Hillary and Clinton previews — Page 2

Hillary and Clinton is the best new play I have seen on Broadway in a long time. Lucas Hnath’s script is so tight and chock full of zingers, wit, and punch that one hardly knows where to look during some scenes.

This is the Laurie Metcalf show. Her performance is what anchors this phenomenal play. John Lithgow is great too, but this is truly Metcalf’s play in every way. The two supporting cast members are great. We will definitely be seeing Laurie Metcalf getting another nomination this year, and so far, from what I’ve seen of the plays this season, I would give her a win.

The set is extremely simple. It’s a white backless box with two doors. However, the set was extremely effective and provided the perfect space for which the action to unfold upon.

I really can’t say enough positive things about this truly incredible play. This is without a doubt my favorite thing I have seen so far this season in terms of both plays and musicals.

Updated On: 3/17/19 at 05:47 PM

I too was there tonight and to think I was in the same room as Whizzer!

I agree with his assessment.

Some of my observations: Neither Lithgow or Metcalf "impersonate" Bill and Hillary, unlike Barack which was more of an impersonation. The lack of furnishings on the set made me uncomfortable, it played into the overall theme of the events, but I wanted a damn table for them to put objects on!

The running time was almost exactly 90 minutes.

For the person that inquired about merchandise, they did have the show cups at the bar with the Hillary & Clinton & Metcalf & Lithgow as campaign buttons design.

Damiensta said: "It did bother me how’s messy they wore. They kept throwing everything on floor. I kept thinking about maids even though it was a play. I kept going that’s so rude haha"

I agree, it made me so uncomfortable. On the way out, my daughter said "i know what bothered you!" She was right. (And I get why it was done.) But I found it very distracting.

I happened to be reading at The Signature Theatre tonight and happened upon a discussion group forming at 7PM in one of their theatres. It was a free seminar on the State of the Play. Among others were Leigh Silverman, Robert O’Hara amd Lucas Hnath. Very interesting discussion about the theatre, diversity in it, regional theatre, New York theatre, audiences, marketing, etc. To everyone’s astonishment, Mr. Hnath made himself available for this seminar while his play was previewing tonight over at the Golden! Thought that was pretty great.

Updated On: 3/19/19 at 12:09 AM

Dancingthrulife2 said: "Did they touch upon what is actually in the Wikileaks files instead of just slamming them as “fake” like most MSM did?"

This play takes place during the 2008 primaries. It has nothing to do with the 2016 presidency.

east side story said: "I'm slightly surprised that it isn't selling a little better. Perhaps word of mouth will pick up?"

Honestly, I think it's the title/subject. I personally love Hillary, but there's clearly a lot of fatigue on her (never mind the she's-the-antichrist propaganda) after the 2016 election. If you look at the comments on social media, so many of them are along the lines of "why would I want to see a show about her?!"

So while I think this will attract the NYC typical theatre-going audience, and anyone else who's a particularly big Metcalf or Lithgow fan, I think it's a really hard sell to tourists or people who don't go to the theatre that often.

dphibbs94 said: "Rudin hates merch; thinks it devalues the show. He only does it if it's a musical or other producers insist."

I wish he felt that way about food/drinks in the theater during performance. THAT devalues the entire experience as far as I’m concerned. That is a trend that needs to GO!

JudyDenmark said: "east side story said: "I'm slightly surprised that it isn't selling a little better. Perhaps word of mouth will pick up?"

Honestly, I think it's the title/subject. I personally love Hillary, but there's clearly a lot of fatigue on her (never mind the she's-the-antichrist propaganda) after the 2016 election. If you look at the comments on social media, so many of them are along the lines of "why would I want to see a show about her?!"

So while I think this will attract the NYC typical theatre-going audience, and anyone else who's a particularly big Metcalf or Lithgow fan, I think it's a really hard sell to tourists or people who don't go to the theatre that often." (emphasis added).

Unfortunately I got stuck next to an infrequent theater goer who showered herself with perfume while in her seat, fussed with her bag, ate candy. We were center orch 2nd row for all the cast to see and others to smell. Agree with Undercover actor re: food/drinks.

JudyDenmark said: "Unfortunately I don't think it's necessarily infrequent theatregoers, just rude people. I saw Ain't Too Proud last night and was sitting next to a woman who clearly sees a lot of shows (based on the accurate and knowledgeable stuff she was saying to her husband before the show), and during the show she was acting like she was in her own living room, dancing in her seat, singing along, and just generally being a blatantly disrespectful audience member. I was seething, trying to block her out and enjoy what was otherwise a very enjoyable show.

Thank you Judy Denmark. I thought it was just me. I referenced "infrequent theatergoer" b/c the one next to me said she rarely went. But yes, I agree that theater frequency is irrelevant when it comes to rude, stupid behavior. And yes, I had the same seat dancer/singer at Ain't Too Proud. I had enough when she started mimicking the arm/hand routines when the Temps performed a number. I finally lost it and said, loudly enough, "I paid to see them perform, not you. This is not a concert. Either stop or I will get the manager."

This 60ish woman looked at me with total shock. She turned to her husband and switched seats w/him. He didn't move a muscle. We were in the 3rd row, center orch. No one else within rows around us did that.

I have another tkt to Hil/Clin. This time I plan to sit on the aisle where I find it's less distracting from the eating/drinking. I'm still amazed at the Laurie/John acting skill.

As for those wrote about the characters throwing things on the floor, for whatever reason, there was no furniture on the set except that chair and fridge. No place to put it. I did like the selection the had in that fridge.