#1
Posted: 9/4/12 at 9:59pm
I wasn't really looking forward to this fearing it might be stuffy and boring, but I couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised. Sure the play is a tad heavy handed here and there, but it's very solid and really it works as a marvelous acting exercise for Boyd Gaines.
What's there left to say about Boyd? If he retired after this production he'd go down as one of the great stage actors. He's only 59. How many more moments of brilliance will we get if he keeps acting for another 25 years? Boyd also doesn't really need first previews. He's such a professional and so prepared that you could send the reviewers in tonight and you'd be reading the raves tomorrow. He has a huge monologue in act two where he stands on a table and it was perfect. This type of stuff is his bread and butter, and you know he's going to deliver.
Boyd has lots of strong support. Richard Thomas is great as his slimy, bureaucratic brother. They share an act one scene that was like a tennis match, lobbing accusations and threats with more skill and rhythm than you would expect at a first preview.
John Procaccino and Gerry Bamman are very good as two friends initially willing to support Gaines' crusade to create change in town. Credit must go to Doug Hughes for making everyone feel like they were actual neighbors living in a small town.
The set (on a turntable) is beautiful, and the lighting and costumes were nice.
Yes it's way, way, way too early to bring up the "T" word, but come on, when Boyd Gaines is in conversation how can one not? It would be no shock if another nomination is added to his tally come spring.
What's there left to say about Boyd? If he retired after this production he'd go down as one of the great stage actors. He's only 59. How many more moments of brilliance will we get if he keeps acting for another 25 years? Boyd also doesn't really need first previews. He's such a professional and so prepared that you could send the reviewers in tonight and you'd be reading the raves tomorrow. He has a huge monologue in act two where he stands on a table and it was perfect. This type of stuff is his bread and butter, and you know he's going to deliver.
Boyd has lots of strong support. Richard Thomas is great as his slimy, bureaucratic brother. They share an act one scene that was like a tennis match, lobbing accusations and threats with more skill and rhythm than you would expect at a first preview.
John Procaccino and Gerry Bamman are very good as two friends initially willing to support Gaines' crusade to create change in town. Credit must go to Doug Hughes for making everyone feel like they were actual neighbors living in a small town.
The set (on a turntable) is beautiful, and the lighting and costumes were nice.
Yes it's way, way, way too early to bring up the "T" word, but come on, when Boyd Gaines is in conversation how can one not? It would be no shock if another nomination is added to his tally come spring.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
