Roundabout brings BRIEF ENCOUNTER to Broadway

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 6/4/10 at 10:53pm

No thread about this? I think this production sounds utterly fascinating. Than again, so did ENRON.

"Adapted and directed by Kneehigh artistic director Rice, Brief Encounter draws from Coward's original one-act Still Life and David Lean's 1945 black-and-white screen adaptation, which was called "Brief Encounter." Rice has also sprinkled the affair, which she calls "a grownup fairy tale," with songs by Coward and new melodies by Stu Walker, which utilize Coward's poems and other writings."

"The show was a kind of old-fashioned "happening" that felt experimental and traditional at once: Cast members wander the house, greeting theatregoers and performing songs before the action begins; the fourth wall is often broken; characters walk in and out of projected film sequences; the main lovers of the tale begin the evening by sitting in the front row of theatre, watching a movie."

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 6/4/10 at 10:54pm

YESYESYESYESYESYESYES

This was absolutely spectacular. Saw it when it was at St. Ann's Warehouse down in Brooklyn last winter. It was transfixing.

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 6/4/10 at 10:57pm

That's right, it played in NYC. So some here have already seen it. That's one "yay." Anyone else wanna chime in?

[Andergoat]

Posted: 6/4/10 at 11:32pm

I saw it a couple months ago at the Guthrie. Aesthetically, it's gorgeous, but my theater mate and I both thought it lacked warmth.

Discounting the merits of the writing, for those impressed with Enron's visuals, Brief Encounter is much more innovative and lush. Vastly different plays, of course, though.

The supporting players were great, but I'd like to see a re-cast of the two leads, as I think either they or how they were directed were a large part of the emotional disconnect.
Updated On: 6/4/10 at 11:32 PM

[Katurian2]

Posted: 6/4/10 at 11:43pm

Posner will be absolutely thrilled.

Sorry, that's about all I know of Brief Encounter. But... I am excited to see it should it materialize!

[Brick]

Posted: 6/4/10 at 11:52pm

Wonderful. One of the best evenings I had in a theatre. Truly lovely.

[WayTooBroadway]

Posted: 6/5/10 at 12:37am

Then again, the outcome of ENCOUNTER's Broadway run can't be easily compared to ENRON (a commercial venture) since it's going to be a non-profit production.

I'm eager to finally get the chance to see it.

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 6/5/10 at 4:28am

My comment had more to do with quality rather than commercial viability.

[WayTooBroadway]

Posted: 6/5/10 at 5:10am

Mine was more of a random thought than a reply to yours. It's just me, stating the obvious. :)

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 6/5/10 at 8:02am

This did great here in the UK and its a truly wondeful production, very clever, stunning.

So thrilled it's heading to Broadway

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 6/5/10 at 8:19am

Is this playing Studio 54? I don't see a space listed in the press release (though I am a little out of it, so who knows?).

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 6/5/10 at 9:55am

It doesn't say, but it is going into Studio 54.

[Hest882]

Posted: 6/5/10 at 9:48pm

I saw it when it was here in San Francisco. It was a clever, fun evening. It wasn't life-changing or anything, but it was definitely entertaining.

[April Saul]

Posted: 6/6/10 at 1:00am

I enjoyed it at St. Ann's, it was really lovely, but that was also in a small, intimate house. I guess if Roundabout's not going to come up with great new material, they may as well use shows that have been in NYC recently and were well-received. And the little tea sandwiches they handed out as you exited the theater were quite tasty

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 6/6/10 at 3:51am

This show is brilliant! I think it will do wonders on Broadway. The music in it is fantastic!

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 6/6/10 at 7:23am

So Roundabout's season is starting to take shape.

AMERICAN AIRLINES: Fall: Mrs. Warren's Profession, Winter/Spring:The Importance of Being Earnest

STEPHEN SONDHEIM: Fall:Pee Wee's Playhouse, Winter/Spring: Anything Goes or Brief Encounter

STUDIO 54: Anything Goes or Brief Encounter