Speed the Plow

[JenNYferTheatrical]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 4:36pm

I just saw Speed the Plow r, and it was spectacular! It was so cool to Jeremy Piven in person instead of on television, and he's just as great as he is in Entourage! Not to mention Raul Esparza and Elisabeth Moss. The show was great, and there were some hilarious moments. "None of us are mavericks!" I was just wondering has anyone else out here seen it? What did you think?

[Testing1232]

Posted: 10/8/08 at 9:54pm

Wife left the theatre around 10 mins ago, and sent me a text that the show was "amazing" !! I REALLY need to see this now !

[it'sjustshowbiz]

Posted: 10/8/08 at 9:58pm

^
I didn't care for it. I didn't think it was funny or entertaining.

[wonkit]

Posted: 10/8/08 at 10:17pm

Well, Mamet is called a lot of things but rarely is his work labeled "entertaining."

[it'sjustshowbiz]

Posted: 10/8/08 at 10:20pm

^
"Entertaining" doesn't just have to be happy/funny.

[wonkit]

Posted: 10/11/08 at 5:56pm

^

I agree, but it's still not a word often applied to Mamet (or Pinter, or Miller).

Which is weird because I would call Chekhov entertaining. And Shakespeare.

Huh...

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/11/08 at 8:36pm

The performance I saw was the invited dress, so I hesitate to say too much out of courtesy, but overall, I really enjoyed it and thought it was a lot of fun. Loved the performances.

[nicole neumann2]

Posted: 10/11/08 at 9:27pm

i am that i live in florida and i wanted to see the show. i am a big fan Raul's. does anyone know if he comes out and signs autographes and takes pictures??? my aunt wants to get raul's autograph for me. what is a good time to go????....thanks...nicole

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/11/08 at 9:42pm

After an evening show. He's lovely.

[wonkit]

Posted: 10/11/08 at 11:01pm

I caught part of GIRL, INTERRUPTED on TV tonight. I had forgotten that Elisabeth Moss was in that. And Angelina Jolie. 1999 seems like a long time ago for her.

[xxdrewboy85xx]

Posted: 10/12/08 at 1:15am

as much as I despise Mamet I really wanna see this!

[Sleeper2]

Posted: 10/12/08 at 1:07pm

I thought it was AWFUL. Piven and Esparza flubbed their lines constantly. It was like watching a bad reading. Jeremy actually said at one point "the telephone was supposed to ring now. It's late." Moss has the sex appeal of a potato. The play is ridiculous. The set unimagined and boring.

Waste of time and money, in my opinion. Move on.

[wonkit]

Posted: 10/12/08 at 1:53pm

That's the problem with Mamet - it is so tightly woven that it has to be letter perfect.

ETA: To be fair, it is still in previews and doesn't open till the 23rd. I always buy preview tickets with trepidation.
Updated On: 10/12/08 at 01:53 PM

[Hest882]

Posted: 10/12/08 at 3:19pm

I saw in during the first few days of previews and Piven did flub his lines though neither Moss or Esparza did so (or least, not obviously enough that I noticed!). I still think it's not really worth paying full price for, but I definitely would see it again given the chance. It's just great to have a "confined" play where you can really focus on the actors.

[wonkit]

Posted: 10/12/08 at 4:59pm

I agree, hest - I missed the play ART several years ago (with Victor Garber - what was I thinking?!) and I wanted to see it for the same reason. I think it also had only three, possibly four, actors and it was apparently a tour de force. The theatrical equivalent of each actor singing a solo a cappella. In a different key.

Sorry this is so OT.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/12/08 at 5:56pm

Esparza is very nice

When we saw it, he was outside before. After goofing on him re being in a Mamet show, I told him he was great in Company. He smiled & said "You're very kind". Class act all the way & very underrated as an actor

The show was ******* great.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/12/08 at 6:40pm

I love the guy, but I would hardly call him "underrated." He's constantly working, and considered one of the most sought-after stage actors in New York.

[wonkit]

Posted: 10/12/08 at 8:15pm

Hey, Mr. Roxy - I decided to go to the Wednesday matinee this week. If I see Raul, should I tell him that you said f****** hello?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/12/08 at 8:21pm

Yeah why not.

[Esparzafan]

Posted: 10/14/08 at 10:46am

Anyone know if Raul signs after matinees?

[wonkit]

Posted: 10/14/08 at 3:51pm

Since this play is so short in performance, I assume (but do not know for a fact) that the actors may try to get out of the theater for a while between performances. I am supposed to be going to tomorrow's matinee - so if I find out more, I'll post.

[chrysler99]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 9:27am

Saw it last night and enjoyed it. very entertaining, typical Mamet. I think they are still working on the timing in some places (or that they should do so). the fight scene needs some work as well.

All three of the actors were very good. Although I think Raul came off the best.

p.s. I thought the scene transitions were really well-done.

[Just_John]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 11:43am

Wow, I saw it last night and as much as I love Raul, myself as well as the three people I was with thought he was totally miscast in this play.

[chrysler99]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 1:56pm

I didn't think Raul was mis-cast at all (nor did my friends in attendance). Actually, it seemed like it was easiest to accept Raul in his role because it took awhile to remove Jeremy from Ari Gold and Elizabeth from her role in Mad Men.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 2:08pm

I am BEYOND thrilled to have been given the grand opportunity to see this piece live (and) in-personm. Truly a splendor if I've ever heard one. So much positive buzz already, that's very promising. Opens next Thursday, I'm wishing it the absolute best already. Seeing it in 2 1/2 weeks!