Finally had the opportunity to see this last evening. I've been reflecting, and my lingering impression is positive. It overall has an Iceman Cometh-with-music feel. The performances are the selling point, as many have mentioned. Mare Winningham is a treasure. I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I thought, "Who is this Mare Winningham and why does she look so familiar??" Not surprisingly, her list of accolades is not small. I loved Todd Almond's big scene, and Ryan/Houlahan's "I Want You" YouTube video has been on repeat. Harcourt steals his scenes as well.
I understand the comments about the thin book. I assume McPherson intended this as an allegory about the how well we can truly know people in life. The mysterious pregnancy plot falls a little flat.
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Instead of looking backward, perhaps if the play ended with an image of Marianne and Joe with a young baby (Jesus), there'd be a sense of closure: the idea that salvation is coming. On the other hand, the show ending on a happy memory is a reminder to be present and cherish happiness, which works too.
My only other thought is, I love hearing this score sung by Americans. The accents in the London cast recording often sound off. I was born and raised in Minnesota, and I (unreasonably) expect people to speak like they walked off the set of Fargo.
In my first trip to the Public, I love the size of the theatre, and I can't imagine this in a large Broadway house. The Lunt doesn't seem like a great idea, but something like Circle makes sense.
