FRANKIE AND JOHNNY Previews — Page 3

Dancingthrulife2 said: "BrodyFosse123 said: "So I’ll add in: nudity? Yes? No? Past productions had it so others are curious if this one does as well. Thanks!"

Yes, very much so. Still, nudity is essential to the theme of the play, and definitely not a trick to get some cheap laughs."

Nudity is not essential. I thought I'd read once that nudity was optional for the actors (but it appears that the script may actually call for it - I don't have the script. This is based on an article about the Tucci-Falco version). Yes, thematically, the characters are baring their souls and stripping away all pretense and social trappings. But actual physical nudity, while it may enhance those themes, is not absolutely necessary to those themes. A production I saw in San Francisco, mumbledy mumble years ago, was spectacular and involving and emotionally connective, and it did not have nudity, that I recall..

Updated On: 5/6/19 at 08:59 AM

I'm interested in Whizzer's review. I hope he posts something soon.

jacobsnchz14 said: "I'm interested, as well. A co-worker got us tickets today for a group trip in a few weeks in the front row using that discount, so any input on stage height/visibility is much appreciated. Looking forward to it; I didn't realize I had seen Michael Shannon before "Shape of Water" (one of my favorites, as evidenced by my avatar) and then of course Audra and Terrence McNally. I did not want to see the film either and had already planned on this for July instead. Very excited to see it. Also, please let me know about merchandise like windowcards or shirts, which I would love this artwork on.

"

I don’t recall if Rudin is attached to this production. If he is, they won’t be selling merch at the theater. However, you can always purchase the window card at Triton Gallery, either at the physical store in the theater district or on-line. They do charge a lot for shipping but they do arrive in pristine condition.

StageStruckLad said: "For those who asked earlier, the stage is high so I would not recommend sitting in the first row. And yes, there is a lot of nudity at the beginning. Especially Michael Shannon. I read about a final stage effect at the end (which I won’t spoil) that didn’t work last night."

Could you tell us (under a spoiler tab) what the final stage effect at the end was supposed to be?

I went to previews, and I loved LOVED loved the show. I brought my friend and we both laughed and cried through the whole thing. I was surprised at how super relevant it is, since it's a revival. It was SO nice to see a strong female lead, and how two people each react to the same situation, and how they talk to each other about it. I would 100% recommend it to anyone who's looking for something fresh! The writing is incredible and the actors really bring it to life so much, and I think it's a VERY important story to be told for today

The two of them didn't make me uncomfortable at all! Both the characters are so strong, and I chalked it up to different personality types more than anything else. One character was never forced to do something they didn't want to do. Sometimes we do butt heads with people, life isn't always smooth sailing, and I thought this play just captured the truth of life better than anything else. All decisions made by each character were definitely their own

I was at last night performance. I have to say, I was really uncomfortable through out the first act. A lot of unpleasant memory of my life flashed back.

I can see this story is supposed to be about two people who are so different but somehow find connections despite of their difference. But I cannot call those behavior in Act 1 different personalities. A naked man wandering around in a women's apartment, even though she has hinted then made clear dozens of time she wants him to go, he still gives her unwanted attention, talks dirty, and insists she doesn't know what she wants but he knows? I call it a prologue of rape.

The Act 2 alone is well written and the acting were great. But I couldn't really invest in their relationship when the relationship was built on something I didn't agree/believe in. At some point of Act 1 I did think maybe the playwright wanted us to feel uncomfortable or it might be a realistic portrait of a unhealthy relationship. but I didn't really get that feeling from Act 2.

I get that maybe the "rape culture" was social norm in the 80s but it is not today, and it shouldn't not be portrayed as a romantic thing on the modern stage. What really shocked me was the non-stop laughter from the audience, it made me question that if I indeed live in a MeToo world?

Maybe I'm alone in this, but I'm looking forward to see review from female critic like Sara Holden.

If there’s supposed to be a big reveal at the end, it didn’t work last night either. I noticed the backdrop started billowing a bit during the end, as if someone was running behind it. My guess is that the backdrop is supposed to rise at the end?