DOWNSTATE - reviews- Page 2

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 12/2/22 at 10:53pm

Considering they produce A Parallelogram a few seasons back and already have a relationship with Norris, it would be nice to see Second Stage partner w/ PH and bring this to the Hayes next season, but might be one non-profit entity too many to make it worth peoples time financially 

[CoercedBull]

Posted: 12/4/22 at 12:05pm

Can anyone compare this production to the original Steppenwolf production? I saw it in Chicago & LOVED it, but it looks like I won't have a chance to see the off-Broadway run. I'm curious what--if anything--is different.

K. Todd Freeman is one of our great theater actors; very glad he's getting so much love for this performance. 

[Dan6]

Posted: 12/12/22 at 4:50pm

Playbill.com lists a closing date of 1/22/23, but the Playwrights Horizons site still shows 12/22/22.  Typo?  Or announcement forthcoming? 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 12/13/22 at 9:01pm

Extended through December 30, and, according to the casting call from earlier this year, the maximum extension date is January 8.

Updated On: 12/13/22 at 09:01 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/15/22 at 11:20pm

Saw this tonight and I just have no words. Yes, it's the best play of the year and maybe the single best piece of theater of the year, as well. Need to process this over the next couple of days. 

[forfivemoreminutes]

Posted: 12/16/22 at 12:06am

Are there plans for this show to be produced elsewhere within the next year or two, or for a pro-shot to be filmed? This was one of the most thought-provoking shows I've ever seen and I have several friends I'd love to bring to see it, but they won't be able to make it to NYC before it closes.

[Ravenclaw]

Posted: 12/16/22 at 4:01am

At a talkback, someone asked Pam McKinnon if she would bring the play at ACT (where she is artistic director), and she said that she would like to, with this cast again, but made it clear that there weren't any plans yet.

I would love for this to transfer to Broadway so that everyone can win Tonys. Maybe a Pulitzer win in the spring could lead to a transfer next fall? A Strange Loop, Fat Ham, and Cost of Living all announced their Broadway productions after Pulitzer wins. (And, for the record, there is precedent for shows winning the Pulitzer the year of their New York premieres rather than their world premieres. The Humans premiered in Chicago in 2014 but was a Pulitzer finalist in 2016, after it premiered in New York.)

As to the poster who asked if anything had changed since the Steppenwolf production, it's nearly identical. At the same talkback I mentioned earlier, MacKinnon and Norris indicated that the only edits to the text were the removal of specific references to the "me too" movement that Tim Hopper's character made, which had set the play specifically in 2018. Those couple phrases were removed so that the play still takes place "now". The new cast members are well integrated (though I personally preferred Cecilia Noble's performance over Susanna Guzman's--but both do well by the part). It was a stunning show then, and it's a stunning show now.

If you are on the fence about seeing this due to the subject matter, just go see it. Yes, it will challenge you, it will make you think about uncomfortable things, but it's also funny, entertaining, and gripping. It's rare to see a play this good, it's rare to see a production this good, and it's rare to see a performance as good as any of the eight on display here. To find all those things matched together is a gift. Take a risk and see the "challenging" play before it closes. When they release the rights, many regional theaters will probably shy away from the title, fearing controversy, and the ones that are brave enough to produce it won't capture the lightning in a bottle of this particular production. Go see it while you can.

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 12/16/22 at 12:44pm

Ravenclaw said: "It's rare to see a play this good, it's rare to see a production this good, and it's rare to see a performance as good as any of the eight on display here. To find all those things matched together is a gift.."

so well put. 

[JoeW4]

Posted: 12/16/22 at 4:46pm

Unfortunately I'm not sure if we'll be able to know beforehand whether it's eligible for the Pulitzer. According to the Pulitzer website:

"Eligible works include full-length dramas that opened in the United States between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022. ...

The Pulitzer Prizes honor contemporary creative work. Dramatic works previously submitted for the award and revivals are not eligible. The creator(s) of a dramatic work should determine when it is ready for award consideration, as it may be submitted only once."

 

As far as I'm aware, we have no way of knowing whether or not it was submitted after its world premiere production in 2018. So we don't know whether it's eligible this year.

Does the theatre company help to facilitate the Pulitzer submission, or does the playwright have to handle it  independently? The Minutes was submitted prior to its NY production, so if Steppenwolf has a hand in the process, it's possible they did the same with Downstate

 

Updated On: 12/16/22 at 04:46 PM

[Dan6]

Posted: 12/17/22 at 4:41pm

Although the Playwrights Horizons homepage still lists a closing date of 12/30, if you click on the Buy Tickets link they’re now selling through 1/7 (which, based on a prior post, is likely the final extension). So glad I’m now getting a chance to see this one. 

[Bill Snibson]

Posted: 12/17/22 at 5:12pm

I can't recommend this play enough! It is so well crafted. The subject matter is incredibly intense but I don't think that should steer people away unless, of course, it's a trigger. For me, the cast and the acting is quite possibly some of the best I've ever seen on stage. I don't know what's in the water at Steppenwolf but man this cast is incredible.  I was reminded of August: Osage, County and just how brilliant that cast was too.

[Ptero2]

Posted: 12/18/22 at 10:56pm

Can't emphasize enough how much I loved this one. Best thing I've seen in a long time.

[Melissa25]

Posted: 12/18/22 at 11:32pm

Dan6: Although the Playwrights Horizons homepage still lists a closing date of 12/30, if you click on the Buy Tickets link they’re now selling through 1/7 (which, based on a prior post, is likely the final extension). So glad I’m now getting a chance to see this one. 

Thanks for sharing this info. Just picked up my tickets for January. So glad I’ll be able to catch it.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 12/18/22 at 11:49pm

JoeW4 said: "Does the theatre company help to facilitate the Pulitzer submission, or does the playwright have to handle it independently? The Minutes was submitted prior to its NY production, so if Steppenwolf has a hand in the process, it's possible they did the same with Downstate"

Anyone can submit it. But also, I believe you don't HAVE to submit it...any play that opens at a major theatre (such as Steppenwolf or Playwrights Horizons) is going to be under consideration, plus others that get submitted. But the qualifications of what counts as the premiere production seem murky.

I was in a foul mood the day I saw this and almost left because the play was delayed in starting. So glad I stayed. One of the best plays I've seen since the great reopening.

[LarryD2]

Posted: 12/19/22 at 10:17am

The new cast members are well integrated (though I personally preferred Cecilia Noble's performance over Susanna Guzman's--but both do well by the part). It was a stunning show then, and it's a stunning show now.

Just curious: In the Chicago production, did Ivy speak Spanish to Felix in their scene together, or is that a new addition now that Ivy is being played by a Hispanic actor? 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/19/22 at 10:34am

I didn’t realize that there were already replacements but I saw Brian Hutchison in what was only his fourth performance last week, and it was one of the best acting performances I’ve ever seen. Ever. 

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 12/21/22 at 10:05pm

Wow, I was also absolutely blown away by this show, not a weak link in the cast.  And you just get drawn in so immediately, and each character is established so well.  I don't know how he does it but I feel like five minutes with each character is all you need to get a sense of who they are and what they believe without making them seem one-note.  I know it would never do well on Broadway, but I do hope this manages to transfer or maybe produce another off-Broadway run because I'd love to see it again.

My only minor quibble is in act 2 when I think it's supposed to be like 9pm, the lighting coming through the doorway makes it seem like it's the middle of the day.  A fairly small thing I guess, but I was kind of disoriented by that in terms of continuity.

Though question about the last couple scenes because it all happened pretty fast:

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

Why were Gio and Effie arrested?  Was it because he wasn't supposed to have weed?  Effie was screaming about how she was registered and legally allowed to have it, but I couldn't tell if that meant that she was misinterpreting the arrest to be something else or if it was more the fact that she had it around Gio that was the issue.

 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 12/21/22 at 11:21pm

the hidden/spoiler feature isnt working for me but no, i think your're missing the point there.... dont wanna ruin anything tho so ill let someone more technologically adept explain.

[Skip23]

Posted: 12/22/22 at 4:57pm

Jordan Catalano said: "I didn’t realize that there were already replacements but I saw Brian Hutchison in what was only his fourth performance last week, and it was one of the best acting performances I’ve ever seen. Ever."

 

I wonder if it's that role also.  I saw Tim Hopper do that part and he was brilliant.  And Frances Guinan was devastating.

 

 

[Pashacar]

Posted: 12/23/22 at 11:41am

Thanks to everyone here who recommended this. Wouldn’t have gone otherwise and it was, as advertised, one of my best theatre experiences of the last few years. Was my first Bruce Norris show and I’m so eager to see more now.

Playwrights is really on a roll, and I trust their artistic decision making more than anywhere else at this point.

[suzycat]

Posted: 12/23/22 at 4:53pm

Thank you all for your encouragement, I just got tickets to see this in January. 

[HBBrock]

Posted: 12/24/22 at 12:39am

FYI - Playwrights Horizons is currently offering a 4 ticket Flex Pass for $200 and throwing in a 5th ticket for free.

That is $40 per ticket for Downstate or any other shows this season, and it includes the best seats in the house.

Just got Downstate tickets for Jan 4th.

https://my.playwrightshorizons.org/donate/i/4flex

Updated On: 12/24/22 at 12:39 AM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/28/22 at 10:39pm

Went again tonight to marvel at this play once more. I asked if there was any chance of extension anywhere else and was told this was the end for it. So do yourself the biggest favor you could possibly do and get there before it closes. 

[Bill Snibson]

Posted: 12/28/22 at 11:21pm

JC, how were the new cast members? 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/28/22 at 11:26pm

I only saw this for the first time a couple weeks ago with Brian Hutchison on his 3rd show and he deserves every award ever created for an actor to receive. I don’t know who else was new but there’s not a weak link in this cast.