Is The Bacchae worth going to?

[winston89]

Posted: 8/26/09 at 2:24pm

I just got an email saying that I won two tickets for tonight's performance. The question that I am wondering is this, I know that this show got mixed to negative reviews but is it something that is worth going to? Or is it one of those things that is so unbearably bad that regardless of the fact that it is free, it isn't worth it?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/26/09 at 2:27pm

I'm inclined to say that for you, no, it's not. It's not unbearably bad. It's problematic. It's free. I'll see almost anything for free, I'm not one of those "Well I'll never see those two hour again" people. I think it's important to see these plays staged when the opportunity is there, so I say if you can go without walking in with a negative outlook and try to be open, you might as well go.

[winston89]

Posted: 8/26/09 at 2:32pm

It's not that I would be walking into the theatre with a negative attitude, it is just that I am aware that some plays despite the fact that they cost free or next to nothing are just not worth going to. I am aware that this production has flaws but what I am trying to gather are opinions on if the show is worth going to despite the flaws or is it just that bad that it will feel like a waste of time.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/26/09 at 2:35pm

I'll put it this way: there are worse things you could do with your time.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/26/09 at 2:43pm

Though the reviews have been less than positive, why not? Go and form your own opinion instead of relying on the negative reviews of others. You might actually like it. And as Emcee mentioned, there are probably worse things you could do with your time.

Not to mention the tickets are free and will be difficult to come by again.

Updated On: 8/26/09 at 02:43 PM

[CAX]

Posted: 8/26/09 at 2:52pm

I've not hidden the fact that I thought it was a trainwreck, but I think if you have nothing else to do and are a theatergoer, why not? I waited 4 hours in line for my spot, and was less than thrilled, but it doesn't mean you might not like it. It IS live theatre... every night yields the possibility of something great happening.

Posted: 8/26/09 at 2:53pm

If you're a big fan of Jonathan Groff, it is worth it. Otherwise, no.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/26/09 at 3:03pm

^ I wouldn't go that far. The average Groff fangirl would NOT appreciate any aspect of this piece. (And I do consider myself a fan of his.)

I didn't have to wait in line for tix and, while I didn't love it or even like it a lot, it was "worth" it. It's classic greek theater. I did NOT walk away feeling like I wasted my evening, at all.

[claudioislove]

Posted: 8/26/09 at 4:38pm

I DID wait on line for four hours, and yeah, I didn't hate it or love it, but it's definitely worth it, even if just for the reason that Greek tragedies are so rarely produced.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/26/09 at 4:44pm

I thought it was fantastic. The majority of the reviews and the people here seem to find it mixed to negative to horrid.

I say go and form your own opinion. It's clearly causing people to have reactions.

[jansal]

Posted: 8/26/09 at 5:01pm

It's pretty easy to spot who's only there for Jonathan Groff, having seen him in HAIR/Spring Awakening. The reaction is pretty hilarious...this show ain't no pop musical.

I think you can a lot more with your time, like trying to build a tower out of oreos or clipping your toenails.

[CAX]

Posted: 8/26/09 at 6:04pm

I agree, Jansal...

It occurred to me as I thought back over the responses I have read in the past few weeks and you're right... there are clearly some Groffphiles out there. As I have said, I have neither seen his work in Hair/ Spring Awakening nor heard of the man before seeing BACCHAE but from what I saw of his work in this production, a classical actor he is not.

Is that a bad thing? Absolutely not. There will always be musicals in NYC, so perhaps I will see him in one some day and be utterly blown away, but to see a role like, one actors train for years just to be able to take a STAB at, butchered the way he, imo, butchered it was a disgrace.

Maybe it's an old fashioned ideal (and I'm not even that old) but in my opinion, talent and training should come before looks. If you have all of them and can serve a piece, God bless you.

What's interesting about this show is that the people who are getting praise for their performances, even in this production's shipwrecked shape, are the people with the "chops" to communicate the stakes/style/meat of the piece and actually AFFECT the audience.

So, maybe, just maybe, the original poster of the question SHOULD see the production to catch a glimpse of what the play COULD have been with more work like that or Rocco Sisto (?)

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 8/26/09 at 7:53pm

I'd probably be disappointed if the infamous Three Racoons didn't put in an appearance.

[jansal]

Posted: 8/26/09 at 9:58pm

I don't really have a problem with Jonathan. I don't think he will ever be considered one of the 'greats,' and while his acting is a bit off, I think he has a lot of strategies that work for him. Like, how would you describe it...bear with me here...there are certain inflections in his speaking, which isn't necessarily good acting, but it SOUNDS pleasant. I've seen him in 4 shows now and I've noticed it's kind of a crutch. He's not a dramatic actor (for anyone that's ever seen his 'crying'...no no no), but he is charming, genuine, and likeable.

I think it's the 'veterans' in this show that are actually the weakest parts of the show. Jonathan Groff has only done 1 broadway show, and a couple of off-broadway performances, yet I think I think he is one of the stronger parts of the show. He is a genuine enough actor to make me hope that his upcoming film debut will only lead to more success for him.

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 8/26/09 at 9:59pm

Since the reviews came out, what time is good to get in the standby line?

[Scott Briefer]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 2:47am

Everyone is getting in. Get there and you will get in. Unfortunately, the reviews were pretty accurate. At best, it's okay.