Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed
Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed
#1Arthur 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.
FindingNamo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
#2Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed
Posted: 1/5/10 at 1:18amYou 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.
#2Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed
Posted: 1/5/10 at 1:31amI 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.
AngusN
Broadway Star Joined: 3/23/05
#3Arthur 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.
#4Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed
Posted: 1/5/10 at 8:44amI 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.
#5Arthur 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.
WOSQ
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/18/03
#6Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed
Posted: 1/5/10 at 10:01amFor 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.
Stage Door Sally
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/4/09
#7Arthur 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
#8Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed
Posted: 1/5/10 at 10:06amI 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.
#9Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed
Posted: 1/5/10 at 11:06amAngus, 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.
#10Arthur 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.
#11Arthur 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!
(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
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#12Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed
Posted: 1/5/10 at 11:20amThat whole production was pretty much perfect.
#13Arthur 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!
AngusN
Broadway Star Joined: 3/23/05
#14Arthur 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.
#15Arthur 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.
#15Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed
Posted: 1/5/10 at 3:21pmDouble post
#15Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed
Posted: 1/5/10 at 3:21pmtriple post! (Don't know how that happened!)
Stage Door Sally
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/4/09
#18Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed
Posted: 1/5/10 at 5:57pmJust 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.
AngusN
Broadway Star Joined: 3/23/05
#19Arthur 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.
April Saul
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/17/06
#20Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed
Posted: 1/6/10 at 12:01pmWow, 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.
Stage Door Sally
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/4/09
#21Arthur 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
#22Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed
Posted: 1/6/10 at 12:36pmMaybe 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 :)
Stage Door Sally
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/4/09
#23Arthur 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.
#24Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed
Posted: 1/6/10 at 12:55pmuncageg - I'm sorry, but once a show opens (with previews or officially) it is open to criticism.
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