Did anyone see the first preview of Deuce tonight?

[fiyero8132]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 9:25pm

Keep us updated!

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:17pm

I just got back and...well, it was the first preview, but I cannot imagine it amounting to much. The play is incredibly slight and my interest was waning after about ten minutes. I never cared about the two central characters or their reminiscences about the struggle for women to be taken seriously as professional athletes, their tumultuous friendship/rivalry, etc. If anybody other than an established playwright had written this, they would've been laughed out of town.

I was disappointed by both Lansbury and Seldes, who were both shaky and underprepared (from the second row, I could hear almost every other line being fed to them from the wings). It was a thrill to see Lansbury on stage, but Deuce hits the net right from the beginning and never recovers.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:24pm

Another for the ever ready "looked good on paper" file?

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:28pm

I think 'slight' is a fantastic word to describe the plays of Mr McNally. none of them have ever interested / excited / entertained me all that much and yet he continues to recieve acclaim. a fact beyond my comprehension.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:30pm

Well, this confirms my worst hunch. And given McNally's track record as of late, this is hardly a surprise.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:30pm

Ouch. Line feeding for two of the greatest actresses on Broadway today? Seems a little dissapointing. Still, it is a preview.

[D2]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:31pm

So does anyone want to reconsider their Tony predictions?

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:33pm

Unless they're feeling REALLY generous, the Tony goes to Eve Best.

I would venture to call this McNally's worst play, and that's saying something.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:34pm

Eve Best or Julie White?

[D2]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:36pm

Or Vanessa Redgrave?

[jordangirl]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:37pm

I didn't see LDL, but that would be tough for me between Vanessa and Eve. I'd probably give the edge to Vanessa though...just because personally her performance gave me goosebumps on goosebumps. Eve was spectacular, but just single level goosebumps.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:38pm

Or Julie White?

(I know, but it bears repeating)

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:39pm

Great minds think alike, Rath.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:40pm

What about Julie White?

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:41pm

oh come on, they're both over 100 and the for the most part the show is them talking for over an hour and a half.

i agree that the script is slight but even being fed a few lines here and there (the night i was there it was a few times, not the hyperbolic "every other line") i enjoyed both of them immensely. i was at the invited dress, not tonight's performance. seeing the two of them go at it was great fun. did i really care about whatever point terry was looking to make? no, but it was them onstage together for over 90 minutes offering a chance for folks to see two living legends.

that said, they're both going to get better. what's onstage now will look nothing like what's there in a few weeks. they'll both get nominations even if it is a light weight piece.

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:41pm

I love Julie White, but I fear that LDL will have been closed for too long come Tony time. Those Tony voters have short attention spans, and the fact that--by the ceremony--the show will have been closed for four months could hurt her chances. And, as fabulous as Redgrave is, I don't think they'll give her a Tony for THIS show, especially since she won one so recently.

After Best's love letter from Brantley, I'd call her the front runner.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:42pm

Haven't seen Best or Redgrave yet, but I sure as hell would be thrilled if Julie White won. SO brilliant.

[D2]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:43pm

If I were voting, I'd give it to Julie. Love Vanessa, but she's got one. I'm tired of the Brits coming here and taking our awards, so pfft to Eve. Julie was phenomenal in the role and deserves it. There I said it. On a DEUCE thread, too.

Updated On: 4/11/07 at 10:43 PM

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:44pm

Papa-

Being in the second row, I could literally hear the script girl feeding the lines, and it was more often than a few times tonight.

*POSSIBLE SPOILER*

The dialogue is short and punchy, and I would venture to say that McNally wrote it to resemble the sound of a tennis ball being volleyed. Because of the frequent line feedings, there were long pockets of silence between lines sometimes. It kinda killed the rhythm.

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:48pm

It IS the first preview. Cut it a little slack?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:51pm

I'll cut slack if the attendees tell me their ticket prices were lowered since the actors hadn't learned their lines and the audience didn't get a full performance.

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:51pm

I don't want to get into this endless argument again. Somebody asked a question and I answered. Given the quality of this show, I feel I was being nice. And I did mention that it was the first preview in a preface to my thoughts. I paid for my ticket, and I'm expressing my opinions.

Updated On: 4/11/07 at 10:51 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:54pm

It's live theatre, sometimes this stuff inevitable. When Cherry Jones forgot her lines in DOUBT that one time, and needed the script brough her - did we stone her? Did audience members demand their ticket price to be lowered because Jones didn't deliver a full performance? No.

I think it adds to the excitement of live theatre. But I do hope the ladies learn their lines.
Updated On: 4/11/07 at 10:54 PM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:54pm

Unfortunately, I was disappointed as well. I know it is the first preview, but they all need more rehearsal time. I think it was very smart that they decided to opt out of this year's Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards. Angela and Marian will only get better (and I will see it again after it opens), but the play needs a lot of work.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 10:55pm

AC126748- Thanks for your review- Gosh ! I am seeing the show this Saturday- I wish I dont get bored out of my mind!!!-j*