THE COTTAGE On Broadway - Previews Thread

Broadway will welcome an uproarious new American comedy this summer. Eric McCormack, Laura Bell Bundy, Lilli Cooper, Nehal Joshi, Alex Moffat, and Dana Steingold head an amorous, glamorous cast in THE COTTAGE, the new comedy written by Sandy Rustin and directed by Jason Alexander.

Set in the English countryside in 1923, this tale of sex, betrayal and love unfolds when Sylvia decides to expose her affair to both her husband and to her lover’s wife. The true meaning of fate, identity and marriage are called into question as a surprising and hilarious web of secrets unravels in this ridiculous – potentially murderous – romantic comedy.

Previews begin July 7 before an opening night on July 24 at the Helen Hayes Theatre. Who’s planning on attending previews?

Updated On: 7/5/23 at 10:18 AM

I think a horror play in the summer was always going to be a stretch. But hey they did it. I think this sounds fun and I've seen Eric making the rounds to plug it. Hopefully it goes well!

I couldn’t pass on seeing Eric McCormack on stage so I grabbed a ticket for September. Plus my orch ticket was $58 so that’s a deal for me.

Final dress was tonight! Curious to hear how the show is. The play had a premiere prior to this Broadway run. Did anyone see it?

Going tonight!

Spoke with friends who were there last night. They said it was a fun night night at the theater, but they still need to work on their timing, and said I should wait a few weeks for them to iron out the kinks. Their biggest takeaway is it is a vehicle Bundy that made them remember why she was original Elle Woods and question why she hasn't been on Broadway since.

My rush are mezz A seats 2 and 4.

EDSOSLO858 said: "Any first preview thoughts, folks?

Running time is 2 hours 15 minutes including a 15-minute intermission, according to Telecharge."

That sounds right. I didn't look at the time when I left, but I stopped and got pizza and was back at my hotel on 41st by 10:40. I was surprised to find out it would be that long, I was expecting a 100 minute play. I don't know that it needs to be over 2 hours long, but they kept me entertained the whole time

I thought this was in really good shape for a first preview. The ending fell a bit flat for me, and Lilli Cooper's costume needs fixing (spoiler on that below)

I don't think there was a weak link in the cast, they were all hilarious and worked well together. There are some delightfully funny sight gags, some nice physical comedy bits, and a fart joke that should have been dumb (and I guess it was) but had the audience in stitches (I normally loathe fart jokes but I still found it funny). Alex Moffat in particular was fun to watch - make sure to pay attention to him whenever he sits in a chair.

The play itself is a fairly decent comedy but isn't doing anything groundbreaking or overly interesting. It could ne a disaster with the wrong cast. I'm also not sure it really needed to be set in England and necessitate accents. The plot "twists" were pretty predictable and one in particular felt telegraphed:

After seeing the set/stage in relation to the audience, I don't think side orch would be as bad as I thought it might be.

Overall, it was a fun night, and I definitely think it's worth seeing, especially at rush prices. But don't go in expecting anything revolutionary.

A warning: act 2 starts very suddenly and LOUDLY

A warning: act 2 starts very suddenly and LOUDLY"

You clearly know how to use the spoiler tag! Why not put this spoiler in it, as well!

I saw it yesterday, after doing the digital rush. It's a classic farce, very "Man Who Came to Dinner." Overall it was definitely fun: Bundy's comedic chops really carried, and Moffat stole every scene he was in (even in the background.)

Personally it wasn't my favorite show I've ever seen, but the audience around me was uproarious with laughter, which was great to see. I won't spoil too much, but most of the "twists" were pretty easy to see coming, according to me and the girls seated behind me. Of course, it's a comedy, so the drama isn't that important, but as Taffy said, the big Act 1 "reveal" wasn't much of a reveal at that point. They need to cut the dialogue that gives it away.

Everything moves quickly, jokes every minute. I didn't find the book itself to be hilarious, but the actors really sold it and made it work, so I'm glad I caught it with the original cast. They definitely have a great vibe going and seem like they're having a good time. An enjoyable night out for sure, but I don't think I'll need to see it again.

I also saw Jason Alexander up in the Mezz taking notes, so that was pretty cool.

Oh dear. Oh dear. Oh dear.

What could’ve been a raucous summer farce like POTUS was last year turned out to be a very milquetoast and low energy affair. It definitely pays homage to Noel Coward comedies and farces, but is ultimately too basic and sluggishly paced to be considered a good farce. Plot twists are tossed off with no sense of comedic timing and, other than the occasional titter, I was left more confused than amused. It has major community theatre energy.

I don’t fault the cast because they all know comedy very well but are left at sea by the script and the direction. Eric McCormack has been given a character that is basically British Will Truman (he’s a barrister, naturally), and has some good moments. Cooper and Joshi are wasted here, as is Moffat (though he has some good physical comedy moments). Bundy and especially Steingold fare the best here and seem to be operating at a higher energy level that everyone else needs to catch up to.

Also, good lord, so many slipping accents

Sounds like the kind of thing people walk out of saying "That was cute" in a neutral tone.

Laura Bell Bundy is sensational in this and absolutely must become a Broadway mainstay. We cannot go another 15 years without her on the stage. She fully carries this show.

The set is stunning and has some fantastic gags toward the beginning of the show (though they do run out shortly thereafter).

Otherwise, this was just OK. The cast aside from Bundy is OK and the play itself is OK. It's not really a gut-busting comedy, nor does it have anything meaningful to say, but it's enjoyable and light. I do think it could be tightened enough to axe the intermission and just make it a quick and breezy 100-minute play. Didn't dislike it but probably won't remember it a few months from now.