#1
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.
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.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
