that spans about 3 full pages).

The title of this thread should be changed to "Tony Shalhoub straps John Leguizamo and Alec Baldwin to his feet and skates around the stage in ART"