The House of Blue Leaves- 1st preview — Page 2

I had seat thru TDF last night and was in the center mezz Row C, the people next to me and the couple in front of me got their tickets thru TDF as well. Since they went up for sale so close to the date it sounds like they are offering their remaining seats in the mezz thru TDF.

Not knowing much about the show going I enjoyed it. I am going to see it again next mont, I am sure it will only get better. My seats then will be closer to the stage so it will be nice to see all the facial expressions.

Falco is definitely the wow in this show, she is awesome. thismyshow, Allison Pill does not play a big part, but I thought she played it well.

I believe that I am more critical of revivals because the actors have already had time to "digest" the characters. This script has been available for more than 20 years and so the actors participating in this revival have had time to think about their characterizations. It's not like a brand new play where dialogue can change daily.

It would be very hard to mess up the character of Bunny because the humor is written into her dialogue. If you just read from the script without characterization, the lines are hilarious. The whole monologue about "Sandra Dee's Night of Hell" is hysterical. How can anyone mess that up?

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"Sandra Dee's night of hell" sailed by in relative silence!!!"

So I'm wondering if the director is not understanding the piece? The thing that makes that monologue so funny is that Bunny tells it like she was right there in the room with Sandra. And the actress has to nail that monologue so that in Act 2 we understand Bunny when she reacts with Corinna Stroller.

Also, can anyone comment on the pacing of the show? There are moments when it needs to have the pacing of a farce (fast and furious).

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Toxic, schmoxic. There are a small group of loud individuals on both boards who seem to have a physical allergy to negative comment. The sources of this allergy can be traced to one of two things:

1) Their mothers smacked them whenever they said anything negative during childhood (and possibly later, as well), or
2) They're marketing interns, assigned to monitor chat rooms and make a stink when anyone criticizes a show their employer handles.

If a show isn't clearly on the road to being great at its first performance, chances are that it won't become terrific within the next few weeks.

It's usually #2, newintown. I've been told as much by people who used to be assigned to do just that. When I used to write for a blog, we would get particularly nasty, sometimes profanity-laden, always anonymous comments from people obviously associated with the PR machines of certain shows.

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Personally, I applaud you for walking out of Tale of Two Cities - that was mindless claptrap for lowbrows who think Phantom of the Opera is opera.

But it's a chatroom - negative and positive are two sides of the same coin. Calling one "toxic" is as futile as calling the other "saccharine."

The people who I suspect of shilling are those who criticize the criticizers for criticizing.

Again again, I've got no problem with ppl being negative about a show they've seen. That's not at all what I find toxic. It makes some sense to suspect those who criticize criticizers for criticizing but that's not what I did.

I was commenting that the word of two posters, one negative, one mixed, led to several readers deciding that the show at the very least needs work and that WOM was downbeat. That process seems unfortunate to me.

But again again again, I do solemnly swear I believe this is definitely an appropriate place to criticize a show or performance, especially if you've seen it.

Updated On: 4/5/11 at 04:37 PM

My friend and I DID walk out...well, didn't return to our seats after intermission....it was that bad. Tediously slow pacing. Miscast actors (except for Falco). Stiller's performance was described by my friend as "twitchy." Leigh was just unbearable and unfunny. Ran into another couple at the nearby Starbucks who also decided they couldn't bear to return after intermission either.

I should have walked out at intermission tonight...it was that bad. Stiller was awful, as were all of the other actors and the production itself. Very sad given the talent involved. Steer clear of this one...not worth your time or money.

I saw the show tonight. I went in not knowing anything about the show, so I really had no expectations. (The previous productions occurred before I was born/before I started becoming a serious theatergoer so I have no frame of reference) but I really enjoyed the show.

I loved Jennifer Jason Leigh as Bunny, though in hindsight I'm not sure if that's just because of the role, not the actress. Ben Stiller surprised me - I went in expecting his usual schtick, but I really enjoyed him. The rest of the cast was fine...I've seen Christopher Abbott in quite a few odd-bway shows, and I thought he was a stand out (as Ronnie). As a whole the chemistry was a little off, but I didn't think it was bad enough to leave.

The couple next to me left at intermission, as did two other people in my row. I think it needs some tightening up, but I didn't hate it as much as others here seemed to...

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This was one of those nights of theater that as soon as I walked out of the theater, I felt like I was already forgetting what happened. I didn't understand why the play itself was so highly regarded, and certainly didn't think this production helped in any way.

I will say I actually liked Ben Stiller. I thought he gave a decent performance. Jennifer Jason Leigh has the best part in the play with all of these really funny lines, and does nothing with it. I really do wish Edie and Jennifer had switched parts.

I thought Edie Falco was fine in her role, but not spectacular.

I think the real issue with this whole thing is David Cromer. He didn't seem to add anything to the play, and definitely didn't justify to me why this should even have been revived in the first place.

Also, I hated the final dramatic touch. I actually spent more time watching audience members in the front row (spoiler) picking up the blue leaves than paying attention to what should have been quite the dramatic moment.

I think the ultimate problem here is what everyone keeps touching on. If this is going to be a comedy, then make it one. With the small exception of the farce in the second act, I didn't find the play remotely funny. I kept asking myself, is this a comedy? I laughed more at Baby, It's You the night before than this. (More because of the camp value, but still.) I will take Good People over this for comedic drama any day.

Overall, it was a supreme disappointment. For those of you who want to know, my TDF seat was Row G in the mezz second row from the last, all the way over to the side. The view was perfect, and I did like the set if nothing else.

I did stage door, and Edie and Ben came out, but I didn't see Jennifer Jason Leigh. Edie was incredibly gracious, especially when dealing with the Ebayers. Ben signed, but was a bit all over the place.

Updated On: 4/6/11 at 09:45 AM

Non-existent. Just the set. (which I did like)

how is the door does everyone pretty much sign and take pictures?