Estelle Parson's Violet Weston?

[Auggie27]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 11:32am

Who's wondering if this will work? Perhaps she's a bit long in the tooth for the role, but not too much so. Temperamentally, she's a compelling match, based on her body of work. I just wonder if she'll take the role in a very different direction. She tends to start with vulnerability and layer on the protective armour ina character. I can see her in act three especially.

Anyone else recall seeing her in Paul Zindel's AND MISS REARDON DRINKS A LITTLE? I saw it twice. She, Julie Harris, and Nancy Marchand were absolutely terrific. And of course, MISS MARGARITA'S WAY.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 11:42am

I'm sure she'll be great as will Steppenwolf ensemble member Molly Regan.

How awesome was Tracy Letts' comment at the Tony's about "a new American play acted by STAGE ACTORS"??

Updated On: 6/17/08 at 11:42 AM

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 11:53am

Borstal, I thought it was a provocative comment but it struck me that two British actors Radcliffe and Griffiths (one of whom just won a Tony for a British play that crossed over), one of whom is a movie star, not a stage actor had just given them the award.

Oh, and I think Parsons will be amazing and I look forward to whatever she does with the role.

Updated On: 6/17/08 at 11:53 AM

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 12:25pm

Is anyone seeing the play tonight?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 12:31pm

I'm going on July 2nd, when the $55 July 4th week discount is in place. Center mezz, row E.

Love the Music Box, but the mezzanine overhangs too much of the orchestra.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 12:38pm

I have a ticket for tonight's performance. I am looking forward to seeing her and what she does in the role!

[dchesnutny]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 1:22pm

i'm going tonight as well. Can't wait to see what she does differently with the part.

[Tom1071]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 1:48pm

Saw it this past Saturday and the front mezz is perfect for seeing this show.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 12:11am

Just got back from tonight's performance and Estelle was incredible! She played Violet with all the vulnerability morphing into a controlling force to be reckoned with. I was actually blown away by her performance and the whole production! I think perhaps part of the reason I was so taken with her is she reminded me so much of my favorite Grandmother in both appearance and temperament
I really don't think I have laughed so hard or have been so horrified at the same time in the theatre in such a long time.
I am looking forward to returning to see her later on in her run to see how she grows into the role.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 12:17am

Does anyone think that it would be cool if Laurie Metcalf took over for Amy Morton (or anyone) but doesn't Amy Morton want to leave too?
Metcalf is a member of Steppenwolf too, and it would be cool to see her on stage with her "Roseanne" mom!

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 12:17am

Thanks for sharing, Snafu. Did you see Deanna Dunagan in the role? How would you compare the two actresses?

[scaryclowns223]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 12:20am

I'll be seeing this in July, and I saw it with the original cast (minus, sadly, Dennis Letts), so it should be interesting to compare the two. I'm really interested in seeing how the replacements play these roles.

Snafu, how were Jim True-Frost, Molly Reagan, and the other newcomers?

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 12:24am

MTVMANN, I think the idea was discussed either here on the board, or on a local show interviewing the AUGUST people, I don't remember.

I think it would be a fantastic idea. If Jeff Perry was still in the cast, and Laurie Metcalf replaced Amy Morton as Barbara, then they'd be ex-spouses in both real life and in the play, which would been weird but awesome as hell. Either way, I think she would be a great replacement for Barbara. Keeping it in the Steppenwolf family.
Updated On: 6/18/08 at 12:24 AM

[being.jeremiah]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 12:28am

I wonder for whom did Tracy originally write Barbara for. Deanna mentioned in her post-win BWW interview that Amy Morton was supposed to play Ivy.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 12:30am

Metcalf was married to Jeff Perry?

[scaryclowns223]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 12:32am

Tracy has said he didn't write the roles specifically for anyone, with the exception of Mattie Fae, which he wrote for Rondi Reed.

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 12:33am

Yeah they were married, and they also have a daughter, who I think is an actress as well.

[americanboy99]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 3:27pm

Any more reviews? I'm dying to know!

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 3:39pm

Laurie is now married to Matt Roth, who played her younger boyfriend Fischer on "Roseanne".

[Ryan4]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 3:49pm

Well eventually somebody is going to have to take over for Amy Morton, as she's supposed to go back to Chicago to direct Dublin Carol this fall. Assuming "August" runs that long.

[dchesnutny]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 3:59pm

i saw Estelle last night, and saw Deanna D. some months ago.

I have to say, i was blown away by Estelle Parsons in her first performance in front of an audience in this role. She's an amazing Violet: fierce, crazy, funny, and tender.

There were many moments when i had memories of Deanna D in my head (hers was a hard performance to forget), but Estelle Parsons is well on her way to making this role her own.

If Deanna gave an A+ performance in this role, last night's performance by Estelle Parsons was an A- or and A. Not bad for a first time out.

(I was less impressed with Rhondi Reed's (sp?) replacement, who gave a good, but not overly memorable performance).

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 6:27pm

I would KILL to see Laurie play opposite Estelle, OMG!
That would be a dream for me - Laurie's seriously my ONLY reason for watching Roseanne. The chemistry would be off the chain! LoL

[SNAFU]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 8:40pm

I agree 100% Dchesnutny. I can only imagine how much more incredible she is going to get when she settles in a bit. She has pretty big shoes to fill and she is very well on her way!

[A Grey Spring]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 11:06pm

I really hope I can get down to the Music Box this summer to see the new cast.

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 1:51am

Sounds good, dchesnutny. Thanks for sharing. *spoiler* Does her "Where's the meat? (x 3)" shriek as much as Deanna Dunagan's does?

I have seen AUGUST four times, with an understudy only for Ivy twice. I'm probably not going to see it again until Amy Morton leaves. I prefer the first Jean, and although his role is small, I don't care much for the current Beverly Weston.