Alec Baldwin ignites this "Sloane"

[Auggie27]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 8:24pm

I only saw the fourth preview, but at this stage, Baldwin's "Ed" is the event of this promising production. Maxwell, Easton, and especially Carmack are all delivering (Maxwell is still finding a way to hold her own with the powerhouse Baldwin takeover in act two, and could have a bit more fun as she gets the upper hand in the play's climax -- but I suspect another week will seal that deal.) I think with this role, Baldwin continues to reinvent himself. Who knew the smoldering, impassioned youth could evolve to become such a provocative character actor, before hitting 50? He's in peak form here, and anyone who saw a corner turned in THE COOLER will continue to be wowed. He alone's worth the trip.

Updated On: 2/19/06 at 08:24 PM

[beckie_nyc]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 8:30pm

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

[Auggie27]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 9:48pm

And the production is darker than the previous SLOANEs. Not a wildly different interpretation, but in some ways grittier. There are long stretches that don't have laughs -- partly a Sunday afternoon Roundabout syndrome, partly the material, partly the reality of the staging. It's gripping in an honest way.

[Lamc16]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 11:12pm

I cannot wait to see this!

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 11:15pm

Thanks for that -- I'm very excited for this production.

Posted: 2/20/06 at 10:50pm

Does Carmack do any nudity?

[BSoBW3]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 10:51pm

Does that make a difference?

It's called a strip joint if you want to see nudity.

Posted: 2/20/06 at 11:46pm

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!

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 12:12am

Dang, I would love to see this. Auggie, how is the sexual tension between the men played out? Subtly? Probably best for the play, but dang, I would love to see those two go at it.

[MissNY]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 10:53am

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

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 11:02am

I saw a production of this at the Mark Taper in 1987 (I was in junior high) and we saw Maxwell Caufield's pee pee.


Seriously--I hope to see this. Love Ms. Maxwell's work.

Updated On: 2/21/06 at 11:02 AM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 1:13pm

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.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 4:02pm

Seeing it this Friday and definitely looking forward to it! Does anyone know where the stage door at the Laura Pels theater is? Thanks!

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 4:04pm

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.

[SCBWannabe]

Posted: 2/22/06 at 12:23am

Without A Trace--Will be there Friday as well....front row! Can't wait. Say hi if you see me. I will also be doing the stage door....met Chris Carmack there this evening. Very nice guy! Take care-

[hushpuppy]

Posted: 2/22/06 at 10:36am

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)

[Auggie27]

Posted: 2/22/06 at 11:27am

Actually, I don't recall Caulfield being nude in "Sloane." He was in a play at the Public wherein he slept nude on the beach, and two older women watched him. It was a one word play -- "Salonika" or some such. (Who can give details??) I think people here remembering him a naked Mr. S are confusing the two. There's no full frontal in Sloane; the show doesn't trade on such obvious trickery. The sexuality is in the lexicon, the words, used by the characters.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 2:09pm

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.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 2:19pm

One of the shows I was willing to pay top dollar for to see next week. really looking forward to it now!
edit: I have really developed a new respect for Mr Baldwin w his willingness to try different directions in his career- returning to the theatre, producing et all.
Updated On: 2/25/06 at 02:19 PM

[lptrick]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 2:27pm

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

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 5:13pm

I just got back from today's matinee. A superb production, top to bottom. Baldwin is FIERCE.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 5:26pm

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.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 5:33pm

He really is one of our best actors, IMO.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 5:35pm

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.

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

[sabrelady]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 5:41pm

"top to bottom" *sn*s childishly*