The Happiest Song Plays Last

[jbm2]

Posted: 2/15/14 at 9:12pm

Anyone catch this yet? How is it?

[jbm2]

Posted: 2/18/14 at 9:12pm

Bump

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 2/18/14 at 10:29pm

I saw it tonight and wasn't a fan. The first couple of scenes have some promise, but there are way too many storylines and relationships going on that each of them feel underdeveloped and ring false, causing the whole thing to sort of collapse into itself. The first act is very character-driven, and then somewhere towards the beginning of the second act, the play begins to focus on bigger themes like politics and war, before finally switching back to the characters at hand. It was a mostly messy, uninvolving, and boring evening in my opinion. Lovely musical interludes throughout and a really nice set, though. The acting is okay; no one really stands out as being particularly impressive. I definitely felt a lot of the time tick by.

The theater was as empty as I've ever seen it, with a few people leaving at intermission. This was a rough one for me. I really think Quiara Alegría Hudes' writing style is very much love it or hate it. Updated On: 2/18/14 at 10:29 PM

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 2/18/14 at 10:29pm

If you know the Elliot trilogy, you'll enjoy it. If you don't, I'm not sure you will. It's wonderful, but it really requires knowledge of the previous plays to be enjoyed.

I so wish 2ST had chosen to run these plays in rep a la The Apply Family Plays.

[chrisampm2]

Posted: 2/18/14 at 11:23pm

My friend and I were new to the trilogy and both of us enjoyed the show a great deal. The play and production immerse you in the world of three characters - how they interact with each other and the community (local and global) around them. The performances have a lived-in feel, with a full range of emotions that are never pushed. It's not a traditional play - it can feel like a beautifully written episode of a high quality but low-boil series like Treme - but eventually the stakes rise. It's always evocative and eventually dramatic and moving.

[Pammylicious]

Posted: 2/19/14 at 10:48am

Saw it last night also and in total agreement with WickedRocks. Couldn't wait for this muddled two and half hours to be done it.

One question; What was the set supposed to represent. Settings were Philly and Jordan, neither of these places have homes such as the set, so what was it.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 2/19/14 at 3:10pm

I hated Water By the Spoonful, so I assume I'll hate this as well. I find her writing to be absolutely horrific. And at 2.5 hours? No thanks. The second play in the cycle was only 2hrs 10 mins, and that felt way too long.