Fabulous "Noises Off" at Shakespeare Theatre of NJ

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 11:32pm

Saw the show tonight, and for a first preview, it's INCREDIBLY tonight. They look like they've been doing this for weeks. Fantastic energy and wonderful performances.

I've seen a lot of productions of this play (because it is probably my favorite comedy of all-time), and this one is definitely one of the best I've seen. The cast gets it, and the laughs are ALL there.

Harriet Harris, as you would expect, is sublime as Dotty. She's delightfully eccentric and mannered, and completely hilarious. Every bit her equal, however, is the brilliant Laila Robbins (who plays Belinda). She manages to nearly steal the entire show, and would have were it not for the wonderful cast around. They're all great, and they all get laughs.

The entire production is laughter from start to finish, as this show should be. All of the gags work, the timing was phenomenal, and the energy was high. It's a side-splitting evening.

Despite the fact that it was a first preview, the only "glitch" seemed to be that the intermissions both ran long, because they haven't quite gotten that massive set change down yet (there's no curtain here, so you can watch them rotate it 180 degrees during each intermission).

The audience enjoyed it and laughed throughout. Even the geriatrics who were complaining loudly before the show that there were two intermissions and that they would be out "very late."

Also, it's infinitely amusing to listen to people before the show as they flip through the Playbill and attempt to figure out what the insert for "Nothing's On" is. One lady goes to her companion, "What play are we seeing? Did they change shows?"

Anyway, definitely worth the trip out to NJ if you can make it. This is a fabulous production, and anyone who likes this play will love it.


Updated On: 8/5/09 at 11:32 PM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 11:53pm

Thanks for the review, adamgreer. I am so glad that the wonderful Harriet Harris has redeemed herself from the horrendous CRY-BABY. She certainly "did something wrong once" when it came to being involved in that show.

[yay_gerb]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 11:59pm

ahh it started previews already? i thought this was later in the month. good to hear! i'll grab my tix soon.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 11:59pm

I wish I lived closer so I could see this production. How was the set?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 12:10am

It was the typical Noises Off set. The stage is kind of small, so it felt a bit cramped, but that only added to the hilarity. Like I said, there is no curtain, so when they rotate it during each intermission, you can watch them swing it around.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 12:43am

I would love to see this! I've seen Noises Off near at a nearby high school, and I really loved it (and I was really impressed). I'd love to see what these performers could do with the material.

[Dre2387]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 9:58am

I am so pissed that I'm working up in Maine this summer. I've worked at STNJ a few years ago, and worked with Paul Mullins (the director) then and last year at the Old Globe in San Diego when he directed Merry Wives of Windsor. He is an extraordinary director. That is one of the main reasons that I am so pissed I can't see it. And one of my favorite shows AND it has a stella cast. I know some of them and the work they have done at STNJ and the Old Globe and if you can go out and see it, it is so worth the trip to Madison. Enjoy it for me. :)

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 10:05am

I have front row tix for 8/26, and I can't wait!

[round2]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 10:10am

How far or how hard is it to get to this theater from Manhattan?
Updated On: 8/6/09 at 10:10 AM

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 10:24am

The link below is their directions page, and it has train info at the bottom. Madison is a very nice town, very safe for walking to/from train station. Don't know how frequently the trains run, but njtransit.com should be able to help.

http://www.shakespearenj.org/PlanYourVisit/index.html

[round2]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 10:34am

madbrian, thank you. Looking at that site, I still can't tell if it's a 45 minute or a two hour trek from the City. If it's not too difficult, I'd love to see this production!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 10:43am

round2, according to NJ Transit website, it's a 66 minute train ride from NY Penn to Madison, NJ.

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 10:52am

I think travel time varies based on whether a connection is required, and how local the train is. Sixty six minutes is probably the high end of the range, but that may be what's available near show times.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 11:14am

The 66 minutes is based on the Saturday schedule.

[Leia947]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 11:25am

I hope I have time to go check this out. I've always wanted to see Noises Off.

[AlgonquinProd2]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 12:07pm

Got my folks tickets for the 26th show as well. I love the show and the space.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 12:13pm

Saturday rides are generally longer because they only run hourly, and do most of the stops.

I want to see this, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to.

[darquegk]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 12:16pm

Random question- are they doing the English, or the American, script?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 12:46pm

It's the English version, thankfully.

To those considering taking the train, just be aware that the train station is not all that close to the theater. You're looking at a walk of at least a mile. The theatre is on the grounds of Drew University.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 12:49pm

I'm actually thinking of coming in to see this thanks to adamgreer's enthusiastic review.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 12:52pm

Here's the information about the train, by the way, from the theater's website:

By Train: NJ Transit?s Morristown Line provides direct service to Madison, including service to and from Hoboken, Newark Broad Street and NY Penn Station. The theatre is within a scenic and safe 15-minute walk to and from the Madison Train Station. With train trestle on your right, follow Kings Road straight for two and a half blocks and turn left when the road become Madison Ave. (Rt. 124). Make the left into Drew University at Lancaster Road For rail schedules, call 1-800-626-RIDE or visit NJ Transit's Web Site.


It's definitely very scenic (woodsy), but I am not sure it would be a fun walk to make at night. Not because it's unsafe, but because it's very suburban, and there just isn't that much around. If you're coming by train, I would go for a matinee.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 1:47pm

I'd take walking in a suburban area at night over rural, where I live. It is so creepy out at night, it's not even funny. But, I don't think anything can be as creepy as Newark or Dover late at night.

[NotScott]

Posted: 8/7/09 at 5:33pm

I'm going to tomorrow's matinee. Are there any places to eat along the walk from the train station to the theater?

[Flossie]

Posted: 8/7/09 at 5:50pm

Seeing it Opening Night. Looking forward to it!

As for restaurants...there are a few near the train station but none near the theater.

[singtopher]

Posted: 8/7/09 at 6:22pm

With train fare, it's only about $65 to see the show. Thats a steal.