Dianne Wiest in Beckett's "Happy Days"

[MrPeach]

Posted: 5/5/17 at 11:37pm

I searched for a thread on this show/topic and couldn't find any results. Has anyone seen the production? I'm going to NYC later this month to catch as many Tony nominated productions I can, but I'm thinking I may have to get in this production before it closes May 28. Whether or not a fan of the play, Dianne Wiest seems to be getting a ton of praise. 


NYTimes Review:
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/05/04/theater/happy-days-review-dianne-wiest.html?referer=http://m.facebook.com

Show info:
http://www.tfana.org/1617season/happydays/overview

Updated On: 5/6/17 at 11:37 PM

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 5/6/17 at 4:15pm

Yes, why not?

[AC126748]

Posted: 5/6/17 at 4:36pm

It's in Brooklyn, not Belarus. I didn't realize there were still people who acted like getting to Brooklyn was like going to the end of the earth.

[BakerWilliams]

Posted: 5/6/17 at 4:43pm

It's also a really short walk from the Nevins St. station.

Plus, it's a great play and Wiest is one of our great actors alive today.

[kaykordeath]

Posted: 5/6/17 at 4:55pm

It's fantastic. And right across the street from BAM. TFANA has a gorgeous space there. It's an easy trip and well worth it.

[MrPeach]

Posted: 5/6/17 at 5:19pm

AC126748 said: "It's in Brooklyn, not Belarus. I didn't realize there were still people who acted like getting to Brooklyn was like going to the end of the earth.

 

"

I'm based in Georgia and come to Manhattan often, but I've never been to Brooklyn. Seeing this play will change that! Ironically, I don't know how long or short of a ride it is from where I'm staying to Brooklyn... although I'm sure it's not as long as the subway ride to the end of the earth.

Updated On: 5/6/17 at 05:19 PM

[AC126748]

Posted: 5/6/17 at 5:31pm

The theater is a short subway ride (20-30 minutes) from Times Square.

[Glittergrrl]

Posted: 5/6/17 at 5:59pm

This production started at Yale Rep, which is basically in my backyard.  So mad I never went.

[lyceum]

Posted: 5/6/17 at 7:44pm

I went last saturday and thought it was a really beautiful production of a classic play. Nothing special happening direction or set-wise but Ms. Wiest gives a truly unexpected and memorable performance in this role. I found her body language, in particular, to be very fascinating

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 5/6/17 at 8:14pm

I thought Wiest was very good, and I am glad to have seen the play. But I found it incredibly hard to watch in a purely emotional sense--even for Beckett. I'd never seen this one. Devastating and bleak. 

Updated On: 5/6/17 at 08:14 PM

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 5/6/17 at 8:17pm

And welcome to Brooklyn, MrPeach! 

[Glittergrrl]

Posted: 5/7/17 at 10:38am

Scarywarhol said: "I thought Wiest was very good, and I am glad to have seen the play. But I found it incredibly hard to watch in a purely emotional sense--even for Beckett. I'd never seen this one. Devastating and bleak. 

 

"

This is the reason I never went. I'm very emotional and I didn't know if I could handle it. Sounds like I made the right choice.

Updated On: 5/7/17 at 10:38 AM

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 5/7/17 at 12:08pm

I can't imagine turning this down, it's by far Beckett's best play (one of the great plays, really) and Wiest is a terrific actress.

[sondmon]

Posted: 5/7/17 at 10:43pm

If I am not at all familiar with Beckett's work will I still enjoy this?

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 12:45am

That's really hard to say, it depends on if you like existentialist absurdism and comedy of menace. It was my first Beckett and I fell pretty hard for it, it's very "grabby" and has a strong central hook. I want to say it's slightly less of a crowdpleaser than Waiting for Godot, which is more outwardly comedic, but the driving passion behind Happy Days is extremely engaging.

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 2:30pm

I get that it's Beckett and it's "existentialist absurdism," but when I first read the synopsis of this play, my initial reaction was: "So she's literally buried under sand for the entire show?" I couldn't help but chuckle. Of course now I know it's a metaphor and not just a staging gimmick.

[BakerWilliams]

Posted: 5/8/17 at 2:34pm

But, of course, with Beckett, you can never be sure if he isn't just pulling a joke on the audience. And that's why we love him.

[sondmon]

Posted: 5/9/17 at 12:19am

any seating suggestions? is the side view mezz and balcony ok? thanks.

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 5/9/17 at 1:05am

I would recommend getting center balcony over side mezz, if just due to where Winnie is placed for the evening. 

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 5/9/17 at 4:27pm

saw this a couple years ago with Brooke Adams and Tony Shaloub. Very powerful show. Brooke Adams and Tony Shaloub