Mothers and Sons Previews- Page 3

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 2/27/14 at 3:25pm

"I'm sort of stunned with some of the remarks by AfterEight."

That makes two of us stunned. Haven't you been paying attention to him ever, all the time, always?

The way some of you continue to interact with this imitation of a human being induces an Annie Wilkes-like impulse in me to freak out a la her "Rocketman" diatribe.

Updated On: 2/27/14 at 03:25 PM

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 2/27/14 at 3:29pm

Exactly Kad. Just because a nasty character happens to be a woman does not a case for misogyny make. Her character traits have nothing to do with gender, but rather events that happened 20 years ago. These events could have caused any character, male or female to turn out like she did. McNally is also hardly making commentary that all women are like this or that all women are innately nasty/scheming/vengeful. There is also no history of McNally being a misogynist is previous plays.

After Eight also oversimplifies Daly's character- she's far from being only a hateful monster. She evokes sympathy and pity more than hatred.

Want to make a case of LaBute writing misogynistic plays? I'll hear you out. McNally and Mothers and Sons? The evidence is just not there.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 2/27/14 at 3:33pm

After eight--There are folks of both sexes who are as odious as Tyne Daly's character. And they often manifest in precisely the sort of situation presented in McNally's play. You certainly don't have to like seeing deplorable human beings portrayed on stage, but it seems odd to suggest McNally has a credibility issue when the shows you mention as preferable are Cinderella and Alice in Wonderland (or even Any Wednesday). Cartoons offer an escape from reality, which can be a good thing, and also tend to whitewash the warts we would otherwise confront in this world, which can be a bad thing.

[theatregeek6]

Posted: 2/27/14 at 3:39pm

Thanks for my 'whizzer review'. Putting this in my short list

[musicalman2]

Posted: 2/27/14 at 4:52pm

In fairness to After Eight, I do think he is backing up his opinion with specific examples. I don't think he's saying it just to say it. I have not seen the show, but it sounds to me as well so far at least that it is not that there is a commentary that women are all that way (a la David Mamet - who is truly a misogynist). I am looking forward to seeing it for myself

It will be interesting to compare this performance with Estelle Parsons in The Velocity of Autumn. I understand she starts out somewhat unsympathetic and evolves too during the play.

Was there any comedy in MOthers and Sons? Or is it all just serious and dark?

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 2/27/14 at 4:55pm

There's lots of comedy in Mothers and Sons. I laughed as much as I was emotionally and mentally stimulated.

[oasisjeff]

Posted: 2/27/14 at 4:58pm

I was already looking forward to this, and now that it has the After Eight seal of disdain, I feel even more confident I'll enjoy myself.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 2/27/14 at 5:06pm

AfterEight often brings out the misogyny card... This is just another of his go-to complaints.

Nice to hear such great reviews (though don't tell Kramer about it seeming like a Normal Heart followup since I think he's still smarting that people seem to largely ignore his own followup -- the interesting but flawed, IMHO only of course, The Destiny of Me.)

I run so hot and cold with McNally that it fascinates me. His early, angry, often extremely experimental (and often pretentiously so) works are so different from what people now usually associate him with but the best of them are pretty fascinating. His more, well, sentimental work of the past three decades sometimes rings completely true for me, and other times feels manipulative in a way that it doesn't earn. And his musical theatre libretto work runs the gamut as well (The Rink anyone?) Glad to hear this one seems to be a winner, I hope it finds some sort of audience (is Tyne enough of a draw nowadays?)

[BwayGeek2]

Posted: 2/27/14 at 5:32pm

@dreaming Sorry, my bad! I thought I had read a post with rush info, but it must have been for another show. Looks like it's been on TDF though.

[grumpyoptimist]

Posted: 3/4/14 at 10:43am

I saw the show Saturday. FWIW, for no particular reason other than scheduling, I had never seen Tyne Daly on Broadway. I thought the show was beautifully written and LOVED it. Her character actually reminded me of a few people I know. The portrayal of multiple layers of internal and external conflict for each of the characters was excellently done. I wish Will would have been given a bit more depth as a character, but then again he's more a device than a central piece to the show. I've already recommended it to several friends...I'll be particularly interested in what my gay friends have to say from the standpoint of whether they feel it's real or forced. And to answer an earlier question, I left wholly satisfied and a bit emotionally wrung out. The Anarchist, it ain't.

[PJPan]

Posted: 3/5/14 at 11:23am

TDF seats were great for me...row K, right in the middle.

The show itself...I laughed (Daly's delivery was pretty solid throughout). Hailing from Westchester, I loved the Port Chester/Rye bit. I really enjoyed the backstory of Cal and the sadness that Weller conveyed (I wish the sudden anger scenes had more behind them). Steggert improved from his "Big Fish" performance, but for me the son looked more like a little brother than a son. Grumpyoptimist, I agree that Will was definitely more a "device."

SPOILER SPACE

As for the show itself - did anyone have an issue with the last 2 minutes? I get that it was most likely supposed to be the favorite song from the funeral but to all of a sudden go into a convention like that, especially with that weird choppy dialogue, just didn't mesh with me for some reason.

[StageStruckLad]

Posted: 3/5/14 at 11:33am

Saw it last night and loved it. TDF seats were front row center of rear mezzanine, which were fine. We had a bit of trouble understanding the little boy, but only occasionally.

It really made me want to watch Andre's Mother again. I remember thinking at the time that Sada Thompson was wonderful in it.

[binau]

Posted: 3/6/14 at 11:57am

(joke spoilers)

I rushed this show and got second row centre (!?). The people to the left and right of me looked like they had comps. The orchestra seemed full and the Mezz had a number of people, so it didn't feel terribly empty.

Tyne Daly is such a great actress - it's really great because although she might be a little bit 'unlikeable' the character is so completely real and not a monster that you do feel sorry for and understand. She isn't shouting "Satan loves a sinner", it's just (for the most part) those subtle uncomfortable looks or off-hand comments - which also can be so funny. The look on Tyne's face when the dads said they are raising him gay was PRICELESS. There are also many other funny moments in the show too. At the beginning Cal remarking he is glad that Tyne's character was NOT in the hot tub with him and the other guy(s) made me lol so hard.

What I found most moving about the play was the way it explored what Katherine's son meant to her, and what she thought she meant to him. It did make me reflect on my own relationships. I guess it's called "Mothers and Sons" for a reason.

I also really like how the play is in plain english and easy to understand. I enjoyed The Glass Menagerie but the language often spoken was quite poetic and not conversational, and I don't think it's something you (well I) can truly grasp upon hearing just once. This play is very accessible.

[Melissa25]

Posted: 3/7/14 at 2:19am

Saw this last night and had terrific TDF seats --5th row center orchestra! Rosie and her wife were sitting right behind us. The orchestra was packed.

I really enjoyed this play and knew Tyne would not disappoint. Fred Weller was also great. I was emotionally moved and appreciated the humor as well. I did find the opening scene a bit belabored when Cal and Katherine are looking out over the park but I didn't find it boring.

I actually stated afterwards "I really love how this play ended." I think that questioning the credibility of it is exactly the point. What's possible?

[After Eight]

Posted: 3/7/14 at 7:51am

"I think that questioning the credibility of it is exactly the point. What's possible? "

I can't say what's possible. I can say what's credible. This play isn't.

And qolbinau,

Interesting that you prefer Terrence McNally's writing to that of Tennessee Williams, and this play to The Glass Menagerie. I never in a million years would have thought such a thing possible, but I guess Melissa is right after all when she asks, "What's possible?"

[Kad]

Posted: 3/7/14 at 7:59am

I took advantage of the $30 under 30 offer for next Friday and got an excellent third row center seat. If you're eligible for that and want to see this, I'd suggest doing the same.

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 3/7/14 at 9:23am

How does the $30 under 30 work? Is it online or at the box office? And is it different than the $35 rush?

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 3/7/14 at 9:23am

Double post, sorry! Updated On: 3/7/14 at 09:23 AM

[Kad]

Posted: 3/7/14 at 10:45am

It's only in-person at the box office and it's only for the performance on 3/14.

[dreaming]

Posted: 3/7/14 at 11:44am

Has anyone done the rush for this? How is it?

[binau]

Posted: 3/7/14 at 6:09pm

Yes. I walked at like 12pm for a Wed Matt and got 3rd row centre with a student ID. Easiest rush/best rush seat I've ever had.

After Eight, I didn't say I "prefer" it.

[JillianSch]

Posted: 3/7/14 at 10:30pm

Was anybody else turned off by "Cal's" whiney, drawn out accent? I could not focus on the show whenever he spoke.

ETA: Chad Kimball's "Huey" voice was 1000x more sufferable. Updated On: 3/8/14 at 10:30 PM

[After Eight]

Posted: 3/7/14 at 11:16pm

"Was anybody else turned off by "Cal's" whiney, drawn out accent?"

Definitely. Especially in that preposterous opening scene.

[CoreyRyan3]

Posted: 3/9/14 at 12:09am

Holy smokes. This play blew me away. The simplicity of the story, the reality of the acting, the writing. I found it to be one of the best new plays I've seen in the last several years.

Really well done.

And how about that Best Leading Actress in a Play Tony this year? Tyne Daly, Cherry Jones, Audra McDonald? Gonna be a crazy race.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/9/14 at 12:30am

I saw it on Monday. For what it's worth, I mostly liked it overall, but wasn't in love with it like most of you guys seem to be.

I thought the pacing of the whole play was off. It would pick up and start to really ratchet up the tension, and then out of nowhere the tension would dissipate and the story would go back to being pensive and slow. It's handled with gentility and care, but almost too much gentility and care. It definitely felt pretty slow and, truly a touch slight, at times. Especially for a play dealing with such major themes. The acting was strong across the board, although I would have loved to see Manoel Felciano play Cal. Tyne Daly was, unsurprisingly, awesome.

I did think the end was touching, and I was certainly moved and entertained at various moments throughout, but it didn't knock me out like I hoped it would. It could very well be that I wasn't in the mood for a play like this after a long day, truthfully. But I'd be happy to explain my thoughts further if anyone cares to hear. :) Updated On: 3/9/14 at 12:30 AM