Carla Gugino

[glass]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 12:26pm

I have been really surprised by the response to Gugino's performance in Suddenly Last Summer at the Roundabout. People seem to be very taken with her, and to me she is completely one note. She employs a number of amateurish tricks, and she seems incredibly uncomfortable on stage. She doesn't build up to the money shot of the story. The import of the last line of the play depends upon her communication of the story, the audience must really care about what happened to her cousin. As far as I was concerned, by the time Blythe stood up with the cane to attack, I was hoping she'd succeed. The role of Catherine is so nuanced, and Carla simply does not have the skill to pull it off. She ruined the show for me.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 12:30pm

"She doesn't build up to the money shot of the story..."

So..she has a spontaneous orgasm on stage?


I see it Saturday, so I'll let you know what I think.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 12:43pm

Thanks for your thoughts. I wonder how much the performances will change by the time the show opens in a few weeks.

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 12:45pm

Did we see the same show? For me, Gugino was the ONLY person on stage that was actually infusing her performance with genuine emotion. If anyone ruins this show, it is Gale Harold, giving a performance that a second year drama student would be embarrassed of. Danner-though far from perfect-isn't as bad a people have been saying.

To me, Gugino gave a Tony worthy performance. Too bad it isn't on Broadway. I plan to see the show again, just because I found her to be THAT good.

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 2:51pm

Haven't seen Carla in this but she was definitely the highlight of After the Fall a couple of years ago.

[glass]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 2:52pm

She used the same phony mock-hysterical voice throughout the whole 10 page monologue, never once allowing any subtlety into her performance. To me, everything she did on stage was selfish...just because an actor feels something does not mean the audience can...And for the record, I really appreciated Blythe Danner's performance. She gave humanity to Williams' words.

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 4:10pm

"And for the record, I really appreciated Blythe Danner's performance. She gave humanity to Williams' words."

And that's why she is miscast. Her character isn't one that you're supposed to "feel for". She is one that you are supposed to hate.

[Heybeenfood]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 5:54pm

Carla Gugino seemed like a natural up there. I loved both her and Blythe Danner.

[glass]

Posted: 10/26/06 at 10:46am

I have to say I disagree. I think that feeling for the antagonist makes for dramatic tension. Hating the antagonist is easy...liking her is what makes for a good play.