#1
Posted: 6/26/12 at 11:09pm
What was this?! I was surprised to read this was part three of John Patrick Shanley's thematic trilogy that began with Doubt.
The situations were so ludicrous the characters found themselves in that it often verged on camp. Bob Dishy and Tonya Pinkins' characters didn't make a believable couple, and (Slight Spoiler) the fact that they all ended up at the church in the second act was as silly as loading up a clown car with these people.
The play lacked focus and tried to cover too many themes. It should have been about the Donaldo; perhaps a bit trite, but the well-intentioned politician succumbing to the temptations of power and big business would have made for a tidier story. All the subplots were distracting, even though the characters were amusing.
Zach Grenier really is a terrific actor and again I was impressed by his performance. Bob Dishy was pretty hysterical even though I didn't by his character fitting in with the rest of the characters.
I think this would work better as a movie than a play. The two scenes on the park bench with no dialogue would work in a movie, but not so much here. (If they only existed to move the set there are better ways to accomplish that.)
It was messy, but I was engaged and I'm glad I saw it. There's something there, but it needs more work.
The situations were so ludicrous the characters found themselves in that it often verged on camp. Bob Dishy and Tonya Pinkins' characters didn't make a believable couple, and (Slight Spoiler) the fact that they all ended up at the church in the second act was as silly as loading up a clown car with these people.
The play lacked focus and tried to cover too many themes. It should have been about the Donaldo; perhaps a bit trite, but the well-intentioned politician succumbing to the temptations of power and big business would have made for a tidier story. All the subplots were distracting, even though the characters were amusing.
Zach Grenier really is a terrific actor and again I was impressed by his performance. Bob Dishy was pretty hysterical even though I didn't by his character fitting in with the rest of the characters.
I think this would work better as a movie than a play. The two scenes on the park bench with no dialogue would work in a movie, but not so much here. (If they only existed to move the set there are better ways to accomplish that.)
It was messy, but I was engaged and I'm glad I saw it. There's something there, but it needs more work.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
