Pre-Existing Condition by Marin Ireland

I saw it with Julia Chan.  The cast is terrific and the play is powerful.  I highly recommend it - also - I saw it on a Friday matinee at 3:30 for those of you who like to schedule multi-show days.  It is a very very intimate space.  At my performance many of the Stereophonic cast members were in attendance since it was that non-traditional show time.

I bought a GA ticket for this week. Price was very reasonable and I assumed that if the theater only holds 60 seats, none could be all that bad (can anyone who has seen this weigh in?) I’m so excited to see Deirdre O’Connell.

alexidarling15 said: "I bought a GA ticket for this week. Pricewas very reasonable andI assumed that if the theater only holds 60 seats, none could be all that bad (can anyone who has seen this weigh in?) I’m so excited to see Deirdre O’Connell."

All of the seats in this space should be fine.  If you did get a "reserved" seat they were either in the center section or in the first row of the side sections (that is where I was).  The reserved seat was marked with a piece of tape with one's last name written on it.  That's how I knew to expect the Stereophonic cast to arrive - one seat was marked "Pidgeon" and the seat next to it said "Canfield."

It's one of the best theatrical experiences in the past few years.  The script is so strong and the direction is impeccable.  The intimacy of the space creates an urgency that I've rarely felt in the theatre.  All of the actors are terrific.  I encourage you all to see this production.  Not only is it an important subject matter, it's a phenomenal work of art.    I was scared that because of the topic, it would be a depressing evening.  The opposite.  It was at times very funny, alive, thought-provoking and inspiring.

Wow that’s such a shame. But I can see how it might happen if the A performance is substandard. 

Just got tickets to see Falco in her final week. Very much looking forward to this!

Dan6 said: "Has anyone seen Falco in this yet?"

I saw her (and the play) on Monday and liked both. Not sure if you've seen the play, but I'll say this: The writing is honest and matter-of-fact, but with the right amount of humor and moments of levity needed when dealing with such a heavy topic. Edie Falco's role isn't exactly showy, at least compared to her cast mates, but she nailed every line and every feeling, creating an incredibly likable and sympathetic human. She does carry the script (as did the other actresses playing A); I had heard about this device beforehand and wondered how it would look; while she glanced at it every now and then, she was totally present and engaged. I also have to say, it was a real treat getting to see her perform in such an intimate space.

EDIT: Forgot to mention: While Edie does carry and occasionally glance at the script, there's a moment at the very end where she closes it and, while holding it close to her, recites the play's final monologue. The combination of Marin Ireland's writing and Edie Falco's delivery was so natural that, for a split second, I wasn't sure if she was reciting lines or if she was speaking truly. That, to me, was the most memorable part of the experience.

Updated On: 8/16/24 at 09:44 PM