Churchill's TOP GIRLS - Burning Questions

[LimelightMike]

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]

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

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

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.

Updated On: 3/17/08 at 05:36 PM

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 3/17/08 at 6:20pm

Elizabeth 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?

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

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.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 3/18/08 at 12:59am

Bumpity, bump, bump...

[HeyMrMusic]

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

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 3/18/08 at 1:47am

Never 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.

[LimelightMike]

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]

Posted: 3/18/08 at 7:48am

Well, it's considered a classic...

[Borstalboy]

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????

Updated On: 3/18/08 at 11:37 AM

[being.jeremiah]

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!

[mels3192]

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!

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 3/18/08 at 6:20pm

Churchill 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.

[theaterkid1015]

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.

[Caitlin]

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.

[scaryclowns223]

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?)

[LimelightMike]

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.

[Magdalene]

Posted: 3/20/08 at 11:38am

Does anyone know an approximate running time for the show?