THE PRESENT Previews- Page 4

[somechrysanthemumtea]

Posted: 1/3/17 at 9:04pm

I am sure that no one under the age of 14-15 would enjoy it. Unless you have an incredibly mature and intelligent child. It's apropriate for anyone above 15 - but again, their maturity level is up for you to decide. If they still giggle at sight or mention of a bra or underwear, maybe the show isn't the best fit for them.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 1/3/17 at 9:49pm

Saw "Wild Honey," and even have the script (Fireside Theatre, illustrated with stills). It's not first tier Chekhov (I know, 5th tier is still Chekhov) but it was enjoyable, and the company was stellar. In addition to McKellan, Kate Burton, J. Smith Cameron, and an unknown, Kim Cattrall. 

[Tom-497]

Posted: 1/4/17 at 8:32pm

I would agree with those who found the play uneven. It was wordy and awkwardly constructed, and the extremely long first scene could have been much better handled. Nevertheless, the show did get significantly better as it progressed, and Roxburgh was excellent throughout. Overall, worth the time and money, I thought.

 

 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 1/7/17 at 12:13am

I went tonight and felt very "eh" about it. I saw Blanchett and the STC's "Streetcar Named Desire" at BAM a couple years ago and that was insanely good. I also saw their "Suddenly Last Summer" when I was in Sydney. Maybe I just like Williams more, but I found this to be pretty dull. I've never really left a Chekov show thinking "Wow, that was exhilarating." They all feel very drawn out and minimalistic. I didn't think the design/direction in this one was particularly interesting, and it often times felt very cheap. The play just isn't interesting. They say that Anna (Blanchett) is a mastermind and playing everyone like a chess game, but I don't feel like that every really came across? She had a few instances, but it never felt like some master plan. 

I thought Roxburgh was the highlight. Really dynamic performer. Blanchett, as you'd assume, was phenomenal, but isn't really given much to do. Scene 2 (technically Act 2) was her highlight and really the best scene of the bunch. The play got a little better after that, but it still was a bit of a bore. 

I counted about 10 walkouts during the show, and a number of seats around me were left empty after intermission. 

I'd say it's worth seeing for Roxburgh and Blanchett is always a treat. The entire ensemble is great! I just think the play is rather "eh." 

[A0326T]

Posted: 1/7/17 at 1:17pm

I saw her Thursday eve. without her on stage it was full .... for me.

[A0326T]

Posted: 1/7/17 at 1:19pm

I meantn"dull"

[sondmon]

Posted: 2/12/17 at 2:14pm

Has anyone rushed this recently and can report on location and time that they got there?

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 2/12/17 at 2:20pm

I caught this a couple weeks ago. Well, most of it, I should say. I left at intermission even though there was only an hour or so left. I found this to be one of the worst things I have seen in quite some time. Blanchett was great, but not great enough to save this horrible production. The set looked like it was out of a community theatre production. The story and family tree were convoluted beyond comprehension (at least for me). This was definitely my biggest disappointment of the season thus far.

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 2/12/17 at 6:27pm

sondmon said: "Has anyone rushed this recently and can report on location and time that they got there?

 

Rushed it yesterday. Got there about 10:25 a.m. and had no.problem getting a rush ticket for the evening performance. Got 4th row orchestra right, last seat. You miss a bit but not enough to really be an issue. Seems like a perfect "second show" to rush on a 2 show day when you are also rushing a more popular show where you need to be in line before 10.