RELATIVELY SPEAKING Reviews

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 10/20/11 at 5:02pm

Today is Thursday, October 20, marking the official opening night performance of Relatively Speaking — three one-act comedies by Ethan Coen, Elaine May and Woody Allen -- at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. Having begun preview performances on September. 20, under the direction of John Turturro.

The cast of Talking Cure, in which Ethan Coen "uncovers the sort of insanity that can come only from family," includes Danny Hoch, Katherine Borowitz, Jason Kravits and Allen Lewis Rickman.

The cast of George is Dead, in which Elaine May "explores the hilarity of death," comprises Lisa Emery, Allen Lewis Rickman, Patricia O’Connell, Grant Shaud and Marlo Thomas.

The cast of Honeymoon Motel, in which Woody Allen "invites you to the sort of wedding day you won’t forget," features Caroline Aaron, Bill Army, Mark Linn-Baker, Ari Graynor, Steve Guttenberg, Julie Kavner, Jason Kravits, Richard Libertini and Grant Shaud.

Best to all involved!

[RyToast1]

Posted: 10/20/11 at 6:55pm

This is a pan, right?

"A bunch of talented people got conned into roasting this three-legged turkey, starting with John Turturro, the director."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204618704576642713524340194.html

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/20/11 at 6:59pm

LOL. Yeah...that could be considered a pan.

[RyToast1]

Posted: 10/20/11 at 7:09pm

and amNY gave it "no stars" I've never seen that before...

"It turns out three heads are not better than one."

http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/theater-review-relatively-speaking-no-stars-1.3260927

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/20/11 at 9:16pm

Hollywood Reporter

http://m.hollywoodreporter.com/review/relatively-speaking-theater-review-251440

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/20/11 at 9:23pm

Newsday -

I guess this is mixed

http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/theater/one-acts-by-woody-ethan-coen-elaine-may-1.3257971

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/20/11 at 9:24pm

San Francisco Chronicle is mixed, liking Allen's play

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/10/20/entertainment/e180704D06.DTL

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/20/11 at 10:25pm

Isherwood is positive. Someone obviously paid him.


http://theater.nytimes.com/2011/10/21/theater/reviews/relatively-speaking-at-brooks-atkinson-theater-review.html

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 10/20/11 at 10:43pm

Regardless of all these reviews, I'd still do Steve Guttenberg.

[broadwaydevil]

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

USA Today is mixed...
http://www.usatoday.com/life/theater/reviews/story/2011-10-20/relatively-speaking/50846348/1

(2.5 out of 4 stars)
May's is rated very highly, Coen's is praised and a complete pan for Woody Allen.

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 10/20/11 at 11:13pm

Theatermania is mixed with the most praise for Woody Allen's play - go figure.
http://www.theatermania.com/broadway/reviews/10-2011/relatively-speaking_42865.html
"But given the estimable writers of the pieces, Ethan Coen, Elaine May and Woody Allen, and the proven talents of the high-profile emsemnble, it's difficult to not be disappointed by the production, which should be the comic pinnacle for the Broadway season."

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 10/20/11 at 11:14pm

Backstage is mixed with pans for the first two plays and praise for Allen's work.
http://www.backstage.com/bso/reviews-ny-theatre-broadway/ny-review-relatively-speaking-1005427492.story
"There's plenty of laughter in "Relatively Speaking," and in spite of the show's shortcomings, you'll probably be seeing it on many regional theater rosters."

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 10/20/11 at 11:18pm

A complete pan from the Post. This could be one of the harshest yet.
http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/theater/honestly_speaking_it_relatively_muNmMn1Vkvm5GOHvydothL
"But comedies implies humor, wit and gags, and theyre in short supply in the show, flatly directed by John Turturro. Subpar at best, these efforts -- I use the term loosely, because it looks as if nobody tried very hard -- come nowhere near the authors best. This is an egregious case of selling your audience short."

[thismyshow]

Posted: 10/20/11 at 11:36pm

so i guess that times review is the only one thats gonna keep the notice from going up tomorrow huh....

[egghumor]

Posted: 10/20/11 at 11:57pm

I give it ten days.

[Kad]

Posted: 10/21/11 at 12:51am

I don't think it'll shutter that swiftly. It's been doing rather well in terms of box office.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 10/21/11 at 9:27am

If Brantley had written that review, the show might have stood a chance of sticking around until the end of the year; I don't think Isherwood has the same kind of clout. His comments will be quoted in the ads, but I'm not so sure that it's going to affect the fate of the show.

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/21/11 at 10:58am

Roma didn't care for it:

http://www.ny1.com/content/ny1_living/theater_reviews/149371/ny1-theater-review---relatively-speaking-

[lynnespocktoo]

Posted: 10/21/11 at 8:24pm

Coen's was dull, May's was ok a few good laughs, Allen's was the best of the three with more than a few laughs. Not the best thing I have ever seen.