TIME STANDS STILL or RACE?

[Dirty_Rotten_Guy]

Posted: 1/12/10 at 7:11pm

Alright, I know you guys aren't too big of fans of these types of threads, but I'm really torn if I should see TIME STANDS STILL or RACE next week when I'm in the city. I've read mixed reviews both on this board and elsewhere online for each of these plays, yet both of them sound equally intriguing to me. I'm seeing A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE next Friday night, and only have the time and money to see one more play on Sautrday night.
And yes, I've already seen NEXT TO NORMAL for all of you that were about to suggest it. Haha
So any help on which I should see is greatly appreciated.
Thank you everybody!

[FeelingElectric]

Posted: 1/12/10 at 7:30pm

Having seen both last week, I would pick Time Stands Still.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 1/12/10 at 7:52pm

Mr Roxy said Race was really going to jumpstart the national dialogue.

[After Eight]

Posted: 1/12/10 at 8:00pm

I found neither to be great, but "Race" was the more interesting of the two. More theatrical, as well. "Time Stands Still," when you come down to it, is both a drag and a chore.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 1/12/10 at 8:04pm

They are both worth seeing, but I thought TIME STANDS STILL was beautifully written, thought-provoking and a very well-acted production.
Updated On: 1/12/10 at 08:04 PM

[LaCageAuxFollesFan]

Posted: 1/12/10 at 8:39pm

TIME STANDS STILL is an easy winner imo. RACE is second rate Mamet, and a time waster. TSS is a much more solid piece of theatre.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 1/12/10 at 10:57pm

Personally, I prefer Race. But they are both worth seeing. I saw Time Stands Still tonight. It... has all the right things, objectively; the acting is good (especially Brian d'Arcy James, that man is a treasure), there are some really affecting moments, it asks big questions, but my overall impression of it was that there was a strong imbalance between the "idea-y" nature of it and the (quite painful) story of these very broken characters. I don't not recommend it, but I've seen Race twice already, and I think it's a much more exciting play to watch. They're just totally different. Time Stands Still is the kind of play with a quiet intensity and a sad love story; it's going to feel more... whole, I think, and stick with you in a different way. Race is in every sense a Mamet play, but I think it's absolutely one of his best. I was more taken with the performances than I was with the play itself in Time Stands Still -- with Race, I'd say it was the opposite. Either would be a good choice, IMO.

Updated On: 1/12/10 at 10:57 PM

[bjh2114]

Posted: 1/13/10 at 9:22am

I was expecting Time Stands Still to be a dud from all of the reviews on here, and I absolutely loved it. I thought the writing was splendid. The acting is superb! As of right now, I believe Laura Linney is the frontrunner for awards this season.

[invisiblegirl322]

Posted: 1/13/10 at 10:02am

I agree with bjh2114. The acting in this show is wonderful. The whole cast does a great job but especially Laura Linney. Absolutely fantastic. Definitely give this show a shot!

[After Eight]

Posted: 1/13/10 at 10:24am

Superlatives are bandied about so casually nowadays.

Don't people know that when they're overused they lose their very meaning?

How about a bit of perspective, a little sense of proportion?