Good Person of Szechwan at the Public

[Kad]

Posted: 10/25/13 at 12:05am

Has anyone else seen this yet?

I saw this in February when it was at LaMaMa, and it was one of my favorite productions of last season.

I saw it again tonight at the Public and am happy to report the production is just as strong- funny, well-performed, tuneful, and inventive.

Taylor Mac is incredible and gets to show off his considerable vocal chops- and Lisa Kron (coming off the massive critical success of Fun Home) gets to show off her comedic talents.

This should be the benchmark for all Brecht productions in the near future. I can't recall seeing a production of a Brecht play that "got" what Brecht was going for so well- it plays out like a cabaret-vaudeville, informal and self-aware and stripped of naturalism, but packs an ideological punch.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 10/25/13 at 1:36am

What's the artwork for this one? I haven't seen a Playbill yet. If the emails from The Public are any indication, what with the production stills and promo shots, it must be funky and delightful! :)

Updated On: 10/25/13 at 01:36 AM

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 10/25/13 at 7:26am

Gosh, I just crossed this off a list, not because I expect it won't be good, but because, well, something had to go, and I'm sad that it's this. Thanks for the review, Kad. I'm glad you had a nice experience with it.

[ryankon]

Posted: 10/26/13 at 9:21am

So happy to read Kad's report here. I saw it earlier in the year at La Mama and consider this one of the best evenings I've had in the theatre all year. The cast was extraordinary and the direction superb. Very excited to revisit at the Public. Thanks for the report, Kad. Looking forward.

[Kad]

Posted: 10/26/13 at 10:25am

Limelight- there isn't Playbill art, really. Special full-color programs are handed out following the performance, with some information on Brecht and written pieces by the director, Taylor Mac, and others.

The art that the Public has been using for advertisements has been a photo of Taylor Mac as Shen Tei and Shui Ta, photoshopped and tinted red. I'd copy and paste it, but I'm on my phone.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 10/26/13 at 12:08pm

Glad to hear this wildly entertaining show transferred well!

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 10/27/13 at 10:56am

Oh, how fun!

are the programs around about the same size as a playbill would be, more specifically, well off enough to fit in a playbill binder?

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/27/13 at 11:26am

I've decided to see this now. And the Apple Plays. I want to see some really good theater and I'm a Lisa Kron fan.

[Kad]

Posted: 10/27/13 at 11:43am

Limelight- unfortunately, I do not think so. I'm not at home presently so can't compare it to a regular Playbill, but it's definitely wider by at least a half. The height I believe is similar. I can take a comparison photo later if you'd like.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/27/13 at 1:06pm

Adam Feldman of TimeOutNY posted "My review hasn't come out yet so I won't say what show I totally love at the Public Theater but it may rhyme with Good Shmerson of Fletchwan."

[Kad]

Posted: 10/28/13 at 11:03am

Yes, Mr. Feldman is quite a fan of the production. And there's quite a lot to be a fan of! I anticipate the Public will have another critical success.

[theatrecr8zy]

Posted: 11/3/13 at 9:02am

Is it going to be extending? I just noticed that it's on the Public's website calendar until December 8th. You can't buy tickets when you click on the link, but, it's there. Saw Taylor Mac in a production of Cabaret here in NC and he was phenomenal. Would love to see him in this during my vacation.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/3/13 at 9:58pm

Going to attempt to rush this this week.

[Vespertine1228]

Posted: 11/4/13 at 10:24am

Taylor Mac is doing his workshop cabaret show with Mandy Patinkin for Classic Stage Company beginning December 14. I'm shocked Good Person is going to December 8. Super tiring.

I saw one of Mac's shows at Joe's Pub ages ago and he mentioned that when he first moved to the city, he was in final callbacks to replace John Cameron Mitchell in the original run of Hedwig. Frankly, I think he'd be much more exciting than Neil Patrick Harris.

[aaronb]

Posted: 11/4/13 at 3:24pm

Fantastic. I loved it.

" 'Alienation' does not always mean 'unpleasantness,' and yet that is the general consensus among lousy directors of Brecht. For these people, if it’s fun, it’s not being done right. What a delightful revelation, then, to discover the Foundry Theatre’s Good Person of Szechwan. This is a carnival of a production that, as the playwright dictates, is always disabusing the audience of the notion that they are watching real people in real situations, but nevertheless manages to entertain—and entertain thoroughly."
My review of GOOD PERSON OF SZECHWAN

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/4/13 at 5:42pm

I can't recall seeing a production of a Brecht play that "got" what Brecht was going for so well

Sadly, I've heard this sort of statement said by someone about every production of a Brecht piece I've ever seen and I didn't like any of them.

BUT...I happened to catch The Wheel by Zinnie Harris at Steppenwolf starring Joan Allen last weekend and it is my favorite piece of dialectical theatre I've come across. At first, I thought I must be witnessing some sort of mashup Brecht adaptation, but it really holds up as its own unique work. If there is any justice, it will get picked up by Lincoln Center.

[oasisjeff]

Posted: 11/5/13 at 3:03pm

After all the raves, I couldn't miss this one, so I booked a ticket during the final extension. As a Public member, I was able to book it even if the link doesn't work for ya'll yet. Can't wait!

[uncageg]

Posted: 11/5/13 at 5:49pm

This and the Apple pays are high on my list.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/5/13 at 6:04pm

Ugh. I want to see this, but I think it's all sold-out. Bummer.

[uncageg]

Posted: 11/5/13 at 6:12pm

I hope not. I have a friend in the cast and said I was going to see it.

[oasisjeff]

Posted: 11/6/13 at 12:14am

The Dec 2-8 extension has availability yet.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/6/13 at 1:12am

So hard for me to book tickets in advance. I'll call and see what I can get! Thanks!