BLACKBIRD Previews — Page 2

@smidge - go with Blackbird..

I had to make the same decision the other day and went with Buried Child. I loved the play as an undergrad, but it really hasn't aged all that well. Ed Harris was a standout, but the rest of the performances were erratic and the direction was a bit of a mess.

I'm back in town next month and will definitely be going to Blackbird.

I think a little bit of both. I have never met him, but I have heard he is not too personable to people. Which is fine, but I just wanted to mention it because most people would probably be somewhat upset if an actor they REALLY liked didn't turn out to be so kind. But at least Jeff is a very good actor, and we could leave it at that.

Maybe I'm just old and cranky -- but 1 1/2 hours of a one act show is just not an evening of theatre. To be back on the street at 9:23 PM is ridiculous (especially at the prices that they ask).

I have a feeling that this is becoming the new normal -- 20 years from now, they'll revive just the first act of Rodgers and Hammerstein -- or offer them in repertory.

Sigh

I'm just getting home from tonight's performance and can't get out of my head how much this reminded me of The Night Porter, which just so happened to be playing at the IFC Center this past weekend and is very fresh in my mind. This isn't about a Holocaust survivor and her Nazi guard, but the themes and circumstances of the relationship in Blackbird are otherwise remarkably similar.

This is going to be a hard play to discuss (or recommend) without disclosing the subject matter first. It's not really "spoilery" because the information is given to the audience very early in the play, but it still takes away some of the surprise I guess if that's important to you. I did find the mailer I received stating that years after Una and Ray had a relationship they meet up again and dredge up past is more than a tad misleading, although technically truthful.

I thought both Daniels and Williams gave excellent performances; I can't imagine attempting to perform this once a week let alone eight times. I'm not an actor, but I imagine your body is sometimes fooled into thinking that the emotions you are pretending to have actually are real. Williams looked like a bulldozer ran over her at the curtain call. I don't know if I'll want to return to see this again, but their performances will stick with me.

Some of the praise for their scene work must surely be shared with Mantello, who once again brings out the best in his cast.

This is one of the strongest offerings of the season so far, but just be sure that you're ready for something heavy before going.

Ah, I had been waiting to hear from you before settling on watching this during my upcoming trip, Whizzer (my Monday plans freed up after THE CRUCIBLE was postponed, still not over it). It sounds like an intense but worth it evening out.

Sorry to be that person, but was it an hour and twenty minutes tonight as well? I am looking into making dinner reservations for after the show. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and for the others who have contributed to the thread. It helps a lot when making the choice to see something you're on the fence about.

mikem said: "bfreak, I'm disappointed to hear that Jeff Daniels has a bad reputation among fans. Do people think he's rude, or just not that into it? When I saw him in God of Carnage and also in a show in Chicago, both times he was completely polite and respectful at the stage door (and my impression was that he did the stage door thing regularly). I wouldn't say he was incredibly into it, but I find that very few actors of his age who have been famous for a long time are really into it. (Judith Light is a notable exception.)

I've seen him interact with fans. He is polite. He signs autographs and might even pose for a picture. He's not overly chatty though and some people mistake this for rudeness or coldness. People need to keep in mind that he's just come offstage from a grueling play in which he doesn't leave the stage at all.

wolf- Totally agree about Williams' long monologue. She handled it very well and will probably earn her many votes come Tony time.

Mike66 said: "Maybe I'm just old and cranky -- but 1 1/2 hours of a one act show is just not an evening of theatre. To be back on the street at 9:23 PM is ridiculous (especially at the prices that they ask)."

Did you see the show or are you complaining hypothetically? Hughie is even shorter.

How high is the stage? Seems like this may be one I want to splurge for a good seat to get close to the performances. Row A center which is 3 rows from the stage according to my telecharge app is non-premium so it's $100 cheaper than the seats in Row B. Want to be sure I won't be obstructed being that close though. I could also buy a good left or right orchestra seat.

Updated On: 2/9/16 at 10:53 AM

Has anyone seen this with TDF? Where have the seats been?

Blackbird is British Slang for Jailbird...

Can't wait to see this! Bought my ticket for it the other day, I'm going to be in the city a week after opening!