The Beard of Avon

[magruder]

Posted: 10/31/03 at 10:56am

Heard excellent things from some folks who were at the final dress of this new Amy Freed play that begins performances tonight at New York Theatre Workshop. (The play examines whether Shakespeare really did write all of those plays). Could anyone who is seeing it in the next week or two post their thoughts?

Updated On: 10/31/03 at 10:56 AM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 10/31/03 at 11:03am

I saw the ACT production in SF. I had high expectations. And was disappointed. I felt like it was one of those self-congratulatory productions that said, "Oh, aren't we all so SMART for engaging with this topic?" I did think, however, that perhaps it was the specific production. It was art directed to a faretheewell and the cast seemed sort of smug. However, the Earl of Oxford was VERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRY sexy. We were third row center and the person I was with fell asleep. Clearly in sightlines of the cast. I looked around and the woman two people down from me was asleep, and there was a guy in row two sound asleep. To be fair, it was largely a subscription audience, and one got the feeling that they had all gone out for dinner and lots of wine before the show.

The same friend I saw it with saw the NYTW production of Flesh & Blood (same director as this new production of the Freed play) and said it was the best thing he had ever seen in a theater. So maybe they can bring out whatever charms that may lie hidden in the play, if they're there.

[magruder]

Posted: 10/31/03 at 11:16am

Doug Hughes is the director of the NYTW production. I remember he was rather well liked when he was at Long Wharf. Love the cast, too. The production also features Tim Blake Nelson as William Shakespeare and Mary Louise Wilson as Queen Elisabeth (!) Also, I'd have to assume that the Jeff Whitty in the cast is the same Jeff Whitty who is the book writer of Avenue Q... Anyone know for sure?