TAKE ME OUT Previews — Page 6

Saw the show last night, and really loved just about every part of it. Having seen the Public and original Broadway productions years ago, there was a certain alchemy in that original cast that really made the show shine. I saw a lot of that in parts of this production.

Firstly, maybe it's because it's late in the run and some of the meh responses to Williams were in previews, but I thought he was fantastic. Daniel Sunjata is hard act to follow, but Williams is really fantastic. I'd argue that if it wasn't his Broadway debut, he might actually win the Tony over Ferguson because while wonderful, there's a long shadow that Denis O'Hare leaves. There are certain lines that O'Hare just served to perfection, and to hear those same lines kind of used as a throw away, I wonder if Tony voters who remember those will be thinking similarly. But then there's Oberholzer, who manages to just go for broke at Shane, just unrelenting emotionally, he's his own mini tour-de-force, hopefully a star-making performance. Really, any of them could, and should, win the Tony.

The newly added scene, while I get why, it's more a should they have? It just didn't really do anything except give Williams some more meaty material. But really, it didn't work for me. 

The rest of the cast was wonderful, and the intimate theatre was a great choice. My seats were 2nd to last row center, and they were great. A simple, affective set, really highlighted the performances. (And of course, the, um, performances.) 

I will say the Yondr process was a bit confusing, I thought you could leave it on in the case, but they were telling us to shut them off, but then didn't say that we were already about to give them to lock up. I'll admit I had a brain freeze trying to remember how to turn it off! But once in, I didn't mind not having the phone with me.

MadsonMelo said: "Fergunson is winning the Tony, right?"

 

Ferguson is giving a very good performance but it's Michael Oberhauser who is giving a performance that lifts the play from "very enjoyable" to "exceptional"

 

MadsonMelo said: "Fergunson is winning the Tony, right?"

We thought he was the weakest part of the show, especially compared to O'Hare's portrayal

I saw this last night and was really blown away by the performances in this. It did not disappoint. The Jesses are on their A game. I loved this production just as much as I did the original with Daniel Sunjata, Dennis O'Hare and Fred Weller. I was especially impressed with Jesse Williams, who I've been a fan of for years via "Grey's Anatomy". He has great stage presence. 

I hope this production gets a boat-load of Tonys.

One of the best productions I have seen this year. 

MadsonMelo said: "CarlosAlberto said: "I saw this last night and was really blown away by the performances in this. It did not disappoint. The Jesses are on their A game. I loved this production just as much as I did the original with Daniel Sunjata, Dennis O'Hare and Fred Weller. I was especially impressed with Jesse Williams, who I've been a fan of for years via "Grey's Anatomy". He has great stage presence.

I hope this production gets a boat-load of Tonys.

One of the best productions I have seen this year."

Actually, they can only win 2. And they might win because I dont know any competition for Revival (Colored? Drive?) and Featured Actor (Chepas Jones?)"

LOL, yes I know...hopefully they'll win those, but Cephas Jones is a mighty contender.

TAKE ME OUT should win the Tony for revival.  The performances in DRIVE were great but not the production - as we've seen better productions of it in the regions.  

Scott Ellis should have been nominated for direction over several who made the list.  One of the "off" categories of nominees this year.

CityLights3 said: "MadsonMelo said: "CarlosAlberto said: "And they might win because I dont know any competition for Revival (Colored? Drive?)"

Honestly, I think Revival of a Play is one of the most competitive categories of the entire night and I could honestly see it go to HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE,for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf, orTAKE ME OUT.


For me the vote is easy, it would be a slam dunk for DRIVE. Paula Vogel having never won a Tony Award seems like a wrong that simply needs righted and there will never be a production better than the one at the Friedman. This is only Vogels 2nd Tony nomination.


TAKE ME OUT while a very solid effort never hit the heights of the original for me. Is Richard Greenberg still a master of words and overly intelligent human? Absolutely. That the original Take Me Out and The Assembled Parties are his only plays to have received Best Play nominations seems surprising, but I just don’t see this play toppling the behemoth that is Paula Vogels Drive.



and whilefor colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf’sNtozake Shangenever won a Tony before leaving us too early, this production while assured and moving was not nearly as cathartic or shattering as it’s original. The air seemed to be let out of the show for me in certain areas but on a whole certainly remains an important piece of art and poetry and I could see it’s supports putting it on top as well. "

My main problem predicting “Drive” or “Take Me Out” is that I dont even remember the last time a revival won without a best director nom while there was another contender nominated in that category.

In fact, the only revival to win without a director nom in this century was “The Boys in the Band”, but all the nominations for directing that year were for new plays.

The only revival nominated for directing this year is For Colored Girls, that it is also the most nominated revival of the night.

Maybe that should be our best bet?

The nudity element was very similar to when it happens in film. Initially one does a curious once over and then if the script is good your mind goes right back into what is happening between the characters.

UWS10023 said: "Bump. Is Second Stage not for profit? When I charged my ticket it was coded as a charitable contribution."

Despite the egregious price hike on the TMO tickets, yes.

https://nonprofitlocator.org/organizations/ny/new-york/133021180-second-stage-theatre

https://nonprofitlight.com/ny/new-york/second-stage-theatre-inc

https://2st.com/support

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/NonProfit-Second-Stage-Theatre-Acquires-Helen-Hayes-Theatre-20080716

UWS10023 said: "Is Second Stage not for profit? "

 

Yes

 

Would love to see a production of WAIT UNTIL DARK with Mary Louise Parker and Michael Oberholtzer

Loretta Swit isn't available right now. She's doing a dinner theater production of MEDEA in Manitoba.

Lee Remick originated the role in WAIT UNTIL DARK and I'm pretty sure she was about the same age then that Parker is now.

After seeing the show on Friday, my take is that JTF would be the front runner from this show for the Tony. Jesse Williams gave a nice performance and Michael Oberholtzer did a very good job, but the scene I was really expecting to be Tony-worthy was at the police department and it became less nuanced and more so a shouting spectacle. Still a great show, but think it was robbery to charge $200 for last row mezz tickets. All of this is, of course, simply my opinion. Glad this show is doing well.