SEA WALL/A LIFE to Broadway — Page 3

Saw the matinee of Sea Wall/A Life yesterday, 7/31. Ended up spending a little more on tickets than I anticipated but the seats were perfect - we were row L, seats 103/104 and the sight lines were great, especially considering Jake stays pretty much in the same place the whole time (Tom moves around a lot more). Someone’s phone went off 3 times in the middle of Tom’s piece, the first time being in arguably the most emotional part of the entire monologue, and while Tom did an excellent job of not letting it take him out of character (I applaud him for not even acknowledging it, I can imagine that would be really difficult), it unfortunately took me out of it for a few minutes. I’d like to go back closer to the end of the run to see if his performance evolves in any way; while I felt like Jake’s piece was pretty airtight, Tom’s could possibly use a little tightening up. I couldn’t tell if he went up on some lines or if it was part of the character, just like some of the other posters here. Either way, it was a thought provoking afternoon at the theatre and I loved being able to see two fantastic actors clearly working very hard.

They did do a talkback at the end of the performance and the first audience member had a very emotional response to both monologues, commenting that she thought that this play could help men come to terms with emotions that they aren’t comfortable sharing; I’m paraphrasing here of course, but she commended Jake and Tom for being brave enough to perform such raw and emotional pieces of work, especially alone on stage. They both had really lovely reactions to her words which I thought was just very kind of them.

Is this pretty straight forward? No big theatrical moments or directional moments?

I’m seeing this tomorrow at 2 and can’t wait! Do the guys come out and sign after matinees?

SouthernCakes said: "Is this pretty straight forward? No big theatrical moments or directional moments?"



There are plenty of directional moments --- they aren't necessarily "big theatrical moments" -- but directors do far more than the big, splashy stuff you may notice on stage.

tombomb31 said: "northlandfan said: "Yes they do but on the next block where the stage door is. Tom came out and signed for everybody when I was there last week and Jake did most of the line but got spooked at the end when massive crowds started to approach him and he ran back into the building. Luckily just after signing my playbill!"

Do they take selfies?"

yes, but only with people at the barricade. most of the stage door selfies i've seen are pics where they're obviously just smiling for the camera and it's painful to see but anyways - can someone confirm if they come out for matinees on two show days? any reports on the stage door situation anyway? opening preview was a nightmare and spilled out into the street. is it still like that?

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NievesG said: "Can't speak for the matinee but for the "anyway"... Tuesday night I got a spot at the barricade after a woman in front of me left because she (loudly) exclaimed she wasn't waiting more than 10 minutes. They came out at 10:30, not crazy at all. The girl next to me told Gyllenhaal he is the greatest actor of our generation and he replied "Whose generation? I think you're a little younger than me." I had to laugh, it was so cringey.

Although you're right about the dead in the eyes selfies with a lot of these stagedoor photos, very awkward."

yeah - dead eyes & no teeth smiles are very awkward haha. thank you for the info!

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After Eight said: "A while back there was a book entitled Broadway Babylon,

This miserableopus should bear the title Broadway Babble On.

What a dud.

And truly,Jake Gyllenhaal's phony ad-lib “joke” takes the cake.Imagine getting a laugh at the thought of delivering bored-out-of-their-gourd patrons into the arms of Morpheus. How hilarious!

Actually, the only entertaining nano-second I experienced at this “entertainment” was when a man let out a giant snore in the midst ofthe unendingbabble emanating from the stage.That one snore was the most accurate summation of the entire enterprise."

Can you recommend more authentic material (plays or monologue) that have the same themes of coping with persistent grief while forging a new life?

I have been wondering about something in regards to the Tony Awards. Would this show be eligible for best play or since each play is a separate one act play would both/neither be eligible? I’m guessing both actors would be eligible for Tony noms as lead actor

The reviews of this seem all around very mixed. I'd love to see Jake in something on Broadway but I'm wondering if I should wait for him to do another show (this will almost certainly not be his last show on Broadway) or go see this one. I'm only debating this because I'm 16 and I'd like to see a show not just for the actor. I do enjoy plays though - should I just go for it and get a ticket?

BroadwayNoob said: "I do enjoy plays though - should I just go for it and get a ticket?"

While Tom and Jake certainly add to the appeal of this show, the stories themselves are so touching that it’s worth seeing. I personally have not experienced any of the events portrayed, but was still shedding those tears by the end. There was a teenage boy in front of us last night who said it was one of the best shows he’d seen on Broadway. I’m sure Jale and Tom will be back on stage, but why miss this opportunity to see them in a show that spotlights them (literally LOL) 100% of the time?

If price is a concern, there are two rush options - Todaytix and in-person. I’ve gone 3 times through the Todaytix rush and even the balcony seats are a great view. I bring my binoculars to get close ups when I want :)

I bought tickets through the TodayTix rush on Wednesday and was seated in Orchestra S9 - really, really great seat for the price.

SouthernCakes said: "It would be considered one play. "



The trouble here is that while A Life is having its world premier with this (and the Public) production, Sea Wall has been kicking around for over a decade. Under other circumstances, it’s likely that Sea Wall would fall under the “classics” rule and be considered a revival.

But even if we ignore that, and consider Sea Wall a new play, it seems unfair that the two playwrights would have to be nominated together, or not at all, when they each wrote their own separate play.

inception said: "BroadwayNoob said: "The reviews of this seem all around very mixed. I'd love to see Jake in something on Broadway but I'm wondering if I should wait for him to do another show (this will almost certainly not be his last show on Broadway) or go see this one. I'm only debating this because I'm 16 and I'd like to see a show not just for the actor. I do enjoy plays though - should I just go for it and get a ticket?"

Skip it. Chances are you'll get plenty of chances to see him in better shows. If you only have $$ to see one thing, there's plenty better to see. Look at off-bway listing for good cheap shows. Gyllenhaal is one of the worst actors alive."

Is he though, really? Clearly, BroadwayNoob already likes him as an actor, so your suggestion to skip the show really doesn't count for much.

I, for one, loved the show at the Public, and I highly recommend it. You might be able to see Jake in other shows, but probably not a monologue. I think there's something very intimate and special about an actor speaking directly to the audience, and it creates a unique connection. That kind of connection is why I go to the theatre in the first place.