JERUSALEM Reviews

Jez Butterworth’s award-winning smash hit arrives on Broadway, opening tonight 4/21, following record-breaking sold-out runs at London’s Royal Court Theatre and in the West End.

According to production notes, "On the morning of the local county fair, Johnny Byron is a wanted man. Local officials want to serve him an eviction notice, his son wants his full attention, and his motley crew of friends wants his ample supply of booze…"

Best to all involved!

Welcome back to NY, Mr. Rylance!

Yeah, I think they're going to get the overenthusiastic reviews that they got in London. I haven't seen it yet so I can't judge, but we'll see.

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I really don't know exactly what it was, but I thought it was glorious. The writing, though the audience doesn't know exactly what's going on in general, is very crisp in regards to specific moments, and Rylance's performance amps things up to a high level. The end of the show makes the entire thing worthwhile. I hope it gets very good reviews.

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I agree with you, Kad. For some reason, I don't expect they'll be as rapturous, but it's not going to be ENRON 2, either.

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I'll be there tonight. Can't wait!

amNY -- very early and positive, 3/4 stars

http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/theater-review-jerusalem-1.2831529

"While the three-hour drama occasionally lags, it provides a fully fledged portrait of Rooster as a modern-day Falstaff. Rylance gives a mesmerizing, thoroughly transformative performance that will leave theatergoers in awe of his spectacular physical and vocal abilities."

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We can ignore him. He's 3/4 snob.

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Brantley's full review was leaked.

http://www.newsok.com/bc-jerusalem-theater-review-art-nyt/article/feed/252206

Updated On: 4/21/11 at 08:02 PM

It's a weird, lengthy, ambitious, ambiguous play that's going to alienate a lot of people, and I'm not surprised that it's been so divisive. But I'm very pleased Brantley gave this tough commercial sell the review it needed to have a chance of success. Thoroughly deserved, in my opinion.

I'm not saying anything original, but look what a great season that it's been for actors (and my apologies to any that momentarily slipped my mind):

1. Rylance in La Bete;
2. Pacino in Merchant;
3. Cannavale in Mother;
4. Williams in Bengal Tiger;
5. Bedford in Importance;
6. Cruddup in Arcadia;
7. Rylance in Jerusalem;
8. Mantello in Normal Heart!

In over 55 years of attending the NYC theatre on a regular basis, I've rarely encountered that many great performances in one season. Any of these performances are Tony-worthy and would have won hands down in some of our more lackluster seasons (and I've been through my share of them, too). THIS is what great theatre is all about and THIS is the reason we hang on and keep going. I feel truly blessed that I have had the good fortune to see this. Again, sorry about oversights.

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Updated On: 4/21/11 at 09:52 PM

What are the Tony rules about an actor being nominated for two different performances in the same category? Can Rylance be nominated for both La Bete and Jerusalem or will they Kate Winslet him?

the shortlist:

BEST PERFORMANCE OF A LEADING ACTOR IN A PLAY
Brian Bedford, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
Bobby Cannavale, THE MOTHERF**KER WITH THE HAT
Tate Donovan, GOOD PEOPLE
Raul Esparza, ARCADIA
James Earl Jones, DRIVING MISS DAISY
Dan Lauria, LOMBARDI
John Leguizamo, GHETTO KLOWN
Joe Mantello, THE NORMAL HEART
Al Pacino, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
David Hyde Pierce, LA BETE
Paul Reubens, THE PEE-WEE HERMAN SHOW
Mark Rylance, JERUSALEM
Patrick Stewart, A LIFE IN THE THEATRE
Robin Williams, BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO

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Not surprised, but nonetheless thrilled at these reviews. Well deserved.