Review of THREE DAYS OF RAIN

Posted: 4/2/06 at 10:19pm

It's hard not to have some expectations regarding what many are calling the theater event of the season, so it is with regret that I say it really didn't deliver.

To begin with, the story wasn't satisfying. That may in part have to do with the interaction among the actors, but I think the disconnect between Act I and II probably accounted for most of my disappointment. I had expected there to be an element of suspense to the story. The foundation would be laid out in Act I, and the secrets would be revealed in Act II. There would be some clever twists and turns, and a touch of ambiguity that leaves the audience wondering as they leave the theater. Instead, the play does plant some questions in Act I. The characters' discussions about their parents make you curious about what causes them to behave in certain ways, but these issues aren't really addressed in Act II, except in very superficially. I don't want to spoil anything (not that there is that much to reveal), so I won't go into specifics, but I really expected the play to go deeper.

With respect to the actors' performances, I think Paul Rudd and Bradley Cooper were both in fine form, although Bradley sometimes seemed to overact. Paul's character is suppose to be very melodramatic and emotionally unbalanced, so his sudden outbursts seemed appropriate. Bradley, on the other hand, could tone down his performance (and his arm gestures) a bit, but overall he was convincing in his role as a happy-go-lucky charmer who doesn't take life too seriously. Julia was better in Act II than Act I. In Act I, she was completely flat. She sounded like she was reciting her lines. Her voice did not project well, and all evidence of her "star quality" was missing. She's much better on film where the cameras can zoom in on her infectious smile. In the vast space of a theater (and the Jacobs isn't even that large), her personality is lost. Both Paul and Bradley overshadowed her in Act I and made her character seem even more boring. I think Nan is suppose to be very tightly wound, and prim and proper, with a dry wit. That role obviously did not come easy for Julia because she was extremely stiff and unnatural. Her performance as Lina was a definite improvement, but it still wasn't one of the better performances this season.

The curtain call was one of the shortest in recent memory. A minority of the audience stood, but in general the applause lasted all of 30 seconds, and there was no second curtain call. On our way out, we heard mostly grumblings of disappointment, which we echoed.
Updated On: 4/2/06 at 10:19 PM

[vivs678]

Posted: 4/2/06 at 11:14pm

I thought the story was fantastic and the acting was, overall, passable.
Paul Rudd was really great.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/2/06 at 11:31pm

The reviews should be interesting, though they really don't matter. the show is sold-out right? Although, if it got good reviews, I guess it could win best play revival. Do you think Julia would go to the Tonys if nominated? I don't think she'd win, but it would seem so embarassing to go and then lose to someone "less known."
Updated On: 4/2/06 at 11:31 PM

[Leadingplayer]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 2:35am

She'll definitely go if nominated.

[ken8631]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 8:06am

Was very disappointed.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 9:06am

Do not understand the hoopla over her

People standing in line for hours hoping & begging for a cancellation to see her in a play that is not that good. She is not a goddes. She is a person . I do not see why she deserves all this adulation & people paying ridiculous prices to see her. Trying to get her autograph, from what I have heard, is akin to trying to get one from a king or queen

Sorry guys I do not get it but if it does it for you , great. These days, nothing does it for me in all honesty

Updated On: 4/3/06 at 09:06 AM

Posted: 4/3/06 at 10:23am

Unless the Tony voters are also starstruck, I would be surprised if Julia was nominated after the performance that I saw on Saturday. And honestly, even if she were nominated, I don't think it would be embarrassing if she lost, considering her competition will probably be seasoned stage actresses who have garnered a lot more respect in the theater world than she.

[philcrosby]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 1:54pm

Julia has to be better than Madonna was in her Broadway debut in "Speed the Plow." Any high schooler who had just learned the script and one rehearsal would have been better.

Joe Mategna and Ron Silver were, though brilliant. Thank God Madge was only in a small part of the play.

[LaurenB]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 3:35pm

I saw this play in London with Colin Firth, Elizabeth McGovern, and David Morrissey (he's in Basic Instinct II with Sharon Stone). I thought the story was very interesting but really centered around the character that Paul Rudd is playing (Firth role). If my memory serves me correctly, the female role has the second most stage time behind the Paul Rudd role. But I thought that the female role was the most uninteresting part. Maybe someone who has recently seen this can confirm.

Posted: 4/3/06 at 8:49pm

Madonna was on Broadway?!

Considering how awful her films are, seeing her attempt to act on stage must have been a special form of torture.

Julia was certainly not that bad.

Posted: 4/3/06 at 9:06pm

I would have loved to see Colin Firth in this play. In particular, I can imagine him as a very moving Ned, and it would have been interesting to see him play against type as the volatile, irresponsible Walker.

I know what you mean about the story being centered around the Walker/Ned characters. They are the heart of the story. The Nan/Lina characters were on stage about the same amount of time, but Nan in Act I really did not come across as very interesting or well developed.
Updated On: 4/3/06 at 09:06 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 9:10pm

I'm sure the original production, with Patricia Clarkson, John Slattery, and Bradley Whitford was much better than the current one.

[jsrocks]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 11:08am

It had to be. I would have loved to see it with those three actors because they're really amazing at what they do.

[vivs678]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 2:19pm

I thought Paul Rudd was fantatic in the play, Bradley Cooper was pretty good (his temper tantrum seemed a little forced) and that Julia was okay.
Her first act didn't require much acting as her character was pretty stoic for it. It was just a recital of lines.
Her second act character was pretty well done, I thought, although, admittedly, she did slip out of her accent for a few lines.

I loved the play itself (the actual script), unlike a lot of people I've read on these boards, and overall, I actually enjoyed the show a lot.

Honestly, I think people are being a little bit harsh, but I guess they're entitled as the tickets were pretty steep.

[Lamc16]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 2:25pm

Clarkson, Slattery, and Whitford are better actors anyhow. Just my opinion.

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 12:07pm

I saw the show last night and actually, went in with no expectations. I was more than pleasantly surprised. I loved the play itself. It's interesting, poignant, funny, and finally, incredibly sad. The characters are probably developed as well as they can be, in the time given. Paul Rudd was very good, and as he has the most interesting character (and the most to work with), I think it's no surprise that he is probably the favorite. Bradley Cooper was also good, his comic timing and intensity were well delivered. It was when the serious turns came that he struggled a bit. I thought Julia was good, and I enjoyed her. My only problem with her performance was that she seems unable to project her voice in the way that is necessary to be heard throughout the theatre. This is a problem, and I'm amazed that Joe Mantello hasn't made sure that this is corrected.

Again, I loved the play itself. It's intelligent and rather than feeling a 'disconnect' between Act I and Act II, as some have indicated, I loved that both sets of characters were employed. Loved it.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 12:19pm

Ya know I reaaaally hate it when people do this. The show has been performing for 1 week. It's not even opening until the 19th!!! You really don't have much business reviewing it until then. It's not fair to the actors, the piece, or to potential audience memebers. Things are still being tweaked.

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 12:25pm

Excuse me, but I'm not a professional critic and I highly doubt that anyone else on here is either. There are no constraints on fans voicing their opinions during preview periods. I'm commenting on the show that I saw, and that show happened to be last night's, while it is obviously still in previews. Who are you to say I have no business reviewing it?! If you don't want to read comments about preview performances, then don't read them!

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 12:29pm

I hope Julia makes progress on projecting her voice. I see it on the 15th from an inexpensive seat and would like to be able to hear her lines.

[ken8631]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 2:13pm

I agree about being allowed to "review" a show here. We paid to see it, yes we know it's being tweaked, but we can at least indicate where we think it is right now. Some shows (looks like "Drowsy Chaperone") don't need much if any tweaking! This one does. I enjoy reading others impressions of the shows I see (or am considering seeing), whether they are in previews or not.
Updated On: 4/5/06 at 02:13 PM

[Harmondo21]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 2:32pm

Let's not get so upset about people talking about the show. It's human nature, get over it. And I am also excited to see someone talk positively about the show. If this wasn't Julia Roberts, people wouldn't be bad-mouthing it so much. Good for you giving it a good review. They're still making progress, I see it on the 23rd and can't wait!

Any news on the crowds outside? Any hope of getting a pic of and autograph after seeing the show??

[ken8631]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 3:03pm

Crowds outside still looked formidable. Had police trying to move people off the street, and lots of people on other side of street too! I am now avoiding that street if possible (driving home to NJ-wise)if that show is letting out....

I'll admit I went to see it since Julia is in it, but she doesn't help make it much better than it is unfortunately (for me, anyway).

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 3:19pm

I was in the rear mezz and had no problem hearing and understanding Roberts or the other two.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 3:21pm

Margo, what did you think of the show? Did you already write a review?

[Harmondo21]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 3:24pm

Could you see very well from the rear mezzanine? I'm in the back on the far right side.