Priest's Reviews of Spamalot, Doubt, Piazza, Woolf and Dessa Rose- Page 2

[lovettespies]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 7:11pm

I agree completely with everything you said about Spamalot, except that I enjoyed Act two more than Act one. Even though the repetitive jokes and characters from the movie took up most of the first act, at least it had a plot. I felt the plot got badly lost in the second act, and their admission of it was funny, but didn't make up for it.

Oh, and about the Python fans. The family infrotn of me brought their rubber chicken Carl, and kept talking to him throughout the show. I was very scared.

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 7:21pm

I wholeheartedly agree about SPAMALOT, I laughed at parts, but just dont understand all the hype. DRS to me in the sense of the musical theatre genre is far superior.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 9:11pm

Doubt
March 23 Matinee

I would go back to see this in a heartbeat if for no other reason but the outstanding, tremendously outstanding, performances of Cherry Jones and Brian F. O’Byrne. Both are revelations and are two of the finest actors I’ve had the privilege of seeing on stage.

Miss Jones’ performance is nearly impossible to put into words. She possesses a quality that makes every line she utter and every breath she takes absolutely riveting. She exudes stage presence. Her Sister Aloysius is a stern, cold woman, yet Miss Jones piles on layer after layer so that you know this woman’s past and you know her inner workings like the back of your hand. Miss Jones has a way of letting you know what Sister Aloysius is going to do, and why she is going to do it, without taking away any of the suspense. I really can’t put her performance into words other than saying it was exhilarating, breathtaking, stunning, heartwrenching and glorious. Turner was good, but Cherry Jones is a goddess onstage. I’d give the Tony to Jones over Turner without hesitation. Her final line of the play possessed so much heart and passion, it reduced much of the audience to tears.

O’Byrne is another actor who I have admired for quite some time, but had not yet had a chance to see. His Father Flynn is a magnificent blend of self-confidence and immense insecurity. You see the base of this man become slowly and powerfully eroded by the actions of Sister Aloysius. O’Byrne gives a perfect amount of ambiguity to the character while still making his quote-end quote “downfall” devastating to watch if for no other reason but O’Byrne’s sheer humaneness and passion. Despite what he did or didn’t do, O’Byrne lets you see past this man’s past into his heart. And his two monologues, given as sermons in Church, are wonderfully delivered.

I had a hard time deciding what I think of Heather Goldenhersh’s Sister James. Goldenhersh exudes this naïve tenderness and sweetness that suits the character, but her line delivery is so awkward throughout much of the show. I really don’t know what to make of it, but I think it was great at a few points but mostly mediocre. She doesn’t detract much from the production, but certainly adds very little if anything at all.

Adriane Lenox is magnificent in her one scene as Mrs. Muller. It amazed how much subtext and emotion and spirit she could put into one scene. She truly broke my heart and received a much-deserved long ovation at her exit.

The play itself is tricky to pinpoint. While it is not by any means a bad play, it is actually quite good, I didn’t see why is the frontrunner for the Pulitzer. It’s very suspenseful and a deep look into what is morality and what is truth, but what truly elevated this production to the heights it achieved was not the text, but the amazing performances of Jones and O’Byrne.

But just one of their performances is worth the price of admission by a long shot. They are extraordinary.

After the show I waited to meet Miss Jones, and I was told she was giving an interview and a photo session but she would be out eventually. Well, I waited and waited in the freezing cold rain and slush for what ended up being two and a half hours. (I’m not crazy, just persistent. Okay, I’m a little crazy)

Well, after two and a half hours and she still hadn’t come out I opened the stage door and talked to the stage door manger who paged her and told her I was still waiting. She came down in about five minutes and was SO apologetic and sooooo sweet. We talked for about twenty or so minutes about everything from the play to Tonya Pinkins to Sondheim to how I got into theatre to Victoria Clark to the Tonys. It was great and she couldn’t have been kinder. I took a picture with her and I asked her to sign my Playbill and she practically wrote an essay on it. I am in love with this woman. She is amazing on stage and in person.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 9:33pm

Lovely review, Priest. Ms. Jones really is a treasure.

[eslgr8]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 9:37pm

Priest:
A) as I said before, you are an excellent reviewer. Doubtless you were thinking of the word "momental" and wrote "monumentous" instead. You are forgiven...
B) you are also to be commended for having waited two and a half hours to meet Miss Jones, but your reward was greatly deserved, and a memory to be treasured.
C) enjoyed your review of Spamalot and am really looking forward to seeing it. Luckily for me and I'm sure for some other theater goers, I may have seen the original Python film once, but I don't have any real memories of it, so I'll be suprised by the bits from the film! Updated On: 3/27/05 at 09:37 PM

Posted: 3/27/05 at 9:41pm

Priest! I want to hear what you have to say on Piazza!!!

[TheatreGrl]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 9:43pm

I agree with Priest on Spamalot... I went to the show Sat (3/26) and I found myself saying, "I wish I were at DRS" ( a show I think is absolutly worth a second visit)...Spamalot just didnt do it for me and I hope it doesnt run away with awards at the Tonys...just my two cents ::shrug::

[Jwei123]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 9:45pm

Priest~ you are one smart cookie.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 9:47pm

One day, when Priest is the head theatre critic for the Times, we can all smile and say, "We knew him when."

[TVBoy]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 10:01pm

One point that is brought up in many Spamalot reviews I have read, including the wonderful one from Priest, is that the parts most found as "boring" are the parts/scenes used verbatim from the movie. I have to confess, I never saw the movie before I saw Spamalot. I laughed from curtain up to curtain down at Spamalot. Could this be because I didn't see the movie first? Priest, you said Spamalot is funny, but would you have found it funnier if you didn't see the movie first and heard those lines/jokes for the first time?

After seeing Spamalot, I rented "Monty Python's Holy Grail." I enjoyed the movie, but not nearly as much as Spamalot. Could it be because I already knew the jokes from seeing Spamalot?

Oh... I don't think we'll be seeing Priest writing for the Times. We're more likely to see him on stage at the Gershwin. (Although if I were an actor, I'd be more nervous having Priest in the audience than Brantley.

Updated On: 3/27/05 at 10:01 PM

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 10:04pm

"I'd be more nervous having Priest in the audience than Brantley."

Well, I'm not THAT hard or THAT critical, am I?

"would you have found it funnier if you didn't see the movie first and heard those lines/jokes for the first time?"

I think so. My mom, who had never seen the movie, was cracking up the entire time and loved the show. But I have seen the movie so many times that I knew all of the movie scenes word for word.

But, you know, that's what they were really going for: the movie on stage, but with songs. And, in that, they succeeded. And the audience ate it up and LOVED it.

Updated On: 3/27/05 at 10:04 PM

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 10:07pm

I'm a really big Monty Python fan, but I sat there stone-faced pretty much the entire time, as did my wife. The only time the show really lights up is when Sara is on stage. "DRS" and "Piazza" are both far superior.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 10:09pm

and Spelling Bee.

[TVBoy]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 10:10pm

"Well, I'm not THAT hard or THAT critical, am I?"

Not at all. You just have a wonderful sense of what's good and what's bad -- and why -- that would make many actors shake in their boots upon seeing you in seat A101.

Thanks for your opinion on the movie. I have noticed, according to those I've spoken with about the show, that those who didn't see the movie beforehand enjoyed the show much more than those who did. Just my, unscientific, observation.

Updated On: 3/27/05 at 10:10 PM

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 10:10pm

Yes, "Spelling Bee" is WAY better.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 10:14pm

More, please! I hang on your every word, Priest!

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 10:15pm

If I were a Tony voter, I'd pick Spelling Bee or Piazza for Best Musical. Mind you, I nevertheless assume that Spamalot with its $20 million advance (and counting) is going to win.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 10:18pm

If I were a Tony voter, it would be DRS-musical; NLB-Actor; Vicki-Actress; JTF-Featured Actor; Sara-Featured Actress; Guettel-Score; Spelling Bee-Book

[Thenardier]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 10:21pm

I can't wait to see Spamalot in May...I think...

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 10:22pm

For me:

Musical: Bee or Piazza
Score: Piazza
Book: Bee
Actor: NLB
Actress: Clark
F. Actor: Fogler
F. Actress: Ramirez
Orchestrations: Piazza

Updated On: 3/27/05 at 10:22 PM

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 10:23pm

"I can't wait to see Spamalot in May...I think..."

It's still worth seeing. I just feel that "DRS," "Piazza," and "Bee" are much, much better.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 10:24pm

I loved DRS...

Well, I am still excited

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 10:26pm

I'd also probably give all three design awards to Piazza and choreography to Mitchell for La Cage (though I may rethink the costume award later).

[Thenardier]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 10:31pm

hmmm,

Maybe I should see Piazza now...

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 10:37pm

Musical: DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS
Score: DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS
Book: SPELLING BEE (From all Ive heard)
Actor: Norbert Leo Butz
Actress: Sutton Foster
F. Actor: Fogler
F. Actress: Ramirez or Mcgovern
Orchestrations: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (though LOVED ASU Orch's and am expecting great things from CHITTY)
Coreography: Jerry Mitchel LA CAGE AUX FOLLES
Revival: LA CAGE AUX FOLLES
Lighting: THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA
Sets: THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA (although that flying car could fly to the top)
Costumes: SPAMALOT

Still have yet to see SPELLING BEE & CHITTY, so these COULD change...
Updated On: 3/28/05 at 10:37 PM