FESTEN
FESTEN
#0FESTEN
Posted: 3/21/06 at 10:42amanyone 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!!
Mind is Mantra.
#1re: FESTEN
Posted: 3/21/06 at 11:04amI'm seeing it the Friday before, so perhaps I'll come back with a reason for you to get excited.
#2re: FESTEN
Posted: 3/21/06 at 12:12pmThe 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.
"We don't value the lily less for not being made of flint and built to last. Life's bounty is in it's flow, later is too late. Where is the song when it's been sung, the dance when it's been danced? It's only we humans who want to own the future too."
- Tom Stoppard, Shipwreck
QMAN03
Broadway Star Joined: 9/20/05
#3re: FESTEN
Posted: 3/21/06 at 4:08pmI'm seeing it next Wednesday, so I'll report back then. I don't know the date. Maybe the 29th?
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#4re: FESTEN
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
Broadway Star Joined: 9/20/05
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#6re: FESTEN
Posted: 3/21/06 at 4:16pmVery. I can't believe I didn't say that in the previous post. haha
QMAN03
Broadway Star Joined: 9/20/05
#8re: FESTEN
Posted: 3/21/06 at 4:19pmthe 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.
Mind is Mantra.
#9re: FESTEN
Posted: 3/21/06 at 4:20pmI'm seeing it on the 30th...can't wait.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."
-Charlie Manson
#10re: FESTEN
Posted: 3/21/06 at 4:36pmI 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
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#11re: FESTEN
Posted: 3/21/06 at 7:49pmI 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
Understudy Joined: 9/6/04
#12re: FESTEN
Posted: 3/21/06 at 10:23pmSaw 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
Broadway Star Joined: 9/20/05
#14re: FESTEN
Posted: 3/22/06 at 12:29amThe 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.
#15re: FESTEN
Posted: 3/22/06 at 6:05amAlso 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.
#16re: FESTEN
Posted: 3/22/06 at 9:00amThis one is on my list (as is Faith Healer) for my b-day trip.
"All I ask of you is one thing: please don't be cynical. I hate cynicism -- it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen."
Conan O'Brien
Auggie27
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/13/03
#17re: FESTEN
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.
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling
Updated On: 3/22/06 at 09:07 AM
#18re: FESTEN
Posted: 3/22/06 at 9:58ami 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.
Mind is Mantra.
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