Where's the review Color? Has anybody else gone lately? I saw the show twice already and I'm going for a third time in 2 weeks. I can't wait to see Ashley & Parsons together on the same stage
< Patty Duke (the original Neely O'Hara) & me (March 8, 2010)
Sorry. I never got around to it. Long story short: Elizabeth Ashley is absolutely inspired. Her performance as Mattie Fae is just... perfect casting. A totally different and very interesting take on the role. Very layered, as opposed to Molly Reagan's very one-dimensional and unmemorable (but still funny and enjoyable enough) performance. Estelle just gets better and better. Her Violet is intensely haunting and she's just building on that. This was my eighth time seeing her and I'm still seeing growth. Amazing. The new Charlie (don't remember his name) is fantastic. Another layered performance that could just become a throwaway. Everyone else is as good as always. But there's something I just don't like about Johanna Day's Barbara. The first time I saw her I was EXTREMELY bored and let down by her performance, but this time I enjoyed it more, but I felt little to no gravity from her until the final act. Her Barbara in the final act is very raw and emotionally layered. But she STILL doesn't seem to know what to do with her in the first two acts. She has moments of excellence and then falls flat the next moment. And don't get me started on her "I'm running things now!!" Ugh.
All in all, I had an enjoyable evening. But honestly... I think it's time. The play had an absolutely incredible run, I saw it eight times, but it's time I think. I really think it's just Johanna making me think this. Barbara is essentially the anchor. If she isn't top notch, no matter how amazing everyone else is, it somehow doesn't rise to the level it should.
Well a Friday night should have sold better, but I'm not surprised about the audience's energy level.
Paraphrasing from an interview with Patti LuPone: Thursday/Friday/Saturday night audiences are made up of mostly suburban housewives/Park Ave. women who force their husbands to take them to the theater. Said husbands, more times that not, end up dosing off in the front row and they are the worst crowds for a performer to play to.
From your review you made it sound like the only thing lacking was Day as everyone else had become more layered and nuanced. I plan to return to see it with the new cast members.
Something about it just felt missing. I don't know how to pinpoint it. I have to note that the only times I've seen the show have been on Thurs./Fri./Sat. nights, and the audience has always been invested and engaged, laughing and gasping. And there was certainly plenty of it this past time as well. But it was significantly less and, for me at least, the magic seems to be fading. Even though the majority of the performances were as amazing as ever and spot on, the piece just... I don't know.
I can't believe I forgot John Cullum. He's just... dreadful. Everything he said came with an accompanying hand gesture or action that spelt out exactly what he was saying and he STILL was shaky on his lines and had a SCRIPT. Sad. And he didn't bow at the curtain call.
Despite my saying the "magic is gone," it's still QUITE the production and a mesmerizing night at the theatre.
Thanks Color for sharing your review. As far as John Cullum goes, fortunately he should be leaving very soon to do HEROES which starts previews on Feb 24th ... https://www.keencompany.org/upcoming.htm
< Patty Duke (the original Neely O'Hara) & me (March 8, 2010)
I'll have to head back to A:0C to see Liz Ashley in what I'm sure will be a great performance. She was dynamic in the otherwise rather, um, mundane Dividing the Estate.
Yup - It was still in great shape when I last saw it too
Btw - A pal just told me John Cullum is doing both shows at the same time which is kinda scary since the word around is he can barely handle the one. I hope he has good running shoes.
< Patty Duke (the original Neely O'Hara) & me (March 8, 2010)
I have been quietly praying that Ms. Ashley decides to do the tour. I already know I will be at the opening night for the National Tour here in Denver.
Has a date been announced for the end of her run? I'd like to catch the show while she and Phylicia are still in it. I know Phylicia's last day is 8/23.
