I was there tonight and I have to fall in the mostly disappointed camp, but of the now three Cera/Lonergan productions we’ve recently seen, this one was probably the best text.
I agree with the comment that not much has been made of this being a memory play; I completely kept forgetting it was until Hedges would make another aside. After Tiffany’s brilliant Menagerie, the bar has been set high for memory play theatrics!
I hated the scene changes that just went on and on. I don’t think this is just a first preview thing either. Each time the set rotates, a brick wall facade comes down and light moves across to scoring by Gabriel Kahane (LOVED February House, but this incidental music is fairly incidental).
The performers are still finding their footing, except for Cromer, who scores the biggest laughs and is the most self-assured of the night. I don’t know why I assumed Cera would be playing Hedges’ role, but he really has nothing to do. He has reined in a lot of his usual stick for a more subdued performance, which I appreciated.
May is fine, but it hasn’t turned the role into the tour de force it could be.
Right now the play unfortunately just falls flat. I don’t know if it’s the direction or the text aging or the actors working on their parts- probably a combo of all three- but right now it’s just not compelling, and that’s obviously a big problem. The mezz was very empty and they’re going to have to turn things around quickly if they want the word of mouth that will carry them through the end of the originally scheduled run.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
