Wick3 said: "Have a great time and please let us know what you think. I've never read Titus Andronicus so am curious whether that's needed in order to understand the story more."
also wondering if others have read or seen Titus Andronicus before going or if they’re going to have a synopsis in program which helps set the stage.
It sounds like that all one needs to know about Titus Andronicus going in is that it ends in a damn bloody mess. I doubt Taylor Mac would write this in a way that requires much knowledge of Titus going in (much like how Lucas Hnath's Doll's House Pt 2 really didn't require much knowledge of Ibsen's play aside from the general thrust).
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
mcsquared said: "Wick3 said: "also wondering if others have read or seen Titus Andronicus before going or if they’re going to have a synopsis in program which helps set the stage."
I remember reading something (I think from the Guggenheim event?) that Taylor and Nathan said you do not need to know Titus Andronicus, but reading the Wikipedia entry couldn't hurt.
Hmmm.. I just did read the Wikipedia entry and it said it was the bloodiest and most violent of Shakespeare’s plays. Gary itself is a comedy though right?
mcsquared said: "Hmmm.. I just did read the Wikipedia entry and it said it was the bloodiest and most violent of Shakespeare’s plays. Gary itself is a comedy though right? "
Gary would appear to be a comedy, based on the tagline, the cast, and the writing/general sensibilities of Taylor Mac. I imagine it will be a very dark comedy with very serious things on its mind, but it will also almost definitely be riotously funny. Along the lines of “A Little Priest”: they’re singing a very funny song about eating people. If you find that kind of thing funny, Gary will be up your alley. Most likely.
I believe the premise of this play is that at the end of Titus, where everyone is dead and Lane and Nielsen are left to pick up the bodies. Sign me tf up.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
It's weird that Danny Elfman will be represented on Broadway the same season as Bettlejuice...except not with the score of Beetlejuice!
There was also a sponsored video ad with Taylor that showed more of the set and all the fake bodies in a pile, with some silent footage of Nathan and Kristine in rehearsal. I can't link it because it was an ad...but google Gary on Broadway and then scroll through Insta and maybe you'll get it. There's a similar video for Hillary & Clinton with Metcalf and Lithgow working in rehearsal, though that one has no speaking.
I'm getting echoes of 'Rosencrantz & Guildenstern' here: the "inconsequential" side characters reacting to the main event and seeing Shakespeare and themselves from a new perspective as a result?
Well, they did just have to replace their lead actress, so its pretty understandable, actually.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
I don't think "mess" is the right word, Marie Kondo, they're dealing with the replacement of 2/3 of the characters during tech. Obviously, they want to start previews as quickly as possible, but it's a lot to rehearse 2 actresses and get them fitted into costumes and ready for a paying audience, on a NEW play. Remember when Three Tall Women and Iceman Cometh cancelled their first previews due to "technical issues," everyone got super worried, and then they were firing on all cylinders at the first previews?
Mess? This happens all the time when shows aren't replacing leads right before starting previews. I get that someone people want to be able to claim they saw a show first, but this is exactly why I bought tickets for next weekend. Because delaying the first couple of previews happens.