Amy Ryan was competent, if a bit monotone at times, and hit all the right beats, but it honestly made me wish they just promoted Isabel Keating instead, especially since I found more nuance in her tone and her internal struggle was visible (which was astounding having only had a day of rehearsal). It’s a good production of a great play. It really does make me wonder how Scott Ellis would’ve reigned in a battle-ax personality like Tyne after seeing the level of understatement in Keating and Ryan. Schreiber remains excellent as morally questionable characters is his wheelhouse. Kazan is still a little grating at times, and Bernstine has really put more bite into her big scene with Ryan.
At the stage door, all of them came out…kind of. Amy Ryan tried to dash but there was this one guy who was a real S.O.B and said “C’mon Amy, there’s only a few of us”. She relented, but she seemed flustered, and refused to sign his printouts of her headshot (which always weirds me out when people do that) - but only playbills . She was polite to my mother and I and I made sure to thank her. The guy went off after she left saying “who does she think she is?” and all that.
Kazan and Bernstine stopped when asked, but neither seemed in a particular hurry to go anywhere - just kind of lingering around, both very nice. Schreiber came out last, Sharpie in hand, and was quick and polite, while also refusing the S.O.B’a headshot request.
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I was very underwhelmed when I saw this two weeks ago. Missing its original run remains one of my biggest Broadway-related regrets, but I've read the play multiple times. The prose is so powerful that merely reading it had my heart pounding, and even discussing it could give me chills.
I had seen preliminary posts here and knew that this wasn't necessarily the best production, but still hoped it would deliver at least a little bit of a punch. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. I'm trying to give it some grace because Amy Ryan was still very new and reading off a prompter (which was quite distracting for those of us on the side of the mezzanine - especially when it would flash bright white like a camera going off), and they were dealing with some sound issues during crucial scenes. However, Schreiber, whom I normally love, left me cold, as did the rest of the cast.
I'd like to see it again later in its run to observe how they all settle in, but this just feels like such a missed opportunity.
I thought it was really well done. I had seen the tour with Cherry Jones and the film but it was soooo long ago. Both iterations had me thinking Father was guilty but I don't know if it's age the tone of the direction (ummm err doubt) but this production had me thinking he was innocent.
Thought the entire ensemble was excellent and Amy was terrifically unlikable as the sister.
A tight entertaining 90 min play that was quite good.
Congratulations to Chris McGarry who swung on mid-show as Father Flynn!
This marks Chris' debut as Father Flynn with this run, but he is a veteran DOUBT performer - he was the standby Flynn for the original Broadway production, and was the principal Flynn when the Broadway production went on tour.
If you'd like to catch Chris s/b Father Flynn, he'll be on tonight at 8pm.
Was anyone else there at today's matinee? Liev Schreiber came on and started the show which is a monologue to the congregation. After a couple of minutes he said "excuse me ladies and gentlemen but I need a minute" and left the stage. The house lights came up and they first announced there would be a slight delay and then a few minutes later they announced that Liev was sick and the understudy would go on in 10 minutes.
I got a refund at the box office because I am local and can go back to see Liev but 90% of the audience stayed. Just curious how the understudy was if anyone was there today?
Another voice adding to what people have already said - the play is good and these performances are fine. I wish Liev had more life to him here. I was expecting more. Zoe was blah, but I always find her to be blah. Amy was the best, but she didn’t have much to play with.
I also find it odd that the boy’s mother basically says, “If the Father is being inappropriate with my son, so be it for a few more months because at least he’s gentle with him” and the audience claps for her monologue. Are we supposed to be clapping for the mom who allows her son to potentially be sexually abused? I have my own doubts about that. I know it’s because her husband beats the boy when he acts effeminate and she thinks this is better, but it’s weird.
I suppose it depends in part on whether you thought the priest was sexually abusing her son (and if so the extent of the abuse). She saw her son as effeminate (and probably gay though she may not have understood or articulated it that way given the heteronormative world in which the play takes place). She was worried about her son’s survival given the abuse he would suffer anywhere he went. And I think the applause is for the strength of her love for him notwithstanding his effeminacy.
theatrefan18 said: "Was anyone else there at today's matinee? Liev Schreiber came on and started the show which is a monologue to the congregation. After a couple of minutes he said"excuse me ladies and gentlemen but I need a minute" and left the stage. The house lights came up and they first announced there would be a slight delay and then a few minutes later they announced that Liev was sick and the understudy would go on in 10 minutes.
I got a refund at the box office because I am local and can go back to see Liev but 90% of the audience stayed. Just curious how the understudy was if anyone was there today?"
Liev Schreiber talked about this experience on Seth Meyers last night. He had a migraine which turned into transient global amnesia
Thought this was a very thought-provoking piece, with Amy's performance truly a highlight. I'm not familiar with the piece at all going in, however I felt Schreiber could have done more with his Flynn. He did amazing in some parts and not so amazing in others. Especially in the courtyard scene, he didn't feel as convincing as I feel he could've been. Maybe it was deliberate, not sure. Bernstine did well for her moment, but I agree the clapping afterward felt awkward and confusing to join in.
Also, Amy is still reading off of a teleprompter for the opening scene. This late into the run that shouldn't be necessary, in my opinion, but I understand the circumstances with her placement were extenuating. She did great in the rest of the show, so maybe they forgot to turn it off? If you can get a cheap ticket for the final weeks, I'd totally say go for it. I think this would be my 3rd favorite of the season after Appropriate and Stereophonic.
I was there tonight also. Really enjoyed it. I’ve only seen the movie and read the play, so was supposed by the amount of playing of comedic moments that I’d originally not seen as comedic moments. When Liev got weepy in the final confrontation it lost me a bit.
Way too much coughing from audience members tonight. For all that’s good, please stay home if you’re unwell. Even if it’s your last chance to see the show. Those coughs in the final third of the night were loud enough to take every other person out of the show.
Fordham2015 said: "theatrefan18 said: "Was anyone else there at today's matinee? Liev Schreiber came on and started the show which is a monologue to the congregation. After a couple of minutes he said"excuse me ladies and gentlemen but I need a minute" and left the stage. The house lights came up and they first announced there would be a slight delay and then a few minutes later they announced that Liev was sick and the understudy would go on in 10 minutes.
I got a refund at the box office because I am local and can go back to see Liev but 90% of the audience stayed. Just curious how the understudy was if anyone was there today?"
Liev Schreiber talked about this experience on Seth Meyers last night. He had a migraine which turned into transient global amnesia
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.