FIFTY WORDS
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
FIFTY WORDS#1
Posted: 10/5/08 at 6:16pm
A vote from me on the "positive" side of Michael Weller's FIFTY WORDS, the "either you'll love it or hate it" first offering of MCC's new season.
My feelings virtually echo Brantley's review (though not nearly as verbose or confusing). Norbert Leo Butz and Elizabeth Marvel are giving 2 of the top performances I've seen this year. They're so natural, so frighteningly real, that, as Brantley said, you just want to hold them and say "it's OK!" You'll only spot Austin Pendleton's direction during the scene changes.
It's a very heavy play - I've never seen actors look more spent during the curtain call - and very adult, with a shockingly long topless scene from Marvel. The situation is so fraught that you believe she's topless for longer than she actually is, yet you're so into the scene-work that you're obviously not concentrating on her nudity.
Weller's play isn't a great one - it's no ...VIRGINIA WOOLF, some of the more sexual ideas are arguably contrived, but you certainly realize as you exit what that poor fly on the wall feels like.
re: FIFTY WORDS#2
Posted: 10/5/08 at 6:24pm
I've been dying to see this and I hope I'll catch it before it closes.
How long was it/how crowded?
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
re: FIFTY WORDS#2
Posted: 10/5/08 at 6:30pm95 minutes; I got my ticket last night, if that says anything. Great seat, too - Row D on the aisle. Christopher Hampton, who wrote LES LIAISONS... and adapted the current SEAGULL, sat in front of me.
re: FIFTY WORDS#3
Posted: 10/5/08 at 6:40pmI agree with most of what Yankeefan said. I saw one of the previews last month and was simply blown away. Very powerful and 'real'. Highly recommended!
re: FIFTY WORDS#4
Posted: 10/5/08 at 8:27pmHow long does it run? I'm trying to figure out if I can see it when I get home from college.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
re: FIFTY WORDS#5
Posted: 10/5/08 at 9:05pmOct. 25, but if there's enough demand, they'll extend it, no doubt. Besides, their next show, the newest play Neil LaBute farted out, doesn't start 'til January.
re: FIFTY WORDS#6
Posted: 10/5/08 at 9:27pmI saw it last night and was not disappointed in the least, I was impressed with both of them [Norbert Leo Butz and Elizabeth Marvel] and feel they're definitely a dynamic duo in this show.
re: FIFTY WORDS#7
Posted: 10/5/08 at 9:34pmoct 25? no! please let it extend till thanksgiving. thats when i'll be back home from collage.
~Dirty Rotten Scoundrels~
~Curtains~
~A Tale of Two Cities ~
Broadway Star Joined: 9/17/03
re: FIFTY WORDS#8
Posted: 10/5/08 at 9:50pmsaw it last week, ITS OUTSTANDING and they are perfect for the roles!!!!!!!
re: FIFTY WORDS#9
Posted: 10/5/08 at 9:54pmI saw it yesterday, matinee, and I definitely agree with everyone here so far. I've seen both actors on stage before and they did not disappoint. If you can it is definitley worth the trip!
re: FIFTY WORDS#10
Posted: 10/5/08 at 10:57pmBoth Butz and Marvel were excellent in this show...I would highly recommend it.
re: FIFTY WORDS#11
Posted: 10/5/08 at 11:51pmI saw this the other night. It is probably the best thing I've seen so far this 08-09 season (and in a while). It is a really good play. The performances were incredibly real. Everything was extremely emotion-provoking.
Broadway Star Joined: 6/5/05
re: FIFTY WORDS#12
Posted: 10/6/08 at 1:29amDefinitely worth seeing...walked up to the box office 20 minutes before it started and got a $15 student rush seat. I'd go see it again. They do a general rush for $20...if you are a student, you wouldn't even mind paying the extra five bucks...it would be worth it. Great energy from Norbert and Elizabeth...I'm glad there wasn't an intermission in the show - the fact that it is one act made everything flow together perfectly. Go see it.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/25/06
re: FIFTY WORDS#13
Posted: 10/6/08 at 2:18pmAquila's Catch-22 moves into the Lortel in November ...
re: FIFTY WORDS#14
Posted: 10/16/08 at 10:15amSaw it last night, got a $20 under 30 ticket, front row almost center, one hour before curtain. Love-love-loved it. Marvel and Butz are doing some phenomenal work up there. It's frighteningly real- one of those plays where people linger in the theatre for just a while after curtain to digest. I hope I get a chance to see it again. I highly recommend it!
Avatar: JULIE "EFFING" WHITE, 2007 TONY WINNER. Thank God. I'm thinking about legally changing my name to Lizzie Curry...
re: FIFTY WORDS#15
Posted: 10/16/08 at 1:06pmWas the theater crowded then? I have Orchestra Row J seats for this evening and can't wait!
re: FIFTY WORDS#16
Posted: 10/16/08 at 4:21pm
thanks for all these posts -- they encouraged me to go ahead and order tickets for the first week of Nov. I'm really looking forward to it.
re: FIFTY WORDS#17
Posted: 10/16/08 at 4:47pm
WiCkED, I walked in at about 6:55 and it looked full when I came in, but I didn't look back at all until the play was over, so I can't give an accurate account.
Enjoy it! And then come back and share your thoughts! What a great play for a potentially rainy evening. Ugh, I want to go back already.
Avatar: JULIE "EFFING" WHITE, 2007 TONY WINNER. Thank God. I'm thinking about legally changing my name to Lizzie Curry...
re: FIFTY WORDS#18
Posted: 10/16/08 at 7:20pmI saw Norbert in Penn Station yesterday while waiting for the train home. It reminded that I hadn't seen this show yet, so I'm going tomorrow night. Hopefully the $20 rush for under 30 will be available.
re: FIFTY WORDS#19
Posted: 10/26/08 at 1:02amI saw it yesterday and enjoyed it. Norbert Leo Butz and Elizabeth Marvel were really great.
re: FIFTY WORDS#20
Posted: 10/26/08 at 1:48ami saw fifty words when it was in previews. i had a front row aisle seat i was really amazing. (potential spoiler?)i almost got hit by some of the stuff she throws lol. it was such a great show. such great expressions and such dramatic change of emotions. loved it. i plan on going again soon.
re: FIFTY WORDS#21
Posted: 10/26/08 at 2:36am
While I thought the acting was terrific, the play itself didn't do much for me. I felt like I had seen it before many times over. That said, it definitely was well written. I really liked Beast at NYTW a couple of weeks ago, so Michael Weller is definitely one to watch.
And another beautiful set I wish I lived in by Neil Patel.
re: FIFTY WORDS#22
Posted: 10/26/08 at 12:12pmso it's closed now?
~Dirty Rotten Scoundrels~
~Curtains~
~A Tale of Two Cities ~
re: FIFTY WORDS#24
Posted: 10/26/08 at 5:32pm
I wish it extended till thanksgiving. then I would be able to see it.
but still I'm glad that it extended for a little bit. :)
~Dirty Rotten Scoundrels~
~Curtains~
~A Tale of Two Cities ~
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