Kathleen Turner, Albee's new Martha- Page 2

[Auggie27]

Posted: 6/11/04 at 5:10pm

I'm in the minority, but though I think Turner stands to score, if she works hard, I'd hoped Mercedes Ruhl might have the NY shot. She did it at the Guthrie, and many thought her work exquisite. She has the humor and grit. But I love most of the ideas here, especially S. Channing. I saw the Pryce reading with formidable Uta (marred only by a ludicrous Matthew Broderick as Nick), and he was remarkable. In LA also saw Lithgow and Glenda Jackson (very Noel Coward/Private Lives-ish Martha), and he was quite strong. Total speculation on my part: I sense that Albee like his George less spot-on as savvy academic, since Pryce was something of a powerhouse. The Irwin direction takes George to a more bewildered/beleagured direction, no?

A while back, we had a discussion at this board about Namo's salient points re the play's dated 'hip' dialogue. I also think all the science department stuff for Nick must sound corny in the era of cloning and stem-cell research. But if the show is set in the 60s, with era-specific clothes, etc -- could it look equally corny?

Updated On: 6/11/04 at 05:10 PM

[Ruffian]

Posted: 6/11/04 at 5:13pm

I was hoping Turner would be cast. I agree that she phoned it in for THE GRADUATE (Gawd I disliked that show),,,but I did enjoy her Maggie

Count me as disappointed over Pryce not being cast. I admire Irwin....but absolute mad for JP

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/11/04 at 8:31pm

Al;though Kathleen Turner may turn out to be a fine Martha, why hasn't anyone thought of Patti LuPone in this role? She'd be electrifying!