Born Yesterday Revival

Just saw the revival of BORN YESTERDAY. It had its first preview tonight. It was an enchanting breath of fresh air in the theatre season! Just wonderful! I saw ARCADIA and BENGAL TIGER both yesterday. BORN YESTERDAY today was a welcome tonic from those two shows. Now full disclosure, I have been looking forward to this production since I love the original film version and was delighted by the Shaw production last summer. However, I did have my reservations since I loved both of those incarnations and was not sure if this production would live up to those but I was won over as soon as the curtain came up on the set. The set design is just stunning. It’s the most glorious hotel room and I wanted to move in. The cast was uniformly terrific but of course the play lives or dies on whoever plays Billie Dawn. Nina Arianda made the role of Billie her own. She is a true star on the rise. She was lovable, funny, and made you root for Billie. It’s an incredible follow up to VENUS IN FUR, topping that performance which was no easy feat. Every other line out of her mouth practically stopped the show with laughter. Robert Sean Leonard was great as I think everyone would expect. He has the least flashy of the roles. Frank Wood was also top notch. The big question mark, Jim Belushi, well... he was outstanding. I’m not sure how he would be in other roles, but as Harry Brock he doesn’t have to act, he just “is”. He was a little nervous during the first 20min or so but once he settled in he delivered a powerful performance that was full of comedy, charm, and a little danger. He made you love and hate Harry all at the same time. He is a wonderful surprise. I never thought he would be as good as he was. The play itself flew by. It was funny and extremely topical. It almost took on an epic quality given the state of country and how people have to deal with the government.

This is a first rate revival and I predict will be a crowd pleaser. It was not 100% perfect, of course this is a first preview. They need to pick up the pace. It had a few slow points but I think that is a given with a first preview, especially with a comedy where they have not yet had a chance to time the laughs. Although I am sure that will come very quickly. Other than that it was just fantastic. I’m sure not everyone will agree and I’m curious to know what others thought but to me it was a great night in the theatre and something I was not expecting. It’s what Broadway should be, funny, elegant, and entertaining.

I liked it quite a bit tonight too. The pace needs to pick up in spots, but who cares after the STAR performance given by Nina Arianda. If you thought she was excellent in Venus in Fur then you're going to be blown away by her in this. I love the movie too and was worried I was going to be thinking about Holliday the entire time. This wasn't the case at all. By the third act I was cheering on both Billie and Nina for their successes. It was just as exciting to watch Billie come out on top as it was to watch Nina triumph in her Broadway debut.

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I think the present socio-politic climate in the U.S. is ideal for a revival of 'Born Yesterday.'

Billie Dawn could certainly teach Michelle Bachmann, Sarah Palin, Scott Walker, John Boehner, Newt Gingrich (among many others) a thing or two!

So great to hear such early enthusiasm for Nina Arianda.

Caught the first preview as well, Nina Ariadna is beyond brilliant in the role. She alone is worth the price of admission. Though the entire productions is stunning!!

I, too, saw this at Shaw two summers ago.

I couldn't agree more Whizzer. I've been thinking about it all day as well. Just told my sister I'd like to take her to see it next week. So I will be returning myself.

No. Lol. There was no loud noises or gunfire

I saw the first preview and I was out around 10;45. But it didn't start till like 8:15 and although I didn't look at my watch, intermission felt like it ran long, so I would assume it's shorter after a few performances,

Still thinking abbot Nina Arianda's performance days later. Thinking of lines she said in my head that are still making me chuckle. Paraphrasing here but Robert Sean Leonard says "what's democratic mean?"

Nina A's response: "Not Repulican!"

Priceless, making my laugh here at my desk.

My TDF ticket last week was Row E of the orchestra and a friend of mine had Row C of the mezzanine the night before.

Just got back from seeing it. Whizzer, you hit the nail on the head About Nina Arianda. It was a fabulous performance. And while she was acting rings around, at least, two other people on that stage she Nnever upstaged anyone. She is giving Leonard and Wood everything to play off of and,For me, unfortunately they didn't take advantage. Both, at this point, need to up their game in my opinion. I found both to be wooden. Especially Wood (Pardon the pun, or whatever!) It was like he was reading cue cards. Leonard all of a sudden came to life in act III but it was too late. I was very impressed with Belushi although this evening he ran out of steam in Act III, which was ashame. It is a performance almost worthy of a nomination.

Loved the set although from the mezz, the blue "carpet" looked like a big piece of felt.

All in all an entertaining 2 1/2 hours at the theater. It definetly needs some tightening up and some work on the pacing. I do hope Ms. Arianda snags a Tony nomination because she really deserves one. She was flawless.

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I have never seen any version of this, and know almost nothing about it. How funny is it? I know it's a comedy, but is it a comedy in the sense that it's light and somewhat humorous, or is it laugh-out-loud funny? If it is very funny, that might make me more likely to see it.

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bwayfan, I actually didn't have it on my list to see. When I was offered a ticket to see it I thought, why not. (Plus I got to meet someone from the boards.) I like to see as much as possible and underneath I was curious. I knew nothing about it either. Go if you have any interest in seeing it. It is an enjoyable evening. You will laugh out loud but not constantly.

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She's astounding and I hope to God she takes home that Tony.