China Doll Previews Thread — Page 7

After The Anarchist, we needed a break from Mamet

In addition, if the play is as bad as people say it is, I do not think they are talking about replacements. They just want to make it thru the run Pacino notwithstanding.A lot depends on how abysmal the reviews are.

Mamet has been the problem for decades now. He doesn't give a damn about the audience.

Do not blame the evil 1%.

Blame the greedy producers. Blame those who will pay whatever is being charged for a show just to have bragging rights to say they have seen "the show of the season". Forget standing room. It only rises according to ticket prices.Broadway has priced itself out the budget of many. Take the hysteria outside If/Then. When you have crazed fans willing to kill each other for an autograph and the need to see a show a gazillion times, the producers know they can charge whatever they want and beyond. This is not true theater going.This is hero worship on speed.

If people want to pay these prices than it should come as no surprise that they continue to rise. It should be interesting what prices next season will bring.If they want this fine. This is the by product of this and it will only get worse. Pity those poor kids who see a show like Hamilton for free. It will be hard for them to realize it may be the only show they see. Imagine prices when they are out of school and they realize they cannot afford it.

Updated On: 10/31/15 at 08:47 AM

IF/THEN definitely isn't a good example. For one, Idina Menzel is not a megastar the way Hugh Jackman or Al Pacino are, and she was cast long before "Let It Go" even hit the charts (her celebrity power is mostly centered in Broadway still). As for ticket prices and the like, I think there's some chicken/egg cycle going on. No one talks about the mounting cost breakdown, though.

Blender2 said: "What's up with Reidel reviewing the play before it comes out and spoiling it? Aren't people pissed at that?"

It's Reidel. If you search around here, you'll find he generally has a poor reputation. He has supposedly admitted on record that he stirs the pot because more people are interested in his "controversies" and gossip, and thus that's how he's paid.

If/Then, later in its run, regularly papered performances.

It's just boring and should not be confused with a Moose Murders or Me Jack You Jill, even though the article would lead you to believe otherwise.

The only thing that approaches campy insanity is the fight Reidel spoils at the end. Most of the play in monotonous and stupifyingly dull.

Don't get me wrong, Pacino didn't know his lines and I'm sure someone like Raul Esparza or Norbert Leo Butz would have greatly elevated the material, but even a Herculean effort from the world's greatest actor could make this nothing more than tolerable.

Oh dear!

http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2015/10/30/al_pacino_hasn_t_memorized_his_lines_in_new_broadway_play_china_doll.html

oh forget it. You guys see everything before I do.

Updated On: 10/31/15 at 07:00 PM

Riedel's not wrong. I met several people this afternoon who were trying to obtain refunds.

I attended with my family, all much bigger Pacino fans than I. They were very excited and left very dismayed and disappointed. I left at intermission and waited for them. Between Mamet's nonexistent play and Pacino's lack of a performance, I was insulted, angry and outraged. If I didn't leave, I probably would've wound up mouthing off to a very "despondent" Pam McKinnon at the back of the house. I feel sorry for her. Until I realize that she should've read the play before signing the contract.

Mamet's first act is a endless loop of the same 5-minute conversation. Mickey bought a plane. He flew it to Canada to avoid U.S. taxes. It had to land in the U.S. for mechanical problems. Now he has to pay 5 million in taxes. Also, he's got some young, golddigger fiance in a hotel somewhere. That's about it. And poor Christopher Denham tries desperately to play a scene as he listens to THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AND OVER.

This is a joke. And frankly, such an embarrassment that I imagine it'll be quite a sore spot on Pacino's "legacy". Mamet's too.

Save your money. Sell your tickets if you have them. Spare yourself the torture. And don't throw YOUR hard-earned money to these money-hungry, greedy producers.

Haha! Obviously not.

Moose Murders, frankly, is a much better play.

Mr Roxy you seem to be taking such delight in this play not working, have you seen it? It's just a bit odd that you go on about shows closing early and critics etc and this sounds like you are rubbing your hands together in glee.