"Hedda Gabler"- 1st Preview/Review — Page 2

I lost count of how many times I winced during this performance.

Parker's Hedda seemed to be on drugs....or maybe in need of drugs. This Hedda was nowhere near as interesting as Blanchett's Hedda at BAM, who exuded haughtiness, elegance and a keen sadistic insight.

It's positively heartbreaking to see an actor as intensely charismatic as Cerveris wasted in the role of Jorgen Tesman. I would have loved to see him as Judge Brack or Ejlert Lovborg.

There was virtually no chemistry between any of characters. The entire production was extremely disjointed. I only hope it gets better before opening night.

It was clearly a first preview... lines were flubbed constantly (including one from Cerveris when a cell phone went off and distracted him), people were dropping props (the paper on the flowers needs to go - it was SO LOUD), and the randomly placed chairs were in everyone's way.

I thought MLP was very good... I liked the more sarcastic Hedda. But Michael Cerveris was the high point for me. Ana Reeder was absolutely dreadful. I cringed whenever she spoke. Paul Sparks was Mumbles McGee up there, and I only caught every other word. Peter Stormare was painfully boring. And his last line was so incredibly ridiculous, the house erupted in laughter. Hopefully that's the first thing changed.

I don't think the music really added anything. The "danger music" at the end of the first act was another unintentional laugh. The set was fine, the lighting was fine, the costumes were fine. Nothing particularly memorable in the tech department.

At the curtain call, MLP looked a little embarassed. I'm not surprised, as this show was really not ready for an audience. I didn't think it was terrible at all; the adaptation is actually quite good. But the direction is sloppy and the supporting cast needs to get it together. They would've benefitted from a few more rehearsals. I waited by the stage door afterward (in the freezing rain) for over an hour, and no one came out. I'm assuming they were getting extensive notes and fixing things immediately.

I'd like to go back once it opens and see how things come along, because it has a lot of potential. This experience was a pleasure compared to the torturous first preview of PAL JOEY.

Yes Sparks throwing the entire curtain all the way over to one side and then casually having to fix it was hysterical.

I had assumed that Cerveris was Eilert. Oh, dear... Or should I say, Fancy that!

I have to agree with most of what was said here. I really hope Roundabout Theater Company gets its act together soon...there have been too many clunkers in a row. We need to get back to the good old days of Pajama Game, Apple Tree, and 110 in the Shade. Good luck to all involved trying to fix this production.

Paul sparks was so horrible you couldnt understand a word he was saying

displeasure indeed ...

I think my favorite moment had to be MLP's skirt almost going aflame from the stupid candles.

that was freaking hillarious

I can just see the reviews now...

"Hedda Gob-bler"-- "this one is truly a turkey!"

>It opened around Thanksgiving.<

It opened on October 4, 2001. And just for the sake of clarification, here was Ben Brantley's review of it, where he called it "a pistol shot of a production".
Brantley on Kate Burton's Hedda Gabler

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I saw Burton's Hedda. No, it wasn't great, but she was still the best thing in it. Michael Emerson as Tesman was laughable (and not intentionally) and the others so bland that I can't remember their names. But it sounds like Burton was a helluva lot better than Parker.

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I have to go back to 12 Angry Men for a show from Roundabout that I found to be very solid. I'm one of the few who did not like Sunday... George.