BUG Previews- Page 2

[George in DC]

Posted: 1/5/26 at 12:02am

I finally went to see this production.  I thought the original off broadway production was so stunning but disturbing so I was disappointed. While I loved Carrie Coon in this, I thought the production, especially the direction and also, sadly, Namir Smallwood were completely underwhelming. I just remember being shaken by Michael Shannons performance and Namir was totally forgettable. I don't recommend this at all.

Updated On: 1/5/26 at 12:02 AM

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 1/5/26 at 12:24am

Updated On: 1/5/26 at 12:24 AM

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 1/5/26 at 12:57am

quizking101 said: 

"The act break is primarily used to set the stage for Act II and so you’re watching stagehands essentially move on a bunch of props. Surely there has to be a more efficient way of doing this without a whole stopdown. It really takes you out of the play and, if you are some people, you may not be bothered to stay around for the explosive ending. For being almost three weeks into previews, I expected far better from Cromer - so this was a MAJOR miss by him."

The act break has been used for some time now - so it's assumed Letts likes it this way.  The London premiere was 90 min.   The Barrow Street production off-Broadway was two acts, some years later.  It seems Cromer would stage the play in the form Letts desires.  Letts said he wanted this Cromer/Steppenwolf production for Broadway.  If anyone, you may have beef with Letts not keeping the early single act version.  That's not a major miss by Cromer.

Updated On: 1/5/26 at 12:57 AM

[MadsonMelo]

Posted: 1/5/26 at 1:22pm

AC126748 said: "MadsonMelo said: "I'm still speechless that this will last 1 month, it's ludicrous"

Huh? It's a limited engagement produced by a non-profit theater, starring an actress associated with two huge prestige television franchises. It'll last the length of its scheduled run."

Which is one month LOL

It opens on January 8 and closes on February 8.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 1/5/26 at 1:27pm

MadsonMelo said: "AC126748 said: "MadsonMelo said: "I'm still speechless that this will last 1 month, it's ludicrous"

Huh? It's a limited engagement produced by a non-profit theater, starring an actress associated with two huge prestige television franchises. It'll last the length of its scheduled run."

Which is one month LOL

It opens on January 8 and closes on February 8."

 

Plus previews. What is your point, dear?

 

[MadsonMelo]

Posted: 1/5/26 at 2:55pm

TotallyEffed said: "MadsonMelo said: "AC126748 said: "MadsonMelo said: "I'm still speechless that this will last 1 month, it's ludicrous"

Huh? It's a limited engagement produced by a non-profit theater, starring an actress associated with two huge prestige television franchises. It'll last the length of its scheduled run."

Which is one month LOL

It opens on January 8 and closes on February 8."



Plus previews. What is your point, dear?

"

I was not counting previews, I just pointed that the shows was gonna be officialy open for just a month and I think it's bad.

Didn't understood the comment as If I was saying something bad, I was just sad.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 1/5/26 at 3:02pm

Saw this yesterday am an still processing it, but I was enamored.  What a damn brilliant play.  I feel the sentiment of weird plays that are still accessible has become a lost art.  The performances are simply devastating and Cromer has show again that he is the best director of his generation.  

Cannot wait to see this again! 

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 1/5/26 at 5:34pm

I liked this a lot!  I had seen the movie quite a while back, but other than that, I went into this with zero expectations.  It's a solid production, and Carrie Coon carries it sensationally.  As for Namir Smallwood, while good, I found that he didn't quite dig his teeth (LOL) into his role the way that Michael Shannon did in the film (and onstage, I would imagine).  He also doesn't quite have the chemistry with Coon that Shannon has with Ashley Judd in the film.  The rest of the cast is excellent. I didn't have any major problems with the pacing or direction, personally.

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

I wished the final moment was even more explosive (for lack of a better word). I wanted FLAMES! Regardless, it was still effective.

Quibbles aside, this is worth seeing for Carrie Coon alone. Her monologue towards the end of the show was a true masterclass. I hope she comes back to Broadway again as soon as her GILDED AGE shooting schedule allows.  She is truly one of the best stage actresses we've got. 

Updated On: 1/5/26 at 05:34 PM

[quizking101]

Posted: 1/5/26 at 5:44pm

I just bought the DVD and I’m nervous to pop it in because Michael Shannon is so good at scaring the s#!+ out of me

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 1/5/26 at 5:45pm

We agree, the big issue is Smallwood.  He goes a different way and it doesn't work for many reasons.  Really wish the role could be played by another person.  Coon is almost having to overwork, in places, to make up for Smallwood's tepid performance. 

Updated On: 1/5/26 at 05:45 PM

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 1/5/26 at 6:29pm

quizking101 said: "I just bought the DVD and I’m nervous to pop it in because Michael Shannon is so good at scaring the s#!+ out of me"


It’s streaming on Tubi for free as well.

[HBP]

Posted: 1/5/26 at 6:43pm

I saw this on Saturday and thought it was illogical and silly. Carrie Coon was excellent. The rest of the cast was okay. But the plot makes absolutely no sense.

 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

Paranoid schizophrenia is not contagious. Shared delusions, sure. But not at this level. I just could not suspend disbelieve to go along with Carrie’s character doing just about anything she did from the middle of act one to the end of the play. I thought it was laughably bad.

 

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 1/5/26 at 7:10pm

^ I say this with no intention of offense, but I believe you’re reading the play too literally.  This play plays with absurdism, which is one of the reasons why I loved it. 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 1/5/26 at 7:28pm

She is also deeply traumatized, lonely, paranoid, and bored.

[HBP]

Posted: 1/5/26 at 7:43pm

No offense taken! This is what these boards are for. I can see what you’re saying, and I laughed out loud when she said “millions!”, but if this was an attempt at absurdism then, for me, it failed. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 1/6/26 at 10:07am

HBP said: "I saw this on Saturday and thought it was illogical and silly. Carrie Coon was excellent. The rest of the cast was okay. But the plot makes absolutely no sense.
 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

Paranoidschizophrenia is not contagious. Shared delusions, sure. But not at this level. I just could not suspend disbelieve to go along with Carrie’s character doing just about anything she did from the middle of act one to the end of the play. I thought it was laughably bad.

"

To aid in your understanding of the disordered thinking

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

It wouldn’t been paranoid schizophrenia as you described. It’s the folie imposée variation of the folie a deux, which is a delusional disorder with psychotic features. She does have all the hallmarks of someone who could potentially have a full psychotic break (drug use, trauma history), but the play blurs the line quite a bit. In the end, she does potentially have an out, but the effect of the shared delusion is so strong that she ultimately cannot trust the outside influence over the delusion. Separation is the key in breaking the folie imposée - but ultimately she ends up blowing herself sky high with Namir’s character in their motel room.

 

[MayAudraBlessYou2]

Posted: 1/6/26 at 12:57pm

The pacing was absolutely BRUTAL. This play was an enormous chore to sit through. I'm truly mystified as to what people find so special about this. Smallwood's character could make the proceedings more captivating with stronger character choices and an air of mysterious charm...but as it stands he has quite monotone and flat line readings. He comes alive a bit more in act 2 as things ramp up, but it just wasn't enough. I didn't think he and Coon had any chemistry. I definitely didn't buy any attraction between them. The friend character....OOF. ROUGH. 

The house remained almost entirely seated during curtain call with what I can only call "polite" applause. Given the lead actress, author, and director I expected to really love this. But I couldn't wait for it to be over. 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 1/6/26 at 1:10pm

We enjoyed this with the exception of Smallwood (who, sadly, is asleep at the wheel).   It's not a piece for everyone but our audience was quite reactive and on its feet before the lights were back up for curtain call.

It opens this Thursday Jan. 8th ...