Saw this Saturday night to close out a 4 show trip. Had hoped to see this with Radcliffe, but things just didn't line up - but when Hargitay was announced, I thought it might be a cool experience having watched her on television for many years! It was perhaps a bit long (I want to say I was leaving my seat about 10:30?) though it didn't start until 10-15 minutes after the stated 8:30 start time.
In any case, was this my favorite thing ever? No, but it was a nice evening and unlike some plays, I thought it was clear what the piece was written to convey (honestly I thought it wouldn't be as funny) and with a little prodding, the audience participants were pretty good and there was one wild moment...
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The audience member chosen to be the school counselor was at first mortified to put her sock on her hand, but eventually did it. However, when it came time for her to put it back on later in the show, she couldn't find it(?!) so Mariska took her shoe and sock off and gave it to the woman, who did not hesitate for a second to put it on her hand.
For those who care about such things, Mariska did stage door. By the time I got out there (was sitting in the dress circle) there was already a row of people on the barricade, at least some of whom had been at the matinee and came back since she not surprisingly didn't come out after that. I have no way of knowing if she's the first performer to ever do this, but in a first for my own experience, Mariska came out with a clipboard that she used to sign Playbills on. She does not take photos, and she will only sign Playbills, window cards, or the index cards from the show.
She was out there for a while...I didn't put a timer on it but the first photo I took of her was at 10:45 so she came out fairly quickly and signed for maybe a half hour? My advice for the stage door is to not expect to have an opportunity for an extended exchange with her - she's not rude, in fact she's trying to do something for everyone but it's impossible with how crowded it is. Just have whatever ready to hand over, say thank you when she hands it back, and as many people as possible will go home with a little something extra!
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