Review: "Frost/Nixon" Weds Mat-- AKA "Get Thee To The Jacobs Theatre !"- Page 2

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 12:32pm

I guess I'm not going to win this debate...any Plummer fans out there want to help me out?

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 12:45pm

Not about winning or losing, Without-- just differing opinions, that's a GOOD thing---

I do consider myself a big Plummer fan, but was really mesmerized by Langella !

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 3:36pm

While I loved Langella and Sheen, the play ultimately left me cold.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 6:50pm

How was the set? show curtain? ha, i seem to always ask these questions.

[sidjones09]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 8:53pm

Simple set. A large block of television screens which are used quite effectively are in the center of the back wall. No show curtain. The juxtaposition of live video and live action is really a great concept in my opinion. They've captured the medium that people have witnessed these interviews with (the angles the closeups), while simultaneously experiencing the energy of what was really going on in the space on and off camera. Really interesting theatrically IMO.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 4/7/07 at 11:55am

I saw this on Thursday night. I felt that the play itself was well-written, tightly structured and beautifully acted. Frank Langella delivers a top notch impersonation of Richard Nixon. I would expect nothing less from such a skilled actor. But personally, I find it so much more challenging for a performer to build a role from the ground up, from the inside out. Tony does have a history, along with Oscar, of awarding great impersonation performances, because it's so darn easy to see that the actor got it right because you know who they are copying. But I have a greater respect for performances that begin with a blank slate and have nothing to work from but the writing (which, in FROST/NIXON's case, the pivotal scenes are copied directly from the television interviews), the direction (which, in the pivotal scenes of FROST/NIXON, is copied, down each breath and minor movement), and the actor's skills. Langella's impersonation is TOP NOTCH. It was as though Richard Nixon was alive and on stage giving the television interviews that are now so famous and historical. Langella may very likely win the Tony, but in my opinion, it would be unfortunate in this season not to award an actor who created a character from a blank slate, introducing audiences to a fresh, real, flawed human being they had never encountered before entering that theatre that night.

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 4/7/07 at 4:51pm

Without a Trace, did you by any chance see George C. Scott in INHERIT THE WIND some years ago? He was his usual magnificent self. I wonder how you would compare Christopher Plummer with Scott, if you did see him?

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 4/7/07 at 5:09pm

I saw Scott...he was better than Plummer IMHO. Plummer does fine work, but nothing beyond brilliant. A good actor in a good role.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 4/7/07 at 6:11pm

A role that we just saw on Broadway 11 years ago.

Snooze.

Updated On: 4/7/07 at 06:11 PM

[Weez]

Posted: 4/7/07 at 6:58pm

Langella for the Tony pls! I'm STILL pissed that Langella and Sheen were overlooked at the Olivier awards, so I'm rooting SO hardcore for the Tonys right now that I might actually burst something. This play with its incredible cast NEEDS the recognition that it has - in the opinions of myself and many audiences - absolutely earned, or there is less justice in this world than I would like there to be.

*ahem* Anyway...

[Blonde]

Posted: 4/10/07 at 5:36pm

I was so astounded by Frank Langella's performance. His mannerisms, the cough, the facial expressions, just brilliant. It wasn't just mimicking, he really understood the essence of Nixon and conveyed it beautifully. I agree that Langella and Sheen (who was also great) should be given seperate bows.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/10/07 at 5:40pm

Wife headin there now--- Testing has baby duties..

She cant wait !