Laurie Metcalf and Rupert Everett in WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?- Page 3

[carnzee]

Posted: 9/11/19 at 8:40pm

I kind of wish he had written that play- a young black professor in an interracial relationship meet an older white couple- but he didn't. Maybe someone else should.

And yes to all of your points about the casting of gay men in these roles.

[David10086]

Posted: 9/11/19 at 8:49pm

bdn223 said: "Stephen75 said: "I imagine they are going for a queer-themed production of this show, between the casting and the artwork. It seems very pointed. Not to imply that Izzard or Everett aren't good enough for it, but it does seem like their is a very specific vision for this production/the dynamic of George and Martha."

I agree in the casting of Izzard, Everrett and Tovey, but isn't there a bigger gay/queer name to play George. Cough*Nathan Lane* Cough Cough.... Or Dennis O'Hare, David Hyde Pierce, or even Joe Mantello himself. Honestly at this point, I'm more instrested in seeing Tovey then I am Everett, which is an issue."

They could go with Rosie O'Donnell to play George, and really think out of the box. 

[carnzee]

Posted: 9/11/19 at 8:57pm

David Hyde Pierce or Lane would be unusual/interesting choices.
But why do you think the artwork is queer? Because the house is "flaming"?

[Stephen75]

Posted: 9/11/19 at 10:01pm

I never even thought of that! No, the artist is a very famous queer artist, David Wojnarowicz.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 9/11/19 at 10:16pm

Everett makes this far less interesting for me. I don't think he's a particularly good actor. I think he did well as Wilde because he's a bit of a misanthrope himself. His plastic surgeries make him look unnatural to me. I've never found him able to convey the level of intensity that would be necessary for Woolf. To me, he was a pretty boy actor who peaked in the 90s with some skill at comedy and period pieces. Not much more. His books were pretty good. I did enjoy those. 

His misogynistic comments about women also make me cringe. He acts like they are Barbies and does not like when women offend his fashion sensibilities. He's an odd bird. 

[LightsOut90]

Posted: 9/11/19 at 11:01pm

BORRRRRING

[JBroadway]

Posted: 9/11/19 at 11:42pm

I would have LOVED to see Joe Mantello jump in and play the role himself. I think his George would likely be more interesting than his direction will be.

Updated On: 9/12/19 at 11:42 PM

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 9/11/19 at 11:48pm

Bettyboy72 said: "Everett makes this far less interesting for me. I don't think he's a particularly good actor. I think he did well as Wilde because he's a bit of a misanthrope himself. His plastic surgeries make him look unnatural to me. I've never found him able to convey the level of intensity that would be necessary for Woolf. To me, he was a pretty boy actor who peaked in the 90s with some skill at comedy and period pieces. Not much more. His books were pretty good. I did enjoy those.

His misogynistic comments about women also make me cringe. He acts like they are Barbies and does not like when women offend his fashion sensibilities. He's an odd bird."

 

Such a vitriolic post.

 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/11/19 at 11:55pm

It’s an opinion and (sorry to break it to you), people are allowed to have them.

[girlcop]

Posted: 9/11/19 at 11:56pm

Disappointed Izzard dropped out of this. I was really looking forward to his interpretation of George. Not surprised by it though....a couple months back he was on Colbert talking about standing for Parliament next year and he seemed serious about it. I was wondering how that was going to work out with the play.  

 

 

 

 

 

[SweetLips22]

Posted: 9/12/19 at 3:09am

DramaTeach said: "I gotta say that Rupert Everett, who has very famously expressed his regrets over comingout because it ruined his career, working with Russell Tovey, a young actor who has played many interesting gay characters and is open about his own sexuality, has me wondering what that dynamic will be like."

I feel Rupert Everett is a gay type naturally and was quite gay pretty in his youth. Maybe when he came out the time was not right because today, gay is OK.

Russell Tovey has a totally different look that can swing in any direction and is convincing which ever way he falls and his ears just make him look sexier.

The dynamics of the two of them reacting with words and looks should make a very interesting performance. I for one would be very conscious of all the gaydom up there.

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 9/12/19 at 9:55am

girlcop said: "Disappointed Izzard dropped out of this. I was really looking forward to his interpretation of George. Not surprised by it though....a couple monthsback he was on Colbert talking about standing for Parliament next year and he seemed serious about it. I was wondering how that was going to work out with the play."

 

He mentioned Parliament in his Southern California show.  As an aside, one of the stories he told involved the word "magnum".  A heckler in the balcony challenged his knowledge of the word.  Izzard stepped to the front of the stage, engaged in a brief back-and-forth with the man, and then very firmly (but politely) put the guy in his place (to audience applause).  I don't think Izzard will have any problem at all holding his own in Parliament.

 

[broadway86]

Posted: 9/12/19 at 10:33am

Nuts. Was really looking forward to what Izzard could've brought to the table.

[BenjaminNicholas2]

Posted: 9/12/19 at 12:33pm

Bettyboy72 said: "Everett makes this far less interesting for me. I don't think he's a particularly good actor. I think he did well as Wilde because he's a bit of a misanthrope himself. His plastic surgeries make him look unnatural to me. I've never found him able to convey the level of intensity that would be necessary for Woolf. To me, he was a pretty boy actor who peaked in the 90s with some skill at comedy and period pieces. Not much more. His books were pretty good. I did enjoy those.

His misogynistic comments about women also make me cringe. He acts like they are Barbies and does not like when women offend his fashion sensibilities. He's an odd bird."

 

Agreed.  RE is not a worthwhile replacement.  It felt like a rushed decision.

Now, instead of a true clash of titans, it's going to be Metcalf's Martha solo.  I can't see RE matching her in acting or interpretation skill.  She's going to overpower and overshadow him.

[ariel175]

Posted: 9/12/19 at 3:44pm

Wow, my mom LOVES Rupert Everett so looks we're seeing this.  It would also be amazing to finally see Laurie Metcalf on stage especially in a role like Martha.  Time to save up for two shows, this and The Music Man.  

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 9/12/19 at 5:21pm

This trailer for Rupert Everett's film "The Happy Prince" illustrates well that this man knows his craft.  His performance was nothing less than stunning.  He will be the perfect "George".  With the possible exception of Eddie Izzard, I can think of no one I would rather see take the stage with Laurie Metcalf.  I will count myself more than lucky to be in the audience for this exciting production.

 

   

[PepperedShepherd]

Posted: 9/13/19 at 12:31am

Am I the only one who finds Rupert as George -- and Russell as Nick -- to be far more interesting prospects than Laurie as Martha?

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 9/13/19 at 11:21am

PepperedShepherd said: "Am I the only one who finds Rupert as George -- and Russell as Nick -- to be far more interesting prospects than Laurie as Martha?"

I definitely think Mantello wants to have a queer bent to this production with George being attracted to Nick, maybe even a mutual attraction. Correct me if I'm wrong, I know the estate can nix castings in top-level productions but as long as Mantello doesn't change a word of the script they're allowed to do whatever they'd like with direction. I've heard of writers hating certain productions because of things like this but not having control to stop it. But I also think I've heard about Sondheim stopping productions where Bobby is clearly played as a gay man and Martin Charnin shutting down a production of Annie that ended with Annie waking up in the orphanage. 

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 9/13/19 at 4:21pm

I think it would be wrong to have a homosexual/gay bent to George and Nick. Why not a lesbian bent to Martha and Honey then? May as well just change the whole play then. Because this play is about George and Martha and a marriage gone awry, with Nick and Honey unwittingly realizing they are them too.

I guess I am being a purist because this is my absolute favorite play. I can't get Tracy Letts out of my mind. To me, he was the definitive George, and I've seen my share of them. No additional sexual undertones were necessary. Just great acting of a great script. We'll see how the die is cast.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 9/13/19 at 7:08pm

^
Yes to all of this.

I saw the last two Broadway revivals, I own the movie, and I played Nick back when I was young and cute. I know this play very well. It is perfect (and Letts’ George was indeed definitive), and should not be messed with.

It’s like Hamlet - you don’t need some out of the box “concept” to make it work. It’s already great. Just say the words, “play the action of the line,” etc. With a play like WAOVW, it is the job of the actors and the director to simply not screw it up. It will be “new” simply because it is new people doing it. That is enough.

[AnnieBlack]

Posted: 9/13/19 at 7:09pm

Per telecharge, it’s going to be at the Booth https://mtc.telecharge.com/mobile/eventoverview.aspx?productId=12976&CityId=20&CityName=NY%2520City%2520Area&BID=0

[Impossible2]

Posted: 9/13/19 at 8:12pm

Isn't the whole point of the play that George and Martha are a pair of psychopaths who get their kicks by inviting people over and destroying them? They get their kicks gaslighting, manipulating and torturing people  for the evening.

I find it highly believable that either of them would shag either sex as psychopaths don't usually have a sexuality. They will shag whoever gives them attention x

[Stephen75]

Posted: 9/13/19 at 8:24pm

I don't think there will be any literal or drastic changes, I just think there will be some kind of queer energy/bent to the production. Actors, - great actors, can play energy or a certain "vibe" to a character without making any significant changes to the script or blocking. Perhaps there will be a queer undertone to how Rupert/and or Tovey play it. Or perhaps Mantello wanted to see two queer actors take on very "straight" roles and see how it colors the show. I also wonder if something will be up with Martha. It's interesting how Metcalf is the only American in the cast. Maybe playing into the idea of Martha as some kind of outsider? 

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 9/14/19 at 8:07am

Impossible2 said: "Isn't the whole point of the play that George and Martha are a pair of psychopaths who get their kicks by inviting people over and destroying them? They get their kicksgaslighting, manipulating and torturing people for the evening.

I find it highly believable that either of them would shag either sex as psychopaths don't usually have a sexuality. They will shag whoever gives them attention x"

Hi, have you seen the play? That's not an accurate description. I don't want to put in spoilers. Martha invites the guests, George does not want them. Martha is so nasty to George that he breaks down and returns the favor to her and the guests, who happen to be in the way. That too is way too simplistic. George is not really "getting his kicks" from the experience, and he is in no position to "shag" anyone. The evening does not go at all like Martha expected.

[Steven A2]

Posted: 9/14/19 at 8:19am

I very much look forward to people overthinking this casting for the many months ahead. We need some nourishment to get through the long winter.