FESTEN

[Garland Grrrl]

Posted: 3/21/06 at 10:42am

anyone going? i have tickets for 4/11. my brother-in-law is a director and this was on his list of "wanna see" shows so we bought the tix for his b-day. i know only the rudiments and what i do know doesn't do much for me. ali mc? julianna margulies? sounds like more dead meat than the front window at gallaghers. c'mon somebody -- give me a reason to get excited about this show!!

[Calvin]

Posted: 3/21/06 at 11:04am

I'm seeing it the Friday before, so perhaps I'll come back with a reason for you to get excited.

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 3/21/06 at 12:12pm

The buzz is great, and for the record Juliana is one of the nicest people ever, and I've always loved her, so I have faith that she'll do well.

[QMAN03]

Posted: 3/21/06 at 4:08pm

I'm seeing it next Wednesday, so I'll report back then. I don't know the date. Maybe the 29th?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/21/06 at 4:13pm

I just finished reading the play. I do this before I see most plays, just to see how the text is interpreted.

Festen is very dark, witty, and intense. It's not horrifying like Pillowman, but it's close.

I can answer questions, via PM, as to not show any spoilers to those who don't want them.

[QMAN03]

Posted: 3/21/06 at 4:14pm

Was it good?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/21/06 at 4:16pm

Very. I can't believe I didn't say that in the previous post. haha

[QMAN03]

Posted: 3/21/06 at 4:17pm

Yeah. I was wondering about that.

[Garland Grrrl]

Posted: 3/21/06 at 4:19pm

the production got great reviews in the UK and this is the same director -- but i'm just not excited about the cast. the site for the UK production has a FAB graphic of a dark, gothic mansion with a menacing cloud over it -- very creepy and provocative.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/21/06 at 4:20pm

I'm seeing it on the 30th...can't wait.

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 3/21/06 at 4:36pm

I saw it in London, and absolutely loved it. I'm seeing the Broadway production as well, cause I want to see what if any changes have been made. Can't wait!

[jo]

Posted: 3/21/06 at 7:49pm

I bought tickets to this one on the very strong recommendation of a friend in England who works on the creative side of theatre. But I won't be seeing it until close to TONY time, where I have a feeling it will compete with HISTORY BOYS ( to which I have also bought tickets) for some honors.

[Effie]

Posted: 3/21/06 at 10:23pm

Saw it in the U.K. as well. It was one of the best directed and designed pieces of theater I've ever seen. The fact that it's the same production team from London makes it a must see.

[QMAN03]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 12:21am

Were the actors a big part of the show?

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 12:29am

The acting in the London production was fantastic. It's a very character driven piece, but it's more about the stylization than the actors. It was, like Effie said, wonderdully directed and designed. Truly one of the best theatrical productions I saw last year.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 6:05am

Also saw it in London and loved it. I'm kinda on the fence about the cast---I think Bryggman and Sisto are perfectly cast and I'm on the fence about Hayden, McGraw and Margulies. Nonetheless, I imagine that this will be a very strong production. I have tickets for 4/1; I'll give a full report after seeing it.

[mominator]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 9:00am

This one is on my list (as is Faith Healer) for my b-day trip.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 9:07am

For some of us, this is a rarity: we get to go to an aclaimed play without knowing a damned thing about it, other than the situation. I'm going Sunday afternoon, and I'm excited for that one reason. Everything is pre-sold these days. How nice to walk in and just experience material with fresh eyes.

But I'm troubled by the casting of Mac Graw. She is an odd wild card in this cast, since she was just dreary in most of her screen work. And I can't help but remember her camp classic stint on DYNASTY, the worst bit of stunt/star casting. If you stand out as arch on DYNASTY, amid the paste and glitter, how will you do in a good play? Perhaps the quality of the others will pull her up. She does look wonderful, and is known to be a class act--a truly gracious, smart lady. I'll root for her--to not bring the enterprise down. Her casting smacks of summer theater, or a tour, not a Bway premiere of a respected play.

Updated On: 3/22/06 at 09:07 AM

[Garland Grrrl]

Posted: 3/22/06 at 9:58am

i am told that mcgraw's character does not speak -- or doesn't speak very much so perhaps it's all in her look -- which is of course -- lovely.