Idina Menzel - Skintight at Geffen

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 9/10/19 at 9:02am

Haven't heard anything about this production that just started previews in LA

whats the buzz?  it looks terrific 

Updated On: 9/10/19 at 09:02 AM

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/10/19 at 9:20am

It had an off-Broadway run at Roundabout last year. A few articles are up about the LA run.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 9/10/19 at 9:33am

If you're curious to read responses from the New York production, here was the thread:

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1109900#

For my money, I thought the show was engaging enough, but unextraordinary. Menzel's performance was better than I anticipated, but it was nothing to write home about. 

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 9/10/19 at 10:00am

great call thank you JBroadway

[Pashacar]

Posted: 9/10/19 at 10:56am

Yeah it's the weakest Harmon play so far, by far. Funny and pleasant enough to sit through, but it won't stick with you.

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 9/10/19 at 11:27am

I saw the Geffen production just 2 days ago. Bang-up cast, high-gloss set, very broadway caliber production all around. But bit by bit you realize each of these characters is a nasty piece of work and each of their successive monologues takes more and more patience to sit through. Idina Menzel seems to have decided her character suffers undiagnosed bipolar disorder which made you want to throttle her when she launched into one of her many tirades. It was a treat to see Harry Groener onstage but man, that father figure is one shallow selfish a*hole! The boytoy nailed his character but it’s hard to make an inarticulate guy shine in a room full of hyper-literate know-it-alls surrounding him.

The one exception is Ben, the son of Idina’s character. Though I didn’t believe the guy was really a college kid, every other detail about him rang true. He lived beautifully as a real person with real dilemmas and recognizable human responses to them. So Bravo to him.

For anyone else who’s seen it, please explain to me the beat where the maid translates the inscription on the back of the old photo— was her Hungarian different than the neutral English translation she first offers? And why wouldn’t Ben tell us what she said? Odd dangling questions like this haunted us all the way home.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 9/10/19 at 11:46am

I love Idina, but struggled with this play when it was off-Broadway. Happy for her commitment to new material, but interested to see some reviews when it opens in LA.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 9/10/19 at 1:28pm

I saw this Off Broadway and liked it well enough for the $25 Hiptix I got. It's a very slight, but enjoyable play.

[thewzrdofoz]

Posted: 9/10/19 at 4:58pm

Someone in a Tree2 said: "For anyone else who’s seen it, please explain to me the beat where the maid translates the inscription on the back of the old photo— was her Hungarian different than the neutral English translation she first offers? And why wouldn’t Ben tell us what she said? Odd dangling questions like this haunted us all the way home. "

I saw the production at the Geffen a few days ago and thought it was really good and very funny. I wasn't bored at any point which I think is the worst thing a piece of entertainment can do. If anyone's in the LA area, I recommend going! I sat in a cheap $30 seat at the very side orchestra and could see everything just fine - no need to splurge on this one. 

In regards to your question, I think it was just supposed to be a moving moment for the family to reflect on the hardships their ancestors went through not too far in the past. The reading in English was probably interesting to them, but hearing it in the language it was written in probably made it all the more real for the characters. I think the moment showed that although each member of the family is flawed and quite superficial on the surface (at least Jodi and Ben are), deep down they do have emotion. That's what I took from it, at least, though I did have the same question initially. 

Updated On: 9/10/19 at 04:58 PM

[JoseLee_]

Posted: 9/11/19 at 2:45am

I've seen it twice already here in LA. I love Joshua Harmon plays and obsessed with Idina Menzel. I actually love the play. It's really interesting and makes it hard to be on anyone's side. Idina is giving a great performance. The set is gorgeous too. If we're comparing his plays: Bad Jews #3, Skintight #2, then Significant Others #1. I love all of them.

If you get the chance dont miss out.

At the Geffen 30 minutes before EVERY performance they sell rush tickets for $35 and $15 with student ID. I say line up around 7pm if the show starts at 8 just to be safe. I did rush and sat in a $100 seat for only $15. Another alternative, If you dont wanna wait in line and risk not getting a seat, if you use the app "todaytix" at 9am they sell $20 rush tickets ($25 with the fees), but you need to click the link exactly at 9am because by 9:05am they are already done for the day. FYI, if its sold out on todaytix you can still do the rush line in person. you can see how many seats they have left at geffens website. go at your own risk.

Enjoy the show. Dont miss it.

[LightsOut90]

Posted: 9/11/19 at 3:48am

this is not selling surprisingly well, meanwhile in the blackbox the play with Maura Tierney is pretty much sold out. 

[KConradG]

Posted: 9/14/19 at 4:10am

It's selling well enough to be extended for a week. And let's not forget the Gil Cates is 2.5x the capacity of the other.

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 9/15/19 at 6:12pm

Throughly enjoyed this - anchored by a terrific play and this ensemble who are so tight.

  I had seen Significant Others but hadn't seen Bad Jews - I don't think I was terribly found of SO if I remember correctly 

Idina is really terrific in a role that could have been shrill.   

The show if wickedly funny and each of the major characters ends up with razor sharp monologues.  There is also deep pathos hovering over the play, over each scene - these are truly unhappy hurt people but they are fleshed out brilliantly  

Also Will Brittain is not only a phenomenal actor - in what could have been a by the books performance - he adds nuance, heart and gives a terrific performance - but he's so attractive that its hard to keep your eyes off him. 

If you find yourself in LA, go.

 

[Brooks0214]

Posted: 9/15/19 at 6:24pm

I saw it off broadway last year and LOVED it. I really wish Idina would do more plays she is such a damn good actor. She really should do plays on Broadway she could for sure win a tony and get many nominations if she did play after play I believe. I really am hoping they will publish the play I’ve been dying to read it ever since I saw it.

[WestCoastActor/Director]

Posted: 9/15/19 at 11:58pm

I just purchased a $30 front row side seat. I'm pleased to hear that you can still see everything.

[rg7759]

Posted: 9/27/19 at 11:48am

I'm just saying...

last time we were told not to read into it that her and Kristin Chenoweths albums came out in the same week... and now there's Idina and Kristin news in the same day again. can't not read into it this time.

Im just saying

[veronicamae]

Posted: 9/27/19 at 12:14pm

rg7759 said: "I'm just saying...

last time we were told not to read into it that her and Kristin Chenoweths albums came out in the same week... and now there's Idina and Kristin news in the same day again. can't not read into it this time.

Im just saying"

conspiracy theorist