Glass Menagerie first preview — Page 3

I remember when 15 year olds couldn't wait to grow up and be treated like adults. Now nobody wants to let them.

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I got a partial view seat for tonight. How partial is it? Do I miss anything really good?

I think it's like G14 or something?

Cool. Maybe I can move to the mezz or something. Thanks!

I'm so excited to see this. My seats are actually in Row K on the other side, the odd numbers. So hopefully I don't miss anything too stellar.

Saw the matinee today. Really enjoyed the play and each of the actors is giving a wonderful performance. Felt like it was firing on all cylinders. So much so that I want to see it again just to fully appreciate the talent and the humor and tension they calibrate so well throughout the production. Quinto and Jones were my faves.

Had an orchestra aisle seat (H-101) and had I not read reviews that talked about the water on stage, I would have been hard-pressed to know that's what it was.

I think I was actually right in front of you, so sorry if I was too tall! But yeah, I didn't mind the view. Def. better to be house right than left.

As for the show, I wasn't blown away, but I was satisfied. My first time seeing Cherry Jones and she did not disappoint.

Celia too me has this strange stage voice that she uses and her accent went from Southern to Cockney and back. I thought she was fine, but I didn't think she was a revelation or anything.

Quinto was my least favorite. I just didn't buy him as Tom. It just didn't feel like a lived in performance but rather an actor doing the part, if that makes sense. The moments didn't feel real and his line readings felt forced.

Gentleman Caller was really great. I loved his take on it and his scene with Laura was really beautiful.

The direction was interesting. I'm a big fan of all the flourishes, but I'm not sure the choreography really worked for me. I didn't really quite get why they needed to choreograph setting a table? Also, it's cool that there is water around the set. I'm guessing it's to indicate a lot of things (ocean out there, more fish in the sea, island), but honestly my friend didn't even see the water, and sounds like most other people didn't either. I'm taller, so I saw it. But why go through all that work and not even highlight it at one point? They didn't put any lights on it or anything? Seemed like a strange choice. And the moon rising out of the water seemed a little strange. I think there was just a simpler and more effective way to do the show, but hey, I didn't hate it. It's def. worth seeing.

Just as with Tiffany's ONCE, definitely recommend the mezzanine for a full appreciation of movement, effects, and stage pictures.

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Oh, good to know. Even so, what's the point of it? There's never any indication of it or any visual mention of it. No one in the orchestra even could see it?

April Saul, it was nice to meet you!

To me, the "liquid blackness" looked like a shiny, black marble-like solid material. I could see the stars and moon, and it did give me a sense of the apartment being isolated from the rest of the world. I can imagine the effect was more pronounced and stunning from the mezzanine.

I understood that it's not solid after reading this thread; I was just explaining my perspective when I saw the show, without having been told what it was. I couldn't see the ripples from my seat. My point is that from the orchestra (at least from where I was), it's not obvious what the material is.

I was there this afternoon as well, and I loved it. Tiffany's simultaneously eerie, beautiful, haunting, and ethereal direction is truly the star of this show, which isn't to say that the performers aren't excellent, because they are. I have to admit I was bored senseless by the much buzzed-about Judith Ivey/Roundabout production from a few years back, so I was nervous I would be equally bored here. But thankfully, I was thoroughly riveted. Quinto is an exceptional Tom, Keenan-Bolger is a stunning Laura, Smith is a charming and warm presence as The Gentleman Caller, and one of our great stage actresses, the exceptional Cherry Jones is unsurprisingly brilliant as Amanda. Whizzer hit the nail on the head in saying that the Booth must have some magic in it when it comes to four-person plays, after this and VIRGINIA WOOLF.

I was knocked out by the direction and the set design, as well as the beautiful lighting. I have to admit I wasn't crazy about the bizarre moon-shaped neon light that rose and sunk from the stage floor. And Quinto and Keenan-Bolgers' accents did waver a bit throughout. But for the most part, this is a truly beautiful production that moved me very much. And I hope the instant standing ovation and two curtain calls (the audience probably would have clapped for a third, had the house lights not come up) indicate that audiences are enjoying the show as well. And aside from a phone going off during act one, the audience behavior was great. There were moments when I swear I could've heard a pin drop. This production is chock-full of some truly transcendent moments.

A note about the rush seats...I was seated all the way against the wall, house left, about six or seven rows from the stage. I missed a good chunk of the action in the first act, much of which takes place at the dining room table, which is placed stage right. The rush seats on the left side of the theater are definitely partial view, just FYI. I was able to move to the rear orchestra during the intermission and had a great view from there. So, if you decide to rush, just be prepared to possibly be seated house left, and to miss quite a bit of the action.

Updated On: 9/9/13 at 07:35 PM

I thought the same thing, Kad! I'm just glad I wasn't a few rows in front of me (I'd guess Row D) of the orchestra, in the house left obstructed view seats. The seat furthest against the wall in that row was literally facing another wall.

The view from the rear orchestra was great, although I do regret not moving up to the mezzanine to see the show from that vantage point. I was honestly surprised they didn't put the rush seats in the last row of the mezz, where they've been for many of the shows at the Booth.

Oh, and for those wondering, the show is running two hours and thirty-five minutes at this point. The woman at the box office told me beforehand the running time was 2:15, which it definitely isn't.

Updated On: 9/8/13 at 08:10 PM