FAMILY WEEK Thoughts/Reviews?

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 4/11/10 at 11:31pm

Hey, everyone-

Just returned from MCC's production of Beth Henley's FAMILY WEEK. Anyone else see it/have thoughts on it? I'm still kind of processing everything.

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 12:45am

Well......guess I'll post my own.

I wasn't blown away by it, but I was certainly moved, especially in the last two scenes. Kathleen Chalfant, Quincy Tyler Bernstine, and especially Rosemary DeWitt are pretty solid. I understand that Sammi Gayle is technically the right age for the role she's cast in, BUT I feel like it requires an actress with a little more technique. And, Jonathan Demme has directed some great films, but this needs to be a little less static. I want to go back in a few weeks, feel like it will improve with time.

[isntitromantic]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 3:43pm

i don't see how this can improve with time. the direction is very flat and the material weak; all of the actors are bad, including kathleen chalfont. it is clear at the curtain call that they are embarrassed to be there.

[Willster279]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 5:03pm

And what was with the deal of having the principals doubling as the various nurses, or doctors or whateverthehell they were--facilitators? What a lousy concept that was, and very jarring, especially since they didn't change character one iota. Or am I missing something? Oh heck: sloppy direction, color blind casting, bad wigs, shrill children . . . this thing had my name all over it--NOT!

[cglaid]

Posted: 5/2/10 at 8:13pm

I actually happen to disagree. I saw this on Saturday and thought the set, doubling, and the direction were actually it's greatest strengths. I loved seeing the cast double for the therapists and also move around the set pieces (table, chairs, etc.).

I enjoyed Rosemarie DeWitt's performance, thought she was hands down the strongest of the bunch. Quincy Berenstine played the role basically the same way she played the wet nurse (I think, Sarah), in the vibrator play. Kathleen Chalfant was dreadful, and if there's a word worse than dreadful, that would describe Sami Gayle. She basically screamed her way with no emotion throughout the entire play.

It also seemed unfinished - 1 hour and 18 minutes? I thought there could've been something within the story and the relationships, but then it just ended. What was Rickey's big secret? I feel like they started that storyline but never got into it? Something about her possibly inappropriate relationship with her father?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/2/10 at 8:59pm

I think it's pretty clear that Rickey had a sexual relationship with their father.