First Raisin review finds a predictable "hole" at the center

Big surprise as the Broadway.com review arrives: Combs has been nailed as the weak center of an otherwise fine revival. As some of us have posted in a long RAISIN thread, that's not a consensus. Much of what SC does is temperamentally right for the part, and I think he brings a certain authenticity that (unlike what the reviewer found) gives the play an immediacy. This is not the Poitier grand-eloquent Walter Lee, but a somewhat more narcissistic and shallow, and oddly enough, less angry man. The interpretation is a valid way to go, even if Combs doesn't yet have the technique to pull off every moment. For my money, he is more success than failure, and not the damaging presence some feel. But I don't know any actors who are rooting for him to pull this off. His being cast suggested that anyone (i.e. Melanie Griffths, et al) who wants to do Broadway might try. Let's see what the papers do with this. My prediction: more of what Broadway.com opined. This is not going to be a popular piece of casting, or a "he pulled it off!" evaluated performance.

Update: Linda Winer applauds his approach, touting his "sweetness." Stay tuned.

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Updated On: 4/26/04 at 07:17 PM

I saw A RAISIN IN THE SUN on Saturday night. I had never seen the play before, and if I saw the movie it might have been in snippets on television (though I intend to rent the movie after seeing the play). As a result, I had no preconceived notions regarding casting or what to expect. I felt that Sean Combs' performance paled on the same stage with Audra McDonald and Phylicia Rashad - both gave stellar performances.

But the play deserves to be seen, and the Broadway.com review was right that the play has weathered the test of time.

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Combs is unintentionally comical in the role. The way he barely taps into the outter most crust of any emotion besides the easy-to-carry-off excitement through the entire first act leaves his second act scenes, which require a total commitment to the deeper feelings, simply laughable. When I saw the show and heard the laughter at the most inappropriate times, I did not laugh as well, but felt sorry for the man. Here's to hoping they'll extend the run and bring in some real talent to what is otherwise a stellar show.

I remember that production of "Little Foxes" mostly for the way the great Maureen Stapleton managed to walk off with the whole play in the small (but showy) role of alcoholic Aunt Birdie. At the end of the scene at the top of Act Two where Aunt Birdie has a breakdown and desperately pleads with young Alexandra to "no, no, don't ever be like me!!" Stapleton collapsed into full-bodied sobs and was so inconsolable that she practically had to be carried off the stage still moaning and wailing and carrying on -- the audience erupted with two solid minutes of applause and cries of "Brava!" filled the house. It's one of the only times I've ever seen a non-musical showstopper.

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Somebody who saw it tell me more about Phylicia and Audra.They seem to be the highlights.What about Sanaa Lathan?

My sense from the reviews was that he's probably even better than they say he is...

WE all know, that if you are NOT from , big sigh,

The The-a-tah...

they already have knives out...so unless you deliver the goods in an exceptional manner (Reba) you can get scalped...

I have seen, the-a-tah trained actors, receive WORSE reviews than Mister Combs ....

I bet there was...Now if only Karen Ziemba could get cast in it so a REAL star could bring in some box office!!