Midsummer in Central Park

[dylanjackson]

Posted: 8/9/07 at 10:20am

Any word on the first preview or length of ticket line?

Thanks.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 8/9/07 at 10:59am

I second the request for this info.

[Anakela]

Posted: 8/9/07 at 1:56pm

Going tonight!! Got on line down at The Public at about 10:30am-ish, (I prefer The Public to waiting in the park), the line was maybe 50-75 people in front of us.

[dylanjackson]

Posted: 8/9/07 at 2:30pm

awesome, please report back!

[Anakela]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 12:34am

Not really a proper 'review' inasmuch as a bunch of my random thoughts post-show...

Attended the second preview of A Midsummer Night's Dream tonight. The weather totally cooperated- we had a brief smattering of drizzle that perfectly fell within the 15 minute intermission, and it started feeling like it was maybe drizzling again right at the end. Possible spoilers below (can one really 'spoil' Shakespeare?)

First of all, SERIOUS mic/sound issues:
- No idea if it's the person turning on mics coming in too late, or the actors speaking too early, (does it really matter if the end result is the same?), but there were lines upon lines upon lines where the first word, the first two or three words, on a couple of occasions even the entire line, went unheard because the actor's mic wasn't on while he/she was speaking.
- Buzzing/popping mic noises at the top of Act II that went on for several minutes
- No projection from the actors onstage. Yes, your mic wasn't on- that doesn't mean that I shouldn't be able to hear you at all. Projection please.

And to the announcer: it is A Midsummer Night's Dream. Not "Midsummers." There is no 's' right there. You announcerman had a great mic, nice and loud, so I totally heard the 's' there. Sorry- possibly a small thing, but it bugged.

The onstage 'contact' scenes- the fighting, ripping of clothing, etc., those type scenes- were *too* choreographed in spots. The action didn't flow like natural action, but instead it was like watching a really good rehearsal- ok and so now you pick me up, ok and now spin me, and now I will reach up and grab you, ok now hold for a count of two, etc.- where all the correct moves are there, but it still just looked 'off.'

I would recast a couple of the fairies. Is that too mean of a thing to say about children? Yes, you're adorable, and you have beautiful voices, but e-nun-c-iate please!

Really enjoyed Martha Plimpton's Helena, really not a fan of Mireille Enos' Hermia- a lot of the energy onstage just felt like a flatline, no highs, no lows, and while not a tragedy so maybe there should be no lows, there was just not the punch of the comic highs that I expect with Midsummer. No matter what crazy thing was being said/done onstage it was all just the same energy. (eta: with the exception of the play at the end- *that* was perfectly brilliant and full of energy- genius- those six men totally are working together in that scene, which was great fun to watch.)

Although- Jesse Tyler Ferguson completely stole every scene that he was in. Completely. He is such fun to watch onstage.

I know, this will probably get better night after night, but...I think this may tie in to most of my issues, in that I just felt like I went to see it in too early of a preview. Besides the sound problems I'm not sure what to write off to "oh, that's just because they're still in previews," and what is a legit issue.

Yet, ok, rereading what I just wrote, I didn't hate it or anything, it was ok, I didn't want my money back (hee) or anything, but I just...I guess I just wanted more.

Updated On: 8/10/07 at 12:34 AM

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 12:46am

That's an awful lot of snarkiness for a review of a show who's director was sidelined in one of the most crucial parts of the rehearsal process. You know that they're first RUN THROUGH was yesterday evening's preview, right?

"No projection from the actors onstage. Yes, your mic wasn't on- that doesn't mean that I shouldn't be able to hear you at all. Projection please."
Where were you sitting? I could hear them loud and clear despite the fact that the wind was extremely loud tonight, there were planes flying overhead, and it's an outdoor theatre built with little to no attention paid to acoustics. When a mic goes out in that kind of setting, you can hardly blame the actors for a lack of projection.
Updated On: 8/10/07 at 12:46 AM

[Anakela]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 12:56am

That's an awful lot of snarkiness for a review of a show who's director was sidelined in one of the most crucial parts of the rehearsal process. You know that they're first RUN THROUGH was yesterday evening's preview, right?

I know, that's why I said- I think this may tie in to most of my issues, in that I just felt like I went to see it in too early of a preview. Besides the sound problems I'm not sure what to write off to "oh, that's just because they're still in previews," and what is a legit issue.

[dylanjackson]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 1:03am

what was the set like?

[gustof777]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 1:04am

can't wait to see the Plimp back in action!! I'm sure she owns as Helena!

[Anakela]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 1:09am

what was the set like?

A tree, and a trap door. Oh- and a platform stage, and a fence, and a bench and some chairs (not all at the same time). Very minimal, but it totally worked- like I feel like I should say more about the tree, but it was a tree- people went up the tree, people came down the tree. I liked it. And I liked the lighting too.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 8:54am

You claim that the fairies are played by children. I thought I read that John Tartaglia was cast as one of the fairies. Is he?

[Anakela]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 11:48am

You claim that the fairies are played by children. I thought I read that John Tartaglia was cast as one of the fairies. Is he?

No John Tartaglia, rather a child named Jack Tartaglia is a fairy. I too thought I'd read John Tartaglia's name in the Midsummer press release, (I'm not making this up, his name was listed in one of the releases, right?), but that info was totally wrong- *John* Tartaglia is not in this production.

[Anakela]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 11:51am

Yeah, I found it- "...and John Tartaglia (Avenue Q) as a Fairy...," this BWW news story was wrong-
Plimpton, Ferguson, Tartaglia, Etc. Join 'Midsummer' Cast

[daredevil]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 12:28pm

I was there also last night; Dan Sullivan's concept locks in the behavior of the characters in certain ways---I found the evening articulate and coherent---thought most of the actors were strong and confident considering that this was the second performance. I think one's enjoyment of the piece will really be determined by how one feels about the director's very specific vision. The audience really enjoyed Pyrimus and Thisbe, and gave the cast a well deserved, very warm applause at the end.

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 8/15/07 at 1:28am

I went tonight and thoroughly enjoyed it! I agree with what was said about a lack of energy at some points, but any scene with Plimpton, Ferguson, or O'Sanders (one of those faces that you instantly recognize but aren't quite sure from where) greatly made up for what was lacking elsewhere. This was my first exposure to Martha Plimpton and I thought she was just wonderful! There were some mic issues tonight, too, mainly with Ms. Plimpton, but the actors always projected enough that they could be heard. I think I'll go back again!

[Heybeenfood]

Posted: 8/17/07 at 5:13pm

After seeing this I am even more excited to see Plimpton in Cymbeline. Her Helena is brilliant.

[BreakingTheCircle07]

Posted: 8/20/07 at 2:14pm

How's the Puck? Such a great role.

[broadwayhoney]

Posted: 8/20/07 at 2:51pm

Ths was one of the most boring productions of Midsummer I have ever seen. I could have read it and had more fun! I have read it and had more fun!!! I also agree that the children either were under rehearsed or no attention was paid to them figuring that they looked adorable so they would be fine. Puck was boring, Bottom was boring, Everyone except perhaps Plimpton was boring. Also, with all of the talented actresses out there how is that they can't even find a Hermia and Helena who are actually the right size? If Helena is the same height as Hermia (except for her high heels to Hermias ballet slippers) it doesn't work! And do they really think that the audience won't see that the only reason Helena is slightly taller than Hermia is because she's wearing high heels and Hermia is wearing ballet shoes? And does the director really think that waving a few colored handkerchiefs around makes for a magical fairyland? Don't underestimate your audience! A total disappointment for me!

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 8/20/07 at 2:54pm

Any suggestions for weekend tickets? I was hoping to go with my parents on Saturday...if I got to the park or the Public at like, 9 would I be good?


and I forget, tickets go on sale when? 11? and where is the Public, i know where the Delacorte is I think...(i'm not from NYC! I just kinda know my way around...)


thanks for any help!

[BreakingTheCircle07]

Posted: 8/20/07 at 3:01pm

Here ya go!
Public Theatre

[jordangirl]

Posted: 8/20/07 at 4:48pm

I went on Saturday. I was there by 5:30 and was at the top of the hill across from the bathrooms. I'd say within an hour the line was back around the curve. I heard the box office people telling someone that the last person who got tickets got in line at 9. So I'd definitely plan on early.

I loved it!! I hope I can get back before it closes.

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 8/20/07 at 5:14pm

5:30 am!??!


maybe I should go on the weekday....lol


and thanks for the info guys!

[jordangirl]

Posted: 8/20/07 at 5:18pm

Yep. 5:30am.

Last summer I went on a weekday, was there earlier, and was further back. I have a feeling once reviews hit it's gonna be impossible to get tickets after 9 regardless of the day. I heard a number of people ~ including some with press packets ~ saying it's the best they've seen them do in years.

[Heybeenfood]

Posted: 8/21/07 at 1:21am

I showed up at the Public at 10 o'clock and was fine, but it was supposed to rain that night, so the turnout may not have been as big.

[BreakingTheCircle07]

Posted: 8/21/07 at 10:36pm

I'll be there tomorrow (Wednesday the 22nd). Anyone else going?