THREE TALL WOMEN (2018) Previews- Page 3

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 3/1/18 at 4:06pm

I think two hours, no intermission - I was especially surprised because the show is in two acts!

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 3/1/18 at 4:31pm

^not only is it in two acts but that the identities of the three women are markedly different in each of them, still that transition, at least potentially, could be achieved without intermission; perhaps even more effectively than with one

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 3/1/18 at 10:06pm

Just got out. Full thoughts to come. You Run, run, run to see this.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/1/18 at 10:20pm

Engrave the Tony(s) now!!! Glenda Jackson not only needs the proverbial bag that her Tony is currently sitting in, but she also needs a mop and bucket to clean up the mess she just made of any “competition.”

This was a performance for the ages. Truly. I’m gobsmacked.

If they put Laurie in Featured she will win too. Pill will be nominated.

The play: Brilliant
The production: Brilliant
Mantello: underrated brilliance

The show of the season? Three Tall Women

[cjmclaughlin10]

Posted: 3/1/18 at 10:36pm

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY IM SO

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 3/1/18 at 10:54pm

I was talking to a friend earlier this week about this upcoming production, and they told me they thought the show was boring. Well, I don't know what show she was thinking of, because Edward Albee's Three Tall Women showed that it earned not only its Pulitzer, but also the author's place as perhaps the greatest playwright post-Williams, Miller, and O'Neil.

The set is simple, but gorgeous. Turquoise accents everything, and you can tell the wealth and privilege A is privy to - as well as the "type" of woman and society Albee is commenting on. The set makes a slight transition between the two acts, but I won't spoil it. It was a simple conceit, but I gasped when it was revealed. The transition had  a spot of trouble, and we were held for a minute/90 seconds before the start of the second act.

Glenda Jackson proves that brilliance knows no age and doesn't fade. She monologues and wanders through the trenchant of Albee's famous wordplay like the pro she is and makes a meal out of her words. As Whizzer said, engrave the Tony, because she more than earns it. The way she makes her remembrance of her husband's gift via his "pee-pee" into a moment of pure tragedy is astonishing. You are in the presence of a genius.

Metcalf is a presence that can make us burst into laughter with a glance - and she does! But if her style might seem to confine her only to broad comedy, she proves her that she can do anything. I loved how she transformed form Act I to Act II, and her portrayal of B is of a woman enraged by life turning out different than her plans. She called line at one point, but she was so in character it had passed before I realized what had happened. I will remember how she yells at her son for quite some time - and its not easy to make a homophobe likable. Metcalf does that and so much more. Hand her the supporting Tony now.

Pill has the weakest part, and mostly saunters through Act I, but the second act is where she really gets to tear her teeth into Albee's material. She brings a ferocity to the role as a woman watching her life slip away, perfectly contrasted with Jackson's "devil may care" sensibility near the end.  She deserves a nomination.

Mantello brings these women and the show to life - understated, everything O'Brien's Carousel was not.

Costumes are all gorgeous, and revealing of the characters.

Albee will never cease to astonish me, even in death. I cannot believe we were graced by his ferocious words, and how we can continue to discover the truth he spent his career mining. Let us hope we will get more of his other works besides Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. Yes, that play is brilliant, but so are so many of his others!

All in all, a brilliant production of a brilliant play. Class through and through - tonight could have been opening.

[10086sunset]

Posted: 3/1/18 at 11:00pm

Thrilled to hear these reactions from Whizzer and Sally.

Was the runtime two hours with no intermission?

[SweetLips]

Posted: 3/1/18 at 11:06pm

Can't wait for A8 to weigh in with his learned report---especially after all that ranting and posturing in another thread.

[Storkish]

Posted: 3/1/18 at 11:08pm

Thank you Whizzer and Sally for posting your thoughts!

I wonder did Glenda Jackson use a British accent? That might be interesting to look at. Also are the rush seats full view? I have had tickets to it in two weeks but am wondering if I should rush and see it this Saturday. 

I am extremely interested in the set Sally mentioned. Miriam Buether always has a fresh take in his scenic designs. Without spoilers, may any one describe a little bit more on the set?

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 3/1/18 at 11:09pm

Storkish said: "I am extremely interested in the set Sally mentioned. Miriam Buether always has a fresh take in his scenic designs. Without spoilers, may any one describe a little bit more on the set?"

Miriam Buether is a woman, not a man.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/1/18 at 11:10pm

There was a slip in the Playbill that claimed it was 1:45 with no intermission, but it ran over two hours. There was a hold for a set malfunction though, so that should speed up a bit. 

Loved an effect with the set in act two. I won’t spoil it, but it’s great. 

I really love Joe Mantello. I feel like I write this everytime I see him direct, but he’s such an actor’s director. He gets such good performances from his casts. I’m still mad that he wasn’t nominated for Other Desert Cities. Mantello might not care, but I still carry the torch of righteous anger for the committee’s mistake. And how exactly did he not win for The Normal Heart, again? He has done it again here and credit must be paid where it is due. 

[Storkish]

Posted: 3/1/18 at 11:13pm

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "Storkish said: "I am extremely interested in the set Sally mentioned. Miriam Buether always has a fresh take in his scenic designs. Without spoilers, may any one describe a little bit more on the set?"

Miriam Buether is a woman, not a man."

I never saw a profile of her anywhere and I apologize for my ignorance!

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 3/1/18 at 11:22pm

Yes, the slip said hour 45, but taking into account that we started 10 minutes late, its probably closer to a tight 2 hours.

The set is what Albee describes in his stage directions. The bedroom of A: A large bed, a vanity, a divan, an armchair, and a regular chair. Nothing flashy, but very classy, stylish, and absolutely right for the character of A. It screams WASP.

Jackson is doing an American accent, but I noticed a few British-isms break through - it tells a lot to her performance that I barely noticed and didn't care.

I was in a very goof seat on the side orchestra. I couldn't see the extreme right of the stage, but nothing much happened except for a few entrances and exits of Metcalf.

 

[After Eight]

Posted: 3/1/18 at 11:42pm

The play is about as bleak as it gets. If you are in good spirits entering the theatre, you might as well jettison them at the door; this play will make quick work of them. It definitely needs an intermission. 

Glenda Jackson deserves high praise for her performance. Laurie Metcalf is very good.

The set is handsome.

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/1/18 at 11:46pm

Mantello rocks. He is my favorite stage director.

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 3/1/18 at 11:47pm

After Eight, genuine question here. What's your opinion of Albee?

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/2/18 at 12:11am

I don’t know if something that is such a laugh riot as Three Tall Women can be described as bleak. To paraphrase another Albee heroine, you’ll bust a gut at this one.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 3/2/18 at 12:17am

 

Sally Durant Plummer said: "After Eight, genuine question here. What's your opinion of Albee?"
 




 

Updated On: 3/2/18 at 12:17 AM

[kade.ivy]

Posted: 3/2/18 at 12:56am

Great to hear these reports!

I’m pretty full for my trip in May, or I’d be buying tickets to this. I have thought about seeing if telecharge will refund my ticket for Band’s Visit since Shalhoub has left the show unannounced and then buying a ticket for Three Tall Women.

What would you all recommend? I think I would enjoy both shows. I tend to enjoy musicals more, but I’ve also recently become a big Laurie Metcalf fan. But, I’ve also got a long play planned with Iceman, and I trust that Band’s Visit will be absolutely gorgeous, with a brilliant performance by Lenk.

Updated On: 3/2/18 at 12:56 AM

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 3/2/18 at 1:03am

kade.ivy, I obviously can't speak to Three Tall Women yet since I wasn't at tonight's preview (moved my cancelled ticket to later this month!), but I wouldn't miss The Band's Visit for the world. It's one of my all-time favorites. Gorgeous, personal, deeply moving. (And a surefire bet for Best Musical and Best Lead Actress this year.) 

Is there anything else you'd consider moving to see this show?

[kade.ivy]

Posted: 3/2/18 at 1:11am

BroadwayConcierge said: "kade.ivy, I obviously can't speak to Three Tall Womenyet since I wasn't at tonight's preview (moved my cancelled ticket to later this month!), butI wouldn't missThe Band's Visitfor the world. It's one of my all-time favorites. Gorgeous, personal, deeply moving. (And a surefire bet for Best Musical and Best Lead Actress this year.)

Is there anything else you'd consider moving to see this show?"

I’m pretty confident in all my other picks, including BV for that matter, and I imagine I’ll stick with it. I love innovative musicals. Your support of it has me excited, BC! I think we have similar tastes. Still wish I could see Three Tall Women, but alas, that comes with living away from the city!

[Stephen75]

Posted: 3/2/18 at 9:22am

Thank you for the words on the show. I'm so, so so excited to see this. How great was Laurie's monologue when she yelled at her son? That part gave me chills when I read it. 

[devonian.t]

Posted: 3/2/18 at 10:46am

This is not a SPOILER as I haven't seen the new production, but I always felt that the set should "splinter" or break up between Act 1 and Act 2 since Act 2 is clearly non-naturalistic whereas Act 1 is a naturalistic discussion.

Anthony Page's show never really made this clear/ interesting.  I am very excited to hear the positive reviews and delighted for Ms Jackson, who is arguably the greatest actor of the last century.

[BroadwayLuv2]

Posted: 3/2/18 at 10:47am

RUSHED three tall women this morning.  Got there at 9:50am and was 2nd in line.  Bought 2 Rush tickets at $40 each in Row A of Rear Mezz.  Really looking forward to seeing this after hearing all the buzz from last night!!

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 3/2/18 at 11:23am

Glad to hear it's incredible.

Whizzer - I'm still not over Mantello losing for THE NORMAL HEART.