Is anyone seeing VERA STARK tonight?

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/6/11 at 3:20pm

Post your thoughts here!

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/149543-A-Hollywood-Story-Lynn-Nottages-By-the-Way-Meet-Vera-Stark-Begins-NYC-World-Premiere Updated On: 4/6/11 at 03:20 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/6/11 at 3:34pm

I see it in two weeks. It is has been the number one show on my list to see. I hope it is good. I am dying to see Sanaa Lathan again.

[pc1145N2]

Posted: 4/6/11 at 4:31pm

I'm seeing this in 3 weeks. I'm every excited about the potential of this show. I'm very curious to see what people think of the show.
Updated On: 4/6/11 at 04:31 PM

[jbm2]

Posted: 4/6/11 at 6:21pm

I go in two weeks..
cant wait to hear what people think....

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 4/6/11 at 9:07pm

I'm very curious to hear about this one as well. If it's good, I just may skip over the handful of other Broadway plays on my list and see this.

Though, just out of curiosity, isn't the whole point of Second Stage to be a venue for productions that have already played somewhere else? It looked like this play was premiering there...

[jbm2]

Posted: 4/6/11 at 11:34pm

anyone see this tonight??
anyone?

[thismyshow]

Posted: 4/6/11 at 11:37pm

@bwayfan7000 um no the point of 2nd stage is to be the home of the premiere production of new american works....

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 4/6/11 at 11:40pm

On the Wikipedia page for Second Stage, it says something about it being originally founded as a place for second stagings of plays that failed the first time for one reason or another, but isn't that way today. I must've read part of that at some point and then developed that misconception. Apologies.

In any case, I am really hoping we get reports on this soon.

[sskeats2]

Posted: 4/6/11 at 11:54pm

Saw it this evening. Very funny. Memorable, unique take on the period and a very surprising second act. Cast is quite fine with memorable steals by most everyone at different points in the play.

Needs a little timing tune-up. But is certain to get there in less than a week. Very good direction by Jo Bonney.

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/6/11 at 11:57pm

So glad to hear this. Especially with the not so good word of mout for two of the next shows I am seeing. How was Sanaa Lathan?

[sskeats2]

Posted: 4/7/11 at 12:02am

Sanaa is of course, quite beautiful. But more than that, extremely funny especially in the second acr.

There is a film in the play and it's riotous. Kimberly Herbert is an actress I've never seen before but she's hilarious.

I plan to see this play again a little further down the road.
Updated On: 4/7/11 at 12:02 AM

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 4/7/11 at 12:05am

I'm really glad to hear it's funny! This might be just the ticket for me when I'm in the city in a few weeks...love comedies.

What other shows are you seeing soon, uncageg?

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 4/7/11 at 12:05am

uncage, I really enjoyed her. After missing out on seeing her in "A Raisin in the Sun" it was great finally seeing her onstage.
Updated On: 4/7/11 at 12:05 AM

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/7/11 at 12:07am

How was Karen Olivo?

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 4/7/11 at 12:08am

LOVED her..she's great

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 4/7/11 at 12:09am

What did you think of the play as a whole, Blockhead?

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/7/11 at 12:12am

Blockhead, I did get to see her, second row center, in "A Raisin in the Sun" and she just blew me away. I really think she deserved that Tony Award. I just can't wait to see this. I don't stagedoor but I might have to for this. She is one of my favorite actresses, especially after "A Raisin..."

bwayfan, I see "The People in the Picture" next week and "House of Blue Leaves" the following week. I see "Sister Act" before those and I am hearing that is fun and I see Stark 3 days after "...Leaves".

[sskeats2]

Posted: 4/7/11 at 12:14am

Karen Olivo moves like the dancer she is, but whatdyaknow, also a comedienne. And quite the surprise in that second act.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 4/7/11 at 12:16am

I would potentially be seeing Sister Act and the play I see (as well as probably How to Succeed...) in one clump, so I wanted the play I see to be something high-energy and something well-written. Sounds like Vera is exactly what I'm looking for. But I do worry about passing up something like Born Yesterday (though I generally prefer new plays)

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/7/11 at 12:38am

I saw "Born Yesterday" last night. I posted my thoughts in the thread about the show. I smell a Tony nomination for Nina Arianda.

[littlepaperstars]

Posted: 4/7/11 at 4:23am

Saw it last night and loved it. The second act was a bit redundant/long but I think that will improve with time. SJB and Karen Olivo are fantastic in their parts. SJB has great comedic timing, which I didn't expect because I had my doubts about her comedy chops from previous roles. Olivo's character was really unexpected for her and she nailed it.

Also for anyone curious, my TDF seat was row L on the left (not that there's really a bad seat in 2nd stage).

[sskeats2]

Posted: 4/7/11 at 9:23am

@littlepaperstars: You were lucky. My TDF tickets were in row O against the far right wall. Other friends had theirs, in that poorly situated side balcony of 2nd Stage. Hate sitting there.

It hasn't show on TDF since that weekend before last for a couple of days. And only for first week of preview. Some pals have been watching for it without luck. But who knows.

[Eos]

Posted: 4/7/11 at 10:31am

Glad to hear everyone's thoughts. Also glad to hear SJB was funny -- I love her, and I'm glad she's getting an opportunity to show off her comedic side. I'm really annoyed this is supposed to close before I get up there, though. Boo!!!

[sskeats2]

Posted: 4/7/11 at 10:39am

Might extend if the reviews are good. Next play won't be coming in to the end of June.

[Popular]

Posted: 4/7/11 at 12:59pm

EOS- it's scheduled to close before I can get there too. It's possible they could extend through June 12th - let's hope that ends up being the case. Happy to read all the reviews so far =)