Churchill's TOP GIRLS - Burning Questions
Churchill's TOP GIRLS - Burning Questions
#1Churchill's TOP GIRLS - Burning Questions
Posted: 3/17/08 at 5:21pm
Hey All -
I'm heavily considering skipping-out on THE COUNTRY GIRL this coming spring, and purchase primo seats to see the Broadway Premiere of Caryn Churchill's TOP GIRLS. I'm not all too familiar with the plot, but from what I gather, this is an exceptional bunch of actresses (in the cast), and this is looked upon as 'a masterwork' - Any inight as to what the story is about, or the plot devices used? What of an approx. running time (if applicable)? I only 'cause I have yet to make up my mind on going to a matinee or evening performance. Wikipedia doesn't do a realy good job of deciphering what's what, IMO. If anyone on here caught it previously, I'd certainly love to get your thoughts and opinions on the piece, as well. Many thanks to all who reply and/or those who've gone to read this post. All insight greatly appreciated.
Best,
- Mike 
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#2re: Churchill's TOP GIRLS - Burning Questions
Posted: 3/17/08 at 5:23pm
Getting ahead at the Top Girls employment agency in London. Has an all-female cast. Starts with a dream sequence where the main character has a dinner party with notable women from history.
There's a great deal of info on Wiki.
Updated On: 3/17/08 at 05:23 PM
#2re: Churchill's TOP GIRLS - Burning Questions
Posted: 3/17/08 at 5:36pm
Who will be considered the leading actress in this play? Or are all of them going to be featured?
I can't wait to see this show.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
Updated On: 3/17/08 at 05:36 PM
#3re: Churchill's TOP GIRLS - Burning Questions
Posted: 3/17/08 at 6:20pmElizabeth Marvel's "Marlene" will more-than-likely be considered the lead in this show. The story revolves around her in the first place. You're not going, Ray?
#4re: Churchill's TOP GIRLS - Burning Questions
Posted: 3/17/08 at 6:39pm
Oops, I meant to say "I can't wait to see this show." Thanks for pointing that out to me, Mike, hehe.
So then Tomei and Plimptom will both be competing in the featured actress category?
This really is the season for plays, there's actually no musical I'm excited about seeing, but God the plays are making me so anxious about the summer when I'll be able to head there and watch AUGUST, TOP GIRLS, and LIAISONS.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
#6re: Churchill's TOP GIRLS - Burning Questions
Posted: 3/18/08 at 1:42am
Yes, I would assume Plimpton and Tomei would be considered featured. I can't see why either would be bumped to leading. Marlene is the lead of the show. That said, this show would seem to have major competition with itself either way, even if Plimpton or Tomei were bumped up.
~Steven
#7re: Churchill's TOP GIRLS - Burning Questions
Posted: 3/18/08 at 1:47amNever read or seen the play, that's why I was wondering. Just figured since Tomei and Plimptom are name actresses, that they would be in a play were they got the lead roles. I might read this before seeing it on Broadway, is it a play that has surprising spoilers? If that's the case I rather not read it.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
#8re: Churchill's TOP GIRLS - Burning Questions
Posted: 3/18/08 at 2:23am
I second Ray's question.
Is the storytelling device used (fantasy-esque, from what I've read, anyhow) used successfully? Is the timeline easy to follow? Any and all insight appreciated.
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#9re: Churchill's TOP GIRLS - Burning Questions
Posted: 3/18/08 at 7:48amWell, it's considered a classic...
Borstalboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/9/04
#10re: Churchill's TOP GIRLS - Burning Questions
Posted: 3/18/08 at 11:37am
POSSIBLE SPOILERS BELOW???
The first act is, as noted, a dream sequence in which women from history have a dinner. It's interesting, has some amazing writing, but is a little "huh?" in the piece as a whole. If you know the play well, theories as to what the first act is "about" would be interesting to discuss.
The second act is mostly dedicated to an amazing scene between Marlene and her lower-class sister, whom she dumped her child off to sixteen years earlier to pursue her successful career. There's a lot of talk about Thatcherian politics but the themes are universal.
Personally very excited about this production but GOD could the MTC's Spice Girls-like advertising campaign for this be just a little more tacky?? Are they trying to get the LEGALLY BLONDE audience to come????
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
~ Muhammad Ali
Updated On: 3/18/08 at 11:37 AM
being.jeremiah
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/05
#11re: Churchill's TOP GIRLS - Burning Questions
Posted: 3/18/08 at 1:37pm
I don't think it's tacky at all- very bold advertising for such a provocative show.
"Is the storytelling device used (fantasy-esque, from what I've read, anyhow) used successfully? Is the timeline easy to follow? Any and all insight appreciated."
Yes. Yes. Go see the show!
#12re: Churchill's TOP GIRLS - Burning Questions
Posted: 3/18/08 at 2:09pm
i was in this show a few years ago and the reviews were very mixed. even my own opinion is pretty mixed. sometimes i thought the show was brilliant and somedays i hated it. it's not your average show...it's interesting to say the least. the character i played is, by far, the furthest thing from my own personality ive ever played, so that was a great deal of fun. but i can't say i loved the show.
it's worth seeing though!
#13re: Churchill's TOP GIRLS - Burning Questions
Posted: 3/18/08 at 6:20pmChurchill certainly is an aquired taste, but that cast that MTC put together for this revival is really exciting. That has to be some of the finest New York actresses working today in that company. I hope their combined accomplishments and proven track reccords make this production as hot as it looks. I LOVE those adds. They just pop 1980's Sexy - and well, that's certainly marketing the play.
#14re: Churchill's TOP GIRLS - Burning Questions
Posted: 3/18/08 at 8:25pm
Can I be the typo beeyotch for a second?
"Caryn Churchill's" Unless someone with a very similar name stole the title, it's "Caryl."
Sorry to interrupt....Continue.
Some people paint, some people sew, I meddle.
Caitlin
Chorus Member Joined: 4/13/04
#15re: Churchill's TOP GIRLS - Burning Questions
Posted: 3/18/08 at 8:56pm
Okay, not to be a bitch but :
Can you please read the play? It's a great work of theater and I'm a little surprised you'd go through all this effort to figure out what it's about when you could just as easily READ this masterpiece to see for yourself. It TRULY upsets me that people don't read anymore. Maybe you're not that interested in the theater, maybe it's just a hobby, but still, it is worth the read. And then you can form your own opinion, see if the story-telling 'devices' work for you.
And Elizabeth Marvel is marvelous.
#16re: Churchill's TOP GIRLS - Burning Questions
Posted: 3/18/08 at 10:36pm
Catilin
I'm sure Mike hasn't read it because he doesn't want to spoil it for himself should he decide to see the show. I know I refuse to read anything until it closes or until I have seen it. I've put off reading August: Osage County until I see it two weeks from now because I don't want to ruin the plot. I'm sure this is Mike's reasoning with Top GIrls.
A lot of people still read, so don't get all upset.
Theater is a visual art. When an author writes, he/she writes for the stage, not for a printed version.
Thus, Mike probably couldn't figure out whether it worked for him if he read it- it's missing the visual aspect.
Oh, and excellent use of the word "marvelous." (Intentional?)
#17re: Churchill's TOP GIRLS - Burning Questions
Posted: 3/18/08 at 11:54pm
Thank you kindly for being my mouthpiece, reading my mind in all of one response, scaryclowns.
That's exactly why I even started the thread - I don't want to spoil it for myself. Caitlin, my utmost apologies for getting you so riled-up over this. I just wanted to let it be known that I'm intrigued enough to purchase tix to otherwise 'lesser-known' piece of 'theatrical genius'. I have nothing but respect for MTC (on the whole, with everything they've been mounting as of late), and I have the admiration to truly appreciate the cast they've assembled. I didn't mean to stir the pot, as it were - Just letting it be known.
#18re: Churchill's TOP GIRLS - Burning Questions
Posted: 3/20/08 at 11:38amDoes anyone know an approximate running time for the show?
"NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!"
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