The Cottage - Review Thread

The Cottage opens tonight, Monday July 24th at the Helen Hayes Theater!

Post reviews here!

Making his Broadway directorial debut, Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) stages The Cottage by Sandy Rustin, Starring Tony nominee Laura Bell Bundy in her first Broadway bow since Legally Blonde in 2008, along with Eric McCormack (Will & Grace), Tony nominee Lilli Cooper (Tootsie), in his Broadway debut Alex Moffat (SNL), Dana Steingold (Beetlejuice) and Broadway vet Nehal Joshi.

REALLY hoping Laura Bell Bundy gets across the board raves for what really is a truly incredible comedic performance.

Theatrely is positive:

THE COTTAGE, A Charming Broadway Comedy — Review

https://www.theatrely.com/post/the-cottage-a-charming-broadway-comedy-review

NY Daily News/Chicago Tribune is mostly positive:

BROADWAY REVIEW: Directed by Jason Alexander (‘Seinfeld&rsquo, ‘The Cottage’ is a freewheeling farce though it may not be for everyone

https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/broadway/ny-broadway-the-cottage-review-jason-alexander-20230725-edww5hgiqvctjpb4egwhzidgze-story.html

"And if you are in the mood for matchstick penis jokes, more gag props than a Coney Island funhouse and a ensemble of cheerfully over-the-top players contorting body and soul to squeeze every last laugh out of Sandy Rustin’s ridiculous yarn, then the director Jason Alexander just rescued you from the sweaty streets outside and poured some buck’s fizz into your prosaic existence."

NY Post

2 stars from Oleksinki

‘The Cottage’ review: Tired new Broadway farce is forced

https://nypost.com/2023/07/24/the-cottage-review-tired-new-broadway-farce-is-forced/

Daily Beast is mixed-to-negative:

Review: ‘The Cottage’ on Broadway Needs Renovation

Good farce relies on secrets being kept, and complications, lies, and absurdity being added to the mix until the center cannot hold. “The Cottage” on Broadway lacks much of this.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/review-the-cottage-on-broadway-needs-renovation

"The Cottage is not a dud; its momentary outbreaks of hilarity thankfully break up stretches of conversation about characters’ tangled pasts, and restatements of the comic setups in front of us. But, as wittily complicated as those summaries can sound, we’ve already got it. It’s been unpacked for us in the moment, over and over again. If The Cottage isn’t a farce, what is it? This critic couldn’t tell you, and—as presented—the production doesn’t seem to know the answer either."

4 Stars/Recommended from TimeOut

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/theater/the-cottage-broadway-comedy-review

"While the architecture of the plot is solid, what really keeps The Cottage up is the comedic industry of its cast. Directed by Jason Alexander, a seasoned hand at classic timing, the actress leap gamely into their funny business. McCormack’s vain Beau is smoothly caddish and twittish; Moffat, leading with his chin, has some inspired physical horseplay, and Steingold packs a lot of power into her small frame. And Bundy, who looks smashing in Sydney Maresca’s costumes, holds the play’s center together with considerable appeal. It’s sex, sure, but more than that: It’s charm."

Broadway News:

Review: Spending an eventful, but hackneyed evening at ‘The Cottage’

Sandy Rustin’s version of a drawing room farce falls short of both feminism and comedy.

https://www.broadwaynews.com/review-spending-an-eventful-but-hackneyed-evening-at-the-cottage/

Some good notices for Bundy, several mention Dana Steingold as the standout. Some really like Moffats physical comedy.



Bundy gets the final bow and is treated as the lead but seems like they bill it as an ensemble so maybe for the Tony’s they would all be up for featured.
The set design and costumes are also getting great reviews.

Updated On: 7/24/23 at 09:57 PM

Variety:

‘The Cottage’ Review: Sex Farce Directed by Jason Alexander Delivers Limp, Familiar Comedy

https://variety.com/2023/legit/reviews/the-cottage-review-broadway-1235678930/

"The production, under Alexander’s direction, works feverishly to mine laughs from repeated sight gags (like cigarettes outlandishly hidden in the decor) and from performances turned up to 11 that have nowhere to go. McCormack, who makes a believable-enough gigolo, is both underused and overshadowed. Bundy is as nimble and confident as an Old Hollywood star, swathed in blonde finger-waves and ludicrously glamorous night clothes (costumes are by Sydney Maresca). And Moffat, a “Saturday Night Live” alum, is an especially adept and precise physical comedian in what is essentially a drawn-out, after-midnight sketch."

BETTY22 said: "OUCH. I just read The NY Times.

What can a show do to survive this?"

Ultimately it's the ticket sales that do the talking after the reviews come out, so we'll see. It is also only a limited run. I don't really see it closing early.

Bernadette is truly ageless

bwayphreak234 said: "Does anyone have experience with the TodayTix rush? Is this a hard one to get if you're on at 9AM on the dot? Also, do they offer in person rush? Any seating reports for rush? Thanks!"

I'm going this afternoon- will try to see what's going on.