"Radio Golf"- Not Wilson's Best, But PRETTY DARN GOOD !!!

[Testing1232]

Posted: 5/8/07 at 10:43pm

Just got back--- its almost like comparing a Rolls Royce to a Mercedes Benz--- They are both phenomenal, but one has to be better !!

Liked "Jitney" and "Ma Rainey..." better ("Gem" also very good- as far as the books -- "Fences" and "Seven Guitars" my faves, but have not seen any stage productions of those).

Wilson is so brilliant that its too hard to knock anything that he wrote.

The ironic thing (at least for me) was the fact that the two "leads", Lennix and Pinkins (who chatted outside the theatre prior to the show for a good 20 mins with friends and fans--- she looks absolutely stunning, BTW) were the ones that I enjoyed the least- I understand that Pinkins character has sort of an understated role, but she just seemed to hold back too much for me. I didnt sense any passion from her.

Jelks and Williams were great, and if there is a theatre god, Anthony Chisholm will get a Tony nod !! Not sure if I saw a better performance so far this year !

Really, another great night at the theatre ! Cant wait for pics--- did manage to see Leslie Uggams and Phylicia Rashad sitting pretty close together, but so packed leaving the theatre, that couldnt spot anyone else.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 5/8/07 at 11:11pm

"If there is a theatre god, Anthony Chisholm will get a Tony nod !! Not sure if I saw a better performance so far this year!"

Two words: Billy Crudup.

Seriously though, I really found Jelks to be better than Crisholm. Granted, I hated this show so much. Jelks was the only one that I remotely enjoyed (Pinkins would have been better if her part were larger).

[Testing1232]

Posted: 5/8/07 at 11:47pm

Didnt see Crudup, so cant comment-

As far as the acting that "I" have seen, (having not seen "Utopia"), Schreiber, Plummer and Langella (especially) were all excellent, but Chisholm was not far behind-

As far as Pinkins.... yes, the part is small, but she didnt make the best of it-

Just curious, BJH, how you feel about Wilson in general?

[bjh2114]

Posted: 5/9/07 at 12:07am

I was just about to say, the reason that I may not have enjoyed Radio Golf so much is that I don't know too much of his work. I am familiar with Ma Rainey, Fences, Gem of the Ocean, and Jitney, but that's it. The only one that I really enjoyed reading was Fences, though this is the first professional staging of Wilson I have ever seen. I will say though, that I thought the acting was atrocious overall. I thought everyone seemed like they were overacting except for Lennix, who put me to sleep, literally. I fell asleep right before intermission (which I never do by the way!). I found the play boring at times, but when it wasn't boring, rather over the top. I did not enjoy it.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 5/9/07 at 9:59am

Well, you mentioned 4 of the 10 (not including "RG"), so there is some familiarity- must have just been this show-

I was really riveted to it, and started to really care about the characters.... found it very moving.

Just wish Ms. Pinkins was better (