#1
Posted: 3/2/08 at 12:27am
I saw DEAD MAN'S CELL PHONE and PASSING STRANGE today. I'll be seeing the other shows mentioned in the following days. Here's my thoughts on the two thus far:
DEAD MAN'S CELL PHONE
I've read THE CLEAN HOUSE and EURYDICE and have seen EURYDICE at Second Stage. I *LOVE* Ruhl's work and will finish reading her plays on my plane ride home. That being said, I enjoyed CLEAN HOUSE and EURYDICE more than this play.
Mary-Louise Parker and Chalfant are AMAZING talents!! So so so good.
The play had its usual Ruhl charm, but I found it to be too close to the borderline of uninterestting/unengaging. Parker's character was unique, but I didn't really care for any of the action in the story. Perhaps it was because things were too abrupt? It's was a good production of a decent play but wasn't anything above and beyond amazing, such as what CLEAN HOUSE is (IMO).
PASSING STRANGE
First, I must say that James Lipton and Dave Chappelle were in the audience and sitting right next to each other. Hilarious.
OK, so there may be spoilers below, and these comments will only make sense to who saw it anyway:
- The opening of the play takes too long to get me interested in the story. This, combined with the format of storytelling, can be a turn-off. However, I quickly became engaged halfway through the first act and my jaw dropped many times.
- Overall, I don't think it's anything that is BRILLIANT as many are claiming. I think it's a "new" format of storytelling FOR BROADWAY but it's just mediocre (speaking overall). That being said, there are MANY moments, frequent moments, that are thrilling. What killed the show for me was that they were not consistent. I didn't like some of the songs nor the way it sounded (not to be confused with the style of music, but the singer's voices is what I am referencing).
- I admire Crew a lot, and think his story is beautiful. "Life's a mistake only art can correct." Jaw-dropping moment. However, I didn't like Crew's voice most the time. It seemed like he was half-assing his singing contribution to the show for 75% of it. The rest of the actors: T-A-L-E-N-T-E-D!
- I *HATED* Kevin Adams' lighting design in the respect that it's now a gimmick. His neon lights were brilliant for SPRING AWAKENING, but now to bring them to PASSING STRANGE is eye-rolling.
- The audience was about 75-80% full. I sat in the very front row Orch Left. I wish I were further back so I could see the full stage and not have the actors shout and sing in my face (which I enjoyed, but would prefer sitting back).
Those are my initial thoughts. I think EVERYONE should see this show as it IS something "new" (for BROADWAY) and does tell a compelling story. Be prepared for a show that takes some initial adjusting to but will ultimately have you captivated.
DEAD MAN'S CELL PHONE
I've read THE CLEAN HOUSE and EURYDICE and have seen EURYDICE at Second Stage. I *LOVE* Ruhl's work and will finish reading her plays on my plane ride home. That being said, I enjoyed CLEAN HOUSE and EURYDICE more than this play.
Mary-Louise Parker and Chalfant are AMAZING talents!! So so so good.
The play had its usual Ruhl charm, but I found it to be too close to the borderline of uninterestting/unengaging. Parker's character was unique, but I didn't really care for any of the action in the story. Perhaps it was because things were too abrupt? It's was a good production of a decent play but wasn't anything above and beyond amazing, such as what CLEAN HOUSE is (IMO).
PASSING STRANGE
First, I must say that James Lipton and Dave Chappelle were in the audience and sitting right next to each other. Hilarious.
OK, so there may be spoilers below, and these comments will only make sense to who saw it anyway:
- The opening of the play takes too long to get me interested in the story. This, combined with the format of storytelling, can be a turn-off. However, I quickly became engaged halfway through the first act and my jaw dropped many times.
- Overall, I don't think it's anything that is BRILLIANT as many are claiming. I think it's a "new" format of storytelling FOR BROADWAY but it's just mediocre (speaking overall). That being said, there are MANY moments, frequent moments, that are thrilling. What killed the show for me was that they were not consistent. I didn't like some of the songs nor the way it sounded (not to be confused with the style of music, but the singer's voices is what I am referencing).
- I admire Crew a lot, and think his story is beautiful. "Life's a mistake only art can correct." Jaw-dropping moment. However, I didn't like Crew's voice most the time. It seemed like he was half-assing his singing contribution to the show for 75% of it. The rest of the actors: T-A-L-E-N-T-E-D!
- I *HATED* Kevin Adams' lighting design in the respect that it's now a gimmick. His neon lights were brilliant for SPRING AWAKENING, but now to bring them to PASSING STRANGE is eye-rolling.
- The audience was about 75-80% full. I sat in the very front row Orch Left. I wish I were further back so I could see the full stage and not have the actors shout and sing in my face (which I enjoyed, but would prefer sitting back).
Those are my initial thoughts. I think EVERYONE should see this show as it IS something "new" (for BROADWAY) and does tell a compelling story. Be prepared for a show that takes some initial adjusting to but will ultimately have you captivated.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
