THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA Off-Broadway with Tim Daly, Daphne Rubin-Vega and Lea DeLaria

I missed when this was announced and don't see a thread for it. Currently in previews, opens tomorrow night. Anyone seen it?

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Daphne-Rubin-Vega-and-Tim-Daly-Will-Lead-THE-NIGHT-OF-THE-IGUANA-Off-Broadway-20230919

https://playbill.com/article/tim-daly-daphne-rubin-vega-lea-delaria-more-will-star-in-the-night-of-the-iguana-off-broadway

I don't know if this means much to you, but it's scoring well on Show Score. 

dan94 said: "I saw this a few days ago. Rubin-Vega is terrific in it. Delaria is fun. Pendleton as reliable as ever. Beautiful set.

Unfortunately, there is a performer on stage in a key role whose acting leaves much to be desired. As the character is on stage for such a large amount of time, the evening becomes extremely tedious. A shame."

So...Daly? Or Lichty?

Updated On: 12/17/23 at 06:50 PM

Daily Beast is negative

Review: Tennessee Williams Gets Lost in ‘The Night of the Iguana’

The power and poetry of Tennessee Williams’ words flicker into only occasional life in an unfocused new production of his 1961 play, “The Night of the Iguana.”

https://www.thedailybeast.com/review-tennessee-williams-gets-lost-in-the-night-of-the-iguana

 

Vulture is negative

Cold-Blooded Tennessee Williams: The Night of the Iguana

https://www.vulture.com/2023/12/theater-review-night-iguana-tennessee-williams-tim-daly.html

 

Theatermania is negative

Review: The Night of the Iguana, the Tennessee Williams Drama Tied Up Under the Porch

https://www.theatermania.com/news/review-the-night-of-the-iguana-the-tennessee-williams-drama-tied-up-under-the-porch_1724178/

 

NY Stage Review has one four-star review

The Night Of The Iguana: Tennessee Williams’ Last Great Play Shines in Starry Revival

By Roma Torre

★★★★☆ Tim Daly, Daphne Rubin-Vega and Austin Pendleton lead La Femme Theatre’s production of the classic drama with impressive flair

https://nystagereview.com/2023/12/17/the-night-of-the-iguana-tennessee-williams-last-great-play-shines-in-starry-revival/

 

And one two-star review

The Night of the Iguana: Williams at his Best, Production Not

By David Finkle

★★☆☆☆ Emily Mann directs a prosaic revival, Tom Daly, Daphne Rubin-Vega. Lea DeLaria act

https://nystagereview.com/2023/12/17/the-night-of-the-iguana-williams-at-his-best-production-not/

MrsSallyAdams said: ""Tom Daly acts."

I hope they keep the typo. Olympic diver Tom Daley in Night of the Iguanais the type of camp I'd pay to see."

As who? Charlotte? Yes, he would be most fetching.

 

I was there tonight, and I can't disagree with the poor pacing, and some awkward performances, but I actually kinda enjoyed myself? I think the problem is the play, which lacks any momentum/drama. Williams' lyrical writing cant get this over the finish line, and I'm not sure thats Mann's or the actors' fault. 

Its a full three hours (cast took their bows at 10:58 pm) but I didnt find myself bored despite the inherent flaws here, and the strange performances sorta carried me away against my will. I'm talking mainly about Daly and Lichty, who are the leads of the show, and who play inscrutable, impossibly strange characters. Daly is fantastic (pun) in a tricky role, and while I totally understand how Lichty's odd delivery can turn people off, it worked for me. The end of the play is just Daly and Lichty talking at each other and they sold it, I thought.

Lea Delaria is a joy to watch on stage but is lost here, and Daphne Rubin Vega is truly in a different play. Both women are so captivating and commanding, but are in roles that do not work with those qualities. They are both perfectly and totally miscast at the same time? Hard to describe. 

This is a play I'd gladly never see again, but one I'm happy I saw, and i think this production serviceable delivers it for our consumption. Shrug.

No rain.

Owen 22, you are absolutely correct. The film version is vastly superior. The screenplay is a major improvement over the stage version, and the cast is incredible, especially Ava Gardner and Grayson Hall.

Sinister Teashop, please elaborate on your statement. I always thought Williams had very little, if anything, to do with the Iguana film. The only thing I can ever remember reading about Williams and the film is that he objected to the casting of Ava Gardner.

Austin Pendleton was great and quite funny.

 

I do want to say that I didn’t think Lichty was bad. She was earnest and committed and was actually the cast member I felt truly knew all their lines and was most comfortable with the material. (There were many line flubs the night I saw it) She did a solid job, I just found that accent to be weird. “Mr. Shannon” became “Mr. Shonnin” and for anyone who knows the play it felt like she said it about 500 times.

Man, this was a weird one. I enjoyed Tim Daly, LOVED Daphne, really enjoyed Lea DeLaria and Austin Pendleton (besides the VERY end which was like a cartoon and dreadfully staged) but Jean Lichty - I'm sorry but...no. She brings the entire production down. I'm just so confused by this casting. Even a "lesser" Tennessee Williams play can be thrilling but when the main character is this "off", it completely throws off the entire play. I can say that I'll never forget it - and her "accent"(?)