Anyone seeing the first preview of A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE? — Page 2

I'm seeing the show on the 2nd of Jan. Did anyone stage door?

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I was wondering when some little dork would pop up to make nasty comments about Scarlett without having seen her performance. At least we got to page two before the weenies stuck.

Why don't you get up off your ass, out of your mother's basement and go watch Lost in Translation, Match Point, The Other Boyln Girl and Vicki Christina Barcelona, four films in which she is everything you are not: talented, desired, famous and successful.

She's on Broadway, MiracleElixr.

WTF have you ever done?

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Updated On: 12/29/09 at 06:07 AM

Stage Door Sally:

I saw "A View from the Bridge" from the orchestra, so I don't know about the sight lines from the balcony. I have seen many plays from the balcony at the Cort, though, and don't recall having any problems with partial views. I would also think that if the view were really restricted, it would have to be inidcated as such on the ticket or by the box-office.

As for the orchestra, if you're seated behind a tall person, as I was, the rake is such that your view will be partially blocked, and there's no knowing in advance about that. I can also say that the seats in the orchestra are extremely cramped. People were smaller when these theatres were built, and it doesn't appear as if patrons' comfort is foremost on theatre owners' minds.

I hope you have good sight lines and that you enjoy the show.

I agree allofmylife. While she has done an awful job at picking projects lately, she's been very, very good in quite a few movies (mainly earlier in her career). I'm glad to see that she is good in this, because her acting is generally understated, very much film acting. I was worried it might get lost in a theater setting.

^ Yeah, but they still would have needed to announce that, and I'm sure the posters who were there would have known.

Updated On: 12/29/09 at 08:25 PM

I would really like to know what musicman was talking about. lol.

Just got back from the Wednesday preview of A View from the Bridge. It has all the hallmarks of a smash hit. Great play, great cast and acting ensemble, and star power.

I did not see the LaPaglia version so can't compare. But Liev Schreiber nailed his portrayal of a tormented Brooklyn longshoreman. I loved his performance in Talk Radio, but he was even better with Miller's dialogue to work with.

Scarlett Johansson held her own. Oddly, she reminded me of a young Toni Collette, and that is a compliment. Jessica Hecht was excellent too and both women's accents were spot on.

Michael Cristofer brought a special warmth to his role as the narrator/lawyer that made me want to invite him over for dinner.

We had dreadful seats at the top of the balcony that were far from the action, but the acting was extremely powerful and the emotions overcame the distance.

Stage door was absolutely mobbed. If you want to do it get out the door fast, be prepared to wait, and have your camera at the ready.

Run, do not walk, to see this show. I am so glad my daughter chose it over Toxic Avenger,

Updated On: 12/31/09 at 12:28 AM

Bundy5000 it will be quite a challenge. My advice is leave the show before the curtain call to get a good spot at the stage door.

Yes, Bundy, disrespect the actors so you can ask them for a picture actor. Really, StageDoorSally, is that your advice and your typical behavior?

Chrisampm2,

I didn't stage door for this show. My daughter wanted to but by the time we got down to the street it was a mob scene and impossible. She was quite disappointed.

If it means the world to someone to see a star at the stage door, I think it is their call how they want to handle it. To each his/her own.

There is no need to leave the show early in order to get a good spot. If you really, really book, you can start to edge out as the curtain call is drawing to a close (or even directly after if you can REALLY move!), get to the stagedoor (it's to your left once you exit the theatre), and wiggle your way up to the front of the barricade.

I went on Wednesday; first of all, the show is fantastic--Liev Schreiber, Jessica Hecht, and Michael Cristofer especially doing absolutely brilliant jobs--and Scarlett Johansson is also really very good in her own right. Beautiful set design, too. Anyway, with regards to stagedooring, I left directly after the curtain call and managed to get to the front of the barricade with little trouble... although after I arrived the whole scene got progressively crazier (at one point cars couldn't drive down the street!). Jessica Hecht smiled but didn't sign anything (and, yes, people were audibly asking). Ryan Reynolds came out, by the way, and refused to sign, of course, saying "Not for this--this isn't my thing" (I thought his bothering to say that was very classy and I thought it was sweet to see him there supporting his wife). Liev Schreiber came out next, and he signed for people on both sides of the barricade; he was certainly friendly, and he took his time, so you got to talk to him if there was something you were dying to briefly discuss with him.

Scarlett Johansson came out last; she is unbelievably tiny and very adorable, and she signed for people on both sides of the barricade and took her time and was very sweet--I don't normally bring up outside stuff at stagedoor because it generally feels inappropriate, but I told her that 'Scoop' is my absolute favorite movie of all time and she went "Thank you so much! Really? [laughs] It was really fun to make."

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"Disrespect them how? It's not like they know who left early."

Sure they most likely won't know you left (depending on where you were sitting) but it's still rude. These people just worked their buts off for over 2 hours and you can't stay there and extra minute to give them the applause they deserve? Who cares about a picture really? Just photoshop it.