I just remembered something. When Brantley reviewed the Broadway production of STEEL MAGNOLIAS a few years ago, something he said has since stuck out in my mind:
"Despite an ensemble featuring high-profile veterans of stage, film and television, sitting through STEEL MAGNOLIAS, which is set in a beauty parlor in a small town in Louisiana, is like watching nail polish dry." I saw the production, and while I thought that Brantley was being a bit snide in that statement, I agreed that parts of the show were boring and that overall the production did not deliver the goods.
Now, if he can make a blatant statement like that about a starry production of a good ol' fashioned feel good show like STEEL MAGNOLIAS, it will be a test of his honesty as a journalist to see what he has to say about DEUCE -- a production ten times more dull than what took place on stage at the Lyceum in 2005.
That production of STEEL MAGNOLIAS had redeeming qualities. Lily Rabe made a charming Broadway debut as Annelle. Christine Ebersole gave a damn solid performance as M'Lynn, and Frances Sternhagen did a hell of a lot of what we all know she does best.
DEUCE has no redeeming qualities whatsoever, in my opinion. I hope that Brantley isn't softened by the fact that this is Angela Lansbury's big return and that he doesn't therefore give a middle ground, dishonest review. Brantley has had no qualms with being flat out honest in the past, and this case should be no different. I would see him as a total hypocrite if he doesn't give (at least what I saw in the state that I saw it last night) a flat out pan.
STEEL MAGNOLIAS - New York Times Review - 2005
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
Updated On: 4/12/07 at 05:12 PM