NOISES OFF! Previews — Page 4

I've been watching NOISES OFF since its original production. It is built like a clock, with every second perfectly planned, and the hilarity should build and build until the alarm goes off. This production was only mildly funny in Act One, not very funny at all in most of Act Two (almost none of the pantomime worked), and certainly hit its best moments in the free-for-all that is Act Three. I went in wanting to love it, because I know it's a brilliant piece, but too much of it felt labored, and not nearly as funny as I know it is. The effort was there, but too much of it felt effortful.

I rushed the show today around 11:30pm and got a F Rear Mezz ticket. Great view!

I loved the show. I've never seen/read anything about Noises Off, but I was throughly entertained. I think at times it lost its steam and there were points where I felt it fell flat or let the air out of the comedy. I'd think, with something like this, you'd need to keep the energy high and the shifts very quick.

Overall, I thought the company was great with Shamos and Furr coming off the best. Furr's fall in ACT III was just flat-out unexpected and brilliant. Hilty was fine, but I felt she played the same character in all 3 acts, which is fine, but would have liked to have seen the dumb actress shctick turned on its head, kind of like how Martin did with her character.

But totally recommend it, and I want to go back before it closes.

No, I totally get that. I'm just saying, in terms of characterization, her character was the same in every act. There was no growth for her character. She's the same as she is on and off stage. Maybe that's written into the show, maybe that's a choice, but I just noticed that the other characters - maybe minus Kate Jennings Grant - were different than their characters in the show.

I think because I went in with everyone being THIS IS HER TONY kind of mentality, that I was waiting for those moments of just brilliance. I mean she was hilarious, don't get me wrong, but I wasn't wowed by it. I actually thought Ashford would have been a great choice for that role. Not your typical buxom blonde which would have been interesting.

Was inside the Playbill. Inserted into it.

I saw this this afternoon and thought it was absolutely hilarious. No specific standouts for me, as they were ALL giving 200%. Wish they were able to extend!