Deuce to Close in Previews?- Page 3

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 4/14/07 at 7:44pm

It's unusual these days for a new (read: original) production not to rehearse every day during previews.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/14/07 at 8:16pm

Oh, I know. I was just pointing it out.

[courtnyj]

Posted: 4/14/07 at 11:37pm

Saw it tonight. I wasn't all *that* bad. The audience laughed quite a bit and really seemed to enjoy themselves.

However....the line-feeding from offstage was very distracting. I was in the mezzanine and I could hear line after line promting both actresses. It was so blatent that it actually made me a little mad. I felt like I was watching a rehearsal. Yes, yes I know it's still in previews but the number of lines that had to be fed and all the fumbled deliveries really affected the performances.

The material isn't stellar but I don't think it's bad enough to close in previews. With some rewrites and more rehearsal time it could have been pretty good. Unfortunately the "finished product" will be merely OK.

Updated On: 4/14/07 at 11:37 PM

[jordangirl]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 12:02am

"Oh fiddlesticks.... I have a ticket for the May 31st perf...would someone tell me what happens in the event that "Deuce" does close early on? Since I got the ticket from TeleCharge, will they refund my $$?"

When they moved The Vertical Hour's closing, I called telecharge and they refunded my ticket for that performance and I was able to book for the new closing day. So yes. If they close it, contact telecharge.

[OOTI2004]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 12:03am

I saw it tonight as well, and I really enjoyed it. No it wasn't spectacular, but it was thrilling to watch these two actresses on stage. They were excellent. Seldes was the one having trouble with lines. All of Lansbury's were dead on and resulted in a lot of laughs. The show was pretty good and could use quite a lot of reworking.

I think the show did have relevance. It was commenting on the game of tennis today, which to me really mirrored the acting world, while people now do it for the money and fame rather than the joy of doing it and that the "famous people" of today will never compare to the "legends" that have come before them, however its sad because today the world is obsessed with "celebrities" for the wrong reasons. I thought it was extremely relevant and with some retooling it would be pretty good.

My main problem was that the writing seemed really redundant. Every other line one of them said "we played really good tennis" or "all I wanted to do was play tennis really well". I found it really cool that the two tennis legends ontage reflect two theater legends, or at least one legend and one really great actress.

[courtnyj]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 12:09am

I heard them feed several lines to Landsbury too...and she made some very noticable flubs, but for some reason Seldes' promts were much louder. Maybe she has trouble hearing so they have speak louder for her to hear what she's supposed to say.


I mostly agree with your anaylisis of the show. Perhaps the repetetive lines were the reason it seemed to get boring near the end. I still think it could be rewritten to make it work much better.

I enjoyed seeing Landsbury and Seldes onstage, but I wouldn't recommend paying more than the $30 I paid to see it.

Updated On: 4/15/07 at 12:09 AM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 12:37am

The play isn't the train wreck I'd been led to believe it was. The script is mediocre, but I do believe that two very fine performances are shaping up.

I was seated in the 2nd row and heard lots of prompting being done. Once the two actresses get more comfortable in their roles, this should be an acceptable evening in the theater.

I must add that the audience was with the play the entire time.

Gee, I'm sorry I missed Roxy and his wife. (Just kidding!)

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 12:38am

Just returned from seeing it & enjoyed it much more than we thought we would

Was it the greatest piece of theater I ever saw? No but it was a good piece of theater nonetheless.

People waiting by the stage door afterwards were told notes were still being taken after the performance so they would not be out for at least an hour. We went over to Juniors for a bite to eat

I do not think any straight play is worth what they charge but on TDF or Broadway Box, the price is OK

I missed meeting Dollypop? I am totally farklempt

Updated On: 4/15/07 at 12:38 AM

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 12:42am

DP: "...this should be an acceptable evening in the theater."

It sounds like you are being kind but that you really don't think it has a whole lot of potential. Is that a fair assessment?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 12:42am

No, Roxy, it wasn't a "good" piece of theater. It was "acceptable".

The whole night I kept recalling a review of Neil Simon's THE STAR SPANGLED GIRL. The reviewer said, "Neil Simon didn't have an idea for a play, but went ahead and wrote one anyway."

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 12:44am

Dolly, you must realize that people have different opinions than yours. I disagree with you on David Wright (an acceptable player) & Hello Dolly( an acceptable musical) but respect your right to them

[Dollypop]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 12:48am

HELLO, DOLLY! isn't an "acceptable" musical. It's a SENSATIONAL musical!!!!

David Wright isn't just an "acceptable" player. He's a super-hero! He's the man against whom all other men are measured!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I had my picture taken with him at Madame Tussaud's this afternoon!)

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 12:54am

I am shocked to hear this. I was certain it was going to be a hit with Lansbury and McNally attatched...I guess that goes to show you, never just ASSUME it's going to be excellent just because of the people attatched.

I hope it dosen't close in previews or very shortly after opening night. It sounds like the show has a lot of potential and I hope for all of the bugs to be worked out by the time it opens.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 12:55am

Okay, DP, that's what I thought when you said "acceptable." I am very tempted to sell my tix to the show and see something I KNOW I will like. Thanks for weighing in.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 1:27am

Mr. Roxy- I think I just lost all my respect that I had for you (which wasn't very much to begin with). Do you know anything about musical theater or theater in general? If you did, you would know that HELLO DOLLY! is much much much more than just an 'acceptable' musical.

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 1:29am

^ If you follow the history of Mr. Roxy and Dollypop, that comment was more of a jab at Dollypop opposed to the actual musical.

[anybodyelse]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 2:25am

Just got back from seeing it. 4 rows from the front on the right.

It was decent. I heard the whole lines being fed thing and it was distracting, but I tried to block it. By decent I mean the show wasn't horrible, but definitely needs some work. I felt the repetition was kinda slow. I am a huge fan of both actresses and I felt they suited the parts, but the show didn't seem to suit them.

The audience was very good and laughed and applauded a lot which seemed to help the show along. I was with an older co-worker and she said that because she was close to the characters ages, she felt a connection with the show that I was lacking.

Got some autographs (when I wasn't shaking) and thanked them for their work. They were very patient and nice.

All in all it was a nice outing to see a show:P

[jaystarr]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 3:16am

HI All

We just got back from NYC for Deuce 4/14 Saturday evening show. We have to leave at around 9:23 pm bec. we will miss our bus back to Boston . We were VERY UNCOMFORTABLE leaving the Music Box. ( We thought the last bus will NOT leave until 11 pm but we learned that it will be leaving at 10am ) So Can anyone tell me what happened after Marian's character (Possible SPOILER ) told about her interracial affaiR to A.L's character . so what happen next ???Did the play move somehow ? or get better ..We wish we were able to stay till curtain call and wait to get an autograph after the show (though we learned just now that AL & MS did not leave till after an hour?? BTW- We were seated at Orchestra RIGHT ROW H and we never heard any line feeding... but we noticed MS had difficulty with her lines...TOO BAD we have to leave early !!! YES we traveled a total 8 hours just to see Ms Lansbury & Ms. Seldes tonite ! They were excellent but I must agree with everyone that the play is basically about nothing !
Updated On: 4/15/07 at 03:16 AM

[B3TA07]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 3:27am

way
to
give
away
plot
spoilers

[DezBryner]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 3:46am

I know this is just speculation and not an official announcement of anything, but I was really looking forward to seeing Angela Lansbury on stage in July. I suppose I just hope they decide one way or the other pretty soon. Ms. Lansbury shouldn't be anywhere close to part of something that's mediocre in any way.

[emo_geek]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 5:41am

So they arn't too tired to sign and pose at the stage door?

[devonian.t]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 6:17am

Why is everyone assuming this will be Lansbury's final role? Even people who announce a retirement sometimes change their minds.

(Personally, I would love to see her appear in 'A Little Night Music', singing Liaisons!)

[bschneid76]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 7:06am

I hope it doesn't close in previews, I really want to see Angela on staged, and Marion Seldes too. I don't care if they are being fed lines, just the notion of seeing two brilliant actors on stage is enough for the price of admission, even if they were just reading a phone book. It's live theatre, so forgetting lines is bound to happen, it happens to everyone at some point or another. I am sure all the kinks will be worked out and it will be an enjoyable and entertaining evening. I look forward to seeing it.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 7:44am

THANKS FOR NOTHING.. jaystarr for giving away a significant plot point.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 7:53am

i'm so glad i skim some of these posts so i can't see what was "spoiled" :)

and i have a ticket for the 12th of May so here's to hoping it lasts until then. (and that the lines are rewritten enough that they don't have to feed them anymore)