TAKE ME OUT Previews — Page 3

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/15/theater/jesse-williams-interview-broadway.html

Not already being a devoted Jesse Williams fan, I'm not encouraged to see this based on the pre-opening pr article in NYT--at least not early in the run. No previous stage experience and learning on the job? Great,. Just what I want in a Broadway lead.

http://twitter.com/nytimestheater/status/1504119508662902793

Interview with Jesse Williams on the NYT

EDIT: Ops, sorry Sister George, I didn't notice you had already posted it!

Updated On: 3/16/22 at 11:43 AM

This thread is making me question our tickets for Saturday night, Does the theatre offer refunds?

theatretenor2 said: "This thread is making me question our tickets for Saturday night, Does the theatre offer refunds?"

My review may have come out more negative than intended. If you were local, I might suggest waiting until after opening to give them time to work out some kinks, but from the other thread it sounds like you're not. If it is your only chance, I'd probably go for it.

I was also at the show last night. And, for context, I saw the original Broadway run.

I agree with a lot of the takes thus far, although I liked Jesse Tyler Ferguson more than some of the other posters. I liked act one quite a lot and thought Patrick Adams was excellent. I also thought Tyler Weaks gave a charming performance in a small role. I wasn't as keen on Jesse Williams. He was a little flat at first, which isn't too problematic given the character, but I didn't think it built throughout the show...perhaps that will change with a few more performances under his belt.

I struggled with the second act, particularly the confrontation between Williams & Michael Oberholtzer and its repercussions. It just felt...wrong? And the resolution was unsatisfying. I think my issue is mostly with the writing and how it just didn't feel like an appropriate series of events for 2022. But maybe with better direction and acting it could have worked. Not sure.

Overall, though, I wouldn't *not* recommend it. If you're interested in the source material -- or the cast -- give it a go and make your own conclusions. There was a lot of good stuff to take away.

After I posted the snippet of a Brantley review above that ended up a paean to Dennis O'Hare, I investigated other reviews of the original. Though a Tony-winning Best Play, the script always had detractors and reviews voiced some reservations*, about both the plot and the depiction of various aspects of LGBTQ temperament, the Mason character already considered a stereotype in 2002 by Brantley in one of his two reviews (and to be fair, he felt O'Hare mitigated that aspect of the writing). I didn't have that impression -- gay men can be lonely, needy, and any other recognizable qualities; role model LGBTQ characters airbrushed of human flaws can be two-dimensional. But it'd be curious how the play's sociopolitical prism lands today. Any thoughts among those who've attended? Does the play's point of view feel 2022? Does it matter?

*Variety: "Unfortunately, that kind of truth — not to mention some other kinds — is largely missing from long stretches of the play. Greenberg has a tendency to imbue too many of his characters with the intelligence and acerbic eloquence that sits easily on Mason but seems suspect when it’s handed out in similar doses to both Lemming and his best pal on the team, the thoughtful Kippy Sunderstrom.."

"...the actors cannot disguise the synthetic nature of much of the dialogue. Too often it seems driven by a relentless search for continual comic payoffs rather than the actual truth of the intriguing situation Greenberg has chosen to examine. And while Sunjata gives an appealing, confident and often sensitive performance as the man at the calm center of the storm he’s kicked up, Darren remains something of an emotional cipher; the character and his motivations never really come into focus."

Updated On: 3/17/22 at 11:08 AM

I'm a little disheartened by these early preview reports. Depending on the continuing reports through the preview period and the critics' reviews on opening night, I may be replacing this show on my upcoming May trip (Second Stage offers refunds right now, correct?. I saw a great local production of the play, so I have already seen it before, and done quite well at that.

Anyone know what the running time is?

Glad we decided to see this. Was really unsure based on some of the comments here. Not sure why people think this play is flawed, but we thoroughly enjoyed it. The cast must be really getting into the rhythm because I didn't observe any of the things other posters mentioned.

Patrick J. Adams and Michael Oberholtzer were both fantastic. Jesse Williams seems to be coming into his own, but can see how people might think his acting was flat. Jesse Tyler Ferguson chewed up the scenery a few times, and earned applause during several moments.

I recommend this play based on the performance tonight.

quizking101 said: "This Wednesday’s matinee is up on TDF for those who care"

I think a Wednesday matinee with the usual silver haired bridge and tunnel crowd would make for an interesting afternoon.

In person do the sets look as amateurish as they do in these photos?

yes

Synecdoche2 said: "Weird that this is a play about professional athletes who do almost nothing but talk. I would think baseball players would probably live more in their bodies than these characters, who seem to enjoy speechifying and philosophizing more than playing ball. Even the pointedly unintelligent ones. The strongest argument for baseball is made from the perspective of someone sitting on their couch watching the game — the ones who actually play baseball seem to either hate it or play it with rage. And since Marzac is clearly representing the author, the use extensive nudity throughout kinda comes off as cheap, even though it's not without its cheap purpose. (are we allowed to say p*** on here?) You can just feel the leering eyes that wrote those extended scenes. But I suppose theatergoers are never above leering — my blood pressure was definitely up."



So you think they should play a few innings on stage instead of "talk"? Also, many playwrights are capable of writing characters in voices other than their own. Greenberg has said that Marzac is not "him".