BLACKBIRD Previews

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 2/5/16 at 9:21am

Previews begin tonight for the Broadway premiere of David Harrower's Blackbird starring Tony nominee Jeff Daniels and Three-Time Academy Award nominee Michelle Williams, directed by Two-Time Tony Award Winner Joe Mantello!

 

So who's going tonight?

[bwayobsessed]

Posted: 2/5/16 at 9:51am

I saw the dress rehearsal last night and it was amazing. Very powerful and disturbing. It's so interesting script wise as well.

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 2/5/16 at 10:05am

I am SO excited for this. Williams is one of my favorite actresses and she was out when I saw Cabaret, so needless to say I'll be seeing this with bells on in a few weeks.

[bfreak]

Posted: 2/5/16 at 10:10am

This seems very interesting. And Jeff Daniels and Michelle Williams are both VERY good actors, so I'm looking forward to it. I'm curious how this will do financially, because I briefly looked at teleharge and it looked like there were plenty of good seats available for tonight.

[newintown]

Posted: 2/5/16 at 10:14am

How many directors have two plays running in previews at the same time on Broadway?

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 2/5/16 at 10:37am

He actually has three shows going: this, the Humans, and Wicked.  Quite the talent. 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 2/5/16 at 10:46am

^He also has An Act of God running in L.A.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 2/5/16 at 11:00am

The Humans is more a remount so requires less of Joe's time, I'm sure.

[newintown]

Posted: 2/5/16 at 11:02am

Wicked and Act of God (LA) are open and running. But for The Humans and Blackbird, he must be juggling quite a calendar (although it seems unlikely that The Humans, as a remount, takes up much of his time).

 

I wonder if he's needed to help Act of God move into its San Fran house in March?

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 2/5/16 at 11:03am

Blackbird is also technically a remount. I mean, it's been a few years, but he and Jeff Daniels did it off broadway a few years ago. Not quite the same thing as a quick, exact same cast transfer, but it's hardly starting a piece from scratch.

[@z5]

Posted: 2/5/16 at 8:20pm

Wow, so excited to see this show.

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 2/5/16 at 8:49pm

nasty_khakis said: "Blackbird is also technically a remount. I mean, it's been a few years, but he and Jeff Daniels did it off broadway a few years ago. Not quite the same thing as a quick, exact same cast transfer, but it's hardly starting a piece from scratch.

 

"

A remount several years later, especially in a two character play (one of which was not in the original), is an entirely different monster than what The Humans just did. 

[Hairspray0901]

Posted: 2/5/16 at 9:56pm

I'm going Wednesday evening! Can't wait to see Michelle Williams on stage again - she was incredible in Cabaret. Also love Jeff Daniels, so, I'm excited to get to see him on stage!

[jbm2]

Posted: 2/6/16 at 1:55am

Anyone seen this yet?

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 2/6/16 at 10:25am

I am going tonight. I will be sure to share my thoughts.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 2/6/16 at 3:02pm

I'm going on Monday. Surprised this isn't selling a little better; the first preview was up on TKTS, but I guess I've seen zero advertising around town. 

Updated On: 2/6/16 at 03:02 PM

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 2/7/16 at 10:07am

I caught this last night, and absolutely LOVED it. It's very short and clocks in at an hour and twenty minutes. The play ended at 9:23. That being said, there is so much intensity packed into this short amount of time. This is not going to be a play for everyone. A few people walked out. The play is VERY heavy, and the dialogue is extremely graphic (which shouldn't be a surprise considering the subject matter).

 

Jeff Daniels and Michelle Williams are simply outstanding in every way. I was so taken with Michelle Williams in Cabaret (her performance in the role is one of my all time favorite performances I have seen an actress give in a musical), and I was even more blown away by her last night. I am so happy to see her back on Broadway, and I hope she garners a Tony nomination for this performance. I could ramble on and on about how much I loved her performance.

 

I used TodayTix and my seat was at the end of row D in the balcony. When I first sat down, I was really disappointed because it seemed like I had a VERY limited view seat. 3/4 of the stage height is blocked off to create the closed in atmosphere. I didn't need to worry though, but because the second the show started, the entire set rotated forward which gave me a full view. However, I would still recommend the orchestra or mezzanine for this one.

 

This is one of this season's finer offerings in my opinion. I really don't have anything bad to say about this. I definitely plan on going back at least once. 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 2/7/16 at 10:07am

Oops - double post!

Updated On: 2/7/16 at 10:07 AM

[Boysdontcry66]

Posted: 2/7/16 at 11:14am

Saw this last night also. I picked up rush tickets at about 10:30 AM, was given row d orchestra far left.  (It was marked partial view but I missed absolutely nothing at all.)  The play really hit me (and the rest of the audience, judging from the loud gasps) like a ton of bricks. Beautifully acted, flawlessly directed...The show is haunting, intelligent and visceral. Dont want to spoil the ending, but it was definitely jaw dropping.  Afterwards, it was really interesting to hear other people's thoughts outside. Highly recommended.

[@z5]

Posted: 2/7/16 at 12:01pm

Wow I cannot wait to see this. Did any of you happen to do stage door afterwards?  Really a big fan of Jeff Daniels.

[bfreak]

Posted: 2/7/16 at 12:17pm

According to instagram, both of them came out and signed but I wouldn't count on Jeff Daniels being too friendly if I were you. He's a very good actor, but has a bad reputation among fans.

[@z5]

Posted: 2/7/16 at 12:46pm

All good! Really would just like a signed Playbill by both of them. 

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 2/7/16 at 1:50pm

Exciting!  I'm going to have to see this the very next time I'm in New York. I like intense, dialogue-heavy plays that pack an emotional punch, so this sounds right up my alley. LOVE Jeff Daniels and Michelle Williams. She was not my favorite in Cabaret (she seemed more to me like Michelle Williams as Liza Minelli as Sally Bowles) but I still thoroughly enjoyed her and think she's a fabulous actress overall and I'd love to see her on-stage again. 

[smidge]

Posted: 2/7/16 at 3:59pm

Trying to decide between this and Buried Child when I'm in the city at the end of this month. 

[AndersonTours]

Posted: 2/7/16 at 5:02pm

Really looking forward to this.