"The Curious Incident..." Previews — Page 2

HOLY SH*T!!!!

Well, that was one helluva first preview, one helluva show and easily one the great Broadway debuts I've ever seen. Alex Sharp is so brilliant I was near shaking at the curtain call. I can't even imagine what he must be feeling after giving a performance like that the first time he stepped on a Broadway stage. (I also completely understand why he needs an alternate- that role is exhausting!!)

I read the novel when it came out years ago and my memory of the text was rather hazy, but as the play began at all came tumbling back to the front of my mind. The adaptation is stunning; I never thought the book was theatrical which makes the achievement all the more impressive.

And then there's the direction by Marianne Elliott. A complete feast for the senses. It was all so stimulating. I feel so pumped up.

All of the actors (playing multiple roles) were excellent.

Really don't want to say anything about the design because it will spoil the fun. Just go see it.

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Sounds like we have ourselves an early contender for Best Play...

Hm. I found War Horse totally boring. I'm still excited to see this, since I love a tech heavy play.

Stunning is the only word I can really think of to describe tonight's performance. I had seen a screening of the National version and was really excited to see how it would translate to a proscenium stage. I was a little disappointed at first that Luke Treadaway wasn't transferring, but after tonight, that feeling has evaporated.

Alex Sharp is giving a masterful, incredible performance. From top to bottom, he is more than committed, he is living as Christopher on that stage. I don't know if I can pick out just one standout moment because his entire performance absolutely floored me. Seeing an actor of his immense talent take his first bow on a broadway stage brought tears to my eyes. Really just a phenomenal performance.

The rest of the show, the rest of the actors, the direction, the design, everything just comes together perfectly. It reminded me a bit of the well oiled machine that was Peter and the Starcatcher, every single moment seemed thought out and all the flash and pizazz had a point. The bells and whistles bring your into Christopher's mind. A friend of mine was at the show and she has experience working with autistic children and she said there were several moments in the first act that she just got because of her experience and that the director perfectly simulated the world through the eyes of an autistic child.

Really just an incredible evening of theater. I absolutely recommend it to anyone and everyone--though that might not mean much coming from a new poster.

I'm seeing this tomorrow. Can't wait after hearing these reports!

I'm comparing it to WAR HORSE in the concept of the show, not in the execution. It is an extremely visually-based production and uses it to mask the quality of the show (not totally successfully) much like WAR HORSE did. I thankfully didn't see ENRON, but from what I've seen of that show, it might be closer to that. I just don't think that the new National Theatre patented style of direction was right for this show, and I certainly don't think that the text of the play lived up to the original book at all.

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The playbill just says "At some performances." Not schedule yet.

If these reactions turn out to be representative of the general consensus then it sounds like a Curious could replicate it's West End success on Broadway. Here's hoping: it is a terrific show, with heart and spectacle. It deserves to be massive.

I'm dying to book a seat to this one, but I want to know that I'm seeing Alex Sharp in the lead. Would it be safe to say that he'll be on Wednesday evenings going forward?

It's affecting, though overlong. The narration conceit weighs down the proceedings. The meta bits are an annoyance, as well. Well staged and acted.

Limelight Mike: I have friends on MATILDA (Taylor Trensch last show) who said that he doesn't know yet what the schedule will be so I wouldn't assume anything yet about the schedule. And Taylor could easily be great as well.

I bought a $27 ticket for rear orchesta. May have to sell it and get a better seat.

Where is the best place to sit for this? I'd like to get the full technical effect.