#1
Posted: 3/31/05 at 12:57am
I was excited to see this, but also apprehensive because during the last show I saw (LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT) with two intermissions and with a running time of 3 hours, my ADD was out of control and I had a hard time focusing. So, I finally sucked it up and went tonight.
Let me first say that I am not a fan of the play in general. I think it's brilliantly written, but it just does nothing for me. In other words, I can appreciate it's greatness, but I can take it or leave it. Commenting on the play is irrelevant because this is a revival, so I'm not going to go into what I think of the play.
This is, without a doubt, a solid, fantastic production from top to bottom. The direction by Anthony Page is solid and fantastic, and the set by the great John Lee Beatty is wonderful. The sound design is so wonderful that you don't even realize that the actors are, in fact, not without microphones.
I had heard so much about Mireille Enos and how she's brilliant, but honestly, I didn't see the brilliance. She was certainly good - funny even (as she drank more) but her way of speaking reminded me of a bad Judy Garland impression. It's not that it doesn't work - she does quite well - but it was a confusing choice, atleast to me.
David Harbour is fine. He never really impressed me, and he never really wowed me. I was unmoved and left very underwhelmed by his performance. I'm not saying that he's bad - he's far from bad - but he's sort of bland.
Bill Irwin, who was brilliant in THE GOAT, is excellent. His forte is certainly comedy, and he's a very physical actor, but I never really believed his performance this time. I know it's been said in other reviews, but I never believe for one second that he loves Martha, or that they're even a married couple that, despite all their bitterness, truly do love each other. He made some very strange choices with inflection and emphasis of certain words - he reminded me of a tranquilized Jim Carrey. All around, he was excellent, but certainly not solid.
So finally, the brilliant Kathleen Turner. In my opinion, she is truly, truly fantastic and relevatory as Martha. I think this performance will be talked about for a long time - it is certainly one of the greatest I have ever seen onstage. She is certainly giving Cherry Jones a run for her money! I can't praise her enough.
I recommend this to all of you - you must try to go! It's a very draining show, and you have to work as an audience member, so don't go if you've had a long day and want something light. This is the only other play revival I've seen this season other than TWELVE ANGRY MEN, and I think they both have an excellent chance at this year's Tony.
Let me first say that I am not a fan of the play in general. I think it's brilliantly written, but it just does nothing for me. In other words, I can appreciate it's greatness, but I can take it or leave it. Commenting on the play is irrelevant because this is a revival, so I'm not going to go into what I think of the play.
This is, without a doubt, a solid, fantastic production from top to bottom. The direction by Anthony Page is solid and fantastic, and the set by the great John Lee Beatty is wonderful. The sound design is so wonderful that you don't even realize that the actors are, in fact, not without microphones.
I had heard so much about Mireille Enos and how she's brilliant, but honestly, I didn't see the brilliance. She was certainly good - funny even (as she drank more) but her way of speaking reminded me of a bad Judy Garland impression. It's not that it doesn't work - she does quite well - but it was a confusing choice, atleast to me.
David Harbour is fine. He never really impressed me, and he never really wowed me. I was unmoved and left very underwhelmed by his performance. I'm not saying that he's bad - he's far from bad - but he's sort of bland.
Bill Irwin, who was brilliant in THE GOAT, is excellent. His forte is certainly comedy, and he's a very physical actor, but I never really believed his performance this time. I know it's been said in other reviews, but I never believe for one second that he loves Martha, or that they're even a married couple that, despite all their bitterness, truly do love each other. He made some very strange choices with inflection and emphasis of certain words - he reminded me of a tranquilized Jim Carrey. All around, he was excellent, but certainly not solid.
So finally, the brilliant Kathleen Turner. In my opinion, she is truly, truly fantastic and relevatory as Martha. I think this performance will be talked about for a long time - it is certainly one of the greatest I have ever seen onstage. She is certainly giving Cherry Jones a run for her money! I can't praise her enough.
I recommend this to all of you - you must try to go! It's a very draining show, and you have to work as an audience member, so don't go if you've had a long day and want something light. This is the only other play revival I've seen this season other than TWELVE ANGRY MEN, and I think they both have an excellent chance at this year's Tony.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."
-Charlie Manson
