Emcee's RECKLESS review!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/17/04 at 11:33pm

I promise this won't be as long as my Brooklyn post from the other day.

I actually really liked this play; I'm not sure what people "don't get" about it, but to each his own, I suppose. I think I can see where it might get somewhat confusing, or perhaps not be in everyone's taste, but I think it's very well-written material. I remember (I think... I'll feel awfully stupid if I'm wrong in this one) seeing Craig Lucas do a reading at the tribute to Larry Kramer (92nd Street Y) a few months ago, and thinking he was simply brilliant. At the time, I had no idea what Reckless was about, but I knew that he wrote it. It is a bit weird, I suppose, but it's witty fun, and can still maintain just enough seriousness to be legitimate and not purely fun. Although the "funny" aspect is certainly mainly supported by sick, twisted humor, I think it works. Enjoyed it VERY much.... I liked the sets and the lighting a lot, too.

Now... Mary-Louise Parker. She is a GODDESS. She's one of those people that I've been dying to see, and she does not disappoint. Parts of her performance reminded me a bit of Harper; things like that perky chattering... that stream of consciousness, and ability to be brilliantly observant, even though she sounds like she's just babbling. She's adorable and lovable, and EXTREMELY talented. She's the real deal - something very special indeed, and had me in complete rapture the ENTIRE time. In many respects, I want to equate what I saw from her with what I saw from Raul Esparza this summer in The Normal Heart; a peformance with impecable timing... perfection. I may not be well-versed enough in straight plays to legitimately make that comment, but she deserves all of the praise she gets, and more. Crossing my fingers for a potential Tony nod.

Keeping this short.... met MLP after - stage door was more crowded than I had expected, but she's very sweet. I was really nervous, but I spoke a little bit... congratulated her on the Emmy, said how much I loved Angels in America, etc.

Overall, great play. I'm sorry to see it go.

Updated On: 12/17/04 at 11:33 PM

[MyNameInLights]

Posted: 12/17/04 at 11:38pm

As always, a beautiful and eloquent review. Glad you had fun!!

[etheb]

Posted: 12/17/04 at 11:45pm

There's not much I can add, since Emcee has written a beautiful review, as always.

oh, one funny thing--we were in the mezz, and our usher was TOTALLY INCOMPETENT. he seated everyone in the wrong place and it was like musical chairs trying to move ourselves to the correct seats. i was laughing SO hard and we were sitting right in front of him. oh well.

i thought the play was wonderful for all the reasons Emcee gave. and MLP is a goddess. 'nuff said. at the stage door, I mentioned how much i had loved her character on West Wing, and she said that she is coming back for one episode! I've stopped watching WW since Aaron Sorkin left, but i might just have to catch that episode! Anyways, it was a very fun night

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/17/04 at 11:46pm

ah, silly usher. He should've let us take over.

[BroadwayDiva]

Posted: 12/17/04 at 11:46pm

Great reviews, Emcee and etheb! Glad you two had fun!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/17/04 at 11:51pm

Oh. I think I need to add something about how lovely the Biltmore is. Beautiful, and has VERY COMFY SEATS!

[insomniak]

Posted: 12/17/04 at 11:56pm

What is the basis of this show, anyway?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/17/04 at 11:59pm

Um... MLP's character is married to this guy, and they have two kids. He hires a hit man to kill her, and she runs away, and ends up living with these people for a year; she changes her name, and starts a whole new life. Turns out the people she's living with are also living collossal lies... the lies and changes keep spiraling, one through another until they kind of start to overlap.... I want to do this without spoiling in case anyone's going this weekend, but the end is pretty cool. Kind of a full-circle effect.

That said, maybe my one issue with the material itself was that until the very end, when you saw where the entire plot was going, the plot seemed to be a bit too circular. There were a few times where I found myself wondering where this all was going, but then the events would turn, and the points would click, until things got a little bit weird again.

... I have no idea if that makes sense, but I tried.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 12/18/04 at 12:08am

Yes, it does seem like a great show, as does 'night Mother...I am sad to see them close so soon.

[insomniak]

Posted: 12/18/04 at 12:13am

That confused me...

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 12/18/04 at 12:13am

Who, me?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/18/04 at 12:14am

No, I think I confused her.