My thoughts on RUINED

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 1/31/09 at 6:49pm

The best new American play in New York City today is RUINED, Lynn Nottage's powerful tale of life in a whorehouse in the wartorn Democratic Republic of Congo. This is a co-production of Chicago's Goodman Theatre and Manhattan Theatre Club, now at MTC's Stage I after a highly successful run at the Goodman.

It is the tale of Mama Nadi (Saidah Arrika Eukalona in a star-making performance), the defeated proprietress of the whorehouse, a Mother Courage-like figure who keeps on truckin' no matter what life throws at her. Mama doesn't care who's who on the good side or bad, she just wants to survive. But somewhere, deep, deep down, she has a conscience.

It is also the tale of the inhabitants of her whorehouse, all of whom are also trying to survive, excellently played by Condola Rashad, Quincy Tyler Bernstine and Cherise Booth. It is the story of the men who supply and the men who fight.

It is a harrowing play, at times hard to watch, at times hard to listen to. Director Kate Whorisky gets the absolute most out of the text and performers. I vividly recall sitting through a section of the second act with my mouth wide open. The ending is a bit poignant, but it works.

I encourage all of you who consider yourselves theater fans, lovers, junkies, etc. to get to City Center. This will win the '09 Pulitzer. I'm sure of it.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/31/09 at 6:55pm

Well, you certainly made it sound wonderful!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 1/31/09 at 6:59pm

Didn't do it for 'ya?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/31/09 at 7:00pm

I didn't mean that at all.

I haven't seen it yet. Your enthusiasm for it was quite inspiring, actually.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 1/31/09 at 7:10pm

Ah. M'bad. Perils of the internet.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/31/09 at 7:22pm

Sadly, doesn't look I can fit it in before it closes. What is the likelihood of MTC to extend?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 1/31/09 at 8:11pm

I imagine that if it's universally acclaimed and sold out, they'll move it to Broadway.

[emg_sound]

Posted: 2/1/09 at 5:11pm

I have to agree with all of the superlatives. I saw this in the Chicago run, and the production on a whole is quite overwhelming. So, my question is, if things close early, (or not necessarily, in the case of the Cort), what are the odds that this could be shoehorned into this season?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/1/09 at 5:41pm

There are a few theaters open - the Longacre (if Speed-the-Plow doesn't take it), the Cort (if Will Ferrell doesn't extend); the Music Box, the Golden, if those tenants depart, etc.

[Insider2]

Posted: 2/2/09 at 10:53am

I could not agree more. This is, hands down, the best non-musical play currently running in New York City. It is an astonishing piece of writing. I think that it is going to be the recipient of all kinds of awards, and I would not be surprised if a Pulitzer is in this play's future.

That said, the person who went with me, a very picky theatregoer, slept through most of it, and on the way home, said, "The only thing RUINED was my Saturday night!"

So, that just goes to show you that every play is not for every person. But if you ask me, run, do not walk, to get your tickets right away.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/2/09 at 11:23am

I loved "Intimate Apparel", and I've been wanting to see this. Any idea if the P2P code works for this show as well? Or if there are any other student options I could take advantage of? I found a code for $40 tickets, which isn't bad.

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 8:28pm

I saw this at yesterday's matinee, and while I don't want to oversell it, I thought it was incredible. This was my first time seeing a play by Lynn Nottage so of course it made me wish I had seen her previous work. The play itself was intense in every sense of the word.

Saidah Arrika Ekulona was so brilliant as Mama Nadi. I reacted to her performance as I did the first time I saw Deanna Dunagan as Violet Weston.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 9:05pm

STP is not taking the Longacre. That's been a done deal for a while. Since you rarely miss news, I can't help being inclined to ask why you'd hint at something that isn't true.

Updated On: 2/23/09 at 09:05 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 9:10pm

That post WAS from 3 weeks ago.

I just got off the phone with the folks from Ruined and it's been extended with the hope it make get a 2nd extention after that.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 9:12pm

Ah, it was. My mistake! I didn't even look.

[scaryclowns2232]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 9:38pm

I imagine a Broadway transfer might occur at the Biltmore next season.

That's certainly a possibility, no?

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 11:37pm

Seems like it would loose all it's steam if it waited to transfer.

I'm going to see it tomorrow!