First Preview of Bengal Tiger

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.

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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

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

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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.

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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.

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

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.

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

I thought that too.

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

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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.

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.

Any word on Robin, stagedooring?

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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.

From earlier in this thread:

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

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