#1
Posted: 1/11/09 at 10:23am
The Broadway revival of ALL MY SONS ends its limited run today.
I know this production has divided audiences. I think the fact that people have felt so strongly one way or the other about it speaks for what many feel were some radical directorial choices made by Simon McBurney.
Personally, I thought the production was magnificent from top to bottom. It absolutely blew my mind. Diane Wiest gave one of the most incredible performances I have ever witnessed on a stage, and John Lithgow and Patrick Wilson proved yet again what unique assets they are to the New York stage. Katie Holmes made a very respectable stage debut, in my opinion, and she blended with these three pros beautifully in delivering such a powerful story.
The ensemble should also be commended for providing a strong groundwork around the stars. They really each developed specific characterizations, and were individually distinguishable instead of just clumping as a generic group into the background, as is often the case with many shows.
As with the recent revival of MACBETH, the use of projections and music in assisting the storytelling were expertly blended and, for me, at least, had me at the edge of my seat throughout the entire show.
What could have easily been a dusty, traditional revival of a classic play turned out to be a unique, fresh take that really kept the audience involved.
I hope the cast and the production team will be remembered at awards nomination time come Spring.
I look forward to seeing what Simon McBurney can bring to Broadway next, and I can't wait to see these great stage performers tackle their next projects.
ALL MY SONS Ends Limited Broadway Run Jan. 11
I know this production has divided audiences. I think the fact that people have felt so strongly one way or the other about it speaks for what many feel were some radical directorial choices made by Simon McBurney.
Personally, I thought the production was magnificent from top to bottom. It absolutely blew my mind. Diane Wiest gave one of the most incredible performances I have ever witnessed on a stage, and John Lithgow and Patrick Wilson proved yet again what unique assets they are to the New York stage. Katie Holmes made a very respectable stage debut, in my opinion, and she blended with these three pros beautifully in delivering such a powerful story.
The ensemble should also be commended for providing a strong groundwork around the stars. They really each developed specific characterizations, and were individually distinguishable instead of just clumping as a generic group into the background, as is often the case with many shows.
As with the recent revival of MACBETH, the use of projections and music in assisting the storytelling were expertly blended and, for me, at least, had me at the edge of my seat throughout the entire show.
What could have easily been a dusty, traditional revival of a classic play turned out to be a unique, fresh take that really kept the audience involved.
I hope the cast and the production team will be remembered at awards nomination time come Spring.
I look forward to seeing what Simon McBurney can bring to Broadway next, and I can't wait to see these great stage performers tackle their next projects.
ALL MY SONS Ends Limited Broadway Run Jan. 11
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
Updated On: 1/11/09 at 10:23 AM
