Machinal

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 8:09am

First preview is tonight, anyone going this weekend, I have somewhat high hopes for this production and am praying roundabout doesn't somehow screw it up.

[winston89]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 9:04am

I hate to say it, but considering that it's Roundabout we're talking about, there will be a screw up. I saw their production of The Big Knife last season. Let's just say I wish I didn't.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 9:22am

I'm seeing it tonight...

[dreaming]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 10:09am

I'm going to the mat tomorrow but I have no clue what the running time is. I wanted to meet someone after but I need some idea of what time-if you could post what time you get out tonight, iluvtheatertrash, I'd really appreciate it! Enjoy! (Rebecca Hall should be a delight at any rate.)

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 10:50am

Sure! I love Rebecca Hall.

[dreaming]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 10:58am

I like her, too.

Thanks for the info-I really appreciate it. (Trying to co-ordinate a busy day.)

[Owen22]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 11:36am

Did anyone see the early 90's revival at the Public. It was revelatory, and is what really introduced us (for better or worse) to Michael Grief (his best effort IMO).

[somethingbypuccini 2]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 11:56am

I'll be there tonight as well.

[Kad]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 12:25pm

I'm hearing it's running under two hours.

[AC126748]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 12:41pm

It's a short play that should be performed without an intermission. I imagine it would come in around 1:45.

I'm going tomorrow.

Updated On: 12/20/13 at 12:41 PM

[Luv2goToShows]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 1:27pm

Roundabout posted the run time on their website: 90 minutes no intermission

[cknick]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 4:15pm

Anyone know how the view from the rear mezz is at the American Airlines? I'm thinking of getting a HIPTIX.

Updated On: 12/20/13 at 04:15 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 4:53pm

The theatre is actually pretty small. Rear mezz isn't bad at all.

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 10:16pm

So any reports?

[somethingbypuccini 2]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 10:24pm

I was pretty unimpressed. The design was interesting, and the supporting cast were all decent. Rebecca was very very bland. She had a few nice moments, but for the rest of the performance she found a way to simultaneously over act and still be forgettable. Her best scene was "Intimate" with Morgan Spector. That was the only time the production really worked for me. Spector was wonderful and so very sexy. Michael Cumpsty was also great. But it was pretty much what I've come to expect from Roundabout.

[pacificnorthwest]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 10:42pm

Thought it was quite polished for a first preview, except for one scene (Intimate) where a large window shade was still being removed from one side of the turning set as the scene there began. Loved the look of the sets and the staging and overall thought the acting was excellent, although I can understand why Rebecca Hall could be considered somewhat flat. I thought it was more of an affect of the character than uninspired acting, but I could well be wrong. Having said all that, I didn't love the story itself or the sparse, staccato style of dialogue; especially disliked it in the office early in the play. Just my two-cents' worth.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 10:44pm

What was polished about it besides Ms. Hall's performance? Throughout the entire evening, the audience listened to the crew moving furniture behind the scenes. The non-stop noise was so irritating, I could barely enjoy the work Hall was doing.

I understand it's a first preview... But Lordy, Lordy...

In other news, Rebecca Hall is just as great as I thought she'd be.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 10:45pm

Have to concur. My God, Spector in that shirt... His arms. He'll be the hunk of the season if they find a way to get that shirt off.

I really enjoyed Hall's performance as opposed to another poster. Thought it was a highlight in an otherwise frustrating evening. This will definitely divide people.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 12/20/13 at 11:22pm

One last thought:

First preview flubs aside, there are some interesting moments. I was happy to see this play. It always fascinated me, though I'm still not sure why.

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 12/21/13 at 12:19am

So I haven't seen the production, but there the play is scripted to have lots of off stage noise. iluvtheater, are you sure you were hearing crew moving pieces? Or were you just hearing the sounds that are supposed to occur during the play?

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 12/21/13 at 12:28am

its suppose to be like mechanical scraping and what not right?

[somethingbypuccini 2]

Posted: 12/21/13 at 12:29am

No it was definitely the crew. You could also clearly see them moving set pieces on and off during the scenes. It was very distracting.

[AntV]

Posted: 12/21/13 at 4:53am

Updated On: 1/9/14 at 04:53 AM

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 12/21/13 at 5:22am

^ id be shocked if she was the play was written in the 20s...

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 12/21/13 at 5:54am

I was there last night and couldn't wait for it to be over. I liked most of the acting, but the text itself, save for the scene in bed with Hall and Spector, was unbearable.

For a first preview I thought all of the actors were on the same page about the style in which they were to perform and the pacing needed for the clipped dialogue.

The set was massive and when it first started to spin around I was worried it wasn't going to be able to make the turn. There were so many long transitions between the scenes as Hall walked around the set. I don't know if any of these moments were in the script or if they were added for this production, but maybe they could pare some of that stuff down.

If you are a Rebecca Hall fan it might be worth a visit, but the play was so frustrating for me that I find it hard to recommend to anyone.