The Civilians' Pretty Filthy

Has anyone heard any buzz about this? It goes into previews tonight.

I loved "Mr. Burns" at Playwrights but "The Great Immensity" at The Public was painful to sit through.

How big is the theater? Are there bad seats?

I agree with Kad. This was one of the better Civilians' shows in a while (I'm generally a fan, esp. GONE MISSING).

(mild spoilers follow)






PRETTY FILTHY is overall sex-positive, and doesn't bang into too many tired clichés about porn. The staging is simple but very effective, and, as Kad said, the cast is terrific. Yes, Friedman's songs aren't the perfectly-crafted BMI-workshop-sanctioned gems that many die-hard fans of the genre require, but they have a lot of heart, melody, and sing with authenticity. If traditional craft and polish is your thing, I'd avoid it. Or if some rather graphic language about sex is likely to bug you, this probably isn't for you. But I really liked the way that the show handled porn workers (ahem) with respect.

For me, it was worth the schlep to the east side of nowhere. (I'm spending a lot more time at Abrons lately, as they seem to have picked-up the slack left by the much-missed, eternally-renovating PS122.)

I saw this tonight - and it is a shlep fro the B/D train. But it was worth it.

I really loved it. I think Friedman's music is interesting in that it never really takes off. I always want the songs to be more than they are, but I always want more, so I guess that's a good thing?

I wish they had dropped the "interview" type set-up. Is that normal for Civilians shows? I know they interviewed people, so to put that in the show seems silly. I would have liked it to just be a book musical about Taylor St. Ives' journey and whatnot. But I still loved it even though the story isn't all that different then what you'd expect. Porn is hard. Porn is just like any other job, etc. All the performers were game. The vocals were a little...rough from the men....but the women were fantastic. I really liked the venue and I really liked the design. It was simple, but effective.

The direction was weak. One thing that stuck out in my mind, was why did "Taylor" bring out a lamp for her first scene? She brings out a cushion and a laptop, but then a stagehand brings out a lamp. But it's never used or touched or anything. So why even have it? Streamline. You don't need it.

But I still recommend seeing it. Just wish the venue was easier to get to.

You're def. in the minority if you didn't like Rosen. He's brilliant in the show. Even his one-off lines killed it. He creates these complete characters with just a walk and a look.

And you liked his "gay for pay" number? I thought the tune was good, but thought he sounded awful on the song. He was straining the whole time and very one note.

Agreed. I think it's a solid song and a catchy tune. Just not sold on that particular rendition.

I actually was impressed with most of the melodies. Not so much the choreography or the direction.

I thought the walk felt like forever - probably due mostly to the cold. But it was well worth it once I was in the theatre and the theater is quite cute and a nice space.

Does anyone have any way I could hear this?