HEDDA GABLER Reviews- Page 2

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 10:38pm

The production will most absolutely continue. The subscribers that keep this theatre company running have paid to see this show through its subscription run. Look at the universally panned ROMANTIC POETRY at MTC. It had to finish its subscription run, because those seats had been paid for.

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 10:38pm

Roundabout's production of THREEPENNY OPERA got horrendous reviews, too. It extended.

[April Saul]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 10:38pm

Hey, Color, I hope you're right because I may be looking for a buyer for my member ticket for this in a couple of weeks

[B3TA07]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 10:40pm

This is like an internship at a butcher's store.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 10:40pm

The Roundabout has a strong subsciption base. Heck, HEDDA might even extend for two weeks. PAL JOEY did!

BTW: I actually enjoyed this production of HEDDA GABLER more than the Kate Burton version a few years ago.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 11:24pm

Ouch.

From the New York Times Review, I think this is hilarious (and I agree with it; I felt the same way):

"With this “Hedda” it’s not just that everyone is bad. It’s that they’re all bad in their own, different ways. At times you feel that because of some confusing detours in the back alleys of Broadway, actors who were meant to be in — I dunno, anything from “Grease” to “Equus” — showed up at the wrong place."

Mr. Brantley somewhat continues the "moist" theme when writing about Mr. Cerveris, saying, "Well, there’s nothing dry about this guy, with his orotund voice, expansive gestures and arch smile."

http://theater2.nytimes.com/2009/01/26/theater/reviews/26bran.html

[iamchanging9]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 11:24pm

http://theater2.nytimes.com/2009/01/26/theater/reviews/26bran.html

full times review is up and its extremely negative.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 11:29pm

That was the most scathing review Brantley has given in a while. He usually tries to be witty in is insults. There was no wit, but rather simply flat out disgust.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 11:43pm

Wow. One of the worst reviews I've ever read.

Still, I'm excited to see this.

[April Saul]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 11:47pm

Color, do you need a ticket? I'm serious...

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 11:55pm

I saw the production last night and I thoroughly agree with Brantley's assessment. I don't, however, believe that Cerveris was so bad. He was simply doing his best trapped in this extremely misguided production. At least he appeared to be putting some effort into his characterization and providing motivations to develop a full character arc. Parker was terrible, though. I once thought she could do no wrong on stage. The woman should just stay far away from period pieces. She is brilliant naturalistic stage actress, and she needs to stick to modern works. A similar misstep that comes to mind is the modern stage actress Cynthia Nixon who attempted to step outside of her comfort zone with THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE a few seasons ago and failed miserably. Some actors are just meant to do modern plays, and just don't have the range to delve into the classics.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 12:19am

Color, do you need a ticket? I'm serious...

How much and when? I'm a poor college student haha.

[heo1128]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 12:23am

Aww poor MLP. It's a shame this production isn't any better.

[April Saul]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 12:26am

I may get back to you on this and offer you a deal!

[NYC4Life]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 12:38am

Wanna Be A Foster, I have to disagree with you. Though these productions you speak of our really bad, Ms Parker and Ms Nixion are both very capable and equipped to do classic theatre. Especially Nixion who would actually do a great job in an a GOOD production of Hedda Gabler now that I think of it.

[harper4]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 2:06am

Have some issues with it (NYT review) but overall, a good call.

Thought MLP was actually very good...with the material she was given. Shinn and Rickson deserve a lion's share of the criticism. Pathetic, sophomoric translation. Abysmal direction. Cerveris was, IMHO, stong. Paul Sparks, the most overrated actor in New York, finally ceases to get a pass from critics.

All in all a mess.
Updated On: 1/26/09 at 02:06 AM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 2:17am

Roundabout would go under if they closed every show that received poor reviews.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 6:52am

I'm glad Brantley mentioned the difference with this translation's version of the final line of the play with previous translations. It induced a bit of laughter from the audience at a completely inappropriate time.

[wexy]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 9:47am

I saw it Friday night and didn't care for it.Its always good to see MLP but it was a bitchy Valley Gall Hedda.( I did see Cate at BAM)
Michael Cerveris did come to our after party and was very nice and friendly. We were talking about everything but the play...

Updated On: 1/26/09 at 09:47 AM

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 10:10am

Oh my gosh... the "Twilight" comparison is what I thought of reading all of the reviews and looking at the pictures. But it's kind of funny that that's what Brantley would choose, because the target audience for Hedda Gabler is... really different from Twilight's.

[Hiloha]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 6:56pm

I know, everyone is trying to hop on the Twilight train. No matter how ridiculous.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 7:11pm

If every actor only played roles within their "comfort zones" they would never grow in their craft. Cerveris could have easily played Paul Sparks' role, but chose to play Medda's husband because it presented a challenge to him.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 8:14pm

I think Cerveris "chose" to play the role he was cast in.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 9:48pm

Nope. He told me that he and the director had discussions about which role he'd play.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 10:09pm

Just like Eric McCormack and Nick Spangler told you that you were BFFs?