FIFTY WORDS

[Yankeefan007]

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.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

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?

[Yankeefan007]

re: FIFTY WORDS#2

Posted: 10/5/08 at 6:30pm

95 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.

[Elke]

re: FIFTY WORDS#3

Posted: 10/5/08 at 6:40pm

I 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!

[insertclevernamehere]

re: FIFTY WORDS#4

Posted: 10/5/08 at 8:27pm

How long does it run? I'm trying to figure out if I can see it when I get home from college.

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention...I'm the good cop, he's the bad cop.

[Yankeefan007]

re: FIFTY WORDS#5

Posted: 10/5/08 at 9:05pm

Oct. 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.

[shh282]

re: FIFTY WORDS#6

Posted: 10/5/08 at 9:27pm

I 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.

[Dre2387]

re: FIFTY WORDS#7

Posted: 10/5/08 at 9:34pm

oct 25? no! please let it extend till thanksgiving. thats when i'll be back home from collage.

<--- the set of A Midsummer Night's Dream that I was assistant stage manager for during the 2007 season at the STNJ outdoor stage.

-Dre- You must remember all the same that at the crux of every game is knowing when it's time to leave the table... And it's important to be artful in your exit. No turning back, you must accept the con is done... It was a ball, it was a blast. And it's a shame it couldn't last. But every chapter has to end, you must agree.
~Dirty Rotten Scoundrels~
There's a special kind of people known as show people. We live in a world full of dreams. Sometimes we're not too certain what's false and what's real. But we're seldom in doubt about what we feel.
~Curtains~
It is a far, far better thing I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest I go to, than I have ever known.
~A Tale of Two Cities ~

[Here_I_Go_Again]

re: FIFTY WORDS#8

Posted: 10/5/08 at 9:50pm

saw it last week, ITS OUTSTANDING and they are perfect for the roles!!!!!!!

[aliciag]

re: FIFTY WORDS#9

Posted: 10/5/08 at 9:54pm

I 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!

[WithoutATrace]

re: FIFTY WORDS#10

Posted: 10/5/08 at 10:57pm

Both Butz and Marvel were excellent in this show...I would highly recommend it.

[verynewyorkcurious]

re: FIFTY WORDS#11

Posted: 10/5/08 at 11:51pm

I 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.

[musicman_bwayfan]

re: FIFTY WORDS#12

Posted: 10/6/08 at 1:29am

Definitely 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.

[whatever2]

re: FIFTY WORDS#13

Posted: 10/6/08 at 2:18pm

Aquila's Catch-22 moves into the Lortel in November ...

"You, sir, are a moron." (PlayItAgain)

[broadwaybaby086]

re: FIFTY WORDS#14

Posted: 10/16/08 at 10:15am

Saw 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!

"I'll cut you, Tracee Beazer!!!! ...Just kidding. I'd never cut anyone." -Tina Maddigan, 9/30/06, WS stage door
Avatar: JULIE "EFFING" WHITE, 2007 TONY WINNER. Thank God. I'm thinking about legally changing my name to Lizzie Curry...

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

re: FIFTY WORDS#15

Posted: 10/16/08 at 1:06pm

Was the theater crowded then? I have Orchestra Row J seats for this evening and can't wait!

[dchesnutny]

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.

[broadwaybaby086]

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.

"I'll cut you, Tracee Beazer!!!! ...Just kidding. I'd never cut anyone." -Tina Maddigan, 9/30/06, WS stage door
Avatar: JULIE "EFFING" WHITE, 2007 TONY WINNER. Thank God. I'm thinking about legally changing my name to Lizzie Curry...

[frogs_fan85]

re: FIFTY WORDS#18

Posted: 10/16/08 at 7:20pm

I 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.

[obsessedjb]

re: FIFTY WORDS#19

Posted: 10/26/08 at 1:02am

I saw it yesterday and enjoyed it. Norbert Leo Butz and Elizabeth Marvel were really great.

[withoutyou08]

re: FIFTY WORDS#20

Posted: 10/26/08 at 1:48am

i 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.

what if susan blackwell hung out with boq, trekkie monster, the SOL soloist#2, and the piragua guy on a daily basis?

[Vespertine1228]

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.

[Dre2387]

re: FIFTY WORDS#22

Posted: 10/26/08 at 12:12pm

so it's closed now?

<--- the set of A Midsummer Night's Dream that I was assistant stage manager for during the 2007 season at the STNJ outdoor stage.

-Dre- You must remember all the same that at the crux of every game is knowing when it's time to leave the table... And it's important to be artful in your exit. No turning back, you must accept the con is done... It was a ball, it was a blast. And it's a shame it couldn't last. But every chapter has to end, you must agree.
~Dirty Rotten Scoundrels~
There's a special kind of people known as show people. We live in a world full of dreams. Sometimes we're not too certain what's false and what's real. But we're seldom in doubt about what we feel.
~Curtains~
It is a far, far better thing I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest I go to, than I have ever known.
~A Tale of Two Cities ~

[frogs_fan85]

re: FIFTY WORDS#23

Posted: 10/26/08 at 12:13pm

It extended to November 8th.

[Dre2387]

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. :)

<--- the set of A Midsummer Night's Dream that I was assistant stage manager for during the 2007 season at the STNJ outdoor stage.

-Dre- You must remember all the same that at the crux of every game is knowing when it's time to leave the table... And it's important to be artful in your exit. No turning back, you must accept the con is done... It was a ball, it was a blast. And it's a shame it couldn't last. But every chapter has to end, you must agree.
~Dirty Rotten Scoundrels~
There's a special kind of people known as show people. We live in a world full of dreams. Sometimes we're not too certain what's false and what's real. But we're seldom in doubt about what we feel.
~Curtains~
It is a far, far better thing I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest I go to, than I have ever known.
~A Tale of Two Cities ~