GOOD PEOPLE (First Preview)

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 8:06pm

It's intermission now. On my way in, I heard an usher say this is the first time theyre doing the show without stopping since they had no dress rehearsal. At least judging from the first act, you'd never know this. So far it's really a wonderfully funny play. I've waited years and years to see McDormand on stage and I'm just thrilled she chose what is (at least so far) a really great play to come back with. From the first hour alone, I'd say Estelle Parsons is guaranteed a Tony nomination.

I'll report back later!!

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 8:40pm

I'm seeing this on Friday. So excited! Let us know how the second act is!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 9:16pm

PHE-NOMENAL.

Such a great new play. Definitely one of the best new works I've seen in a long time.

[April Saul]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 9:39pm

So good to hear! I'm the one who accidentally bought tdf tix for this for the night of the Oscars and now I'm afraid McDormand won't make the performance...but I'm sure she's such a pro she'll be there and it sounds just wonderful...thanks for posting

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 10:52pm

Just got home and yes this was WONDERFUL tonight. Once word of mouth spreads MTC is going to have a hit on their hands. Jordan is correct that Estelle Parsons has a nomination in the bag, and even without seeing the rest of the spring competition I assume McDormand will be a strong contender for Lead Actress as well.

A very well-written play, and I'm shocked to hear they didn't perform a complete run through yet. Every single joke landed (the play is very funny, although ultimately a drama), and the characters were fully-formed. McDormand holds the whole thing together; I don't think there's a scene where she doesn't appear.

I didn't have particularly high expectations for this one, and suffice it to say I was kinda blown away. What a great way to start the second half of the season!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 10:53pm

I can't wait for the Times review tomorrow.

[After Eight]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 10:59pm

A good play, well acted, staged, and designed. An effective example of the kitchen sink school of drama, it holds one's attention throughout, it has well-delineated characters, good plotting, several laughs, and captures its milieu quite well.

I think it will be a crowd pleaser.

The whole cast did a very fine job, but Estelle Parsons steals every scene she's in. Bravo to all, and especially to this amazing actress.


When he first came upon the scene, the author wrote a very funny, wild, quirky play entitled " Fuddy Meers." I loved it, thought he had an authentic voice in this regard, and looked forward to more plays in that vein. I'm somewhat disappointed that in his more recent works, he seems to have chosen a safer, more conventional style. But he has known success in that area, and I think he has another hit here.

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 11:05pm

You all have convinced me to go to the matinee tomorrow to check it out!

[willep]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 11:21pm

^^haha yeah, I was wanting to see this but these reviews made me decide to go attempt the Student Rush tomorrow.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 11:24pm

I don't think they have a matinee tomorrow, sadly.

[willep]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 11:28pm

I don't think they do either (I was planning on going to the evening anyways).

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 11:38pm

Odd...I checked the Playbill Weekly Schedule and it said that they have Wednesday matinees, but maybe only after they open. I checked the MTC website and you're correct. Bummer. I guess I'll have to wait until next week!

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 11:40pm

Whizzer, what was Renee Goldsberry's role?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 11:43pm

Updated On: 2/8/11 at 11:43 PM

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 11:45pm

Somethingwicked- I hate to dodge your question, but it's a minor spoiler what role she played...if you must know

***minor spoiler***
She plays Tate Donovan's wife, appearing in the first scene of the second act. The reason it's a bit of spoiler is that we don't realize Tate's wife is Black, and several jokes revolve around her race.
***end spoiler***

I did like her in the role and she gets to share in a few juicy moments!

[willep]

Posted: 2/9/11 at 10:59am

Darn, the Box Office hours are different than what is posted on the website for Wednesdays so I wasn't able to get a ticket before work. I will try after work and see if they have any left. Not sure what they are selling as Student Rush, does anyone know?

[Calvin]

Posted: 2/9/11 at 11:33am

Looking forward to seeing this now (and Jordan, as a fellow McDormand fan, be glad you waited for this and skipped "The Country Girl")

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 2/9/11 at 11:38am

Yay! I bought a ticket for tomorrow night on a whim, so I'm very glad to hear early positive word of mouth! Thanks to everyone who posted about it!

[best12bars]

Posted: 2/9/11 at 1:58pm

How's Becky Ann Baker?

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 2/9/11 at 3:06pm

Becky is hilarious! Great timing and lands several zingers sent the audience into a roar. I was telling my friend as we left the theater that it's shows like this that warrant having a best ensemble Tony category.

[willep]

Posted: 2/9/11 at 11:13pm

Just got home from tonight's performance. I wouldn't say that every joke landed, but it was a great night of theatre and give them a couple performances and they'll be golden. I agree that it is shows like this that warrant a best ensemble. Everyone was great. I was impressed by Tate Donovan, particularly in the second act. His accent came and went a bit, but his acting was great (I have only ever seen him in Damages). As others have said, Parsons and McDormand are phenomenal, but really everyone is great.

[rgdave]

Posted: 2/10/11 at 12:10am

Saw the second preview tonight (2/9). Wasn't as bowled over as the other commenters. It was an enjoyable night at the theater, but I didn't leave the theater thinking I had just seen THE new play of the year. IMHO, it felt more like a staged television drama than 'Rabbit Hole'. Good acting, but I'm not seeing where the raves for Estelle Parsons are coming from. She's quite good in her part, but her part is really quite small.

My different experience, though, may be quite related to where I was sitting --- 4th row mezzanine. I've sat in that area of the mezzanine in the Friedman a number of times before, and never felt particularly distant or cut off from the play. But this was different --- I felt very distant and cut off, and that may be a function of the staging. The stage is framed with a 'letterbox' proscenium, like the black bars on your tv, that expands or contracts to fit the particular scene. So from the mezzanine, it feels like you're looking down on a play in a shoebox. The actors never once even glanced up at the mezzanine, and during the curtain call only Estelle Parsons looked up to acknowledge us cheap seaters.

It was like the whole play was being done by the actors for themselves in this little peep show box, and they would open the window to let us look in, then close the window to put the new scene into the box, and the open the window again. It just didn't project out and up. The applause around me in the mezzanine at the end was polite and appreciative, but unenthusiastic. But in the orchestra it may have been different.

[willep]

Posted: 2/10/11 at 10:37am

Ok, morning after review. Last night I was still on that "just got home from the theatre" high.

I see where you are coming from, rgdave. I was in the second row of the mezzanine and felt a bit cut off at times too. Parsons role was small, I thought she was fantastic in the role, but wouldn't go so far as to say it's Tony worthy.

At the end of the first act I was enjoying myself but wasn't seeing where the raves from the first preview were coming from. Each scene started out enjoyable but felt like it went on just a bit too long and got awkward.The performances were all around great, but they seemed to be struggling with lines every now and then.

The second act really pulled me in and I was loving it by the end. It was an enjoyable night at the theatre and I do think that with a couple more performances, they will have their lines, accents, and pacing down and it will be a great show.

[JaredBway]

Posted: 2/11/11 at 10:02pm

stupid question any gunfire in Good People?

Thanks all

[willep]

Posted: 2/11/11 at 11:36pm

Nope, no gunfire.