Broke-ology: Anyone Else See It?

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 9/19/09 at 12:57am

I saw the show tonight. I'm not really sure what to think of it. It's essentially "Death of a Salesman" just updated a little. The actors were all fine, but I don't feel like the story/script really gave them much to go work off of. It was kind a tired and "been there done that" type of storyline. A well-to-do son has to choose between staying in the time he grew-up in, or going off and making a name for himself. It ended exactly how I thought it would end, and I just didn't think it was all that interesting. It went from great comedic moments to really "dramatic" moments that were just uninteresting. Also, the character of the wife has nothing to do in Act 2, and I'm not even sure she needs to be in the play. She doesn't really offer any sort of insight into the character.

What did everyone else think ?

[CAX]

Posted: 9/19/09 at 3:26am

Haven't seen the LC mounting, but i read the script and auditioned for the play. Not much to it. Was surprised to hear it was going to LC, not surprised to hear the first reaction to it is a sort of WTF? How was the acting? The play isn't very exciting.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 9/19/09 at 2:25pm

I read the Time Out New York article where the Lincoln Center Theater artistic director said she saw the show in Williamstown and was like blown away by the script. And so after reading that, I too expected to be blown away. But the writing wasn't that great. At times it was very cliche, and honestly, not much happened. Nothing really happened to give the lead male any sort of reason to stay or go. I mean there's the big obvious "his father is dying" reason, but other than that, there wasn't much reason to stay or go.

I thought the acting was okay. It seemed a little forced, and not really fluid just yet, but it was one of the first couple of previews. The guy playing the more "thuggish" brother was hilarious, and I thought he was pretty spot on, but the direction is very boring. The beginning of Act 2 needs some sort of sound cue to get us back into the play instead of just lights up and start going.

[CAX]

Posted: 9/19/09 at 3:55pm

Interesting, Rentboy! Do you know if the more "thuggish" bro is also the actor who won acclaim for his role in The Public's Good Negro?

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 9/19/09 at 5:56pm

I think so? I could go look up his name, but I'm pretty sure it's him. I remember reading in the Playbill, and he seemed very accomplished. Which makes sense since he was pretty perfect in the role.