THE WAVERLY GALLERY (2018) Previews — Page 2

Well, I found this a complete clunker.

first of all those scene changes took forever. And then intermission they didn’t bring down the brick wall. Made no sense.

Michael Cera character is basically a glorified cameo. You could take character out and made not much of a difference in show. I kept expecting a twist or something with him. If he has to be in all of the Authors play why not just play the sons part.

Lucas Hedges didn’t do anything special with role.

Elaine May was okay in ACT 1.but found her in ACt 2 way better. Same goes for the great Joan Allen. They were both great in act 2. I don’t see much of Tony’s here. Except Elaine May nomination.

SPOILER

even though it’s part of play description warning of spoiler

but it drove me mad. How they thought they could leave her alone with her deterioration. I wanted to yell “she needs 24/7 care” and it wasn’t like they couldn’t afford it. They had a vacation home. Was driving nuts. A day nurse was clearly not enough. 

End rant

I was there tonight as well and was deeply moved.  The querulous voice of the aging family member, the anger, impatience, guilt and sorrow of the surrounding family--these are easy cliches but Lonergan's ear for the way they play out is pitch-perfect and I found the principal cast splendid.  

I suppose the scene changes were a bit long, but I was too deeply engaged to notice. 

May's performance is heartbreaking.  Allen is good in Act I, great in act II.  Hedges and Cromer very solid throughout.  I am tired of Cerra's shtick.  His role here is not deep but has the potential for some pathos--but not in Cerra's hands.  Isn't there an ironic, hipster-meta Netflix series they can give him and spare us the endless repetition of this same performance?

But no matter--the play is powerful and well worth seeing.

I don't post her often anymore, and I think with good reason, because other than the typically smart Jordan, I don't know what ANY of you are talking about.

 

There can be some kinks worked out. The transitions are pleasant, at best. Everyone will grow into their parts more fully, despite being quite good (Hedges, Cromer, Cera) to quite excellent (Allen). But the play gutted me. I don't know if any of you have actually dealt with deteriorating family members, whether physically, mentally, or both, but Lonnergan gets it right. The fact that the first thing that popped into someone's mind here is that the creative team was all white is really... shallow. This is a problem so many people are dealing with now, and that anyone with boomer parents or loved ones will likely deal with in the future. THAT'S why they're doing this play now, no matter who's on the creative team. And one other reason...

 

Elaine May. It's like what people said about Laurette Taylor. It's like... she's not acting. Jordan is right. I don't know how she'll keep doing it, but she's such a peculiar genius that I think it could even get better. I don't know how, but this gifted actress could make it happen. But she was incredible. 

 

So in defense of this fine production, this very beautiful play, and the astounding Ms. May, here's my two cents. See ya later, gang. 

 

I think that's true, Jordan.  Perhaps one has to have experienced it first-hand to recognize the brilliance, nuance and Truth of May's performance.  

Having been there, I found the show a gut-punch.

Updated On: 9/26/18 at 12:40 AM

Elegance101 said: 

Any way-too-early Tony nomination predictions?"

 

Now that we've got the first preview behind us, I'll say that May will absolutely be nominated. My gut is that she can win, but two years running now we're set to have an extremely crowded season in the play categories so there's no way to know for sure. I can't imagine her not being nominated though.

 Hedges could slip in, but I'm not sure if they will campaign him as leading or featured. Allen is worthy of a nomination, and I think will get one so long as they submit her as featured. Cromer is very much a scene stealer and could also score a nomination, but the featured actor category is historically crowded. It's too early to call, but I'd at least say he's 'worthy.'

I definitely still stand by my initial response, but I'm not surprised by the division. The audience seemed to be genuinely engaged throughout the final dress rehearsal; big laughs, lots of sniffles. I'm a huge Lonnergan fan to begin with and the play really struck a chord with me due to personal experience, like so many here have said. I was shocked when the party I was seated next to coincidentally were on the same subway car as me and were very loudly bad mouthing the production all the way home. 

 

The bottom line is this is a beautiful script and all five performers seem very committed to performing it with deep honesty and integrity. I may have to see it again towards the end of the run. It was deeply moving and cathartic.

 

Updated On: 9/26/18 at 09:55 AM

kingfan011 said: "So has Michael Cera gone backwards or forwards with this play. Him getting nominated for Lobby Hero seemed to suggest he isn't terrible on stage yet we have some people here who thinks he's terrible in this production."

It's a very small role. I think his look, persona, and body of work, work against him in this role, but the actual performance is very nice. Certainly not a "stand out", but nice. No complaints from me, but I'm sure many disagree.

I was pretty impressed with him in Lobby Hero, but that's mostly unrelated in my mind. He's doing what's required of him.

Updated On: 9/26/18 at 10:21 AM

Cera says here he "begged" to be a part of the production when he found out Elaine May was doing it. 

https://broadwaydirect.com/michael-cera-laugh-filled-humanity-waverly-gallery/

It's a Lila Neugebauer piece alright, with its icy pacing, underplayed performances, and refusal to theatricalize unless absolutely necessary. I absolutely loved it (including those elegiac and extremely long transitions), but it's certainly not going to be a revival for everyone. 

Lucas Hedges continues to be a magnificent performer for his age. I hope to see him onstage for years to come.

LightsOut90 said: "any stagedoor reports from last night?"

Waited at stage door after the show last night because I only saw about 15 other people waiting for the actors to come out. All of the principal actors came out, said a quick hi, and just walked right into their car waiting for them. Didn't see if Michael Cera came out of the stage door or not; I got discouraged and left. I know it's not required for them to sign Playbills, but there were less than two dozen people there. Oh well! 

I'm in tears, laughing...


Honoring Mike Nichols

Updated On: 9/26/18 at 01:20 PM

Was there last night, and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Heartbreaking, but funny nonetheless. I really loved all the performances, and I thought Hedges was quite good (Allen and May were fantastic). Did TDF, set dead center in row L.

Whoever mentioned the audience, I cannot agree more about how badly behaved many were. But I almost ripped my own ears off my head due to the squawking hearing aids during Act 2. The fact that no one near the offenders said anything drove me to think my friend and I were the only ones who could hear the things.

I think I may have been one of the only people in the theater who got that it was intermission. It's for sure subtle, but when the brick wall didn't come down like the other transitions, I figured it was intermission time.