Edward Albee's

[ZiggyCringe]

Posted: 9/7/10 at 11:08pm

What a whack-a-doo play this is.

It's kind of paint by numbers Albee.

Crazy Mother? Check.
Doormat Father? Check.
Imaginary Children? Check, and Check. (They're twins).

It's as if Albee put "Virginia Woolf" and "The American Dream" and "The Play About the Baby" in a blender. Mix, and serve.

And yet...

I highly recommend it, because Elizabeth Ashley is giving the performance of her life. She's Martha, and Maggie the Cat, and beyond. She eats the scenery, and every second she's on stage is a triumph. If you've never seen her, this is the show to see her in.

The play? Rehashed Albee. Ashley's performance? PRICELESS.
Updated On: 9/7/10 at 11:08 PM

[After Eight]

Posted: 9/8/10 at 10:13am

^

I agree with your assessment of this play. There were some sharp, funny lines, but I feel Albee is treading water here. A lot of it is tedious, as well, especially the scenes with the twins.

But Elizabeth Ashley is having a field day and Brian Murray is superb.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 9/12/10 at 11:50am

Saw this on Thursday night and have to agree with both of you about the play, but everyone seriously needs to see this for Elizabeth Ashley's performance.

Ashley dominates the stage, and the few moments she's not there I was dying for her to return. Ziggy- you put it best with "every second she's on stage is a triumph." That's true. It's not hyperbole. You truly get to see an acting great in her prime.

[ZiggyCringe]

Posted: 9/13/10 at 11:49pm

WhizzerMarvin,

"Ashley dominates the stage, and the few moments she's not there I was dying for her to return."

Me too. And I'm the king of the walk-out-at-intermission. I know that Brantley disagreed today, but I felt like you did, and I made my husband stay for the second act, because I wanted ONE MORE SECOND of Elizabeth Ashley.