Posted: 4/16/22 at 5:51pm
Just saw this play! Wow! Loved it.
To answer the question, the pause is 7 minutes and the intermission is the normal 15 minutes.
Posted: 4/17/22 at 12:43am
Hahaha really enjoyed this. Honestly respect Lileana Blain-Cruz's guts, presenting this highly literate and unapologetically esoteric revival while blowing piles of other people's cash and giving jobs to dozens of Black actors. Whether you'll like it definitely depends on your taste for the play, but I was satisfied.
Updated On: 4/17/22 at 12:43 AM
Posted: 4/17/22 at 5:04am
I saw the show and thought the direction was clumsy and the acting was weak. There was an ensemble of background actors who seemed to awkwardly move in and out without purpose much like it was their first community theatre production. The woman who played the maid showed some potential when she stepped out of the play but while she was “acting” she was hard to understand, talking rapidly in a fake voice that sounded like Tattoo on Fantasy Island, missing much of the humor. Sorry folks! I see no Tony noms here. The house was quite small. I liked the pre show music and the color palettes used in the set and costumes but that was about it.
Updated On: 4/17/22 at 05:04 AM
Posted: 4/17/22 at 5:47am
The show is absurd. The show is nonsense. This is on purpose and the genuis of the show. It’s about life and how none of it makes sense through all the ups, downs, temptations etc. we all have to navigate.
I admit that the concept is difficult to wrap your head around and grasp, but if you’re looking for an easy night at the theater, this is definitely not it. The piece is made to challenge the viewer, as does life.
I love the context of the production Lileana gives here: https://youtu.be/-7SiOqwH9hQ
Posted: 4/18/22 at 2:28pm
Saw this on Saturday night! Hmmm.. still collecting my thoughts on it. For sure, didn't dislike it. For sure, didn't love it. The production truly felt like a fever dream, which was fantastic at points and questionable at others. It made me wish I had taken a Camino gummy beforehand (iykyk). LOL
All of other performances were fantastic, especially Gabby Beans! What an exhausting role this must be to perform 8 times a week. She was on top of her sh*t the whole time! Definitely see a Tony nom in her future.
Shout out to whoever made the pre-show music playlist. Ari Lennox, Chloe x Halle, Tinashe, Rihanna, Normani, etc?! Exquisite. I also was gagged when *SPOILER* out of nowhere I hear, "Booty so big! Lord, have mercy!" in the second act. Love that song. The set was a lot of fun too.
Yeah, that's all I got right now. Mixed show, but I enjoyed chunks of it.
Posted: 4/18/22 at 3:06pm
jbroadway4 said: "Shout out to whoever made the pre-show music playlist."
When I saw "Fabulation" at Signature (by the same director, Lileana Blain-Cruz), there was a similarly catchy pre-show playlist. I happened to be one of the first people in the house, and I was sitting in the back of the house, where I saw Ms. Blain-Cruz unabashedly dancing to the pre-show music. I recognized her, and asked her "did you make this playlist?" and she said yes, she did. So I'm assuming she made this one too!
Since I'm already writing this post: I saw the show this weekend, and I'll join the camp of people who loved this production. There are parts of the play that drag a bit, but I think that's partially Wilder's fault (though I do also love the play overall).
If there's any justice, this production will sweep the technical categories at the Tonys, win Revival, and get a special Tony for the dinosaur. I can't think of a single design category in which this doesn't deserve to win, except maybe Sound, only because there are several other extraordinary contenders. And I agree that Gabby Beans is as good as people are saying - though I can see why some people also don't like her. She certainly makes some BOLD choices, but I loved it.
Updated On: 4/18/22 at 03:06 PM
Posted: 4/19/22 at 11:51am
JBroadway said: "jbroadway4 said: "Shout out to whoever made the pre-show music playlist."
When I saw "Fabulation" at Signature (by the same director, Lileana Blain-Cruz), there was a similarly catchy pre-show playlist. I happened to be one of the first people in the house, and I was sitting in the back of the house, where I saw Ms. Blain-Cruz unabashedly dancing to the pre-show music. I recognized her, and asked her "did you make this playlist?" and she said yes, she did. So I'm assuming she made this one too!
Since I'm already writing this post: I saw the show this weekend, and I'll join the camp of people who loved this production. There are parts of the play that drag a bit, but I think that's partially Wilder's fault (though I do also love the play overall).
If there's any justice, this production will sweep the technical categories at the Tonys, win Revival, and get a special Tony for the dinosaur.I can't think of a single design category in which this doesn't deserve to win, except maybe Sound, only because there are several other extraordinary contenders. And I agree that Gabby Beans is as good as people are saying - though I can see why some people also don't like her. She certainly makes some BOLD choices, but I loved it."
Looking forward to seeing it. Hangmen's set is a sure-fire Tony contender as well. Rare indeed for the sets of plays to be more noteworthy than the sets of musicals.
Posted: 4/19/22 at 4:48pm
RippedMan said: "Let's hear about the dinosaur!"
The puppet was cool but not utilized very well.
Posted: 4/19/22 at 5:05pm
UWS10023 said: "RippedMan said: "Let's hear about the dinosaur!"
The puppet was cool but not utilized very well.”
By what metric do you feel it wasn’t utilized well? In the text, the dinosaur is only supposed to be on stage for that short amount of time, and IMO they milked every moment of it.
Or is that your point? Did you find it too distracting? If so, I understand, but I just loved it so much that I didn’t mind at all.
Posted: 4/20/22 at 12:08am
Saw this tonight. The material is, of course, brilliant, but this production is mainly a miss, with the exception of a stellar third act. The tone of THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH is notoriously hard, and Blain-Cruz does not land it. The production does not trust the text and tries to be a broad 50s TV situation comedy in the first two acts. It's absurdist, but it's not supposed to be a wacky comedy. The production, in an attempt to heighten the meta-ness, mistakenly acts "in quotes", overplaying an attempt at humor, sometimes veering into camp, instead of just letting the characters exist. The world itself is so absurd that the actors/direction don't need to further comment on it by behaving zany. The wonderful actors give it their all, despite being mis-directed.
The house was less than half full tonight, a Tuesday. Several left at the pause. Many more left at the intermission. Less than a fourth of the house remained by the end.
BJJ's contribution is fairly minimal. Just updates to topical references. Remarkably, the dialogue where Sabina talks about being out of work for two years is in the original script.
Posted: 4/20/22 at 12:35am
FranklinShepard_Inc said: "
The house was less than half full tonight, a Tuesday. Several left at the pause. Many more left at the intermission. Less than a fourth of the house remained by the end.
Would these be subscribers? Or people who got discount tickets, but didn't know the play & didn't realize what they were getting themselves in for?
I wonder if anyone walked out of early previews when this originally played Broadway with Frederich March & Tallulah Bankhead? What I would give to have been able to see Montgomery Clift in that cast as well!
What about when it played London in '46 with Vivien Leigh as Sabina? Did anyone dare walk out then?
Posted: 4/20/22 at 2:40am
The Other One said: "JBroadway said: "jbroadway4 said: "Shout out to whoever made the pre-show music playlist."
When I saw "Fabulation" at Signature (by the same director, Lileana Blain-Cruz), there was a similarly catchy pre-show playlist. I happened to be one of the first people in the house, and I was sitting in the back of the house, where I saw Ms. Blain-Cruz unabashedly dancing to the pre-show music. I recognized her, and asked her "did you make this playlist?" and she said yes, she did. So I'm assuming she made this one too!
Since I'm already writing this post: I saw the show this weekend, and I'll join the camp of people who loved this production. There are parts of the play that drag a bit, but I think that's partially Wilder's fault (though I do also love the play overall).
If there's any justice, this production will sweep the technical categories at the Tonys, win Revival, and get a special Tony for the dinosaur.I can't think of a single design category in which this doesn't deserve to win, except maybe Sound, only because there are several other extraordinary contenders. And I agree that Gabby Beans is as good as people are saying - though I can see why some people also don't like her. She certainly makes some BOLD choices, but I loved it."
Looking forward to seeing it. Hangmen's set is a sure-fire Tony contender as well. Rare indeed for the sets of plays to be more noteworthy than the sets of musicals.
"
And American Buffalo and Plaza Suite, two amazing sets!
Posted: 4/20/22 at 8:48am
My sister saw the show last night and also commented on the fact that so many people left during each pause. When we saw it a couple of weeks ago, I noticed only a few leaving, but then again, the seats were maybe half filled? I am confused why people left, other than they didn’t understand the fun of it - and the message and thought it was nonsensical (it isn’t, but if one is only listening to the actors say the lines and don’t try to understand the meaning behind these lines, then, yeah, one will be left scratching their heads, perhaps). I gather there were two understudies on last night - not sure who - but my sister said the acting was great. I was glad she was able to see Gabby Beans. I stand by what I said early - she deserves awards for her role, IMHO.
Posted: 4/20/22 at 9:34am
LCT also has a subscription base of mostly senior citizens who are probably worn out by the second intermission at 10:00. I'm surprised LCT isn't starting this show at 7:00 instead of 8:00.
Posted: 4/20/22 at 11:02am
inception said:
Would these be subscribers? Or people who got discount tickets, but didn't know the play & didn't realize what they were getting themselves in for?
I wonder if anyone walked out of early previews when this originally played Broadway with Frederich March & Tallulah Bankhead? What I would give to have been able to see Montgomery Clift in that cast as well!
What about when it played London in '46 with Vivien Leigh as Sabina? Did anyone dare walk out then?
"
I didn't poll the audience members, so I have no idea how they got their tickets. It looked like your typical Lincoln Center audience.
The first two acts could be pretty confounding for some people not familiar with the material. Like someone said, you have to listen to the words carefully. But the extremely heightened performance styles are often so exaggerated that they obfuscate the words. Hence why the third act plays so well: the actors are allowed to finally exist within their characters, rather than in a meta-theatrical style.
Updated On: 4/20/22 at 11:02 AM
Posted: 4/20/22 at 7:51pm
Regarding walkouts, this is quoted from the supplementary material in the edition I read:
"As long as there is Broadway lore, it will likely include stories of taxis lining up early to snag the fares of patrons fleeing The Skin of Our Teeth at intermissions."
Posted: 4/20/22 at 10:52pm
Tom-497 said: "Regarding walkouts, this is quoted from the supplementary material in the edition I read:
"As long as there is Broadway lore, it will likely include stories of taxis lining up early to snag the fares of patrons fleeing The Skin of Our Teeth at intermissions."
"
If there are a fair amount of comps those people sometimes feel less invested and can be more inclined to leave early. I do not think It has to do with seniors staying up past their bedtime.
The way the play is written should not be confused with how the director and cast handle the material. A better director and cast would have elevated the play and made it more engaging.
The dinosaur came out and basically made a circular pattern around the actors. It was messy from a visual perspective.
Updated On: 4/20/22 at 10:52 PM
Posted: 4/20/22 at 10:57pm
QueenAlice said: "LCT also has a subscription base of mostly senior citizens who are probably worn out by the second intermission at 10:00. I'm surprised LCT isn't starting this show at 7:00 instead of 8:00."
They usually do that after opening.
Posted: 4/20/22 at 11:12pm
Oh, I loved this.
What a challenging and glorious three hours in the theatre.
The Skin of Our Teeth has never been for the faint of heart.
I am so excited Lincoln Center made Liliana Blaine Cruz their new director in residence and she chose this Everest to tackle on her first Broadway expedition.
I think we’re going to see amazing things from Ms. Cruz.
Gabby Beans. Doing Ertha Kitt Lucille Ball craziness. I loved every second of it.
The dinosaur puppets.
The slide.
The questions about my existence on this planet and my eventual death.
Dear lord.
I have so much to think about. I’m going to need to go on a long walk tomorrow and just think about this production, this play, the performances.
What a gift we’ve been given.
(Does anyone know what song Sabina dances to in Act 2? It was so fun.)
Posted: 4/23/22 at 6:56pm
Yes, yes, yes Cable Cable Cable. This has always been a challenging piece. The most successful production is likely to exasperate as many attendees as it dazzles, and this revival is no exception.
But I am so grateful to have seen this today. Cruz’s direction is expansively imaginative but always, always in service of the text. I feel certain that Wilder would approve.
it is astoundingly creative visually. If you are at all on the fence, see it for that alone.
Updated On: 4/23/22 at 06:56 PM
Posted: 4/23/22 at 11:46pm
CableCableCable said: "Oh, I loved this.
What a challenging and glorious three hours in the theatre.
The Skin of Our Teeth has never been for the faint of heart.
I am so excited Lincoln Center made Liliana Blaine Cruz their new director in residence and she chose this Everest to tackle on her first Broadway expedition.
I think we’re going to see amazing things from Ms. Cruz.
Gabby Beans. Doing Ertha Kitt Lucille Ball craziness. I loved every second of it.
The dinosaur puppets.
The slide.
The questions about my existence on this planet and my eventual death.
Dear lord.
I have so much to think about. I’m going to need to go on a long walk tomorrow and just think about this production, this play, the performances.
What a gift we’ve been given.
(Does anyone know what song Sabina dances to in Act 2? It was so fun.)"
I loved reading your review! I felt the exact same way <3
The song Sabina dances to in Act 2 is “Have Mercy” by Chöle. Perfect seductive choice lol
Posted: 4/24/22 at 6:51pm
Getting in after today's show. I'll process it for a while I'm sure but my initial thoughts are that I'm so glad I got to see this play done in a major house like the Beaumont. I'm not going to say anything other than I'm sure has been said before but this is a challenging piece and I don't fault people for leaving during the breaks. I did notice that today but not by much. The house was maybe 50% full (from what I could see) and I do hope positive reviews can remedy that. Wilder wrote a play 80 years ago that seems contemporary and fresh in 2022 and for me, that's astounding. A lot of it obviously must be attributed to this productions creators but the bones of it are what makes it so special.
But again, this play isn't now, nor has it ever been, for everyone. It's a challenging 3 hours that if you let it, can reward you. But I don't fault anyone who leaves or walks away saying they don't like it or even hate it. In a way it's almost like "Strange Loop" - it's not going to be for everyone but it will be very rewarding to some and that's ok. That's art. But as for "Skin...", I really enjoyed it and thank LCT for it.
Updated On: 4/24/22 at 06:51 PM
Posted: 4/24/22 at 11:41pm
I saw a recent matinee. And count me among those who really enjoyed it. It feels so fresh, modern & alive.
Mild spoilers throughout: Starts off with a huge video screen introducing the two main characters. Loved how the maid would often go out of character to tell what she really thinks of the play (only to get scolded by the behind-the-scenes theater people), to give a parallel to what inviting people into your house means today, etc. They even gave a shout-out to Bootycandy which I loved seeing off-Broadway. Seeing people dressed as ushers rushing down to the stage to contribute seats to something was a lot of fun too! Dinosaur and another creature walking around in Act I: that got both entrance & exit applause (was a lot of coordination to manage!) The dancing, drag queen and vogue-ing in Act II to some techno music was really fun! Lots of adventures in Atlantic City in Act II. And then Act III started off with the house lights on for a bit, then got a bit more serious. Really makes you think about life (how it goes on after thousands & thousands of years), what you will do during your life, will you choose being happy/taking risks/living your best life, etc.
Almost the entire audience gave it a well-deserved standing ovation. Didn't notice more than a few empty seats after the full intermission; I'd say 98% to 99% of the audience stayed and really enjoyed it. Such a huge cast during the curtain call, including a few cute little kids who were adorable on stage. Extremely well acted. To anyone on the fence: give it a chance. I thought it would be a dense play like Ibsen or Shakespeare, but this is nothing like that. You can walk in cold like I did and very easily follow the plot.
Updated On: 4/24/22 at 11:41 PM
Posted: 4/24/22 at 11:42pm
I also saw it this afternoon and really, really enjoyed it. I went in blind, having only read the threads here and the website synopsis beforehand, and I felt a whole lot of things afterwards. Excited to think on it some more the next few days.
FWIW, the $39 seats in the back of the loge were really incredible. We were row D in the center loge section (only one row behind) and we both said we’d sit there again for any show. Great sight lines, I thought.
