Revisited the show this afternoon. They re-worked some scenes, it's a much faster pace, still not enough to salvage the production, but at least now the audience laughs at the appropriate moments.
Joey Collins was a much better Gentleman Caller than Josh Lucas was. The scene was finally about Laura, as opposed to about him. The dynamic was much better and his portrayal certainly deserves a viewing.
I still am not liking Lange in the role and Christian Slater needs a hook to come out and get him. He hams it up, gestures at the latecomers in the audience, absolutely inappopriate. He rushes his lines that you can barely hear him in all the mumbling.
Lange just tries too hard. But with all the empty seats in the house, you can just stretch out in a row and take a nap during her and Slater's scenes.
If you really want to help the American theater, don't be an actress, dahling. Be an audience.....
Don't be taken in by the guff that critics are killing the theater. Commonly they sin on the side of enthusiasm. Too often they give their blessing to trash...
Tallulah Bankhead