An Interesting Article about The Inheritance

[A Director]

Posted: 12/12/19 at 4:57pm

https://slate.com/culture/2019/12/the-inheritance-play-review-matthew-lopez-gay-broadway.html

[joevitus]

Posted: 12/12/19 at 5:11pm

Just read that this morning.

[inception]

Posted: 12/12/19 at 7:18pm

I'm thankful to finally see some thoughtful pieces calling this play out for what it is: 100% fake. The other critical articles linked within this one were great reads as well.

[hork]

Posted: 12/13/19 at 1:22pm

This article is dumb. The writer doesn’t seem to understand the power of oral storytelling at all. Not everything in theater has to be conflict. He probably hates Come from Away too.

[joevitus]

Posted: 12/13/19 at 1:30pm

People who have different response than me are dumb.

[Kad]

Posted: 12/13/19 at 2:04pm

hork said: "This article is dumb. The writer doesn’t seem to understand the power of oral storytelling at all."

Well, he compiled the oral history of Angels in America, The World Only Spins Forward, so he understands the power of oral storytelling at least a little. 

 

Updated On: 12/13/19 at 02:04 PM

[MrsSallyAdams]

Posted: 12/13/19 at 2:08pm

I enjoyed The Inheritance but I think its running time has done it harm. People expect it to be "important" and resent the fact that it is simply a long play. The play is telling three stories this article focuses on the least interesting one.

I found Eric Glass boring. His conflict is internal. He hates himself and he settles for two unhealthy relationships because of it. He only finds peace by taking responsibility for Leo which gets him out of his own head.

The active character is Toby. But his self-destructive behavior becomes predictable. We gradually understand why he is the way he is but are given no reason to hope that he can change his ways.

These two storylines combine with the larger narrative of the new generations of gay men seeking their history. I agree with the author that this is presented in a passive way through lecture and narration. Rather like reading a series of juicy editorials . Where we disagree is the suggestion that this lacks merit . I found it a useful take on an important subject .

I agree with the suggestions that The Inheritance could've been a Netflix series. If it happens I will binge watch it . But I also appreciated the experience of seeing it live with an audience full of gay men. I compare it to last summer's experience of watching the Boys in the Band revival . The script itself was not evergreen but the cast and context made it vital .

Updated On: 12/17/19 at 02:08 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 12/13/19 at 2:28pm

MrsSallyAdams said: " The play is telling three stories this article focuses on the least interesting one."

...it's also unarguably the main story, and the one around which all others revolve. 

 

[PTChazman]

Posted: 12/14/19 at 7:06am

Different strokes. I thought Angels in America and Hamilton suffers from similar arguments.

Loved the show. An article won’t sway me from my opinion anymore than a person wearing a MAGA hat.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/14/19 at 7:26am

I dont think anyone was TRYING to sway your opinion...simply sharing theirs.


Hork...are you implying CFA has no conflict?

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 12/14/19 at 8:32am

The acting is phenomenal - and the story did draw me in- it was not one of my all-time favorites- but I am glad I saw it- and loved spending the entire day in the theater- the show meandered at times- like some really long novels do at times- but the storyline always picked up- maybe it is not for everybody- but I am glad I saw it.

[quizking101]

Posted: 12/17/19 at 1:39pm

I have to say that I was certainly drawn in to the play (Part 1) just by the minimalism of it all (because I pictured a much more opulent production based on reading the play cold).

I’m seeing both parts in a few weeks (Since it’s been long enough where I need to refresh on Part 1). Honestly, I think the acting is very good, but even though I could do the marathon running time, I think the fact that there is a 7-hour marathon play out with no major recognizable names (until Tony Goldwyn steps in, even then that’s murky) is a very hard sell. I also hate the fact that the Part 1/Part 2 balance is uneven in terms of showings, because not everyone can make it to the city on a weekend or a Wednesday to catch Part 2 (and it not appearing on TDF lately has been strange).

They just released a new block of tickets for through the Tony Awards. I stated even before it opened that I bet it will go the route of The Ferryman and run up until nominations and close on Tony night or within a month after (if they want to run their awards high).

(Side Note/Off Topic: I just updated my eBay site with more Playbills I’m trying to offload if anyone is interested - www.ebay.com/usr/missvirginiahamm ... I’ve been trying to update my signature since it has a bad link to no avail)

[52889j]

Posted: 12/17/19 at 3:20pm

I enjoyed The Inheritance, but it did fall short of its London-buzz for me. I think this article does a great job in decoding how it could've gone over so well in London, but not in New York.

[RSrichie]

Posted: 12/17/19 at 6:47pm

I thought The Inheritance was exquisitely beautiful theater. Not perfect, but what is? If people don’t like this, I give up. They won’t like anything. This is a love letter to the gay community.

[hork]

Posted: 12/17/19 at 7:49pm

dramamama611 said: "I dont think anyone was TRYING to sway your opinion...simply sharing theirs.


Hork...are you implying CFA has no conflict?

Oh, no. I'm just saying it's very narration-driven like The Inheritance.

 

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 12/17/19 at 8:40pm

RSrichie said: "I thought The Inheritance was exquisitely beautiful theater. Not perfect, but what is? If people don’t like this, I give up. They won’t like anything. This is a love letter to the gay community."

As someone who is both gay and has recently loved a few things I’ve seen, I find this an odd statement. Especially given the intelligently, coherently written article this thread exists to highlight.

And if it were a “love letter to the gay community,” it would be a hell of a lot less sex-negative. To start with.

[RSrichie]

Posted: 12/18/19 at 2:06am

Sex negative is a judgement that I don’t think it implied at all. It honestly depicted sexual behavior within the gay community & its ramifications. Good and bad.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 12/18/19 at 8:03am

RSrichie said: "Sex negative is a judgement that I don’t think it implied at all. It honestly depicted sexual behavior within the gay community & its ramifications. Good and bad. "

Sure, Jan.

[PTChazman]

Posted: 12/18/19 at 12:24pm

Disagree. Many reviewers try to “sway” opinions. “No soul? Feels empty? Hardly world changing”?The author is coming across as an erudite snob who mentions Hamlet, Aristotle and Howard’s end and says the play “fails to connect”. The theater was sold out when I saw it two weeks ago. i experienced anger, fear, joy, embarrassment and sadness and, to me, that’s what is the beauty of Art is in whatever form; to create some reaction, and his comments of feeling empty and failing to connect and “structurally unsound” are ludicrous.
Again/ different strokes. I had an incredible experience and it was my favorite show in the last several years.

[RSrichie]

Posted: 12/18/19 at 3:06pm

You get out of art what you bring to it.

[ARTc3]

Posted: 12/18/19 at 7:24pm

I was deeply moved by The Inheritance and enjoyed all 7 hours. I highly recommend the play.