THE PRESENT Previews- Page 2

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 12/18/16 at 12:37pm

I would be very surprised if this were deemed a revival. I haven't seen/read the original, but it appeared the general plot line was the same and the characters' names the same, but everything else is different.  The script is totally new and it's set in modern times. 

[Jiaroony]

Posted: 12/18/16 at 8:41pm

He did not even say if the show will win a tony. He said an actor will. And with Cate getting raves in NYC for BAM. She Might

 

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "10086sunset said: "Cate Blanchett has likely won the Tony."

We'll see about that. I think what might stand in her way come Tony season is not only the fact that her show will be closed, but also the fact that the show is running from January 8th-March 19th. Tony voters won't even be invited until at least press week, which would begin after the new year. Considering this is right after the holiday period, the majority of the out-of-town voters probably won't even be able to see The Present.

But I am wondering if it will be eligible as a new play or a revival. There's obviously a lot of new plays coming in the spring where The Present could get lost in the shuffle. If it ends up being eligible as a revival, it might have a better shot at being remembered there as we're so far off to a bumpy start with play revivals this season.

 

"

 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 12/18/16 at 8:44pm

But with The Present taking place from January to mid-March, will enough Tony voters (specifically the out-of-towners) be able to see it during that narrow time frame?

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 12/18/16 at 9:29pm

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "Considering this is right after the holiday period, the majority of the out-of-town voters probably won't even be able to see The Present."

And how do you know the majority of out-of-town voters go more than two months at a time without traveling to the city? You're assuming their trips to town are exclusively intended to fulfill their voting duties.

 

Updated On: 12/18/16 at 09:29 PM

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 12/18/16 at 10:52pm

All I know is what I heard.

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 12/18/16 at 11:06pm

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "All I know is what I heard."

Sounds reliable enough to make sweeping generalizations about the habits of a group of people. 

[JayG 2]

Posted: 12/18/16 at 11:46pm

All of this proves one thing: The Tony awards are a joke. It's not the best of the season. It's the best of the shows still running. They really are a waste of time.

[jc1111]

Posted: 12/19/16 at 12:20am

I have to say, I saw it at the final dress and thought it was very good. I was confused for much of the beginning, as I worked to figure out relationships, but once I had it all worked out, I loved it. Some of it drags on a bit...BUT...

Cate Blanchett is the reason to see this production. She is a force of nature. Almost un-human in her level of focus and presence. She is ageless. Simultaneously she is 100 years old and 6 years old. The second half of Act 1 (Act II, I'm guessing) is some of the most thrilling and dangerous theater I've seen. I'll be going back to sit in the front row just to  watch her even more closely. 

[10086sunset]

Posted: 12/19/16 at 7:43am

jc1111, ^this is spot on...

Once the relationships get sorted out, the play takes off...

Updated On: 12/19/16 at 07:43 AM

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 12/19/16 at 10:28am

I have a feeling the out of town voters that Jeffrey is going on about will make a special trip to see Cate Blanchett. Seems obvious.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 12/19/16 at 10:35am

I can definitely see that happening.

[LarryD2]

Posted: 12/19/16 at 11:13am

We are talking about one of the most well-regarded actors currently living making her Broadway debut. Voters--whether local or out-of-town--will absolutely go out of their way to make sure and see her show.

[Jiaroony]

Posted: 12/19/16 at 11:44pm

Should I even see this show?

[@z5]

Posted: 12/19/16 at 11:45pm

Really looking forward to see this. cate has been one of my favorite actresses for years. Anyone know if she has come out to stage door afterwards at all?

[After Eight]

Posted: 12/20/16 at 12:04am

Sad to say, with each successive opening, the theatre seems to have morphed into a forlorn realm of trial and error: the offerings are both a trial to sit through, and an error to attend.

This item is a case in point: a three hour plus mega-bore that made this season's Cherry Orchard seem like a speedball.

More than a few patrons left at intermission. I can't say I blame them. The frigid air outside offered welcome relief from the tedium on stage.

Updated On: 12/20/16 at 12:04 AM

[M.O.A.I.]

Posted: 12/20/16 at 12:14am

Saw the show tonight, and have to say I was somewhat disappointed. The first scene of the first act was unbearably slow and long. The second scene was a startling switch in tone, pace, and quality; it was the only scene that absolutely blew me away. Basically, the show succeeds whenever its stars are alone onstage, or else when they’re allowed to carry the scene; whenever the ball is tossed to a member of the supporting cast, they drop it. The older gentlemen acquit themselves well, but Jacqueline McKenzie is pretty awful, Chris Ryan and Toby Schmitz effective only in fits and starts, and Anna Bamford barely registers. This should be a wild sex farce in which moments of genuine tragedy and profundity sneak up and surprise you; but the ensemble hasn’t a good grasp of the tone and pace. There are many moments which are played too silly, and many not nearly silly enough, the result being a kind of lumpy pudding of a play. The scene changes are rather long as well.

That said, I liked the script itself, which manages to seem fresh and new whilst capturing the spirit of Chekhov. It was definitely the ensemble’s fault. Of course, my main reason for wanting to see the show was Cate Blanchett, probably my favorite living actress, and by God she doesn’t disappoint. Hope she wins the Tony for this, it would be well deserved. The dance orgy scene is absolutely mesmerizing and hilarious, and her scene in the fog is incredibly moving. And Richard Roxburgh very nearly matches her; Blanchett excepted, the fog scene is basically a series of tiresome one-note monologues by the supporting cast, but Roxburgh saves us from boredom simply by sitting and smoking. They are both an endless pleasure to watch and listen to.

But overall I fear that the first section needs serious trimming, and the producers should’ve brought over their two leads but recast the remaining roles.

[10086sunset]

Posted: 12/20/16 at 10:50am

@z5 said: "Really looking forward to see this. cate has been one of my favorite actresses for years. Anyone know if she has come out to stage door afterwards at all?"

She came out after the first performance.

The guards took down the barricades and said they had no idea how long they would be. Don't know how long it took, but they did eventually come out...

[JVJ93]

Posted: 12/20/16 at 1:03pm

Has anyone rushed this yet? Seat locations? View? 

[HighFlyingAdored97]

Posted: 12/20/16 at 4:44pm

I rushed yesterday. I got to the theatre around 9:55 am and was maybe #14 in line. I got seat BB 6 in the orchestra (front row all the way to the right) and overall it was a great view. It was extremely close and every once in awhile I had a back turned to me, but it was a good view. You don't want to miss out on the actors' facial expressions.

[dshnookie]

Posted: 12/20/16 at 5:04pm

Is the stage too high for a front row seat? Thanks!

[mint0621]

Posted: 12/21/16 at 7:25am

I grabbed a rush ticket 40 min before showtime yesterday 12/20, got row F, the last end seat on house left. Considered partial view but very little obstruction. I was surprised there was a rush ticket left so close to curtain time...but glad I finally got to see Blanchett, one of my favorite movie actresses.

[somechrysanthemumtea]

Posted: 12/21/16 at 10:47am

The stage is not too high. I am about 5'6 and the stage was around my neck level. You don't miss anything.

On the second night of previews (Monday 19), from what I've seen on Twitter, Cate came out very quickly after the show, signed and took a few photos.

First preview she came out at around 1am.

It's easy to get more info on the stage door by just searching her name on twitter - her fans are very kind and I'm sure would be happy to provide more exact timings of the stage door should you ask.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 12/21/16 at 4:45pm

Trivia Time.

This isn't the first adaptation of Platonov to appear on Broadway.

Name the other one.

hints:  it was adapted by a very acclaimed Tony-winning British playwright, the star of the earlier version appeared with Blanchett in a very famous movie franchise; and the play featured a famous mostly tv and theatre actress known for her flamboyant role on a long-running highly successful series and movie spin-offs

(by the way the earlier play was considered a revival for awards purposes, at least in London - where the star (who transferred to Broadway) won an Olivier.... not that that means The Present would also be considered a revival, just fyi)

Updated On: 12/21/16 at 04:45 PM

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 12/21/16 at 4:49pm

It's Cate so you don't get the usually whiny teenybopper crowds.

[Harriet Craig]

Posted: 12/21/16 at 4:57pm

The previous adaptation was called Wild Honey, the star was Ian McKellen (who appeared in the Lord of the Rings movies with Cate Blanchett), and the "actress known for her flamboyant role on a long-running highly successful series" was Kim Cattrall. Coincidentally, that version of the play is currently playing at the Hampstead Theatre in London.