Saw the play last night and found it probably the best playgoing experience I've had so far this season. Elaine May was beyond incomparable. She was so authentic that at times I had to remind myself she was acting. Wringing heartfelt humor out of dementia is no easy task, but Lonergan's brilliant writing, so infused with humanity and understanding, accomplishes that feat. The rest of the cast was excellent, too. I'd never seen the original staging, so I have nothing to compare it to, but all I know is that I want to go back before the run finishes.
By the way, I rushed it at about 10:15 a.m., right after successfully rushing The Lifespan of a Fact for the matinee (fine EE mid-mezz for that one). I was told that the Waverly rush is often located way on the side and labeled partial view, but I guess I lucked out with fourth row (E) orchestra, near center. Not bad at all for $40. Of course, the raking at the Golden is nonexistent, at least in the first few rows, so you have to hope no basketball player sits in front of you.
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