Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui @ CSC

Spontaneously decided to see this piece last night, and wow. What a show. Timely as ever, a stunning cast, absolutely nailing the Brecht text and so compellingly directed by Doyle. I think that was their third performance or so, and they are locked in. Raul Esparza is giving a performance that I have so longed to see from him in a long time. George Abud and Elisabeth Davis as well. Highly recommended.

Oh wow. I'm very close to cancelling my trip this month but this might just entice me, thank you for posting it hadn't come on my radar.

One of my favourite plays, Brecht at his finest. I saw a revival in the West End a few years ago with Henry Goodman that was brilliant.

So timely for the US now too.

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/sep/26/resistible-rise-arturo-ui-review

Sauja said: "Can I ask two annoying questions? I really disliked CSC’s Chalk Circle and Mother Courage. Is this a stronger production? I’m inclined to see it for Esparza, but I’m nervous to see CSC try Brecht again.

And then a seating question: I’m very confused by where the exit is listed on the seating map on CSC’s site. Is the stage really straight ahead when you walk in, or is the set-up how they usually have it for thrust with the entrance between the center and right seating? I apologize—I’m neurotic about where I sit for shows in relation to doors..."

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I can answer the exit question: It's the usual set up as you described

It is also entirely possible that people don't need to go to the theater to be given a political sermon. If you don't like Trump, I am sure it was thrilling. If you don't like democrats, it might sound like a Jane Fonda replay.

I've found most of their shows to be overly-long with cheap/nonexistent sets and hard to follow. Is this more of the same? How many people have been walking out at intermission? If someone is bored in the first act, would that person think the second act is just as boring? I wonder if this theater company will continue to be around if they can't get people to buy tickets (besides papering) and word of mouth is so poor with so many of their shows.

Theater3232 said: "I've found most of their shows to be overly-long with cheap/nonexistent sets and hard to follow. Is this more of the same?"



Yes



How many people have been walking out at intermission?"



A noticeable number, last night at least.



If someone is bored in the first act, would that person think the second act is just as boring?



I found the second act even more boring than the first.



The funny thing is, I actually found this production to be in the "upper middle" range in terms of ranking John Doyle's shows. But that isn't saying much at all because I've liked so few of them. I did enjoy parts of the first act. There was a snappiness to the pacing that one rarely finds in Doyle's productions, and there were some nice moments of humor too. I actually think this could have been a moderately enjoyable production if it hadn't been for all of the lazily blatant Hitler stuff, which is partly Brecht's fault. I tend to prefer a bit more subtlety in my Hitler/Trump allegories.

Cesare2 said: "Well, at least it ended not with the chanting of "Heil, Hitler!," but "Lock her up!""

lolwut. The only chants they used were "sieg heil!" and "Arturo!". Seen this twice already and made note of it.

I am reading the play before seeing it. Is it as clunky in performance as on the page? There are a lot of "clever" paraphrases of Shakespeare, for example, but that could either work or fail miserably. Is there music? It seems like a speakeasy atmosphere and the text does suggest there may be background tunes. I guess I am trying to imagine how the production gets the audience involved, and whether any of the humor is being conveyed.

MarilynMonroeSmash said: "clowchan said: "Cesare2 said: "Well, at least it ended not with the chanting of "Heil, Hitler!," but "Lock her up!""

lolwut. The only chants they used were "sieg heil!" and "Arturo!". Seen this twice already and made note of it."

Cesare2 is correct. If you listen carefully at the very end of act one the chant changes to "Lock her up!" for about two lines."

I listened again and at the end of Act 1 "sieg heil" was used. Believe me, I listened to a recording of it a few times. Of course I only saw it on 30th and 31st and going by that. They could have changed it now.


wonkit said: "I am reading the play before seeing it. Is it as clunky in performance as on the page? There are a lot of "clever" paraphrases of Shakespeare, for example, but that could either work or fail miserably. Is there music? It seems like a speakeasy atmosphere and the text does suggest there may be background tunes. I guess I am trying to imagine how the production gets the audience involved, and whether any of the humor is being conveyed."

It's a bit clunky but once you read it and see it live it makes a little more sense . (but if you see it without reading you will be confused. A lot)
No music is used in this production.

I think officially 2:10 w intermission. That's what was in my reminder email.

MarilynMonroeSmash said: "clowchan said: "MarilynMonroeSmash said: "clowchan said: "Cesare2 said: "Well, at least it ended not with the chanting of "Heil, Hitler!," but "Lock her up!""

lolwut. The only chants they used were "sieg heil!" and "Arturo!". Seen this twice already and made note of it."

Cesare2 is correct. If you listen carefully at the very end of act one the chant changes to "Lock her up!" for about two lines."

I listened again and at the end of Act 1 "sieg heil" was used. Believe me, I listened to a recording of it a few times.Of course I only saw it on 30th and 31st and going by that. They could have changed it now.



Believe me, I went on Friday November 2nd and they were using "Lock her up!" at the end of Act 1.

"

Then they must have changed it after the 31st which is interesting. I'll be seeing it again in Dec so very curious about this and other changes that may happen between that time