Anybody going to see MOTHER COURAGE? Post your thoughts here — Page 3

I've been enjoying this run a lot. I just wished people bought more merchandise from me, the annoying kid on the line with the brown hat who sometimes sings for you all.

thank you. I hope you enjoyed the show Rose.

Brecht's shows have always been hard for people to sit through because they require the audience to think and not just sit back and enjoy the show. You have to work to enjoy the show- and in the end it's a most rewarding experience. I guess those who left after 20 minutes won't ever experience that.

All I have to say- having seen the show- and hopefully will again after it opens- is that Meryl is amazing- as is the show in general- but she really is just mesmorizing in the role.

It's a long show- so bring some caffeinated beverages- but I've never been to a production of Mother Courage where I've left the theater in less than 3 hours- and this is the most thrilling production of the show I've seen.

Liz Smith's thoughts:

"I HAVEN'T MUCH PATIENCE with the people who are carping that "Mother Courage and Her Children" at the free Shakespeare in the Park event, starring Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline, is too much play and too long for audiences to bear.

People may have left during the first night but on the second night, I noted only one pair of deserted seats at the intermission. (Outside, eager New Yorkers were jumping up and down, begging for "tickets . . . just one; have you got one?")

This incredible presentation of the Bertolt Brecht drama by the Public Theater called many great giant talents. Tony Kushner did the translation and it's crisp, profane and profound. The director, the estimable George C. Wolfe, has made a miracle; I can't imagine how he wheeled an enormous cast of what looks like hundreds of soldiers, camp followers and derelicts around Riccardo Hernandez's rusting, bashed-up set and kept the pace so fast and furious.

The spark plug of this 3-1/2-hour drama is that paragon of American stage and screen, Streep. As a hale, hearty, sexy woman hauling her children, pots, pans and the things she has scrounged in a wagon across Sweden, Poland and Germany from 1642 to 1636, she is indomitable. She is also all fire and ice, bravado and fear, ever bouncing back in adversity. A strong, liberated woman ahead of her time. And speaking of time, there are many modern touches in this play -- costumes and props cross the centuries. This isn't just about the Thirty Years War; it's about war!

The audience "gets" the timeless Brecht take on that. What a horrible thing it is, while at the same time "it's good for business." Actor Streep is ably assisted by many worthies, especially when Kevin Kline, as an army cook, re-enters the scene. (Mr. Kline is that rare thing you seldom see anymore; a really impressive leading man!) Meryl is onstage for most of the evening, doing impossible things, having memorized millions of words and phrases and moves and takes and leers and frowns and groans and tears. This is bravura acting at its best! We are privileged to see the re-creation of this Brecht masterpiece.

My own caveat? I could have done without the Brecht songs even with their excellently devised new lyrics. To me they felt like stage-waits in an otherwise haunting, hurting and harried drama. So that's the Philistine in me.

People are all but killing to try to get into this brief event, ending Sept. 3. I don't know what to tell you; I was lucky. But go and be part of a real glorious city experience. Stand outside and yell at everyone, "Got any tickets? Just one!" You may be lucky."



http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117948423?categoryid=15&cs=1

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Updated On: 8/14/06 at 05:21 PM

I adored the show and the songs! Brillant all around production. Like I've mentioned before, I didn't love or hate 3Penny but I loved everything about this. It resonated with me more, I guess.

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I think people think it's longer because the first act and second act are basically the same length (they have runtime down to a hundredth of a second written on a sheet of paper in the voms). People are used to 1h 45-50 minute first acts followed by second acts that barely reach an hour. This gives people the impression that the show is longer than it is, in my opinion.

ps: Meryl Streep touched the tote bags in the merch booth.

Or so I'm told.

brainpolice - I will come visit you!

Brainpolice, I'll be at the show Wednesday night. I may have to come say hi!

Just got back.

Let me say that this was the most amazing theatrical experience I've ever had. Meryl Streep and all are absolutley perfect and, with the exception of "The Song of Solomon" sung by Kevin Kline, there was really no weak moment.

The show does not drag on, though the seats are uncomfortable (sorry brainpolice for not buying your merchandise, ie: seat cushion, although you tried hard to sell it to us.)

Anyway, Meryl has a fatastic voice and gives an extraordinary performance. How she can make it through this three hour performance each night is beyond me. That's talent.

Everything else is superb - especially Jennifer Lewis as Yvette. (Who we had the pleasure of meeting before the show thanks to an unfortunate, yet comical, experience.) Tesori's music, except the afformentioned song, is all great and never once dull. It's jazzy military.

Kushner's adaptation is extremely funny. Could things be cut? Yes. Should they be cut? No. Why? Because it all works. I spotted him and Wolfe in the audience. Wolfe is another one - he did a fantastic job with the whole thing. There were a few moments I thought could have been changed - he used a lot of the same things over and over - but, as I said before, it never bored me.

We got there at 10. Lined up outside Central Park (at 81st and Central Park West).

At about 12 another person came and by 5 am, when they let you inside the park, there were maybe 20 people on line. By about 10 am, or so, the line stretched to 86th street.

I was there last night, too. Liked it a lot but definitely didn't love it. However, this is probably the best production of this notoriously hard play that I've ever seen. Meryl really is perfect and Jenifer Lewis steals anything that isn't nailed down. "The Ballad of Mother Courage" is beautiful.

I'm glad you guys enjoyed the show. I felt bad b/c I think I interrupted a conversation you were having w/ Jenifer Lewis. I think the version you saw on Wednesday had a few changes from earlier previews (I think for the better). You guys are real troopers sleeping over in the park. I hope you all enjoyed the experience, and if you can't afford seat cushions I'd say bring a pillow or something from home.