Anyone seeing the first preview of A BEHANDING IN SPOKANE tonight?- Page 2

[mikem]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 11:11am

A Behanding in Spokane reunites Martin McDonagh with the director and set/costume/lighting designers for The Pillowman. The play is classic McDonagh – lots of questionable language, lots of parts that are not for the squeamish, very very black comedy, and it all adds up to a very entertaining evening. If you love McDonagh (as I do), you will love the show. If you are not a fan of his work, I don’t think this play will convert you.

The show was in very good shape for a first preview, although I agree the long monologue needs to be tightened. The actors are all very good and have the goods to get better and better with time, although there are some moments that have not quite gelled. Christopher Walken is hilarious and I am confident that a Tony nom is in the cards. The set/costumes/lighting are just right.

There may be some criticism that the show does not really speak to larger themes, in the way that The Pillowman seemed to. It isn’t trying to be the equivalent of The Great American Novel. Although it has something to say, the show is similar to God of Carnage in that it is more entertaining than illuminating.

This is the last of the candidates for Best Play to have a public performance, and I feel confident in saying it will be one of the nominees.

Of note, the ushers said several times that if you left your seat during the show, they would not let you return to your seat. I don't recall ever hearing that said before.

I'm a little surprised to hear that there were several walkouts. The show is certainly not for everyone, but it is very much the show that you would think it would be based on McDonagh's previous work.

In response to previous comments:
The stage is not high, but the front row appears to be very close, so there will be some looking up at some points (although I'm guessing not that much).

The stage door was chaotic. They only had 2 barricade pieces (which they tried to make into 2 sides of a very flat triangle) and at least 50 - 100 fans (including a lot of dealers), so the math didn't work. There was also no real exit path for the cast. There were also some pretty aggressive fans -- some woman literally pushed me aside to try to get to Christopher Walken when he came out. I overheard the security guys talking afterwards -- they were not expecting that many fans and didn't plan right. I have no doubt that it will be set up completely differently tonight.

[ken8631]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 1:33pm

Thanks for the info! Seeing it tonight.....

[Fosse76]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 1:35pm

"Of note, the ushers said several times that if you left your seat during the show, they would not let you return to your seat. I don't recall ever hearing that said before."

That policy is being worked on. Apparently, the director doesn't want anyone being seated after the first and only late seating cue. So naturally, if someone gets up to use the restroom, and returns to their seat after the late seating cue, any latecomers who haven't been seated will raise a fuss. As far as I know they are looking at restricting the no-seating to the first half of the orchestra, but as of now there is no seating after the first 20 minutes of the show.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 2:08pm

It'd be great if every show had such a policy.

I broke down and got a rush ticket for tonight!

[jeffmiele]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 2:23pm

frogs, what time did you get there for rush, and was it crowded?

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 2:38pm

I went on my lunch break, so it was probaby around 12:30.

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 3:10pm

I'm really glad to hear the positive feedback about the show. I can't wait to see it in June! I'm envious of you all who stagedoored if you got to meet Martin McDonagh. I'd flip for the chance to talk to him or get his autograph.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 3:51pm

I'm going to assume not, but was there any merchandise to be had?

[Fosse76]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 4:25pm

"I'm going to assume not, but was there any merchandise to be had?"

No.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 5:24pm

Martin did stagedoor and was VERY nice and charming. He signed for everyone and stayed out with the crowd longer than any of the actors.

[April Saul]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 5:52pm

I'm reading this thread and as much as I like all you guys, I'm wondering why anybody who is squeamish about loud noises and getting splattered would go to a McDonagh play, much less sit in the front row! I love him and can't wait to see this, but he's all about the blood and gore...just saying

[Kad]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 9:25pm

I just got back from it... I loved it. It certainly was not McDonagh's best, but it was extremely entertaining and all the performances were great.

It was in excellent shape for a second preview. I didn't have a problem with Rockwell's monologue at all. It was lengthy, but it's not as if it were boring or slow.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 9:52pm

I had a blast tonight. Can't wait to go back on Friday!

[cglaid]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 9:59pm

I cannot wait to see this and am pleased to see such positive reactions.

I am also a huge Anthony Mackie fan - did he sign/take pictures?

[maxximumvolume]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 10:05pm

Anthony signed, but he did not take pictures. He did take a few minutes to chat with fans, though admittedly it got to the point where people were cornering him on the street. He seemed super nice though, and his performance is absolutely hilarious.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 10:10pm

Yes, he was the only one who took photos I believe. Walken came out first and signed for maybe 6 or 7 people and then left. A few minutes later, Rockwell, Kazan, Mackie, Martin McDonagh and Emily Blunt and John Krasinski, who happened to be there all came out at the same time, so it was hard to get anyone's attention. I was able to get autographs from McDonagh and Mackie though. The crowd was maybe 25-30 people and it seemed to thin a bit after Walken left. Everyone was out before 9PM.

[cglaid]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 10:11pm

Thanks for the quick response! Cannot wait to see this.

[BroadwayBaby]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 10:40pm

There WILL be Merchandise starting around the first week of March. Not sure what they will be selling, but I know they will be selling come March....

[ken8631]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 8:01am

Also saw it last night from the front row. It was excellent! Really enjoyed it, and it received a well deserved standing O at the end.... I didn't understand certain parts of it, but I'm sure it will be discussed here at length at some point. Not sure if I would see again (other shows I haven't seen yet) just because I now know what happens, but it was a very enjoyable show. As yes, I did like The Pillowman and Liuetenent Of Inishmore.... Also thought all of the cast did an excellent job - Walken definitely deserves a nomination for this, and other cast members should also be considered!

[Patash]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 10:52am

Saw it last night from a side aisle seat in the third row and it was perfect.
This is without a doubt the FUNNIEST if not the best of the McDonagh plays. I hurt from laughing. I can understand those back further having trouble hearing or understanding Walken. He is very good and very funny, but incredibly soft spoken. I'm curious how his voice carries to the balcony for example.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 11:11am

I was in the last row of the mezzanine all the way over house left and could hear everyone perfectly fine. The only times I may have missed a line were when the actors were trying to talk over the laughter and it wasn't a projection issue.

[ken8631]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 11:55am

I agree - I wonder if the rear mezz can hear him.... Front row had no problem but thinking about it........

Just read frogs comment - the audio is pretty good then since Mr Walken did seem a bit soft-spoken at times.....

Again, an excellent play!
Updated On: 2/17/10 at 11:55 AM

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 4:10pm

I just got back from the Matinee and I loved it. In much better shape than Next Fall. I was in the last row and I think I would have liked much more if I could see facial expressions and hear a little better. It was hard to hear/understand Walken at times but overall It was great. It was probably the strangest show I've ever seen...

[bundy5000]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 5:57pm

I also agree that it is the strangest play I have ever seen. Honestly If I could describe the show in one word."voyeuristic"

[MiracleElixir]

Posted: 2/19/10 at 2:31am

"Sam Rockwell's monologue which was neither funny nor useful in terms of plot. "

I agree with Whizzer, dave -- I actually thought the monologue was brilliant because it set up almost every single thing that Sam's character does/says for the rest of the play, while also feeling incredibly organic. However, there was a lot of awkward silences during (what I thought were) incredibly funny moments because the audience felt uncomfortable laughing -- particularly the jokes about school shootings (my audience had a similar reaction to any line featuring the n-word).

Anyway, agree with most of the reaction here. Not McDonagh's absolute best, but still hilarious, incredibly odd, and ingeniously constructed. Will be going at least once more.