Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

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Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

Posted: 1/5/10 at 12:41am

Well, I am not usually into plays, but I must say I was dying to see anything written by Arthur Miller.
Although I have gone to see shows to see celebrities; I am not a fan of Johansson, so she wasn't the reason why I attended this play.
But I have to say that "A View" was excellent. Engaging from the minute it starts till the end with the wonderful writing. I think that Arthur is the true star of the show.
The acting was top notch, the lines felt a little rushed in the beginning by the whole cast, but then it got better(the show is currently on previews).
About the cast:
Jessica Hecht was perfection.
Santino Fontana was fabulous. Even his speaking voice is a delight(his singing can be heard on The Fantasticks revival CD).
Michael Cristofer was great, but he had the accent of an Italian descend New Yorker, and then he said that he lived in Italy until he was 25yo. Which is hard to believe, because you basically can't lose your accent if you move to another country at the age of 25. But that's the director's choice and it actually worked for the play. Michael's acting was superb as the lawyer and narrator.
Scarlett Johansson was very good in it. She is very feminine and very delicate on stage, I enjoyed her.
Liev Schreiber stole the show, he was haunting. Just fantastic. And very handsome I might add.
Corey Stoll was great, and so were the rest of the cast. The cast was truly top notch. Each one of the actors, the minor roles are all standouts.

"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

Posted: 1/5/10 at 1:18am

You know, I saw the Anthony LaPaglia, Allison Janney, Britney Murphy version and it was so perfect I find myself uninterested in this revival. But you're right about the script being the star.

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Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

Posted: 1/5/10 at 1:31am

I was constanty imagining how Brittany Murphy must have played the role on Broadway. Would you expand about her performance? Or the whole cast if you have time.

"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

Posted: 1/5/10 at 6:53am

How do they play the relationship between Eddie and Catherine in the new revival?
For me, Liev is too attractive (in a heartthrob kinda way) to play Eddie, and I think this must bring a new dimension to their relationship, because the audience can see why Catherine may be sexually interested in Eddie. Plus the fact that Scarlett is 25, I don't enviasge her Catherine having the naive immaturity required for the role. Scarlett appears mature beyond her years, regardless of how talented an actress she is.
I would have loved to see Anthony and Brittany.

Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

Posted: 1/5/10 at 8:44am

I am assuming that you attended the 1/4 performance. Two friends of mine were also in attendance for concierge night and very much enjoyed the performance.

Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder

Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

Posted: 1/5/10 at 9:50am

For me, Liev is too attractive (in a heartthrob kinda way) to play Eddie.

See that didn't even bother me that much. What bothered me was that he was clearly far too young to be playing Eddie.

Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

Posted: 1/5/10 at 10:01am

For those who insist upon "reviewing" a show before critics week, I hope the very same thing happens to you, and I hope it happens soon.

"If my life weren't funny, it would just be true. And that would be unacceptable." --Carrie Fisher

Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

Posted: 1/5/10 at 10:01am

Liev Schreiber is 42, how old is Eddie Carbone supposed to be? I thought Schreiber was excellent. Anthony LaPaglia is 51 now...How old was he when he played Eddie?

ETA: I think LaPaglia was 38 and Tony LoBianco was 47 when they played Eddie...

Updated On: 1/5/10 at 10:01 AM

Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

Posted: 1/5/10 at 10:06am

I knew Liev was in his 40s... but I suppose what I meant to say was that I thought he read too young. To me, both he and Jessica Hecht came across much younger. The age gap between them and Scarlett wasn't believable.

#10

Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

Posted: 1/5/10 at 11:06am

Angus, that's interesting what you said. I felt like the age difference was not a big deal, because she can pass for a 17yo that just developed and has a more "grown up" figure. But Liev was indeed very good looking, that's what made me think that she was somehow attracted to him as well. Because at times, it seemed like she wasn't sure if she wanted to keep dating her BF or just be single to please her uncle. That's the feeling I got.

"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

#11

Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

Posted: 1/5/10 at 11:10am

"For those who insist upon "reviewing" a show before critics week, I hope the very same thing happens to you, and I hope it happens soon"

You have the choice not to read reviews. If you choose to go ahead and read it, that's your personal issue.

"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

#12

Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

Posted: 1/5/10 at 11:17am

From the script, describing Eddie's first appearance: "He is forty - a husky, slightly overweight longshoreman.

However, whenever I've seen it Eddie has been slightly older - late forties or fifty-ish - and that's always worked for me. I've never seen an Eddie as good looking as Schreiber, though! That could be more of a problem, but he's an excellent actor so I'm sure he'll make it work.

I'm perhaps a little biassed about this as I saw Ken Stott in the London revival last year and he was pretty much perfect in the role. And the attraction between him and Hayley Atwell's Catherine was most definitely one way only!

Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

(And yes, Hayley Atwell did look a little older than seventeen, but she played it just right, so it didn't really matter.)

Updated On: 1/5/10 at 11:17 AM

#13

Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

Posted: 1/5/10 at 11:20am

That whole production was pretty much perfect.

#14

Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

Posted: 1/5/10 at 11:21am

Amazing pic there!!!
I wonder if BrodyFosse has any more pix of the production starring Brittany Murphy, if you do and you happen to read this, please post them!

"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

#15

Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

Posted: 1/5/10 at 3:14pm

Yeh, I've read the play many times and seen several different productions, and I must confess I'm not sure I'd be happy with a fit, attractive Eddie. For the disturbing element of the piece is the underlying thought of a young, naive girl's, overweight and unattractive uncle, thinking of her in a sexual way. However, if the director makes the choice to have Catherine take the innocent undressing etc. one step further, then it becomes interesting.

#16

Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

Posted: 1/5/10 at 3:20pm

muscle23, I think what WOSQ is getting at is just etiquette. You don't "Review" shows while in previews. Usually when a person starts a thread a bout attending a preview they title is something like "My thoughts on..." or "...preview 1/3/10" since reviews usually are not available until the night of and the day after opening.

I have to admit, I saw your thread title, the word review caught my eye and I thought "It is only in previews". It's just etiquette people on the boards pretty much follow.

Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder

#17

Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

Posted: 1/5/10 at 3:21pm

Double post

Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder

Updated On: 1/5/10 at 03:21 PM

#18

Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

Posted: 1/5/10 at 3:21pm

triple post! (Don't know how that happened!)

Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder

Updated On: 1/5/10 at 03:21 PM

#19

Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

Posted: 1/5/10 at 5:57pm

Just to be clear, in no way, shape or form does Catherine as portrayed by Scarlett come onto or seem turned on by Eddie. The way Schreiber portrayed him was not sexy at all. There is no new twist to this play.

#20

Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

Posted: 1/6/10 at 10:33am

Stage door Sally - there lies the curious paradox/apprehension some people (me included) have about this production. How can a man that has a muscular frame and is naturally and classically so handsome, convincingly play an overweight, (usually portrayed) unattractive man, with a bizarre sexual atraction to his young niece?
I accept that Liev is a great actor, but there is no denying his physical appearnce.

#21

Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

Posted: 1/6/10 at 12:01pm

Wow, maybe it's just me, but I don't see Liev as being a really handsome guy, especially when he's scowling, as he is through much of this play. Attractive, of course, but not gorgeous! In any case, I didn't have any problem with relative looks/age of Schreiber and Johansson when I saw this play on Monday.

#22

Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

Posted: 1/6/10 at 12:25pm

OMG! I finally uploaded a picture on here!!! My first time getting it right!!!

I think Liev looks pretty gritty here.

Q. "Stage door Sally - there lies the curious paradox/apprehension some people (me included) have about this production. How can a man that has a muscular frame and is naturally and classically so handsome, convincingly play an overweight, (usually portrayed) unattractive man, with a bizarre sexual atraction to his young niece? I accept that Liev is a great actor, but there is no denying his physical appearnce."

A. In a word, Angus, it's all about acting.

Not being flippant here, but I agree with April. Liev Schreiber's appearance was just fine for the character. He wasn't too handsome in the least. I don't happen to have a jones for him anyway. Liev's wardrobe, demeanor, accent, really captured "Brooklyn longshoreman."

Looking at two other Eddies - Anthony LaPaglia and Tony LoBianco. Neither of them are overweight are they? And I think both of them are quite good looking. LaPaglia was younger than Schreiber when he played the role.

I don't understand the big deal being made over Liev Schreiber's appearance. It seems to me that some people (maybe not you Angus) may be looking to find a fault with this show just for the sake of finding a fault.

Some theater-goers may have a bellwether "View from the Bridge" that they can't get past. X was so good, Y can't possibly compete. So be it.

I think this version with Liev and Scarlett is going to be my standard bearer.

Updated On: 1/6/10 at 12:25 PM

#23

Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

Posted: 1/6/10 at 12:36pm

Maybe instead of focussing on the "good looking" actor, you should focus on the ugly character? If Liev's acting is as good as i've heard, then you wouldn't find him attractive because he does such a good job of playing the character, whos behaviour is ugly, not necessarily his appearance. I am really looking foward to seein it in February :)

#24

Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

Posted: 1/6/10 at 12:37pm

Let's see if I can post another photo...
Anthony LaPaglia, yumm yumm.

#25

Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed

Posted: 1/6/10 at 12:55pm

uncageg - I'm sorry, but once a show opens (with previews or officially) it is open to criticism.

"Somethin's comin', I don't know what it is but it is gonna be great!"

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