#1
Posted: 10/17/17 at 7:00pm
Tonight is the Free First Preview for the new play at The Public. Early reports are appreciated as always
#2
Posted: 10/17/17 at 11:21pm
I saw it tonight. I had issues with it, but overall I felt more positively about it than negatively. The play becomes increasingly unfocused as it progresses, which is disappointing, and Cho seems to have trouble deciding what she wants the play to be about. I had a couple other issues that would be hard to describe without also describing the plot and structure, which I don’t feel like doing right now.
HOWEVER, in general I found it to be an engaging piece of drama, with compelling, highly relevant subject matter that I’ve never seen addressed in the theatre in this way. I’m glad I saw it.
The two people I saw the show with hated it though, for what it’s worth. They had mostly the same problems with it that I did, but they were more bothered by them than I was. I’d be very curious to hear what others think of it. I predict it will be a divisive one.
Updated On: 10/17/17 at 11:21 PM
#3
Posted: 10/17/17 at 11:23pm
If anyone is looking for a reasonable ticket it is on TDF for a bunch of dates through October 22nd.
#5
Posted: 10/18/17 at 11:58pm
Not all the way through, but there are moments of violence, yes, some of which come out very much of the blue. There is one sequence toward the end that is particularly violent. I don't think this is a spoiler since it's noted on the website, but there is heavy blank gun use.
Updated On: 10/18/17 at 11:58 PM
#6
Posted: 10/19/17 at 2:14am
I attended the first performance and it's a show that sat heavy with me all the way home on the subway. It's a play about gun violence certainly but the exploration of Asian American pain, isolation, anger were really well executed in a way I haven't previously seen. It's a big 180 from the last Julia Cho play I saw, Aubergine. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time (only partially because my seat mate was being kind of an arm rest hog) and found the ending appropriate. Play had a lot of surprisingly funny moments too.
I thought Sue Jean Kim was phenomenal in this role. I was excited to see Ki Hong Lee in this but had mixed feelings about his performance, but I think that's partially because the character (and his evolution) was so difficult for me to grasp. I really have no context for a person like that.... though I guess the point of an actor is to bring it to life lol
I will say that I was pretty taken aback by the visuals in one scene though and the recent tragedy it evoked, perhaps unintentionally... felt like it was a bit of a 'too soon'
Updated On: 10/19/17 at 02:14 AM
#7
Posted: 10/19/17 at 11:03am
As was mentioned this is a divisive show and I intensely disliked it. I agree Sue Jean Kim was excellent though and the only bright spot for me. Warning if you have any issues with gunshots, this is NOT the show for you.
Thematically it seems to be all over the place. There's grandstanding speeches about gun violence and guns in general that go nowhere. Then there's a bit on race, and some critique of the college system in general. In the end nothing comes together and the only thing that will stick with me is the conceit the writer has added that must have seemed clever at the time, but wears heavy on the audience. For me it was similar to the torture scenes in 1984 that made this play more and more painful to sit through.
#8
Posted: 10/31/17 at 12:05pm
this was a mess.
not a good sign when the audience is laughing during a sequence where people get shot over and over, and not in a nervous way but in a what is happening here way.
no pun intended this is a misfire
#9
Posted: 11/13/17 at 10:08am
I have my problems with this play but ultimately I enjoyed it. The 90 minutes just flew by, and I thought Sue Jean Kim was terrific. Some of it didn't ring true to me, and I wish it had just been a two-hander and the other professors had been cut. But it's interesting, timely, and ultimately very upsetting. I think it's the best thing currently running at The Public.
A little swash, a bit of buckle - you'll love it more than bread.
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