First Preview of Bengal Tiger

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/11/11 at 11:06pm

I was at the first preview of Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, so you can all suck it bitches. You all know what context I'm using the word bitches right? Like not like a female dog or domineering woman, but like when you're being a ****-a** faggot right?

If you think this type of humor is funny then by all means run out and buy a ticket for the matinee tomorrow. After Gruesome Playground Injuries I was nervous about seeing this play, but after being shortlisted for the Pulitzer I figured there must be something there. I know see why the committee ignored the recommendation and went with Next to Normal.

Robin Williams plays the title tiger character, but doesn't really have a leading role. The tiger is *SPOILER* killed in the first scene, and Williams haunts Baghdad and his killer the rest of the evening. I was almost instantly irritated with the dialogue. A lot of "ball-busting" between the US Military guys and angry, obnoxious yelling going on.

Typical example between a marine and his Iraqi (you speak Iraqi, right?) translator,
Translator: What does this word "bitch" mean?
Marine: You calling me a bitch?
Translator: No, no. I want to know what bitch means.
Marine: Why are you calling me a bitch!
(May not be exactly word for word, but my best I could do from memory)

There's little plot, but that doesn't seem to be the point. There are some ramblings about God; is he good, does he exist, plus of a lot of existential bulls**t that I truly cared less about.

It's sad that this is what passes for a good play, and I'm sure several of the critics will rave, but I thought it was pretty stupid and terrible.

On a side note, they missed many opportunities to add a few songs from The Secret Garden. Someone even said the line, "Come to My Garden," and wished Rebecca Luker would saunter out and give us a brief respite from the storm.

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 3/11/11 at 11:18pm

Instead of starting a new thread, just wanted to share that they have a lotto. It pulls 90 minutes before curtain and seats are in the front row. Not sure of the price, just walked by and talked to my friend doing it and there were hardly any people doing it.

[dylanjackson]

Posted: 3/11/11 at 11:21pm

I was there tonight. The opening scenes of the play hit you hard and fast. It takes awhile to grasp the world of the play and the characters. Once I did, I was enthralled. I thought that the play shed a totally different perspective on the Iraq invasion that was unique and chilling. My sympathy for characters at the start of the show quickly changed by the end of the play and was quite thrilling.

Robin Williams does not have the largest part, but holds the piece together through his opinions of what is happening in the world of the play and life itself. He used his familiar comedic timing and personality to let the humor explode on to the stage but in an instant could change to pure terror that was moving to watch. You could tell he was uncomfortable on stage in the first half but by the second act he had me truly invested in his performance.

The other actors were exceptional, particularly the man playing the Iraqi interpreter. The design was minimal, but stunning. A few scene transition problems. This show is not for everyone, especially if dark comedy is not your forte. Go in with an open mind and let the world of the play and its characters work themselves on you. I will be thinking about this for awhile.

It was about 2 hours. Seeing Catch Me and Book of Mormon tomorrow. Can't wait!
Updated On: 3/11/11 at 11:21 PM

[bjh2114]

Posted: 3/12/11 at 12:36am

Other than the tiger killing early in the play, what is the gunshot situation?

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/12/11 at 12:38am

There are several shots throughout the play and they are all very loud.

[vocalzone]

Posted: 3/12/11 at 8:43am

I loved it!

Had me thinking, and more importantly feeling, during the entire show. Its depiction of war and the affects it can have on the psyche were truly unsettling. The direction, the lighting, the set were all wonderful.

It was interesting to see Robin Williams become comfortable on a Broadway stage over 2 hours. He started so meek and uneasy and was giving a star turn by the final scene. I want to go back in a few weeks to see how he's unleashed the beast...so to speak.

Its an interesting play and if you like existenstial bulls**t you'll love it...if you don't, you probably won't. I loved it and would HIGHLY recommend it.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 3/12/11 at 9:42am

I was there as well, and also had a fantastic time. I don't think Joseph is the next Tony Kushner/Martin McDonagh that he's being hailed as, but I think he does have some talent. I wasn't a fan of Gruesome Playground Injuries either (actually I hated it), so I'm saying that on the merit of this play alone.

I think the vulgarities are necessary to convey the war situation. Soldiers aren't exactly the most polite of people. Yeah, some of the Tiger's existential monologues get a bit long, but I do think they operate on several levels. It's for sure a play that needs to be thoroughly thought over. I do think it's interesting that the hero/God-like figure of the play ended up being an Iraqi. That was a very bold choice, and also a very interesting one.

So, not the best play I've seen this season (that would be Peter and the Starcatcher), but certainly not a bad night of theatre.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/12/11 at 10:17am

Whizzer, I get the impression you were offended, but I just wanted to try and point out that the slurs and language are in fact the way soldiers talk.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/12/11 at 11:03am

Yankeefan- I wasn't actually offended by the language. I agree that is the way (many) soldiers talk, especially in combat. I have four cousins in the military who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan right now. I get it. I guess I was complaining that the humor of the swearing was stupid, not actually being offended by the language.

I pointed out that dialogue not out of offense for language, but for the heavy-handedness. The interpertor asks what "bitch" means and the solider is too stupid/isn't paying attention and jumps to the conclusion that he is calling him a bitch. I took this as a metaphor for the way Americans all jump to conclusions and over react...perhaps like "we" did with the Iraq war.

I guess I just took nothing from the play and was offended that it seemed to be taking itself so seriously. I felt like it thought it was making "important" statements, but about what I'm not sure.

Maybe I'll be in the minority disliking this one. That's ok. I've loved and hated shows that most have felt the opposite for in the past (I think we all probably have).

For my money stuff like Good People and Other Desert Cities blew this out of the water.

Updated On: 3/12/11 at 11:03 AM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/12/11 at 11:51am

How was the design? I didn't care for 33 Variations, but I thought the design was breathtaking, and the direction.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 3/12/11 at 12:16pm

I don't think the metaphor was just in the jumping to conclusions of the American(s), but in the continuing search by the translator for meaning or his seeming obsession over cursing or slang words in the America language. He is a god-like, or at least very intelligent man who used to be in a relatively high position working in the royal garden, and now because of war he is worrying over the translation of words like 'bitch.' It's sort of how the characters change drastically after death, (SPOILER maybe?) the translator never really meets death, (END SPOILER) but war has forced him into a different kind of change or death.

Updated On: 3/12/11 at 12:16 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 3/12/11 at 6:39pm

I thought Yankeefan quit the boards?

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/12/11 at 6:41pm

I thought that too.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 3/12/11 at 6:43pm

Right? He got served in that thread about fans who see shows a lot and then started a thread to say he was leaving.

Why say you're going to leave the board if you're going to continue to read it every day?

[wexy]

Posted: 3/12/11 at 6:49pm

I'm blowing off Wednesday afternoon to see it and will back with my opinion....

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 3/12/11 at 6:53pm

I saw the original production in LA and loved it.

If Yankeefan took nothing away from it, that is their own fault.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 3/13/11 at 11:51am

I saw it last night and really enjoyed it. It definitely makes you think. The lotto was very crowded, but luckily my friend won. For people who are curious, lotto tickets are $27 and there are 21 seats.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 3/13/11 at 11:58am

The lotto didn't seem that crowded, maybe 35-40 people, if that. I won last night as well.

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 3/13/11 at 3:51pm

saw it in LA at the Taper and throughly enjoyed it. Genius casting of Robin Williams too...that is spot on perfect casting.

great, important, powerful and moving piece of theater.

[Mark_E]

Posted: 3/13/11 at 3:55pm

Thanks for the info #1Elphie much appreciated!

[bundy5000]

Posted: 3/13/11 at 8:45pm

Any word on Robin, stagedooring?

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 3/13/11 at 8:56pm

He signed for the entire crowd and took photos with those who asked. The rest of the cast was nice when approached as well.

[willep]

Posted: 3/13/11 at 11:13pm

Wow, count me in the camp of people who think this is a fantastic show. Robin Williams was incredible and Arian Moayed was another one that my friend and I were blown away by, but pretty much the whole cast is great. Glenn Davis was the weakest for me.

I did the lotto tonight and there were probably less than 20 people. Those that didn't get picked were offered a 50% discount on orchestra seats for that night.

Robin was very cool at the stage door. Before he came out, his bodyguard came around and said "Robin likes to sign for everyone, so please, once you get one, move out of the way for the people behind you. Also he won't pose for pictures because he has so many people to get to." Then he came out and was joking around with everyone and signing for everyone. he did take photos with people who ignored the bodyguard and asked anyways. As said above, the other cast members are pleasant if you talk to them. Sadly, I was on the opposite side of the door that they were all leaving from and they figured everyone only wanted to see Robin so they just slipped off unless they were stopped.

[theatreguy]

Posted: 3/13/11 at 11:23pm

Was there tonight and I loved it as well. Cast was excellent all around, but Robin Williams and Arian Moayed were the standouts for me. Direction and design were top-notch as well. Should definitely be a strong contender in several categories when awards season rolls around.

For future reference, when are names taken for the lottery? And where are the seats?

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 3/13/11 at 11:27pm

From earlier in this thread:

It pulls 90 minutes before curtain and seats are in the front row.