Painful night at the Belasco

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 10/31/08 at 11:13pm

I have many fond memories of being in the Belasco last season. Unfortunately those memories were quite distant tonight as I sat through an excruciating production of American Buffalo.

Let me start out by saying that I am a fan of Mamet, and think that American Buffalo is a good play. Too bad I had to watch it be slowly and painfully stomped to death.

Cedric might want to think about dropping the last part of his title while he's in this show as he certainly didn't do much entertaining. Haley Joel Osment was arguably worse, although they were in a dead heat by the end for worst performance of the night.

The two of them had no idea what they were doing on that stage. The pacing and line delivery were awful. What should have been fast paced dialogue was coming out slow as molasses.

SPOILER***********
In the last ten minutes Haley really raised the ante on overacting by collapsing all over the stage. Not to worry, Cedric came back with a one-two punch as he strangled John Leguizamo over the counter.
END SPOILER**************

They were so in over their heads and ill prepared for the show it was almost embarrassing to watch. It reminded me of watching a bad high school production of Shakespeare. Perhaps well meaning, but the ultimately torture.

The (semi)-bright spot was Leguizamo. He at least appeared to know what he was doing, but couldn't save this sinking ship. He actually created a character and delivered his lines with thought and intent, but it was not enough to compensate for the flaws of his fellow actors.

In my opinion this was by far the worst thing of the season. Unless you make it a rule not to miss a show don't bother making the trek down 44th St.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/31/08 at 11:16pm

I was there too and I have to agree. The entire evening was a mess. The audience didn't even seem to be into it (since many people were chatting, cell phones were going off, and people were checking their blackberries left and right). They need serious work if this is going to have any chance at a successful run.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/31/08 at 11:19pm

Anyone want to buy 2 TDF tickets for next Sunday afternoon.

[morosco]

Posted: 10/31/08 at 11:20pm

It takes a seasoned actor to perform a Mamet piece.

Cedric? C'mon!

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 10/31/08 at 11:22pm

I am seeing it next weekend and I'm sorry to hear about the (so far) negative response. It upsets me doubly because I've never seen a live performance of the play and was hoping that this would fill a void. Well, at least I can say I've seen the play -- and, fortunately, I'm seeing Rock of Ages that night, so the day won't be a total loss, I hope. Well, a drink at Sardi's may help me console my disapppointment.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/31/08 at 11:23pm

Ouch...kinda expected this though.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 10/31/08 at 11:30pm

YIKES !!!! Here's to only spending $26 for my ticket for 11/11 !

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 10/31/08 at 11:33pm

In my opinion this was by far the worst thing of the season. Unless you make it a rule not to miss a show don't bother making the trek down 44th St.

Have you been to either MTC production yet this season?

I'm sorry to hear that neither of you enjoyed the show. I wasn't too thrilled with the casting of this production, aside from Leguizamo, but I'm still willing to give the cast a shot eventually.

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 10/31/08 at 11:37pm

Hi Frogs! Yes, it was the first perf., tons of latecomers, and I'm sure they're working on tightening it up. The Mamet rythmn sometimes takes time, (along w/ an audience's reactions). That's what previews are for. Let's hope.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 10/31/08 at 11:41pm

I've been to the following this season

[tos]
tale of two cities
13
billy elliot
man for all seasons
the seagull
two be or not to be
speed the plow
all my sons
equus

This was BY FAR the worst. Two Be or not To Be was at least a harmless little piece of fluff that flew by. (Plus it never hurts when Jan Maxwell is in your show!) They decided to "rock it Coast of Utopia style, serving you (what felt like) 9 *painful* hours" of American Buffalo.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 10/31/08 at 11:44pm

oh how i miss Passing Strange...

[BenKaye]

Posted: 10/31/08 at 11:50pm

Yeah, a bit of thread-jacking, but yeah, I miss Passing Strange too...

[winston89]

Posted: 11/1/08 at 12:21am

Kinda sad to hear. This is a play that I have read before and have looked forward to the chance to be able to see it performed. I guess I will have to wait another time.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/1/08 at 12:44am

How were the technical elements? Show curtain? Set? Lighting? Any idea about a student rush? (Probably the only way I'll go see this show. After seeing "Speed-the-Plow and hating it, I don't think I want to sit through another Mamet play).

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 11/1/08 at 12:59am

The set is amazing, as it was in the original.
The "cell phone warning announcement" was hilarious.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/1/08 at 1:04am

Well at least it has good parts

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 11/1/08 at 1:05am

I thought the set was absolutely horrendous. It was WAY too busy and kind of reminded me of the Good Vibrations set. A mess. I generally love Santo Loquasto's sets, but this just didn't work for me.

Edit: Since Cedric's store is supposed to be a junk shop, I guess the set was accurate. I still hated it though. Sorry.

Updated On: 11/1/08 at 01:05 AM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/1/08 at 1:10am

Hm... I can't picture the Good Vibrations reference.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 11/1/08 at 2:01am

There is no show curtain. The set is VERY busy and cluttered, but fits what the store should look like. Unfortunately it's more interesting to scope out the details of the set than pay attention to the actors.

Lighting and costumes are nothing special.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 11/1/08 at 2:19am

What of the running time?

No matter what the first preview brought about, I'm still going into this one with an open mind (and) happily form my own opinion. Sorry you guys didn't enjoy the show.

Best,
- Mike

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/1/08 at 9:19am

I don't think anyone can really make judgments about a Mamet play from the first preview.

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 11/1/08 at 11:19am

I'd never thought I'd say this, but, I'm with Yankee. More than almost any other playwrite... it takes awhile to get all the beats in Mamet right... the perfect timing. Besides... isn't this Bob Falls... I can't imagine anything he does being awful... boring or staid maybe... but not awful.


kmc

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 11/1/08 at 11:32am

Well you weren't in that theater last night!!

For those wanting to compare Mamet first previews, I was at the first preview of Speed the Plow as well. The pacing was slightly off here and there, but overall the show was in good shape. Sure things needed tightening up, but don't they almost always, no matter who the playwright is?

Esparza, Piven and Moss all had a handle on their characters, and the dialogue already had settled into a nice rhythm. The difference between these two first previews was staggering.

As a frequent first preview attendee, I am well aware that this is the first time the cast is in front of a audience and a "frozen" production is not to be expected. I DO expect the actors to have developed their characters and have a grasp on the material. Neither of my expectations were met, at least by Cedric and Haley.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 11/1/08 at 12:05pm

I was at the first preview of November, Speed the Plow and American Buffalo. The first preview of November was flawless. The first preview of Speed the Plow was pretty good...certainly not painful. Last night was horrendous.

It is a preview performance in front of a paying audience and we are certainly allowed to make judgement about a Mamet play from the first preview.

Once other board members start seeing this, you will all see the light!

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 11/1/08 at 12:07pm

I agree WAT, Let There Be Light!!