Exit the King First Preview...- Page 2

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 1:02pm

Has anyone tried rush for the show lately? What time should I get to the box office in the morning to make sure I can get front row?
Thanks!

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 1:09pm

I'm sure if you get there a few minutes before it opens, you should be fine...

[Sauja]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 3:24pm

Like everyone else, I think Geoffrey Rush is delivering an amazing performance--a stunning blend of physical comedy, vocal technique, and moments of heartbreaking fragility. Andrea Martin could not be more perfect in her small role. Sadler and Hutchinson stand out in even smaller roles. I also loved the design. The set was appealingly minimal while also being eye-catching; the lighting was stunning; and the makeup, as noted, was incredibly effective.

That said, I did not enjoy the show. It just feels awfully slight. For a show about how we approach death and dying, it just doesn't seem to have all that much to say. At two and a half hours, it is awfully repetitive and comes across as a very stylish but distinctly lesser work by a great playwright. That said, it could have been at least flashily entertaining, but I thought it was undone by two central performances.

Lauren Ambrose is capable of great things--her Ophelia in last summer's Hamlet was a wonder, and she was a brilliant Juliet. She's certainly giving her all here, and I admire the gusto with which she attacks this role. That said, she seems a bit hamstrung by the absurdism of the role. The character is necessarily fairly one-note, but there seems to be room for a lot more tones than she is necessarily giving. Comedy just doesn't seem to be a natural fit for her.

While Ambrose seemed imperfect, I'm rather shocked to find myself saying that Susan Sarandon was...awful. Her performance is so flat and affectless that she threatens to bring the entire production down with her. Fumbling lines (I know it's still previews, but...), squashing jokes, and just generally looking uncomfortable and distant, she delivered one of the most disappointing performances I've seen of late.

Obviously a great film actress, Sarandon doesn't seem to be able to get her sea legs here. It doesn't help matters to have Andrea Martin on the same stage. Periodically, my eyes would drift to Martin as I'd think, "She could have done wonders with that line." The last minutes of the play which she really needs to carry are her best, but any laughs or emotional moments that she draws from the audience seem to come in spite of not because of her.

If not for Rush's performance, I'd say this production was definitely skippable. With it, I'd say...eh. I'd still pass.

[musicalbluemirror]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 5:09pm

saw it over the weekend and loved it!

[boonanas]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 5:27pm

Geoffrey Rush is f'n amazing in this. It was hard to imagine that this was the same warm person at the stage door.

Also, as for student rush, I was there on Friday at 10 AM and about 6 other people were there that got first row. I'm not sure how quickly they ran out of first row.

There's not many laughs coming from Sarandon. Andrea Martin definately has the most laughs, followed by Rush. Act I is very comic and Act II turns very existential and serious, and the ending of the play is VERRRY captivating. Overall, pretty good production.

[musicalbluemirror]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 5:39pm

im not sure how the student rush works for this
i got there at about 615 friday and got student rush row E dead center
im guessing after the front is gone watevers available?

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 5:44pm

Yep, I think they do first row first and then whatever's available.

I got there a little before 10am on Saturday and got AA107 (dead center, front row) for the matinee.

Sauja, I agree with you about Sarandon. I was disappointed with her performance, and she's still working on getting her lines down. I thought Ambrose was wonderful, though.

[Lamc16]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 6:24pm

a propos of all these comments about Sarandon, there is an interesting interview with her in the new issue of NY mag where she talks openly about the difficulty of playing the - "other" - aged woman, and also the insecurity/trepidation of returning to the stage after nearly 40 years. I think it very brave of her to face the critics and audiences after so long, and I can't wait to see the production next week. I do hope she finds a comfort level with the material and is able to make the role her own. I wish her and the rest of the company the best!

[Sauja]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 7:15pm

I read that article shortly after posting my thoughts and felt a bit bad--she really is open about how challenging it is and how well she wants to do. Who knows? Maybe she'll get there!

And Elphie, I wonder how much location had to do with my appreciation of Ambrose. Maybe she read better from so close? I was in the rear mezz, so it's possible it just didn't carry as well. Or, quite possibly, it's just a matter of taste. Though I didn't care for it, I can certainly acknowledge a lot of skill and thought went into the performance.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 7:45pm

I thought Ambrose did a fine job, but the character is just grating. I mean, I think it's suppose to be that way given her needs and wants. Sarandon didn't do it for me either. Maybe it was the directing, but some of it was so flat. The first scene with the two queens was so excruciating - they both just at on their stools and delivered their lines. There was no action and no urgency to anything. I hope the director whips it into shape. I really liked the play - and being a fan of Ionesco, I've actually never heard of it before.

[boonanas]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 7:51pm

I was front row and Lauren Ambrose would be consistently LEGIT crying as her role asks her to. At first she has the eyeliner drawn on her face as if she's crying, but I saw legit tears rolling down her face throughout the show.