JACK GOES BOATING (2/28, 8PM)

[AC126748]

Posted: 2/28/07 at 11:14pm

Can it be? The LAByrinth Theater Company, home of dark and brooding plays about dark and brooding people by dark and brooding playwrights, has produced a gentle romantic comedy, and a great one at that? Inconceivable! Bob Glaudini's Jack Goes Boating is not a romantic comedy in the Sleepless in Seattle sense, of course, but its sensibility would seem to be taken from films and plays of that genre. It has moments of dramatic intensity, but at the core of the work, it's heartfelt, sweet-natured and often riotously funny. In the title role, Philip Seymour Hoffman creates a lovable, Marty-esque lug who falls head over heels for an eccentric co-worker of his friend's wife. John Ortiz and Daphne Rubin-Vega offer terrific support as the less-than-perfect married couple Hoffman's Jack pals around with, but this production's real find is Beth Cole as the object of affection. She's pitch-perfect, holding her own and stealing the spotlight from the seasoned pros around her. Some of the dramatic arc needs to be tightened up before the show officially opens, but for a very early preview, it's in great shape.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/28/07 at 11:43pm

Shill!!!!!!!

Nice try, asshat.

[AC126748]

Posted: 2/28/07 at 11:46pm

You've got to be kidding...

[gustof777]

Posted: 2/28/07 at 11:48pm

thanks for the review. glad that you liked it! i can't wait to see it for myself but i love the cast and story seems interesting.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 3/1/07 at 12:40am

i think they didn't look at your past posts and are just being dumb because someone accused them of being shill.

i really wanted to see this show actually. too bad there's way too many plays on Broadway for me to even attempt. seems really different than what i had envisioned though.

[NJRae]

Posted: 3/1/07 at 10:13am

Thanks for the review. I'm seeing it Sunday and can't wait.

I didn't realize a show this small had previews. I don't know why but for whatever reason I thought only the big shows had them. Just plain ignorance I guess! Anyway, I checked the website and didn't see anything about specific dates for previews or when opening night is. Anyone know?

*Oh, almost forgot! Did you do the rush? How was it? Was it crowded? Did you have to get there really early? How many seats did they have/where were they? Lots of questions I know. Sorry!

Updated On: 3/1/07 at 10:13 AM

[AC126748]

Posted: 3/1/07 at 11:00am

The official opening night is March 18, I believe.

As for rush, it's the same as with all shows at the Public: $20 cash, two per person, one hour before curtain. My roommate got there at 5 and was the first person waiting for Jack Goes Boating (there were already a good amount of people waiting for Lear).

I forgot to mention that last night's audience was kinda starry: David Strathairn, Eric Bogosian, Jo Bonney, Stephen Adly Guirgis and James Lapine were all in attendance.

[NJRae]

Posted: 3/1/07 at 11:28am

Thanks for all the info . . . I've never done rush (there or anywhere) but am thinking about trying it. Just hate the idea of having to sit around for two hours in order to be able to get seats. Did your roommate happen to say if it got crowded for Jack? I'm sure it changes day to day but just trying to get an idea of how early I would need to get there.

[StateOfJade]

Posted: 3/1/07 at 4:33pm

I'm glad to hear it's actually good. I was originally going on Sunday but the date got switched. I'm surprised it's so difficult to get tickets...maybe between the small theatre and Hoffman? Who knows.

[NJRae]

Posted: 3/1/07 at 11:14pm

How did the date get switched? Did they oversell?? I was pretty shocked at how fast tickets were selling . . . but as you said it is a tiny theater and a good cast.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 3/1/07 at 11:20pm

i've never heard the phrase asshat used before.

that's new.

and, just to go on teh record AC126748 , I actually do read your blog and respect your opinion even if i do disagree with so many of them

[AC126748]

Posted: 3/1/07 at 11:22pm

Aw, you're sweet.

[StateOfJade]

Posted: 3/6/07 at 8:05pm

Nah actually there was a slight miscommunication with the ticket sales. So I got (slightly) better seats for a different day. Not gonna lie, I'm seeing the play for Daphne.