Alec Baldwin ignites this "Sloane"

Oh, thanks for that. I am really looking forward to it.

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I cannot wait to see this!

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Does Carmack do any nudity?

LOL... If you know of a strip joint where Chris Carmack works, then please point me in that direction!!

I'd pay to see that man take it off anywhere, whether it's the Gaiety, the West Side Club, OR the Laura Pels Theatre. I ain't picky!

Chris doesnt do nudity but he does appear shirtless for a couple of scenes (wow)

Sueleen, the scene between Baldwin and Carmack is certainly fully loaded, you should 'scuse the 'spression. There's one particularly funny bit of staging with leather-clad Carmack spread eagled over a settee when Baldwin spots him, and does an inspired double-take.

Baldwin plays the uniquely Orton-esque entendre persuasively, growing red faced with rage as he chastises him for immoral behavior with "birds." Every time Baldwin speaks to Sloane about the evils of fooling around with girls he takes on a presumptive professorial tone that's dead on.

I hope he keeps the performance as subtle as it currently is; conversely, I hope Maxwell comes up a bit, growing a bit more feisty and competative in the 3rd act scenes. She could give Baldwin a bit more of what he gives her, and no doubt will. He's a formidable sparring partner.

For inquiring minds (SPOILER--OR SHOULD I SAY, UNPAID ADVERTISEMENT, SINCE THIS BIT OF SPOILAGE WILL SELL SEATS) Carmack is shirtless through much of act one, and takes his pants off, as the plot dictates, allowing Maxwell to rub his leg and butt.

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The actors usually leave through the front door.

I think I'm going on Saturday. I'll have to check my calander. This is sure to be a can't-miss production.

I saw Mr Sloane last night and I was knocked out by all four performances. There's still a few mangled words here and there, but that's to be expected with Orton's rapid-fire dialog, especially when an American cast is affecting British accents. But overall, the show is riveting.

I can see where audiences in 1964 would find this show 'shocking' (that was the year Hello, Dolly! opened up after all) but I was more shocked by the language Ed uses towards his sister and some of the violence than I was by the sexual nature of the story (but then I came of age as a gay man in the 70's in San Francisco so not many things sexual shock me).

One question: as I was not fortunate enough to see the 1981 production with the delicious Maxwell Caulfield, where were the infamous nude scenes? I can't see where they would've been without it seeming gratuitous. (But then, personally I've never been against gratuitous nudity in the theatre)

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The 2/26 Arts and Leisure has a piece by Brantley, who states he's "lusting" to see this production. It's accompanied by a huge color photo of the cast that, ahem, is bound to help the box office. One almost wonders if Brantley has already snuck in for a peek--a the production, that is--and can't stop himself from the drumbeat. Wouldn't be the first time--film critics see things early and withhold comment all the time (Pauline Kael a famous case). This production has an actor Brantley worships, Maxwell, and a play he adores. That either sets the bar higher, or makes him predisposed to embrace it.

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A bang-up revival. Baldwin's spot-on performance is the big news; don't miss it.

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Nicely put, MEfan. Fierce he is. He continues to re-invent himself, having once been -- let's face it -- Mr.Sloane worthy in his own right. He's not yet 50 but can take on a character role like Ed and still manage to project more than a glimmer of his old smoulder.

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No, Auggie, in the Mark Taper production, Maxwell was naked from the waist down. We clearly saw his butt and if you were seated SL side (I was), you saw him thrusting his pelvis, making his penis flop.

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Updated On: 2/25/06 at 05:35 PM