First Preview Jerusalem?

Is anyone going to the first preview of Jerusalem tonight? Eager to hear something about this production. Considering going on my trip later this month.

Let us know what you think!

I'm curious to see this but still feel like it maybe way to British. I wonder if it will resonate for American audiences in this same way.

I'm sure Mark will be wonderful just as he was in LA BETE. But that didn't seem to matter to the public at large,

I was at the final dress rehearsal last night and I must say it is quite fantastic. The production is incredibly solid already. I cannot imagine that Rylance hasn't secured his second Tony with this performance. I was in awe of the range he plays in this production. The best part is that the rest of the cast is just as amazing as he is. Mackenzie Crook is especially great and so is Geraldine Hughes as Dawn, whose scene with Rylance was one of the best in the show.

I sat right in front of a group of pretentious assholes who spent the intermissions trying to rape the show for some higher meaning. My advice is just to let the production happen because it all comes together and plays out incredibly by the end.

I have more to say about the production but I can't think of it all right now.

Thanks for this report, djb. I'm so glad you enjoyed this show. I saw it in London and was totally transported by it. Especially Mark Rylance! I already have my ticket to see it again.

It was just over 3 hours hours with the two intermissions.

Saw this tonight and can't quite say I really got it- I saw it in London last year and can't say I really got it there either- it's all metaphoric hooey but there are some wonderful performances by a strong ensemble and a few moments of very nice scenework. Rylance is brilliant as always. The play is grounded in very strong English roots which I think ultimately will polarize Nee York audiences. I noted several walk outs but definitely an enthusiastic curtain call.

I confess I find a lot of the play kind of boring as well- it's got a set up and a cast of colorful characters befitting a Martin McDonough play but isn't ultimately as satisfying or funny or engaging.

It may end up being a case of love it/ hate it-- but the British folk roots are a big underpinning to the evenings proceedings for sure

YIKES!! Can British sensibilities be that different than those of American theater geeks? LOL...I mean they have called this one of the best plays of the century, and now I'm thinking it's might bore me. Not that I'm giving up, but I guess I will try to be well-rested for this one.

Was also at the final dress last night. Rylance is incredible, rest of the ensemble very strong as well. Really impressed by Mackenzie Crook.

I feel like the play might have trouble in the States because (even as someone who liked it) I don't know/care all that much about St. George's Day or the English countryside. I would guess those things hold more meaning to a British audience.

I'd still say go. Yes, it's long, but I find parts of it totally fascinating and love the bits of magic he throws in.

---

Any thoughts on John Gallagher, Jr's performance?

House of Blue Leaves is a revival not a new play.

For those concerned about the British roots being an obstacle to your enjoyment I would recommend reading up a little bit on St George Day and the hymmm Jerusalem which has a sort of mythic symbolism for much of rural England. There are also notes in in the playbill.

Ultimately, I get the symbolism but I just don't really care: Rooster represents the salt of the earth untamed Rural Englishman confronted by encroaching development of the 'tribal' county forest, while the St George Day fair looms in the distance. There is a mythic element to Roosters storytelling that is appealing- and one of rhe final scenes with SPOILER the missing teenage fair queen during the final minutes of her rein is in itself haunting and beautiful- but ultimately the symbolism for what Roosters character and the falling land represent isn't all that interesting to me.

^^^Thank-you! I was just going to say that myself! As a Brit, I have never struggled with a play set around uniquely American sensibilities.

I should have thought that all that was required to be emotionally invested in this, or indeed any, play, would be a degree of empathy. There is little or no requirement to have any knowledge of or interest in English patriotism or myth. It maybe set in England, and a specific part of that as well, but the themes are so universal, that they transcend the location.