Jordan Sees PRIVATE LIVES

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 9:33am

I only have a minute before I have to run out but I wanted to write quickly to say Thank You to the theater Gods for bringing this production to us. I know now you've been testing me with shows like VENUS IN FUR, SEMINAR, MAN & BOY and RELATIVELY SPEAKING and now you've rewarded me with this most glorious revival.

To say that Kim Cattrall is simply divine on stage, is such a gross understatement. Thinking back on her last night (and right now) all it does is bring a huge smile to my face. These long years of waiting to see her live were worth it and I pray she won't stay away for another 25 years.

Paul Gross, who I was fairly unfamiliar with, is quite swoon-worthy as Elyot and is hilarious all around. His chemistry with Cattrall is perfection as is the rest of the cast, the set, the lighting, the direction, everything..

Oh and a side note, I was sitting next to the director yesterday taking notes (are you ready for this?!?!) WITH A PEN AND A PAD OF PAPER!!! It IS still possible to work and not annoy your audience!

[Q]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 9:36am

Jordan - you should watch the three 6-episode series SLINGS & ARROWS, if you liked Mr. Gross.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 10:49am

Yes, you should watch that, Jordan

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 10:53am

I was also at the theatre last night and saw the director...I agree about Kim, she is one of the few actresses(along Joan Collins)who are perfect for the role of Amanda.
The play was a bit long for my taste, but enjoyable nevertheless. Cattrall was outstanding.

For the ones who wonder if the show has lotto tickets or student rush and are not able to go to theatre to ask, there are none. The woman at the box office said that the play won't have student rush once it opens either. But of course she is not to be trusted, but there is no rush as of now.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 11:16am

Yes! Watch Slings & Arrows! It's so good! It was on Netflix but alas, it's not anymore.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 12:13pm

So it sounds like I should bump this higher on my list of shows to see? I was trying to decide between this and The Mountaintop. Glad to hear you liked it, Jordan!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 12:19pm

I'll check that show out. Thanks, guys!

And I was talking to the woman at the box office (who is always one of the nicest people at any theater) and she told me they're thinking this is going to be a BIG hit, the way it's selling so far and tat they're all pretty excited about that. So I'd bump it high on your list if I were you.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 3:28pm

Wow. I did not expect to see this from your usual glorious snarkiness.

I have now put this on my Absolutely Will See list.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 8:57pm

I'm not always snarky!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 9:00pm

But you are, Blanche, you ARE in that snarky chair.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 9:04pm

Feed the birds, and what do you get? FAT BIRDS!

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 9:07pm

Seeing this a week from today and now that I've read this I officially can't wait!

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 9:23pm

Great to hear how much you enjoyed these two Canadians. (When the production was on in Toronto, Kim gave a charming radio interview where she revealed why she would never be an American citizen--which was more an amusing story than anything else--and also that basically all of her film and tv work was done so she could afford to persue her number one passion, stage work). I echo all your thoughts, and it sounds like nothing really has changed since Toronto.

I'm surprised you don't know Paul Gross at least from Tales of the City (the first series only). He's one of those Canadian actors you constantly see up here (I used to date a guy who would stalk him every time he was in town filming something, but that's another story), and yes, Slings and Arrows is a must watch, one of the too few truly great Canadian TV shows.

[canmark]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 10:00pm

Paul Gross has been also in a number of Canadian films, and I would recommend Wilby Wonderful (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0383717/). A delightful film, it features a host of terrific Canadian actors, some of whom would subsequently become known in the US (Sandra Oh, Ellen Page).

But Kim Cattrell was the shining light of Private Lives (which I saw in Toronto).

Updated On: 11/10/11 at 10:00 PM

[GatorNY]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 10:25pm

You just inspired me to get a ticket for next Wednesday's matinee. Thanks for the heads up.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 10:25pm

What's the production like? Isn't it just on balconies, or no?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 10:27pm

You'll love it, Gator!

Ripped, Act 1 is on the balcony and acts 2 & 3 are inside of a hotel room.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 10:34pm

I actually found the setting for the second two acts a bit strange--nothing overly distracting though.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 11:48pm

I think the poster/marquee is beautiful! Such a sexy pose. I wish I could see this.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 11/11/11 at 12:31pm

"Kim gave a charming radio interview where she revealed why she would never be an American citizen"

Hands off, Eric - she's ours! She can still do a pure Liverpool accent and when I saw her there last year in Anthony and Cleopatra she was riveting.

Kim seems to be managing her career as Diana Rigg did: achieving fame through TV roles that capitalised on her femininity and then going for all the serious heavyweight acting stuff in middle age - Whose Life is it Anyway, Private Lives, Anthony and Cleopatra and getting extremely good notices in them all.

[AC126748]

Posted: 11/11/11 at 12:40pm

Strictly speaking, she's both of yours--she had dual citizenship.

[pat_NYborn]

Posted: 11/11/11 at 1:17pm

So excited to hear this!! especially how alot of the new shows this season havent exactly gotten the most steller reviews on here or in the papers!!!

Definatly a show I will see even without a rush!!

Jordan did u buy online or you do TKTS?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/11/11 at 2:10pm

At the box office.

[tommyboy]

Posted: 11/11/11 at 2:36pm

There is a terrific episode of FRASIER that spoofs Act 1. It's where Lilith shows up at the same terrace style adjacent resort room.

[Plum]

Posted: 11/11/11 at 5:50pm

Just adding to the chorus of people recommending the divine Slings & Arrows. Seriously. Watch it. And thank you for the warning about how Private Lives selling, Jordan. I'll just have to go in and see it on Tuesday. :)