Butley 10/18 Review

[TomMonster]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 2:16am

I know there have been threads on this, but I've ignored them to go in with no preconceptions. Much will probably have been said before, so just get over it!

Therefore:

Wrong person in the wrong play.

Butley's character should have a sense of danger and seduction as we watch his ultimate breakdown. Nathan, who is one of our greatest entertainers is not necessarily one of our greatest actors.

To get to the heart of the character requires a sense of pathos and sensuality. Lane can handle the comedy and even the pathos, but it's hard to see in his portrayal any sense of sensuality. He becomes simply a sad clown. Butley is anything but.

I just didn't believe that the main conflict in the play could have come from his being. Harsh, yes, yet makes for a slim evening.

I love Nathan Lane. I love that he's doing something different--and the "accent" is not the problem--yet, we need to care enough about his character's exploits to feel the pain of his demise. I just didn't feel it.

No fault of his supporting cast. Julian Overden as Joey certainly held his own; Dana Ivey, in a small yet endearing role as Edna, can always hold a stage. Yet, even her first act breakdown felt forced and out of left field.

The character of Reg, played by Darren Pettie should bring a new twist of danger and seduction. Yet his performance last night was bland and ambiguous--moreso than the text is allowing.

Gray's play is witty and funny. In the 70's it must have been absolutely shocking. The main themes hold up, but the subtleties as played by Lane are nothing but...

Great set, some fun lighting jokes and, as always, spot on subtle costumes from Ann Roth.

The show starts and ends with magical musical moments that make you think you are seeing something more interesting than you are...

Thanks, just my humble opinion.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 12:59pm

I love Nathan. I can't wait to see this on the 28th

I am sorry to read your review, however It sounds like... well... it sounds like it needs some work or hopefully just a little more time to work out some kinks.

Nathan is a very hard working, dedicated actor. Perhaps he is tired and it will all pick up now that the intense rehearsal, techs and all the other things that are going on in the period during previews and opening are over.

Updated On: 10/19/06 at 12:59 PM

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 2:41pm

I have no interest in seeing Lane in this. I'd rather see him in a comedy.

And I'd rather see him in a new work instead of some rehash of an old play.

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 3:22pm

I think this some is just another one like "The Odd Couple," a quick money maker.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 4:45pm

I don't care how bad it is I CAN'T WAIT!!!!

I wish he'd do another musical though. He hasn't done one since The Frogs in July 2004 (Unless you count the Catch me if you can workshops)

[ken8631]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 4:52pm

Saw it, was good, but wouldn't go around recommending it to anyone. Trumbo was much better!

[TomMonster]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 4:53pm

I can't wait to hear your opinions on this...Eponine and Stalker

I'm still a fan, but it still felt like a wrong fit for me. I sometimes got the impression that he was still doing a musical...

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 5:00pm

I don't blame this one on Lane, I didn't find him a poor actor here at all. The play is serverly underwhelming, and I dont fault Lane, the play in 2006 just doesn't hold up...it's been done since, and been done better since in other plays. JMHO.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 5:03pm

I saw Nathan Lane in TRUMBO a few years ago and he really impressed me as a dramatic actor. In fact, I enjoyed him more in TRUMBO than I did in THE PRODUCERS, which I felt was 2 hours of legalized screaming.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 5:05pm

I agree the play doesn't have the same impact it must have had in the 70's. And Nathan is working hard to make it work. It's not a great play, but I still feel that it was hard to imagine this Butley as being seductive or menacing in his past. Just annoying in the present with no trace of his past...

I don't blame Lane. In fact, I'm impressed that he would tackle this difficult material. Still, felt like a bad suit at the wrong ball.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 5:07pm

I hear he does an accent? What kind of an accent?

[TomMonster]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 5:21pm

Well, the character is using a "proper" London accent and uses others during the show for comedic/dramatic purposes. Nathan handles them all well--more so than others in the cast (Reg to be sure). That is not the problem with his performance. It's much more ambiguous than that...