Golda's Balcony 12/30 3PM Matinee (go see it, last chance!)

[Kris2]

Posted: 12/30/04 at 9:16pm

My review is here now =D Updated On: 1/2/05 at 09:16 PM

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 12/30/04 at 9:41pm

Sounds like a wonderful time, thanks for sharing!

Feldshuh is an amazing performer, and one of the nicest women working in the theatre.

[commasplice]

Posted: 12/30/04 at 9:49pm

Thanks for posting this! I enjoyed reading it. I liked how you mentioned a Milwaukee accent. There's actually a Golda Meir School in Milwaukee. Feldshuh gave them a signed poster of the show.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/30/04 at 10:44pm

Thank you for taking the time to post such a wonderful review. I saw the show downtown, and am going back to support her at her final performance this Sunday. Tovah was the first actor I ever worked as an assistant for, and she is a beautiful woman with a beautiful heart. I knew when I saw the show downtown that it would be her defining moment. And it has been. My heart broke when she did not receive the Tony for this one.

[RadioTV2]

Posted: 12/30/04 at 11:13pm

I agree. Tovah was amazing and definitely deserved the Tony. The play itself is so well-written and directed that it should have at least been nominated for Best Play. I hope to see this play do well in its national tour!

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/31/04 at 10:31am

I'm bumping this because I believe that GOLDA'S BALCONY is not only a history lesson, but a master class in acting. Any of you who have hesitated for any reason whatsoever to see this show, go now if you possibly can.

Updated On: 12/31/04 at 10:31 AM

[BwayLover]

Posted: 12/31/04 at 1:08pm

This show had a huge impact on me, both as a theater experience from a theater lover's perspective, and as an Israeli who has these images and events the show deals with etched in her mind.
Feldshue was beyond amazing. It was one of the most powerful performance I have EVER seen, and I have a feeling that in years to come, I will still be talking about it and holding it in such high regard. It was phenomenal. I'm so sorry the "Shalom" bit at the end was sort of ruined for you...It really touched me when I saw it.

On the day I saw it, Feldshue held a q&a session, and she couldn't have been more delightful. Not to veer off topic with my personal story, but I just have to say that she was extremely kind to me, especially after she heard I was Israeli (but not because of it).
I also bought the DVD called "The Journey To Golda's Balcony", and it's wonderful. It has many clips of the show and I'm really glad I have it.

[DAME]

Posted: 12/31/04 at 1:33pm

The show will be in Los Angeles next month with Tovah. I already have my ticket and I am so looking forward to it. Thanks for your review.

[Kris2]

Posted: 12/31/04 at 3:17pm

I highly enjoyed myself. It was a wonderful experience. Tovah Feldshuh is a gem. Please see this show if you can. Only a couple more days and then it's off on tour. I wonder how this will tour in a mostly Protestant nation.

I have to marvel at the parents that brought kids who looked anywhere from 10-14 though. It's a little too heavy for kids, unless they're annoyingly precocious or something. Maybe I'm underestimating some of them, but it doesn't seem like a piece you can fully appreciate unless you're a little bit older and can absorb it.

One thought I kept having though was how offended a person would be if they were Arab or held a pro-Palestine view and saw the show. It's something to ponder. I know many people who feel that the Jews forcibly took land that wasn't theirs. Your personal perspective will obviously effect how you view the show. However, the piece was very unpretentious. It felt significant but not self-important. I thought overall it had a universal message of peace and community. I definitely recommend it.

[BwayLover]

Posted: 12/31/04 at 4:58pm

Hmmm...That's an interesting point.But, you know, I'm not so sure Arab people will want to go to a play about Golda Meir in the first place.

And while I do recommend this show, I must also add it might annoy some Israelis - because whereas in the States Meir is regarded as a hero, in Israel there are many people who still resent her and blame her for the 1973 war, which was the worst Israel had ever known. This play tends to glorify her and her actions at times. I know that when I told my parents, who were both in the army during the war, that I went to see it and loved it, they both said they wouldn't want to see a play about Meir at all. They added that I couldn't understand because I wasn't alive then - the general feeling towards her was not favorable.

Still, like I said.... An amazing performance from Tovah, that is well worth seeing. Don't miss it.

Updated On: 12/31/04 at 04:58 PM

[Kris2]

Posted: 12/31/04 at 7:30pm

Obviously people of Arab descent are not the target audience, but I still wonder how they would feel about the show. I know how divided many people are on some of the issues raised. However I had no idea how differently people viewed Meir, especially Israelis. That's an intriguing discrepancy. Again though, a lot of any theater experience is the perspective you bring to the material beforehand.

But yes, check this show out! I thought it was great and I'm glad it had such an impact on you, BwayLover =)