#2
Posted: 2/4/15 at 2:10am
First show is tomorrow. Unless you mean an invited dress or somesuch...
#5
Posted: 2/4/15 at 9:23am
I have tickets for the 22nd and I'm very excited.
Also, how are the rear orchestra seats at BAM? I ended up going with those because that was what was in my price range and I cannot handle sitting in that balcony for close to 5 hours.
Also, how are the rear orchestra seats at BAM? I ended up going with those because that was what was in my price range and I cannot handle sitting in that balcony for close to 5 hours.
#6
Posted: 2/4/15 at 9:26am
There is an invited dress tonight, but from what I know seating was pretty limited so there may not be any kind of report.
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
#7
Posted: 2/4/15 at 9:33am
I'm going tomorrow. I'll be in the balcony and completely dreading it. Hopefully the acting and production will be enough to make up for the physical discomfort, but I have a feeling I'm going to be regretting not paying for a nicer seat.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
#8
That's a funny name for a play.
Posted: 2/4/15 at 9:37am
That's a funny name for a play.
CHURCH DOOR TOUCAN GAY MARKETING PUPPIES MUSICAL THEATER STAPLES PERIOD OIL BITCHY SNARK HOLES
#9
Posted: 2/4/15 at 9:40am
I can't hear The Iceman Cometh without thinking of Debra Monk's line from Curtains:
I put on The Iceman Cometh and nobody cameth!
I put on The Iceman Cometh and nobody cameth!
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
#10
Posted: 2/4/15 at 9:54am
Weekends seem to be pretty well-sold, but there's a lot of availability most weeknights, if anyone is still looking for tickets. I guess a five hour play is a hard sell on a work night.
#11
Posted: 2/5/15 at 10:51am
I got one for next week. I'm in the balcony too, but I've never seen the show, so I don't want to splurge on something I'm not sure I"ll even enjoy. And I had no clue it was 5hrs. But I love the cast, so I'm excited.
#12
Posted: 2/6/15 at 1:23am
I saw the show tonight. I didn't know it was 5 hours until about 6pm when I checked the website. Yes, it is long, and yes, the balcony seats are uncomfortable (aren't there some BAM donors who can refurbish the cushions up there!!?!!), but it is worth every penny, and the 5 hours really moved quickly.
The first act does start slow, but the excellent cast really fill out their respective characters well before Nathan Lane bursts in midway through Act 1. His performance is a tour de force, and he would absolutely be a Tony front runner if this were on Broadway. I always hate how people continually think of him as only a comedic performer. He is often quite funny here, but this is a powerfully dramatic performance.
The direction is top notch, and it is strange for me to say this, but the lighting by Natasha Katz is outstanding. It is rare for me to think of the lighting as such a prominent character here, but it is so integral to this production and is simply stunning. The way scenes fade in and out, how characters are highlighted, and how things are pulled in and out of focus is outstanding.
Brian Dennehy, and Kate Arrington are excellent, but the whole ensemble is quite strong. The set has a stunning reveal in Act 3.
It's late, and I am probably a bit delirious so my apologies, but I would be shocked if this isn't one on my top ten pieces of theater I see this year.
The first act does start slow, but the excellent cast really fill out their respective characters well before Nathan Lane bursts in midway through Act 1. His performance is a tour de force, and he would absolutely be a Tony front runner if this were on Broadway. I always hate how people continually think of him as only a comedic performer. He is often quite funny here, but this is a powerfully dramatic performance.
The direction is top notch, and it is strange for me to say this, but the lighting by Natasha Katz is outstanding. It is rare for me to think of the lighting as such a prominent character here, but it is so integral to this production and is simply stunning. The way scenes fade in and out, how characters are highlighted, and how things are pulled in and out of focus is outstanding.
Brian Dennehy, and Kate Arrington are excellent, but the whole ensemble is quite strong. The set has a stunning reveal in Act 3.
It's late, and I am probably a bit delirious so my apologies, but I would be shocked if this isn't one on my top ten pieces of theater I see this year.
#13
Posted: 2/6/15 at 1:48am
Thanks for the first review. I really wanted to see this, and after your review I really want to see it even more!
Unfortunately I live out of state and won't be back until after it is done, and it looks like BAM is using the theatre for another production as soon as Iceman closes so I presume it cannot extend at BAM. Does BAM have a history of transferring to Broadway? I'm sorry, I am not familiar with their history.
Unfortunately I live out of state and won't be back until after it is done, and it looks like BAM is using the theatre for another production as soon as Iceman closes so I presume it cannot extend at BAM. Does BAM have a history of transferring to Broadway? I'm sorry, I am not familiar with their history.
#14
Posted: 2/6/15 at 2:27am
^ the run time makes it almost IMPOSSIBLE to transfer to Broadway, thus why they are presenting it at BAM.
#16
Posted: 2/6/15 at 5:05am
if there is room for three part plays
there is room for 5 hour plays on Broadway.
there is room for 5 hour plays on Broadway.
#17
Posted: 2/6/15 at 6:45am
the run time makes it almost IMPOSSIBLE to transfer to Broadway, thus why they are presenting it at BAM.
It's been produced successfully on Broadway four times. The last Broadway production, with Kevin Spacey, was a blockbuster and (IIRC) the first straight play to charge $100+ per ticket. O'Neill's similarly lengthy LONG DAY'S JOURNEY has also been no stranger to Broadway despite its length. So maybe have some idea of what you're talking about before you start typing. It has NOTHING to do with running time.
It's been produced successfully on Broadway four times. The last Broadway production, with Kevin Spacey, was a blockbuster and (IIRC) the first straight play to charge $100+ per ticket. O'Neill's similarly lengthy LONG DAY'S JOURNEY has also been no stranger to Broadway despite its length. So maybe have some idea of what you're talking about before you start typing. It has NOTHING to do with running time.
Updated On: 2/6/15 at 06:45 AM
#18
Posted: 2/6/15 at 7:43am
LarryD2, calm down. The long running time is a factor. It's not the only factor, but it is a factor. Here is a quote from a NY Times article on the subject, after this production opened at the Goodman in Chicago:
Mr. Schulfer and other Goodman executives, meanwhile, are now looking at the commercial viability of transferring “Iceman” to Broadway, considering the show’s running time of 4 hours and 45 minutes (including intermissions). The Goodman has been holding six performances a week given the play’s demands on the actors; most Broadway shows hold eight performances a week in order to have a chance at earning enough money to eventually turn a profit.
The Kevin Spacey production had 7 performances a week, with 2 performances on Saturdays, and also apparently was about half an hour shorter, which plays a role in overtime. I don't know if this is a factor, but Brian Dennehy is 76 years old. He may not want to do 9.5 hours of show in a day.
Mr. Schulfer and other Goodman executives, meanwhile, are now looking at the commercial viability of transferring “Iceman” to Broadway, considering the show’s running time of 4 hours and 45 minutes (including intermissions). The Goodman has been holding six performances a week given the play’s demands on the actors; most Broadway shows hold eight performances a week in order to have a chance at earning enough money to eventually turn a profit.
The Kevin Spacey production had 7 performances a week, with 2 performances on Saturdays, and also apparently was about half an hour shorter, which plays a role in overtime. I don't know if this is a factor, but Brian Dennehy is 76 years old. He may not want to do 9.5 hours of show in a day.
#19
Posted: 2/6/15 at 9:44am
I was there was night too, and agree with Dave on all counts, especially about Natasha Katz nearly stealing the show with her STUNNING lighting design. The way she subtly shifted the brightness of certain scenes was very sly and smart. The end of act two had an almost Last Supper-esque tableau that she somehow made the actors look like they were glowing, yet inches away the set the set was bathed in darkness. Love her work, and the atmosphere of BAM only heightened it.
I agree that the first act is a little slow, but really it's just O'Neill slowly and carefully wiring the bomb that Hickey is going to set off in act two, and does that powder keg ever blow! The second act felt like it flew by in ten minutes and featured some thrilling acting from Lane, Dennehy and Stephen Quimette as Harry.
John Douglas Thompson's in act three was inspired- when is anything he does less than spellbinding- and of course Lane's big act four monologue must be witnessed to be believed.
Kate Arrington as Cora and Salvatore Inzerillo as Rocky were other standouts, although there wasn't a weak link in the cast.
The pacing was never sluggish and although it ran slightly over 5 hours I was never bored or fidgety once. The direction was flawless. The text brilliant. This is truly a theater lover's dream and shouldn't be missed.
I could have done without some of the audience last night though...look I realize it's a long show and one is going to get hungry, but that's what intermission is for. It's not appropriate to bust out a buffet at your seat and crinkle, crinkle, crinkle all not long. Just because your phone is on vibrate doesn't mean we all can't hear it buzzing as you refuse to answer it. Usually the hipsters at BAM just cause you to roll your eyes, but they're at least well behaved. Last night that sadly wasn't the case. Still, these annoyances couldn't hold this production down.
I agree that the first act is a little slow, but really it's just O'Neill slowly and carefully wiring the bomb that Hickey is going to set off in act two, and does that powder keg ever blow! The second act felt like it flew by in ten minutes and featured some thrilling acting from Lane, Dennehy and Stephen Quimette as Harry.
John Douglas Thompson's in act three was inspired- when is anything he does less than spellbinding- and of course Lane's big act four monologue must be witnessed to be believed.
Kate Arrington as Cora and Salvatore Inzerillo as Rocky were other standouts, although there wasn't a weak link in the cast.
The pacing was never sluggish and although it ran slightly over 5 hours I was never bored or fidgety once. The direction was flawless. The text brilliant. This is truly a theater lover's dream and shouldn't be missed.
I could have done without some of the audience last night though...look I realize it's a long show and one is going to get hungry, but that's what intermission is for. It's not appropriate to bust out a buffet at your seat and crinkle, crinkle, crinkle all not long. Just because your phone is on vibrate doesn't mean we all can't hear it buzzing as you refuse to answer it. Usually the hipsters at BAM just cause you to roll your eyes, but they're at least well behaved. Last night that sadly wasn't the case. Still, these annoyances couldn't hold this production down.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
#20
Posted: 2/6/15 at 11:03am
Nice! I'm excited. First time seeing O'Neil really. I saw that Robert Falls show at the St. James a few seasons back, but it was terrible. So I'm excited to see some good O'Neil.
#21
Posted: 2/7/15 at 10:33am
... Also directed by Robert Falls staring the same lead actor.
Jesus saves. I spend.
#22
Posted: 2/7/15 at 10:50am
I liked Mr. Falls' Desire Under the Elms at the St. James. The set was incredible. And I liked the acting. I guess I walked into it thinking it might be a bore but was surprised. Of course sitting next to Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith might have had something to do with my liking the show!
Also liked Mr. Falls' Death of a Salesman so I'm looking forwwrd to this Iceman on the 26th.
Also liked Mr. Falls' Death of a Salesman so I'm looking forwwrd to this Iceman on the 26th.
Updated On: 2/7/15 at 10:50 AM
#23
Posted: 2/7/15 at 10:54am
Nathan's going back into It's Only a Play after this.
<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES
#24
Posted: 2/7/15 at 11:22am
Really??? Hadn't heard about Lane going back into It's Only a Play.
#25
Posted: 2/7/15 at 11:40am
A lot of the upper balcony seats are listed as partial view. I've sat up there and don't remember the stage being very obstructed... except maybe some structural beams supporting the balcony but my experience was "obstructured light if at all". Can anyone offer any greater insight?
And Dennehy and Lane ... wow. That will be a show!
And Dennehy and Lane ... wow. That will be a show!
Dolittle
Tickets From $59
Tickets From $71
Tickets From $71
Tickets From $95