The Anarchist Previews — Page 3

I got completely caught up in it. Go figure. Winger seemed to me to have been directed to be something of a blank, a wall — in character, and not unusual for Mamet, although not necessarily the best way to make your Broadway debut. Definitely would work better in a more intimate venue. Very disappointed in the crap rear mezzanine seats the box office gave TDF purchasers, since the mid-mezzanine was empty. Luckily the Royal mezz ushers are so inept that anyone with any moxie moved down to wherever they wanted. Theatre interior looks like a Shriners hall now instead of a school auditorium, which I guess is an improvement. Would definitely revisit this one later in its run.

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Updated On: 11/19/12 at 01:55 PM

While I felt Winger was still getting into her groove, I think she was good playing a projective object for LuPone. It's not a cat and mouse story, it's a slow burn as Winger lets LuPone spin her tale.

IMO Winger wasn't blank, she just wasn't reacting and LuPone keeps trying to get her claws into her.

I think we are used to seeing a character get roped into the killer's scheme. This was a little different. I really found it compelling.

As I said, I enjoyed it and wished I could see it again.

Mamet was really cool-he said he is very proud of Debra and Patti and that they are still working on things.

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...Not really. Most productions are in pretty much in ready-to-go shape when previews start. It's fairly rare that major, major changes are made anymore. For every Women on the Verge, there are scores of other shows that have completely uneventful preview performances with at most a handful of minor changes.

Considering many people are finding major fault with the script, only drastic changes could be made to fix it. And I'm not sure they'll happen with this.

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Those are all exceptions. But the other 28 shows that open in a season don't go through massive overhauls during previews.

How can you think that a script is a problem but has no problems?

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If anyone thinks the purchase of a preview ticket equals the right to criticize a show, one might put off that purchase until the regular run for a more realistic expectation- unless one's vulturistic impulse demands a chance to feast.

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^ Preach!

Just returned from tonights show.

First of all, they should be honest and not advertise it @at 90 minutes. I believe it was under 70. The people in the audience were asking what the hell happened to the rest of the play.

The set is indeed ugly. Patti is good with what is a thankless role. Winger looks like an old maid and does not fair much better. The amplification was a problem and it was hard to hear what they were saying. This is basically a one act play and to advertise it as anything else is basically being dishonest with the audience. Saw it on TDF and even at that price was not worth it.For a Mamet show to have no F bombs dropped is unheard of

Liked Race much better than this. To me it was monotonous and was like watching paint dry.

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If each role is considered a thankless role, then...... the whole show is thankless?

Who in their right mind would want this play to be any longer?

Updated On: 11/22/12 at 08:00 AM

"Who in their right mind would want this play to be any longer?"

Funny you should say that, Mac. This thread was beginning to remind me of that old joke about the two ladies at a Catskill resort. One says "the food here is just awful."
The other lady says "Yes.... and such small portions."

Mrs R told me last night on the way out she was going down to the bathroom. On one staircase was fresh vomit all over that was not cleaned up despite management being told . One man looked at it and remarked to her "It wasn't that bad". Yes it was sir.

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grumps. rethink that one. first of all, one of the strong points made in this thread is that the play runs 70-75 minutes! Plus, you get to see a very unique pairing of actors. Perhaps this not exactly LuPone's finest hour (and 15 minutes) and it certainly sounds like a highly unfortunate way for Debra Winger to make her New York stage debut, but if I were holding a ticket, I wouldn't hesitate to see it.