RACE: First Preview - Anyone Going?- Page 2

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 12:09am

If it's 85mins without an intermission then how long is each act?

Can you speak more about design, directing, acting, etc.

Any word on a student rush policy?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 12:12am

Didn't everyone say Irena's Vow was going to earn several Tony Awards and get raves after the first preview? I'll wait until the reviews.

Rentboy, do you want a floor plan too? You are the most OCD poster about needed information on a show prior to seeing it.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 12:15am

I thoroughly enjoyed the show as well, but I didn't find it quite polished.

Like many of Mamet's plays, this is definitely a piece that is hard to critique or discuss with people who haven't seen it. I suggest to everyone to make as devout an effort as possible to go into the show blind of plot-specific knowledge. Shock value is a big part of the effectiveness of the storyline, even though I personally saw the big twist coming a mile away.

James Spader, David Alan Grier, and Richard Thomas are all quite strong. Spader's playing the same egotistical lawyer he's played on television forever, but no one does that type of role like he can.

I have always enjoyed Kerry Washington (who has the most difficult role of the four) on screen, but she had a tough time getting engaged in the rhythm of Mamet's dialogue. Her stilted delivery throughout the first act was a huge problem, particularly because her character was involved in exchanges that are so critical to the plot. That being said, I thought she came around in a big way by the second act. I imagine her performance will only get stronger as the preview period progresses.

Once more people have seen it, I'd be curious to see what everyone thinks of Mamet's intentions with the themes of the piece. I think this is his best job yet at putting the task of examination and reflection in the hands of the audience, especially considering the provocative nature of the subject matter.

Updated On: 11/17/09 at 12:15 AM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 12:19am

So he's Augusto Boal now?

"I think this is his best job yet at putting the task of examination and reflection in the hands of the audience."

He may very well be doing that in this play but his misogynistic "opinions" are in everything he's written (yes, even Oleanna).

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 12:24am

"Didn't everyone say Irena's Vow was going to earn several Tony Awards and get raves after the first preview? I'll wait until the reviews."

Not everyone, but yes, I still think IRENA'S VOW was up there with DOUBT as one of the best plays I've ever seen on Broadway.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 12:24am

Bobby, you raise an interesting point.

I remarked to a friend of mine after seeing the show tonight that I'm not quite sure whether Mamet is a chauvinist who portrays all women in the same opportunistic light or a brilliant craftsman who uses strong female characters to expose the wrongdoings of men.

I'm inclined to think the former, but the question is definitely worth discussing.

You'll see my reason for my indecisiveness when you see RACE. Susan (the role Kerry Washington plays) is by far Mamet's most captivating, well-drawn female character to date.

Updated On: 11/17/09 at 12:24 AM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 12:29am

Maybe he's turned a new leaf as a writer. If so, good for him. To give him credit I am more curious about this show than I have been about anything else he's done.

I used to get into heated debates about Oleanna in school. People would say he leaves it up to the audience. I think he tells us exactly who's right and who's wrong in his eyes.

Did you not like August WAT?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 12:34am

AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY? Yes, I loved it and saw it three times. It is definitely in my top ten for straight plays.

It just didn't move me like IRENA'S VOW or DOUBT did.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 1:28am

It just didn't move me like IRENA'S VOW or DOUBT did.

See, for me, those were two of the most WELL-ACTED plays I have seen, but both had writing that was incredibly average. I am curious to see if Race follows that trend.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 1:37am

I'm glad we agree that DOUBT and IRENA'S VOW were so well-acted. I will never forget both Cherry Jones and Tovah Feldshuh's performances for as long as I live.

[boonanas]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 6:40am

I had a good time at the theater. I was totally into what was happening and how the team were going to defend this guy. David Alan Grier looked surprisingly comfortable, a little too comfortable maybe. James Spader was very good. Kerry Washington seemed a little mechanical and I'm sure it'll take a couple more performances before she's ready. It was done in the most Mamet of styles, and I love that style. If you're a fan of Mamet, you'll like this.
As for the comedy of it, the crowd seemed to mostly laugh when someone inappropriately cursed. I personally laughed only a handful of times but I felt it was more of a legal drama. I don't know, but I was engaged the whole time.
I had student rush, it was 26.50, I got it at 7:05 PM and it was in the left box seats, some of the view from the left side of the stage was blocked, and there's a lot of times where I couldn't see the person talking, but it didn't affect me.

Here are stage door photos.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=35711284&l=0741e16e69&id=26103711
Signed playbill
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=35711286&l=5d3691fabb&id=26103711
Me and Grier
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=35711287&l=5ab4111c18&id=26103711
Me and Washington
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=35711288&l=db38305936&id=26103711
Me and Spader

Anyways, I'd see it again! I see how people's opinions could differ greatly, but it was just my type of play.


Updated On: 11/17/09 at 06:40 AM

[MimiJudith]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 9:01am

I saw the first preview last night. Kerry Washington was awful.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 4:49pm

Bobby, sorry, I'm a theater fan. I just like to know everything about the show and hear people's opinions about things. I'm really into technical theater. Didn't know I was being so annoying. My bad. I don't get why it matters so much to you though?

[wonkit]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 5:08pm

I don't have a ticket until mid-December but I am looking forward to this. I loved SPEED-THE-PLOW and was just the tiniest bit bored by OLEANNA, so this will be my third helping of Mamet live.

[MiracleElixir]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 9:36pm

"I will never forget both Cherry Jones and Tovah Feldshuh's performances for as long as I live."

Excuse me as I roll my eyes and vomit at the same time.

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 9:36pm

RentBoy; generally speaking, if a play runs 85 minutes with no intermission, there will only be ONE act.

[AC126748]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 10:16pm

I saw it tonight. For an early preview, it's in very good shape. This is easily Mamet's best new play in the last decade, maybe longer. The dialogue and dramatic situations crackle. Even the intermission--which I assumed would be unnecessary--was fine. Spader and Grier are brilliant. Do not expect to see Alan Shore or David Alan Grier the stand-up comedian on the stage of The Barrymore. Even at this early stage, they've constructed really affecting performances. Thomas is fine in the most underwritten role of the play. He tones down his feyness quite a bit, which is really saying something for him. Washington began very tentative, speaking her lines in the kind of robotic monotone you expect from someone who's never been on stage before. But by the second act, she really hit her stride, and in the last scene she was fantastic. Give her a few more weeks to settle into the role and she will really be something.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 10:23pm

What was the full running time tonight?

[AC126748]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 10:28pm

Around 1:40. Started roughly 7:05, intermission around 7:45, was on the street at 8:46.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 7:44am

Would you guys recommend waiting til later in previews to see it? Everyone keeps saying different aspects of the show will get better as time goes on but I really wanna see it. Should I wait?

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 8:22am

I would definitely wait until late in previews, if not after opening.

These are four actors new to Mamet in a world premiere Mamet play. Because his style is so specific, the cast (and the piece) will only get better and more settled as time goes on.

[AC126748]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 9:06am

Yeah, wait. I don't regret seeing the second preview, but I'm definitely going to go back after it opens.

[trombonist]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 9:10am

Has there been any word on a rush for this? I know it was asked earlier in the thread, but I didn't see an answer.

edit: I saw the price on closer inspection of the above thread. Is it when the box office opens or shortly before curtain? Thanks! Updated On: 11/18/09 at 09:10 AM

[AC126748]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 9:16am

There is rush, apparently. The person behind me at the box office last night got a rush ticket. From my seat in the front mezz last night I noticed a good amount of empty seats--especially in the front orchestra (and all of the boxes).

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 9:17am

Rush is two hours before, $26.50. It seems like (for now at least), they're using the boxes.