How is A Behanding in Spokane?

[Mimi2]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 12:30pm

I just got tickets to see this on Saturday and I was wondering how it is. I read the lukewarm to negative reviews so I'm obviously just going based on the fact that Christopher Walken is in it. I'm interested in hearing what you guys thought of this play.

After seeing Race, I promised myself I'd never see another play again. I hope this one's at least better than Race. Updated On: 3/23/10 at 12:30 PM

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 12:33pm

Are you at all familiar with McDonagh? When I saw the show I sat next to a group of people who were clearly only there for Walken, and they complained about how offensive it was and eventually left about an hour in.

[Mimi2]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 12:34pm

I'm familiar with McDonagh's work, although I've never actually seen one of his plays. I will not be offended by bad language so if that's the only problem in this play then I'm good to go!

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 12:35pm

It's very bizarre (it's McDonagh), but entertaining enough. Some great performances.
Updated On: 3/23/10 at 12:35 PM

[ken8631]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 12:39pm

Wife and I saw it and throughly enjoyed it! It's not for people who get easily offended, but we had a great time....

[jeffmiele]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 12:40pm

it's strange, weird, bizzarre, hilarious, wrong but soooo entertaining.. go in, sit down, don't think about anything and enjoy it.. it really is a very enjoyoable show

[Mimi2]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 12:46pm

So it's better than Race? I was just so horrified by the terrible acting in that play (on the part of Kerry Washington) that I vowed I'd never see another play every again.

[angelplays]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 12:52pm

I haven't seen Behanding (I'm a fan of neither Walken nor McDonagh), but wow. How about just not seeing a play Kerry Washington is in ever again instead of writing off an entire genre?

[Mimi2]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 12:53pm

LOL, it wasn't just after seeing Race. It was also after seeing the travesties that were Is He Dead? and The Little Dog Laughed.

[angelplays]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 12:55pm

Oh, ok. Then...maybe not comedies? LOL.

Not that Race is a comedy.

Hm. I didn't see the others you mentioned either as they seemed a little bizarre for me. So if Behanding is "typical McDonagh" it may not be a good match for you. IDK though. Updated On: 3/23/10 at 12:55 PM

[Mimi2]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 1:00pm

LOL, perhaps not comedies. And not plays with Kerry Washington. LOL.

I loved Shockheaded Peter (not a play, but very bizarre) so hopefully I can see bizarre things.
Updated On: 3/23/10 at 01:00 PM

[Luv2goToShows]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 1:00pm

I really enjoyed the show, it is fast moving and funny. I always liked Walken and he did not disappoint, neither did the rest of the cast. I've seen Looped and Lend Me a Tenor, which were both enjoyable shows too, but liked Behanding of Spokane the Best, must be my dark sense of humor.

Was Race that bad?

[angelplays]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 1:03pm

True. I had to read McDonagh's "The Pillowman" for a class and basically it didn't leave me desperate to see his stuff. There are people who seem to like it though.

I guess I tend to fall into the "I'll give it a try" camp, though after sitting through "The Seafarer" because I was trapped in one of those against the wall seats at the Booth I debated if I wanted to continue that philosophy. So I understand your uneasiness. :)

[Mimi2]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 1:06pm

Luv2goToShows, I was trying to get tickets for Lend Me a Tenor (since I love Tony Shalhoub) but was unable to get close enough seats (I like to sit very close up). I'm glad you liked Behanding better than Lend Me a Tenor! Makes me feel better for getting tickets to my second choice. And I did dislike Race, mainly for the acting. Perhaps I was just spoiled by the wonderful Glengarry Glen Ross and expected too much.

[Jane2]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 1:18pm

The play is weak but Walken's worth the price of admission.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 1:34pm

If you're going for Walken, you'll be very pleased. If you're going for the play, not so much. I found it to be really mediocre at best and almost instantly forgettable. It's McDonagh's weakest show to date, in my opinion.

[Ryan4]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 1:43pm

I'm a big McDonagh fan, and I thought this was by far his thinnest effort. Nothing more than a series of sight-gags and ho-hum ethnic jokes. There's nothing beneath it all, which is usually what makes McDonagh's work special. Nobody in the talented cast (including Walken) impressed me.

[Mimi2]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 1:44pm

Uh oh...
Updated On: 3/23/10 at 01:44 PM

[Mimi2]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 3:24pm

Is there an intermission?

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 3:26pm

Nope, 90 minutes straight through.

[Mimi2]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 3:28pm

You know, I don't think I've ever seen a show without an intermission.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 3:38pm

I had a total blast at it. Not the BEST play running on Broadway right now, but it sure was a fun and rapid night at the theatre. And yes, Walken was AMAZING. I thought Sam Rockwell was fantastic as well though- but almost too underused. Actually, the only thing that threw me off about the show was the semi-racist part Anthony Mackie was playing. It rubbed the wrong way, and I like to think I'm not touchy about that sort of thing.

[Mimi2]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 3:40pm

That's more promising!

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 4:15pm

I loved it. It's a hilarious, absurdist comedy. Walken and Rockwell (who I usually hate) are both amazingly funny.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 4:17pm

Mimi, how many actual plays have you seen? I can't imagine anyone actually saying after seeing one play that they'll never see another one ever again. That's like me saying after I watched TWILIGHT:NEW MOON last night that since it was so bad I'm never going to watch another movie again.

Just a very odd and immature thing to hear someone say.