Saw this last night - definitely think people will either love it or hate it, I was a little indifferent. The people who sat on my right wished there was an intermission so they could leave. The people on my left laughed at every line. I actually laughed only three times, which is not much for a comedy. Well, a comedy with LOTS of pathos, and a completely confusing last 10 minutes.
It’s definitely of the absurdist genre, but not impossible to follow, like, say, something by Ionesco. Do a little research on Titus beforehand, so you know some basic references - the pie, Lavinia, etc. Wiki should do it.
The biggest problem is that the characters often go into long tangential monologues, getting extremely emotional. But we don’t know enough ABOUT the characters or what they are talking about to actually CARE for them or be affected by their beautiful revelations. They reference the past constantly, but because we haven’t been able to experience even one iota of ANYTHING they talk about, it’s not cathartic for us. We really just get to watch the actors do wonderful work, and listen to the playwrights (often) wonderful writing, but I couldn’t help but feel both actor and playwright were just showing off - it was for THEIR pleasure, not ours.
Also, this is the only Broadway show I’ve seen in years where only about 60 people stood up at the curtain call.
All three actors are wonderful, but I wish someone could have the sense to cut some of the “bits” that only land to about 20% of the audience. They aren’t worth it. Comedy must look spontaneous- and the majority of the physical comedy is too planned - you see the “wind up”.
Nathan is wonderful. Julie, who should've won a Tony for Airline Highway, doesn't seem settled into the 'world' of the play, whatever that may be; she performs as if she is saying to the audience "Look at this zany character I play in the bizarre play!" - it doesn't quite feel grounded. But she is NOT bad. Kristine, who shouldve won the Tony for her phone call scene alone in "Vanya, Sonya...", is funny, at times, but doesn't have a completely likable character (which doesn't help matters when it comes time for her wonderfully vulnerable monologue towards the end of the play - we just don't care!!!!), and I couldn't help but feel I would've preferred the lighter touch of Andrea Martin.
I was anxious to see it, glad I did, but sadly can’t SAFELY recommend to anyone I know.
Updated On: 3/19/19 at 05:10 PM
