MOTHER PLAY Opening Night Critics’ Reviews- Page 2
MOTHER PLAY Opening Night Critics’ Reviews
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
MOTHER PLAY Opening Night Critics’ Reviews#25
Posted: 4/26/24 at 2:04pm
Yes, the performances are better than the script, and I think one more rewrite could bring it to the level I expect from Vogel.
But, I have to respect the autobiographical story. It can't be easy to put your family's weaknesses on display for criticism.
MOTHER PLAY Opening Night Critics’ Reviews#26
Posted: 4/28/24 at 5:10pm
Elisabeth Vincentelli for Washington Post:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater/2024/04/25/rachel-mcadams-mary-jane-steve-carell-uncle-vanya-eddie-redmayne-cabaret/
"Jessica Lange also has to maneuver her way through a wordless stretch, albeit a longer, more complex one, in Paula Vogel’s new “Mother Play,” from Second Stage Theater. During an evening alone in her apartment, her character, Phyllis, listens to music, microwaves a TV dinner and eats part of it, fixes herself some drinks, looks at her watch, occasionally smiles while lost in thought — all of this feeling as if it happened in real time. This may sound tedious on paper, but Lange, who couldn’t snuff out her movie star aura if she tried, moves through the scene like a glamorous, dreamily remote siren beached in suburbia.
Vogel’s semi-autobiographical piece is generous toward all three of its characters, but it is named “Mother Play” for a reason: Phyllis, inspired by the playwright’s own mom, is a devouring presence who looms over her children, portrayed by Celia Keenan-Bolger and Jim Parsons (alternatively funny and poignant in one of his best stage turns to date). She is 37 when we first meet her, in 1964, and Tina Landau’s production wobbles at the start because Lange is not entirely convincing in those early scenes (suspension of disbelief is a powerful tool, but it has its limits). She gains in both power and vulnerability as Phyllis gets older, as years and life pass her by. After three revivals of classics (she won a Tony for “Long Day’s Journey Into Night” in 2016), it’s also a delight to see Lange in a contemporary piece."
MOTHER PLAY Opening Night Critics’ Reviews#27
Posted: 4/28/24 at 5:21pm
Caught this yesterday afternoon. The script does indeed a feel a bit undercooked, but it was wonderful to see Lange on stage again.
MOTHER PLAY Opening Night Critics’ Reviews#28
Posted: 5/2/24 at 10:09pm
Caught the matinee yesterday and really enjoyed it. Honestly the standout for me was CKB. I enjoyed seeing Jim Parsons live but in some ways it felt like I was watching Sheldon Cooper up on the stage. CKB controlled the stage like I felt she did in TKAM. Overall it was a great experience, and to see a legend like Jessica Lange on stage was something special. Was the script somewhat predictable? Yes. But I would definitely still recommend it.
MOTHER PLAY Opening Night Critics’ Reviews#29
Posted: 5/4/24 at 8:06pm
I was at today's matinee and absolutely loved it. All three actors are firing on all cylinders. Lange's silent scene is a smidge too long, but that's a very minor complaint. And the projected cockroaches are hysterical
MOTHER PLAY Opening Night Critics’ Reviews#30
Posted: 5/25/24 at 7:21pm
Everyone in line to get in tonight was notified Jessica is ill and the performance is cancelled. I hope she’ll be ok!
MOTHER PLAY Opening Night Critics’ Reviews#31
Posted: 5/25/24 at 7:57pm
Yup - I was one of the unlucky ticket holders for tonight, despite flying in from London! :(
Can only wish Jessica the speediest and healthiest of recoveries. I have rebooked for tomorrow’s matinee. I’m sceptical it will go ahead, but there is always hope!
MOTHER PLAY Opening Night Critics’ Reviews#32
Posted: 5/25/24 at 10:24pm
I have no idea what she has, but the Tony Award interview circuit always strikes me as risky. The only one who seemed to understand this was Bette Midler. Actors need a break in their time off, and in promoting both Mother Play and The Great Lillian Hall Jessica has been very busy.
She is so great in Mother Play. I hope she's back and feeling good as new tomorrow.
Broadway Star Joined: 10/14/21
MOTHER PLAY Opening Night Critics’ Reviews#33
Posted: 5/26/24 at 1:01pm
Today’s matinee has been cancelled.
MOTHER PLAY Opening Night Critics’ Reviews#34
Posted: 5/26/24 at 1:17pm
That's too bad. I hope she's feeling better soon.
It's interesting that they've chosen to cancel the performances rather than put the understudy on. I wonder if it is a smart concession on their part knowing that they would have to process hundreds of return tickets anyway.
MOTHER PLAY Opening Night Critics’ Reviews#35
Posted: 5/26/24 at 2:14pm
I have a feeling that there is some sort of extension built into the cast’s contracts in order to meet potential demand or in such a case like this.
I could definitely see them going through the end of June to make up for lost performances
MOTHER PLAY Opening Night Critics’ Reviews#36
Posted: 5/26/24 at 5:05pm
Jim Parsons and Jessica Lange on their new Broadway show 'Mother Play' - Gothamist
https://gothamist.com/arts-entertainment/jim-parsons-and-jessica-lange-on-their-new-broadway-show-mother-play
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/27/21
MOTHER PLAY Opening Night Critics’ Reviews#37
Posted: 5/27/24 at 12:51am
quizking101 said: "I have a feeling that there is some sort of extension built into the cast’s contracts in order to meet potential demand or in such a case like this.
I could definitely see them going through the end of June to make up for lost performances"
it is meant to close in 3 weeks, another show is suppose to start there in mid July, if any extension was coming it would be announced by now
MOTHER PLAY Opening Night Critics’ Reviews#38
Posted: 5/27/24 at 11:38am
As of a few days ago, it was not going to extend. That was before this weekend's cancellations, but I wouldn't expect any schedule changes.
MOTHER PLAY Opening Night Critics’ Reviews#39
Posted: 5/28/24 at 2:58pm
Got a call from 2ST a few minutes ago - Lange will be out of tonight's performance.
MOTHER PLAY Opening Night Critics’ Reviews#41
Posted: 5/30/24 at 6:19pm
Jessica Lange Reveals How To Mesmerize An Audience With 12 Minutes Of Silence
https://deadline.com/2024/05/jessica-lange-interview-1235942809/
Broadway Star Joined: 12/9/23
MOTHER PLAY Opening Night Critics’ Reviews#42
Posted: 5/30/24 at 6:40pm
I wonder if this will put her Tony chances in jeopardy? Tony voters can only reschedule so many times... Especially so close to the deadline.
MOTHER PLAY Opening Night Critics’ Reviews#43
Posted: 5/30/24 at 10:49pm
GottaGetAGimmick420 said: "I wonder if this will put her Tony chances in jeopardy?Tony voters can only reschedule so many times... Especially so close to the deadline."
I think she was always going to be second place to Paulson (whose play has now been thrice extended) with McAdams as the dark horse. Lange also has a Tony already, while Paulson does not.
MOTHER PLAY Opening Night Critics’ Reviews#44
Posted: 5/30/24 at 11:04pm
Was Jessica Lange in the show tonight? We see it tomorrow and I’ll be devastated ( as have others) to miss her. We saw Paulson tonight and that statue is going home with her !!!
Swing Joined: 5/5/13
MOTHER PLAY Opening Night Critics’ Reviews#45
Posted: 5/31/24 at 7:49am
She was in last night, and in great form. She had a lingering cough that she seamlessly incorporated into her character. A terrific performance.
MOTHER PLAY Opening Night Critics’ Reviews#46
Posted: 6/12/24 at 7:43am
Jessica Lange and Paula Vogel on Breaking, and Keeping, the Family Contract
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/12/theater/jessica-lange-paula-vogel-tonys.html?unlocked_article_code=1.zE0.L7L2.ZVvDdcq5s1sS
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