NOVEMBER- ENJOYED IT- OTHERS?

[Noel&Cole]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 4:15pm

Hey,

I just saw NOVEMBER the other night. I am sure it has been written about on here already but I have only recently engaged myself on these message boards. What was the response to this show? It was not the best of Mamet to be sure BUT I thought it was a wonderful star turn by Nathan Lane. Remember the days when plays and musicals were created to showcase the talents of specific star? I think that is what NOVEMBER is. Not a classic but wathcing it I was clearly reminded of why Nathan Lane is one of the true stars of the American Theatre. He got laughs for almost every line. It was tailored to his specific talents and it was truly a joy to watch him work for the two hours. I think the play was an extremely enjoyable night in the theatre. A 3 star play with a 5 star lead performances. Although I cannot imagine it without Nathan Lane.

What are the other opinions on this board?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 4:24pm

It's a 2nd-rate play with a fantastic cast. Nathan Lane is back at the top of his game, after a period of drought that started in 2005.

I don't think the role was written for him, though it does seem that way. Mamet wrote the same role he usually does - an unscrupulous guy. It's just Lane's personality and bravado which makes it his own.

I can see Alec Baldwin playing the part at some point...

[mc1227]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 4:28pm

I enjoyed it because of Nathan's performance. I think if it had another actor in the role the play wouldn't have even opened. The play itself was on the weak side, IMO, and the ending was extremely weak. I total agree that Nathan is a true legend in theatre and his performance in this terrific.

[jarred03]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 4:33pm

What did everybody think of Laurie Metcalfe? I want to see it because of her, I love her from Roseanne and I hear that her Stage work has been even better then her film and tv work.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 4:36pm

When I saw it Metcalf had very little do, especially in the first act. Dylan Baker proved to be a fantastic comic foil for Nathan Lane, but the play itself is pretty hollow. It's fun and has a few great one-liners despite the lack of substance in the script. If anyone sits close enough check out the stack of law books near the couch stage left for an amusing prop gag.

[gymdudeva]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 4:37pm

I agree with you all: great star turn but a sub-par script.

Noel: Actually, this play hasn't been discussed very much on this board, I think.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 4:59pm

per my original review thread:

"Last night, Wednesday, the 16th, I had the distinct pleasure of attending the evening performance of David Mamet's new play NOVEMBER at the Barrymore Theatre. It was my first tiem experiencing a Mamet play live, and it surely won't be the last. I can wholeheartedly attest to it after seeing the utter hilarity that ensued. I don't want to take up too much of your time, going on and on about the production, but I will give some quick thoughts and comments regarding what I witnessed (and thoroughly enjoyed).

Broadway favorite Nathan Lane returns to the stage as 'President Charles H.P. Smith', "the world's worst man to come into office". I feel that Mr. Lane was truly born to play this role. I was drawn to the man's performance for 2 straight hours, and let me tell you this, I was not alone in doing so. The house was packed to the rafters (legit sell-out for all of you wondering), and everyone was eating his delivery right up. The uproarious Laurie Metcalf, of whom I adore from her many years on television), was wonderful as lesbian speechwriter, 'Clarice Bernstein'. I can't tell you how many people seated around me were commenting about "how sick" she looked. Her chemistry with Mr. Lane was something to see. Other stand-out performances that deserve special nods of recognition came in the form of Dylan Baker's 'Archer Brown', Michael Nichols as the rather disgruntled Dwight Grackle, and Ethan Phillips who plays 'A Representative of the National Association of Turkey Products Manufacturers'. Joe Mantello directs a 5-person ensemble cast that truly delivered in a BIG way, bringing tears of laughter to this young man's (as well as his father's) face throughout the entire 1 hour and 50 minutes of performance last evening.

Now, let me discuss the technical aspects of the show. Scenic esign by Scott Pask speaks volumes (Folks, the would-be Oval Office looks EXACTLY like a would-be Oval Office), costume design by Laura Bauer deserve special mention (from the stylized suits to the lovely wedding dress to the Native American get-up in the end, all just great stuff! Oh, and I have a new favorite lighting designer, guys. His name? Paul Gallo. Every show I've seen his work on, I'm truly swept by the lighting effects - be it color, size, intensity, what-have-you. All facets were covered on the technical spectrum.

Also at the Barrymore last night, taking-in the performance was 'FRIENDS' television star David Schwimmer, legendary comedian Don Rickles, stage veteran Marian Seldes (who sat 3 or 4 rows behind yours truly - I know because I ran into her headed to the exit - haha), and MEL (by gawd) Brooks! Just thought I'd share that little tidbit. Also, for those who actually care, I stagedoored, had the grand pleasure of meeting Dylan Baker, Michael Nichols, Ms. Laurie Metcalf and Nathan Lane (!!!). Needless to say, this fella went home extremely, extremely happy and super-content.

I don't want to give anything away (pertaining to the plot), but I will say that this is 'the best farce going' (playing second-fiddle to IS HE DEAD? (sue me!) Nevertheless, we have a new fanatic of David Mamet's work (having seen and fallen in love with his film adaptations prior to seeing this production). The cast, the crew, everyone involved is bringing the house down with wonky facial expressions, one-line zingers that'll leave you quoting 'em on the way home, and trademark 'F-bombs' galore! If ever the opportunity presents itself, see. this. show. NOW! Here's hoping the critical response is as warm and receptive as this one here.

Thanks for reading!

Best,
- Mike"

[sabrelady]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 5:50pm

Mamaet seems to be going into the areas of farce and almost theatre of the absurd ( Romance) Yes Mr. Lan'es performance was good but just a tad OTT for me.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 5:53pm

Mrs R & I really enjoyed it & Lane & Metcalf in particular.

[lulube11]

Posted: 4/20/08 at 1:55pm

The play stinks. The casting ranges from good to excellent. Nathan Lane is wonderful.

[Maurice]

Posted: 4/20/08 at 5:01pm

I had a great time. Nathan Lane and the rest of the cast kept me in stitches the whole time.

[kylestefanie]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 12:11pm

I saw it over spring break a few weeks back I was 3rd row center.
I loved the show!!
I'm a huge Nathan Lane fan and think that he was a genius in that show!!
Along with the comedy stylings of Laurie Metcalf and Dylan Baker it was an amazing show!!!
I really enjoyed it

[TIGGOSAURUS]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 5:26pm

I saw this play last week and LOVED it! I was a bit worried I might not get some of the political references (being from the UK), but the three lead actors made it zing and Nathan Lane inparticular was a tour-de-force. It was a real laugh-a-minute, a treat to watch from start to finish.

[renaibr]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 8:41pm

I saw this last night and thought that the second act was much better and funnier than the first....
The cast was great, but i didnt need to hear curse words so much.


Grease 5/35/08
November 4/24/08
YF 2/25/08
Legally Blonde 1/5/08
Is He dead? 11/08

[justafan2]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 9:02pm

mc1227, I agree with you. The play is ok, but Nathan is fantastic and the ending is very weak. (IMO).

[kylestefanie]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 1:35am

I 2nd the week ending part, I was kinda like.....hum whats happening....this is oh its over...ok

[broadwayfan2]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 2:19pm

The play was terrible but I enjoyed Nathan Lane very much. I could do without all the cursing too.

[scott68]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 4:11pm

It struck me less as a farce and more as a collection of unfunny one-liners tied together with a loose semblance of a plot. I literally counted exactly two instances in the whole play when I laughed out loud.

However, when I saw it, the audience was roaring. I felt like I was trapped in an ABC sitcom's laugh track. So... SOMEONE seems to be enjoying it, at least.