McReele

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/4/05 at 6:41am

This show sounds really good. Hopefully, Stephen Belbar will redeem himself after the disaster that was "Match". The cast looks to be excellent: Anthony Mackie, who was the only reason I didn't run screaming from "Drowning Crow"; Michael O'Keefe, so wonderful in "Reckless"; and Jodi Long of "Flower Drum Song". It has one of those great, only in America plots: an smart, intelligent man is exonerated from death row with the help of a sympathetic journalist and runs for the Senate. I really want to see this now.

[ken8631]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 1:23pm

Going tonight... Part of our Roundabout subscription....

[ken8631]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 1:38pm

Updated On: 2/9/05 at 01:38 PM

[umgeoboy]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 1:42pm

im going sat part of my subscription will let everyone know what I thought of the show.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 3:31pm

I'd given up hope of people posting on this thread...YAY! We also subscribe, but I don't remember when we're going. Tell me how it is!

[ken8631]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 4:14pm

Will do, assuming we make it there - wife is kinda sick, but we'll most likely go anyway. I really don't know much about this show, actually only going since it's part of the subscription - hopefully will like it!

[ken8631]

Posted: 2/10/05 at 8:03am

Went last night - was pleasantly suprised. Could tell it's still in previews since some lines were stumbled over, but all in all, it's a good show with very good performances. Definitely worth seeing. The lead definitely reminded me of Will Smith, and looks like a perfect role for Will Smith. The play left you thinking afterwards....

[Jamie Hat]

Posted: 2/10/05 at 9:46am

I wasn't a fan. Didn't care for the script, particularly the joke department. I have never seen lines bomb harder than they did in that show. The crickets were hearing crickets.

And they're still bubling over lines? I've heard this from everyone I know who's seen it over the last week.

They've still got some time before opening, I'd like to see some re-writes, and I wouldn't mind some cuts either.

[ken8631]

Posted: 2/10/05 at 11:32am

There were a few funny lines, but they only seemed to get marginal response from the audience. It wasn't a comedy, after all. The line bumbling wasn't that noticeable, and the main charactors have LOTS of lines. Again, it was enjoyable, but not something I will either recommend (due to not knowing others tastes) or see again. Once was good enough.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/10/05 at 4:19pm

I'm going next week. Thank you both for your reviews. The cast sounds great; I'm not expecting much from Stephen Belbar since he hasn't written a good play since "Tape".

[umgeoboy]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 12:34pm

I saw the play on saturday. Thankfully only one member of the cast is still tripping over lines, and that only in the first act.

The play itself moves well, but needs a bit of cutting just to keep time moving a little better. The show ran 2 1/2 hours with a 15 minute intermission which was about 15-30 minutes too long for the show.

The best part of the show is everyone but the main two leads. Portia is great as well as the rest of the supporting cast (sorry I don't havce my playbill in front of me to get their names). Anthony Mackie gives a great performance but the role is not that complicated. Michael O'Keefe on the other hand was the weak member of the cast. He is still bumbling lines and is not comfortable in his portrail of the role.

The sets are great and work very well with the show. The ending needs to be tightened up a little bit. They leave most of the show unresolved, which is fine by me, but they do not really resolve any aspect of the show.

The acting should through previews get tighened up which will make this a solid show, even without the rewrites.