John @ Signature Theatre Co.

Slight Spoilers?

I just got back from seeing John, the new play by Annie Baker at Signature. It started at 7:30pm and we go out around 10:30pm. 2 intermissions.

I haven't seen the Flick, so I can't speak to the similarities, but it starts out with an extended silence as we watch the Bread and Breakfast owner set up the place - she also acts as the master of ceremonies in a way - then a couple arrives. And they go upstairs, leaving us to listen to their conversation through the set, basically. It's muffled and goes on for awhile, and then there's silence again.

There isn't much of a plot per say, it's more of a character study of this couple working their problems. There is lots of talk about "people watching over you" and spirits and ghosts, etc.

After I sort into Baker's style, I felt like the play really flew by. I don't quite get why there were so many pauses between lines. I don't think the actors were really "playing" the pauses. It just felt like they'd stand there, blank faced, and stare. Wait a second. And then say something. The first half felt very jolted, but the second and third acts were beautifully written.

The two older ladies - I don't have my Playbill - were incredible. They really carried the show. There's a little something before the last Act happens, that's pretty interesting.

Gold directed it well. He has some nice touches, but overall it's pretty straight-forward.

I'm just not sure I totally grasp the concept. There's a lot of spiritual talk and whatnot, but none of it plays out, at all. There is no pay off for that. Which is maybe the point? Overall it wasn't totally satisfying, but interesting, and the performances made up for any lackluster.

Also, the curtain was seated? Kind of interesting choice.

I saw John last night and .... meh. The 1st act had lots of slow movement (which I understand was a la the Flick) and I didn't love that, but I was with her. The 2nd act has more action and I was still there, but wondering where is this going? But the 3rd act was the kitchen sink and then some. It's like she didn't know how to wrap it up so she just included every bit of stuff she could think of hoping it would gel. It's an early preview and I don't know if some of that stuff will get dropped... my friend thought not, once you're up with an audience you're solid. IMHO it felt like she had an idea and rushed it to the stage.. some aging might have helped her find what she was really after. But I don't think hot playwrights are afforded that luxury anymore.

Iluvetheater... I think you and I are saying the same thing but differently. I'm sure when you're hot there's pressure to collect all the cherries while they're being offered.... the next hot playwright is just around the corner. I remember in the movie Shakespeare in Love the phrase "penny a page vagabond" being thrown at Will... and I don't think the play writing profession has changed all that much since (Shakepeare's time that is, not the movie).

I haven't seen this yet, but I have to say I felt like The Flick really suffered for all the long, drawn-out pauses. Aliens was natural without that affect, and much more enjoyable.

I actually ushered for a performance of Flick where Baker and Gold answered questions afterwards, and it was not the greatest experience--between the theatergoers who were upset at the length of the piece, and Baker's and Gold's firm attitude that those viewers were all wrong and that it elevated the play, period.

As much as I love Engel and Smith, this thread is not making me want to see John!

Seeing it tonight. Though judging from the posts in this thread, I may not be staying for all of it.

I think there is a wonderful playwright in Baker. I so enjoy READING her plays. But seeing them is a different story. They are weighed down by unnecessary and ludicrous pauses. From what I understand, she actually demands a certain amount of time for each pause. Though I'm not quite sure if that's true or not.

I'm going tonight because I'm intrigued by Engel and Smith's casting. But a thin plot for 3 hours sounds awfully disappointing.

I was lucky enough to be on an aisle seat tonight and walked out halfway through the second act. Engel was charming in the first, but I only stayed in hopes Lois Smith might pick up the action. Then they went and stuck one of our finest actresses in a pair of sunglasses. I understand her character is blind, but to lose out on those piercing, soulful eyes?

The pauses are insufferable. At least 15 minutes of the first act is spent in silence, and a good 5 minutes of stage activity happens offstage and is barely audible (on purpose) I assume. The set is lovely, but by no means ENTERTAINING enough for 10 minutes of inaction.

I think there is a magnificent playwright in Annie Baker. On paper, I think her plays are gorgeous. On stage, they're insufferable. I don't understand her fascination with the silences. Perhaps it's just not my thing. And that's okay too. Some may LOVE it. More power to 'em.

Sounds rough. Sad to hear Annie Baker finally went off the deep end, though it seems the flick might have been that way too onstage (it reads excellently).

Fantod, Annie Baker has not "finally" gone off "the deep end," whatever that means. You shouldn't make statements based on the comments of one poster with a well-known bias against this playwright (and who hasn't enjoyed an original play since The Green Pastures) and one poster who states in his post that he doesn't enjoy watching Baker's plays performed. I saw the show over the weekend and was so taken with it that I immediately bought tickets to see it again. My thoughts (originally posted on ATC) here:

I caught the matinee of Annie Baker's John, a world premiere and the first play of her residency at Signature Theatre Company. It's also her first new play -- if I'm not mistaken -- since her Pultizer Prize-winning The Flick, and I imagine the response to this one might be even more divisive.

The plot -- what plot there is -- is fairly simple. A young couple (played by Christopher Abbott and Hong Chau) check into a bed and breakfast run by a sweet old lady (Georgia Engel). Gradually, we learn that the couple is struggling to keep their relationship together. The innkeeper -- Mertis Katherine, or Kitty -- flits around, offering cookies, tea, and ethereal commentary. There is also a fourth character -- played by Lois Smith -- who doesn't make her entrance until the second act, but who is very important to the overall piece. However, I don't want to say more, to keep my spoilers at a minimum.

The trademarks of Annie Baker's work that enthrall some and infuriate others are all here. There are long silences. There is a fair amount of dialogue that takes place off-stage, so the audience can only partially hear/comprehend it. There are stretches of non-sequiturial dialogue. While the audience responded warmly at the curtain call yesterday, there were many walk-outs at the first and second intermission.

Personally, I loved the experience -- and it proved, yet again, the Lois Smith is pretty much peerless. From the moment she makes her entrance, she commands the stage, even when she is completely silent. Even when she's not the focus. And Annie Baker has written some particularly juicy monologues for her, which she absolutely relishes.

Georgia Engel is also wonderful. The two younger actors are very good, but they didn't seem completely settled into their roles yet. I think they will both get there.

Yesterday's running time was 3 hours and 5 minutes.

AC, I wasn't responding to eight, I was responding to all the posters who said that the pauses didn't work for this play. I've read all of her work and I will read this play (if it extends long enough I might even see it), but it sounded like the pauses crossed the line from naturalism and into indulgence. I'm really glad to hear you liked it, and I'm glad it isn't all bad news.

That part of my comment was a reference to Fantod's remarks, not yours, iluv.

I'm curious to know what you'd consider the "plot" to be? No being rude, just curious since you said the plot picked up in Act 2.

And really the actual silences didn't bother me. It was the pausing between lines that grew tiresome for me. The actual moments of silence and stillness were totally welcome.

Theatergoer: Thanks for taking time to share your insight and opinion. I'm seeing this in two weeks and, as a fan of both The Flick and 10 Out of 12, I was happy to read your take on this.

I bought the ticket more out of curiosity to see Georgia Engel and Lois Smith. But thanks to you, I'm also very, very excited!