Munk's THREE DAYS OF RAIN review

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/14/06 at 2:40am

One of the most anticipated events of this theatre season (at least for me), is this production of THREE DAYS OF RAIN. Admittedly, I was intitally drawn to it by the sheer fact that Julia Roberts' name was attached. I've never thought Roberts was a great actor, though she's certainly a good one, I've always loved her - and I suspect my feelings on her echo many of your feelings. It's been discussed to death on this board, so I'm not going to go there, but there's something inherently likeable and irresistable about Roberts. No matter how bad the film, her laugh and smile seem to make it all worth while. And while Roberts doesn't smile, laugh, and charm her way through this production of THREE DAYS OF RAIN, I was still fascinated by every second of her performance. But, more on that later.

Richard Greenberg's play, which had it's first run Off-Broadway nearly ten years ago, is a trully magnificent, fascinating play - full of everything any play lover looks for in a good play. It's never over-written, and he has a wonderful knack for natural dialogue. Beautifully paced and throroughly interesting, it's one of my favorite plays. This production doesn't necessarily hit every nail on the head, and it doesn't always just let the writing speak for itself - but it's certainly a good enough production.

Joe Mantello, atleast recently, has been very hit or miss. His ODD COUPLE direction was pitiful (is there even direction?), his GLENGARRY direction was suitable enough, and his WICKED direction is just odd and rarely hits the correct marks. On the contrary, I found his work on ASSASSINS, TAKE ME OUT, and FRANKIE AND JOHNNY to be quite good - brilliant even, as far as ASSASSINS goes. There has been banter back and forth on the boards about Mantello's possible over-exposure, too many projects back to back, etc., and I whole-heartedly agree.

His direction here is at a level somewhere between GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS and FRANKIE AND JOHNNY. It certainly seems as if he has a strong enough understanding of the script, but his vision here is muddled. His blocking is generally fine, although there are a handfull of strange moments spacially. It also seems if he hasn't pushed his actors hard enough - mainly Julia Roberts. Perhaps he's star-struck? Who knows, but lately - including THREE DAYS OF RAIN, Mantello's productions reek of laziness and sheer safety. Lucky for him, Greenberg's play is so well written that even with mediocre direction, it still has strong enough legs to make an impression.

Bradley Cooper is exactly how I thought he would be, particularly in Act One - but that's not a bad thing. He certainly seems to have had theatre training, but this is indeed his Broadway debut. His character in THE WEDDING CRASHERS is much like his performance of Pip (Act One), the egotistical, self-absorbed tool that still manages to get by in life (with people, not professionally, I mean). He's solid and delivers an energetic, focused, captivating performance - but his material in Act One doesn't really lend itself to riveting ovations. He's in Act Two for only a few moments here and there, and his work is just as strong as it is in Act One. Without giving anything away, his realization about and his reactions to what he discovers late in the play were fine, but I wanted more from him there. Great work, strong performance, but nothing brilliant.

Paul Rudd, who I've always been a fan of, is fantastic. Of his fellow actors, his performance in both acts is the most varied, layered, and wonderful. He will surely nab a nomination for this one, or atleast he deserves to. It's always exciting to see a film star (regardless of his respective theatre background) to then return to the stage and show you maybe just how and why he is where he is. His work here seems to be the most complex and layered I've ever seen him do - and while he doesn't land many serious, deep film roles, this is just a testament to how good he can be, given a meaty role. He commands the stage in both acts as both characters, but in two very different, equally powerful ways. I could not be more pleased with his performance, he is fantastic.

Julie Roberts is exactly how you've all heard she is by everyone else who's reviewed the show - she's basically, Julia Roberts. Her performance in Act One is very, very reminiscent of her performance in CLOSER, despite the fact that the characters have absolutely nothing in common. I thought she was fantastic in CLOSER, but would her performance have translated on stage? Probably not, and I think that might just be what's getting her here. Don't get me wrong - she is fine - good even - but never big enough, never solid enough, and rarely impressive. She has more to do in Act Two, and she's far, far better in Act Two. Although her southern accent is in and out and incredibly inconsistant to the point of distraction, her performance (aside from her accent) is wonderful. THAT's the performance I wanted to see her give. I'm certain she wasn't brilliant in it, but her character in Act Two is actually animated - she's full of life, expectations, hopes, and torn feelings - just like every role she's every played on film - but, that's what she does best and that's where she appears most at home here. She will no doubt get better with time, but Mantello needs to push her more. PUSH HER, JOE! She's capable - we all know she's capable - there are glimmers and hints of near brilliant moments here for Julia - but it's up to him to bring them out. It's obvious that she's used to film - her actions, expressions, movement, etc. are all such that they would register fine on film, but she needs to be bigger. Even if she had been embarrisingly bad, I probably still would have loved her - as I said before - I've never much been impressed with her, but I have an undeniable attraction and fascination with this woman. Not all is lost here - she does an admirable job and is deserving of atleast a Tony nomination - for which category, I'm not sure.

The sets and costumes by Santo Loquasto were exactly what they needed to be - no qualms here. David Gallo's lighting is also fine, although I think there could be some improvements. David Van Tieghem's original score (played between scenes, before acts, during transitions, etc.) is very Phillip Glass at times - and very fullfilling. It's the perfect score for this play - just wonderful. If the Tony committee acts as they did last year for THE PIlLOWMAN, they will probably deem THREE DAYS OF RAIN eligible for a Best Score nomination this year. The possibility of a nomination, while usually slim for a minimal score for a play, seems atleast semi-substantial this year. All of the other scores this year range from abyssmal to mediocre, but nothing more than that. The combined several minutes of music from this show are more beautiful, better written, and just plain more interesting than anything we've seen in a musical this season.

In closing, if you have tickets, you will enjoy it immensely. Although it's not a wonderful production, it's most definitely a good one. If you don't have tickets, I suggest you get them.

Updated On: 4/14/06 at 02:40 AM

[WhatDoINeedWithLove?]

Posted: 4/14/06 at 2:46am

Great review! Updated On: 4/14/06 at 02:46 AM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/14/06 at 2:48am

Most definitely - I just caught that one myself! Thanks!

[broadway86]

Posted: 4/14/06 at 2:56am

Good review, munk. I agree with most of what you said, especially that Roberts has the potential to be truly wonderful. If she keeps working like she has, it will definitely pay off.

I, too, thought she was brilliant in Closer. In fact, I think it's her best performance.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/14/06 at 2:59am

I think it's her best too.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/14/06 at 7:49am

Spot on review, Munk.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/14/06 at 7:50am

Munk, you manage to capture everything I haven't thought of. I wholeheartedly agree with you, once again.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/14/06 at 9:06am

Thank you, Munk, for this detailed review. I'm seeing the show this Saturday afternoon and am very excited!

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 4/14/06 at 9:20am

Munk, you are becoming my favorite reviewer on bww...great job!

I really like Julia and am glad that she is stretching here. I do admire her for that and am too not surprised. I have admired alot of her film work (tho her oscar does belong on Ellen Burstyn's mantle)

Thanks!

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 4/14/06 at 9:30am

that was one of the best reviews i've read on here- great job, munk!
thanks for the review- i'm glad to hear julia is doing well, and might actually score a Tony nomination
i also agree about joe mantello- i think he's been doing way too many projects lately, and is not directing them as well as he should

thanks again!

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 4/14/06 at 9:37am

Thanks for the great review! I'm hoping to do Standing Room soon! My brother's girlfriend saw it last night and she said that she could not take her eyes of Roberts. She has such a star quality.

She also said that Rudd is overshadowed by Roberts' name, not acting. This seems to be a great production.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/14/06 at 10:01am

Rudd is by far the best actor in the production....one of the best I've seen this season.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/14/06 at 10:03am

Does this show have a rush?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/14/06 at 10:04am

SRO when the show is sold out, when the box office opens.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/14/06 at 10:06am

Great review.

[Calvin]

Posted: 4/14/06 at 10:20am

Munk -- did you have any trouble hearing? I know several people have said they did, but I was there last night, pretty far back in the mezz, and I had no problems at all. There was one little spot on the stage that seemed weirdly amplified, though.

Overall, I thought it was a respectable debut for her. I'm really glad she chose to make it in something like this rather than some vanity vehicle. She certainly seems to be approaching it with the proper humility -- just look at how short her Playbill bio is. She's not acting like a megastar, despite the obnoxious mob that would appear even if she was playing the deliveryman in Barefoot in the Park.

I thought she had some really great moments. The main scene in the second act (despite the aforementioned accent problems) with Rudd was a standout. I'm really going to try to see this again later in the run somehow, because a great potential is there.

BTW: there is something that can break the spell of watching Julia -- when the gorgeous Paul Rudd shows a little skin.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/14/06 at 10:23am

She is very humble....her bio is shorter than her costar's, she has no personal assistant listed, and she does her own hair and make up, according to the Access Hollywood interview. Hell, she doesn't even take a car to work...she just walks there.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/14/06 at 11:43am

I had some sound problems, particularly with Roberts and Cooper - Roberts because sometimes she's just too quiet, and Cooper because he just speaks so fast.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/14/06 at 2:36pm

She just walks to work? She def. takes a car when she leaves.

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 4/14/06 at 3:19pm

I'm seeing this next week, looking forward to it.

[DAME]

Posted: 4/14/06 at 3:27pm

What a well written review. Thank you.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 4/14/06 at 3:35pm

i also agree, Closer was Julia's best work. Closer was a masterpiece, one of my favorite plays.

[LionessInWinter]

Posted: 4/14/06 at 7:42pm

Great review, Munk! Your review is making me rethink not wanting to see it.

With that crowd every night after the show, you think she'd have a chance at walking down the street? The passerbys can barely get through. I suppose if she ducked out a secret entrance 3 blocks away she could.
She might be able to get away with walking to the theater, but I'd be surprised.

[OddExoticCreature]

Posted: 4/14/06 at 11:47pm

This was a really great review. I saw the show on the 12th and really really enjoyed it. I loved the play, I can't believe anyone wouldn't. I think it's incredibly well written and I'm incredibly picky.

Paul Rudd = AMAZING. Looooved him! Every movement he made and his intonation on every phrase he uttered was purposeful, truthful and perfect for his characters.

I completely agree about Julia. The first act I felt like her acting wasn't bad...but she was working. It seemed calculated. I found myself thinking, "oh I'm watching Julia Roberts act on stage" whereas in the 2nd act I quickly found myself engrossed in the character and forgot it was "Julia Roberts" which is great.

I agree, Munk, that Bradley Cooper spoke really fast but I always understood him. He is so darn cute, and I don't mean that in a girly way...he just seems to emulate the word "chipper" haha. It's actually funny, when Julia made her entrance the audience applauded and I just sat there thinking, "okay what's the big deal, she's acting, I'm excited I get to see Julia Roberts act live!" but when Brad came out my initial thought was, "OMG WILL TIPPIN AHAHAHA YAY" because I am a huge nerd.

I can't believe people actually walked out of this show...at least when I saw it the audience as a whole seemed to really like it. They got a standing ovation at the end and everything.

Updated On: 4/14/06 at 11:47 PM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/16/06 at 3:36am

On the first day of the Amex presale, I made sure to get a ticket for this event of the 2005/2006 theater season. I never pay $100 for anything so I got two $60 seats for the April 15th matinee. We were in Row G, seats 25 and 27 on the aisle. These were the front row on the side mezz and excellent seats for what we paid. The people two feet to our right had paid $100. In any case, my money was well spent...i loved the show.

Greenburgh's play was excellent. The only other play of his I had seen was A Naked Girl on the Appian Way (which I did not care for) but Three Days of Rain had great use of the English language, character development and an interesting storyline. Without giving anything away, I loved how the actors played different characters in Act 1 and Act 2 that tied the story together, liked the drama that occurs in Act 1 when Paul Rudd finds out a secret, the Act 1 ending was great and kept the audience thinking throughout intermission, and liked hearing things from the perspective of the parents during Act 2.

Santo Loquasto's set was perfect. The costumes were excellent...especially Julia's in the beginning of Act 2...those pants! Also, who could forget the rain. Throughout most of Act 2, it was raining on stage right, and during the middle of Act 2, it was raining across the entire front of the stage. Also, I noticed that the windows (which were up stage right) were fogged up...nice to see they paid attention to detail. The rain was certainly a great effect.

All three actors were excellent. Bradley Cooper and Paul Rudd both showed that they have wonderful stage presence. Brad was very egotistical in Act 1 as Pip and Paul was able to shine here, showing many traits of his Act 1 character, Walker. Brad has less to do in Act 2, but Paul is fabulous in Act 2 with his stuttering and his interaction with Julia's character, Lina.

Julia Roberts was excellent in both acts. Her diction was crisp and clear and I had absolutely no trouble hearing anything she said, despite what I had read on this board. Either the amplification worked, or she is projecting better, or both! I enjoyed her interaction with her brother during Act 1 and LOVED her character in Act 2. Her southern accent was consistent throughout the act and yes, we did get a flash of her smile a couple of times. I loved seeing her facial expressions, body language, and hearing her tone as she interacted with Paul Rudd. She gave Lina depth and I could tell she had really worked hard at getting this character right.

I would highly recommend this play. If you do not have tickets, I would suggest getting them through scalpers or waking up early, getting on line at the Jacobs and getting standing room tickets. You will not regret it.


Updated On: 4/16/06 at 03:36 AM