The Anarchist Previews

[showchoirguy]

Posted: 11/13/12 at 10:28pm

I know there was a thread started, but it seemed to veer off to another topic. I am absolutely thrilled to see this show. Any news from you folks?

[meyerd584]

Posted: 11/13/12 at 10:31pm

I'm never one for hyperbole and I can usually find something good in anything I see, but this had to be the worst play I've sat through.

The play itself is tired, boring and never breaks new ground. Mamet's typical style of conversations are there but with such a weak plot, the words come off as distracting rather than spellbinding.

The set (much like Oleanna) is ugly, serves no valuable purpose in the story and is unrealistic.

Debra Winger. I love her film work and still believe she was robbed of an Oscar for Terms.
On stage, she is emotionless. Her performance tries so hard to be a stern authority figure that she shuts down entirely. Every line is spoken, emphasizing every syllable and and monotonous. There is no performance there.

She went up on lines a few times but recovered nicely.

Patti was quite good. Still needs to find herself in her role, but her confidence as an actress and as her character are on display. A true professional on a sinking ship.

The show started at 8:05 at finished at 9:15. (More echoes of Oleanna)

Around the halfway mark, a few people in front of me left...and then a few more..and then a few more. Thankfully I was able to hear the dialogue, but when the house lights went on at the end, much of the back where I was sitting (Row R) was empty.

I'm very disappointed. Been looking forward to this for awhile now

[TheaterBoy7777]

Posted: 11/14/12 at 1:23am

How did the theater look renovated?

[BorisIgor]

Posted: 11/14/12 at 11:31am

It seems that everyone in this board ignores the fact that last night's performance was the first time ever the actors played in front of an audience and it was the first time ever this played was performed anywhere.
While I would agree with some of the comments, I yet have to hear a discussion on the essence of the play. Was the LuPone character punished long enough? Should the crime be forgiven? Who protects the victim's families? What were those young rich kids thinking back in the 70's?
I thought that the play was brilliant and that we will be talking about it for years. Yes, it needs work in a lot of areas, but that's what previews are for.



Updated On: 11/14/12 at 11:31 AM

[Wynbish]

Posted: 11/14/12 at 11:33am

^ You do realize that your comments will be disregarded because you said "Patty"

[BorisIgor]

Posted: 11/14/12 at 11:35am

They can be discarded by whoever, but that doesn't take away my point of view and I think is valid. People seem here to want to destroy unfinished work. Let's allow the creative team to do their jobs and then have a strong conversation with all points of view Updated On: 11/14/12 at 11:35 AM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/14/12 at 11:43am

No, people want to discuss a show they've seen that is charging money for perdormances. If they liked the show then there's no problem but if they didn't well...they're just awful people for judging a show in previews.

If they're ready to take your money, they better be ready to take your criticism as well.

[BorisIgor]

Posted: 11/14/12 at 11:50am

Constructive criticism is key to the success of most shows. Theatre is a about collaboration. it's the other type f criticism that I find destructive. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, as strong as they can be, but let's put them in context.

Updated On: 11/14/12 at 11:50 AM

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 11/14/12 at 11:52am

Boris- In the other thread is there discussion of the play. I said I didn't think the crime, her motivation to commit the crime, the role of the accomplice etc was made very clear and therefore it was hard to care about the current predicament of the character.

Should the crime be forgiven? Well without explaining the situation in greater detail it's hard to say. The more interesting aspect should have been was Patti honestly contrite or was she faking it in order to be paroled.

I think the play was far from "brilliant." Like I said it had an interesting premise, but the execution of the premise was lacking.

[egghumor]

Posted: 11/14/12 at 11:56am

Whizzer: "Like I said it had an interesting premise, but the execution of the premise was lacking."

This seems to be Mr. Mamet's running problem in recent years.

[BorisIgor]

Posted: 11/14/12 at 12:22pm

I would agree that at this time of the process is execution. I'm sure the writer/director and producers feel confident that these issues can be worked on during previews.

[Knowitall]

Posted: 11/14/12 at 12:42pm

If you were looking for a compelling theater experience go see The Anarchist, David Mamet's new play with Patti LuPone and Debra Winger currently in previews and opening December 2. Definitely thought-provoking material and you'll see Patti as you've never seen her before (in prison!).

[Kelly2]

Posted: 11/14/12 at 12:59pm

"It seems that everyone in this board ignores the fact that last night's performance was the first time ever the actors played in front of an audience and it was the first time ever this played was performed anywhere."

That's inaccurate. I was at the final dress rehearsal on Monday night, and I do believe there was an audience. I will not post my thoughts on the play as I consider it bad form to review a final dress, but I did feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to see it.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/14/12 at 1:12pm

Thanks, Knowitall! That's the shortest press release I've ever seen!

Tell Jeff we all say "hi"!

[Knowitall]

Posted: 11/14/12 at 1:28pm

Yes, Monday night had a small audience of people related to the production.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/14/12 at 1:41pm

That makes no sense. Thanks!

Updated On: 11/14/12 at 01:41 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/14/12 at 3:24pm

I just got out of the matinee. I paid money like everyone else so I'm going to comment -

Awful. Insufferably boring and void of any point or redeeming factors, even the stars. How could one of the screens great actresses along with one of Broadway's biggest names agree to this? It reads like a rejected submission from a high school playwright who wanted to write something "deep" and has never read or seen a play before.

There was a steady stream of walkouts starting about 30 minutes in and continued until the end. How this is playing on Broadway with these extraordinary women is beyond me, an insult to their names and to everyone who comes to see it.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 11/14/12 at 4:42pm

"and you'll see Patti as you've never seen her before (in prison!)"

Not true, she was on the TV series OZ, which was set in a prison.

Thank you very much!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/14/12 at 4:48pm

You won't see her in prison. You'll see her in ugly clothes in an office.

[macnyc]

Posted: 11/14/12 at 4:50pm

I don't know why I bought tickets for this! I read somewhere that it was good, and now I'm stuck.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 11/14/12 at 4:58pm

Need to see Winger. Bad or not.

Anyone know if there's rush?

[Dangerous Jade]

Posted: 11/14/12 at 5:01pm

I remember that! She wasn't a prisoner, though, she was an archivist in in the library. So you are right, Dolly, that we have seen her in a prison. Wow, Joel Grey and Rita Moreno were on Oz, too.

Patti in the Land of Oz

[Knowitall]

Posted: 11/14/12 at 5:10pm

High school play? LOL. Great feedback, everyone is entitled to their opinion. LOL

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/14/12 at 5:14pm

LOL. Yes, we are. LOL. Yes, high school. LOL. Not Mamet's best. LOL

[Dollypop]

Posted: 11/14/12 at 5:16pm

I'm seeing it on the 28th. I don't care if it's a stink-o. It's LuPone!