The Minutes Preview Thread

[theatretenor2]

Posted: 2/23/20 at 8:38pm

The Minutes starts previews this week. Looking forward to hearing everyone's responses as we are planning to see it in March.

[jiaxing_26]

Posted: 2/24/20 at 10:09am

Got a ticket from TDF for March; looking forward to reading some reviews as well

[ThunderQuad]

Posted: 2/24/20 at 10:45am

will be there tomorrow! Heard some rather mixed things from friends who saw the original incarnation in Chicago, but I can't imagine Lett's hasn't made some edits. Going in without any knowledge of the plot.

[LeftofLinus]

Posted: 2/24/20 at 1:31pm

Just FYI, there are tickets available for opening night in the balcony.  I got a pair on Today Tix for $49 each.  

[kevinr]

Posted: 2/24/20 at 5:34pm

Curious about what the stage door is like for this.....when Armie Hammer was in "Straight White Men" it was pretty crowded. He was great, though, at going down the barricade and signing for everyone.

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 2/24/20 at 8:34pm

I saw the Steppenwolf production. It’s a very strange play that is almost impossible to discuss without spoiling the entire thing. But believe the advertising that says nothing is as it seems, because that is an understatement.

It’s also very short. I wouldn’t be surprised if Letts wrote this over a single weekend.

Still trying to decide whether or not to see the starry Broadway cast.

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 2/24/20 at 8:43pm

A few photos of the stage floating around Instagram, looks great.

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 2/24/20 at 8:47pm

GreasedLightning said: "A few photos of the stage floating around Instagram, looks great. "

Yup, if they replicated the Steppenwolf set, it’s pretty awesome.

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 2/24/20 at 8:53pm

[barcelona20]

Posted: 2/24/20 at 9:12pm

What happened to whizzer?

[gibsons2]

Posted: 2/24/20 at 10:03pm

I'm wondering where TDF seats will be.

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 2/24/20 at 10:28pm

I had a tiny bit of interest in the show (love the logo, I feel like it tells a lot with just a little), but could someone who knows the play post the big reveal with a spoiler tag? It'll probably make me want to see it

[MusicAndPassion]

Posted: 2/24/20 at 11:05pm

I'll be there tomorrow. After Linda Vista, I'm hoping for a more classic punch from Letts with this play. I think it will deliver.

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 2/25/20 at 12:16am

aasjb4ever said: "I had a tiny bit of interest in the show (love the logo, I feel like it tells a lot with just a little), but could someone who knows the play post the big reveal with a spoiler tag? It'll probably make me want to see it"

But why? the play is a total, semi-twilight zone (nothing supernatural) situation. The "reveal" is the entire play. In other words, the play is a bunch of blah-blah-blah for the first 70 minutes, and it then goes nuts in the final 20 minutes. It's helpful to remember that this is the author of Bug and Killer Joe. 

Updated On: 2/25/20 at 12:16 AM

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 2/25/20 at 6:16am

Matt Rogers said " .... " 

Boo!

I know it is a risk to read these threads, but revealing is bad form.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 2/25/20 at 7:19am

I think it’s best to go in knowing as little as possible.

By the way I have a ticket for sale on the buy/sell board if anyone is interested.

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 2/25/20 at 12:19pm

BalconyClub said: "Matt Rogers said " .... "

Boo!

I know it is a risk to read these threads,but revealing is bad form."

I fail to see how I revealed anything at all. If you think my post was "revealing", then you better not read any of the reviews from the Chicago production, or any of the reviews by members on here, because this show is pretty much impossible to discuss without "revealing" anything. 

[sm33]

Posted: 2/25/20 at 4:28pm

Just FYI, they have tickets available for March and April on Audience Rewards for a reasonable points/$$ price. I have a hard time using my AR points because so many shows require a ton of points, so this was a good one for me. 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 2/25/20 at 9:14pm

This was pretty much off my radar until recently so I know little about it. As I’m staying in East Rutherford, NJ this week for work, I’m thinking about seeing it this week depending on reports from tonight’s first preview.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 2/25/20 at 10:12pm

I was at the first preview tonight, and all I can say is WOW. I am not going to say anything else, because the less you know about this going in, the better off you will be, and the more you will enjoy the play as it unfolds. However, I will say that this is an absolute must see, and it is definitely my favorite new play so far this season.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 2/25/20 at 10:34pm

I was at first preview tonight, and overall I really enjoyed it. The play is very funny....until it isn’t. It’s paced very well, especially for a comedic play at its first preview. I liked the tinge of mystery and suspense to the story, which has a really wild payoff. My only major criticism is that the protagonist’s final monologue got a bit too heavy-handed for me. But then it goes onto the final moment of the play, which I found really powerful.

The ensemble is really excellent. As Tony season approaches, I found myself thinking of the roles and performances in terms of Tony prospects.

Armie Hammer’s character is the protagonist, but he is kind of a silent observer for large chunks of the play. I imagine he’ll probably get put in the leading category for the Tonys, though his role might not be meaty enough to earn him a nomination.

Jessie Mueller’s role is fairly small, but it’s important, and she does a good job with it.

For me, the biggest standout of the evening was the wonderful Austin Pendleton. The whole supporting cast was really strong, but out of all of them, he would be my pick for a Tony mom, though Danny McCarthy, K. Todd Friedman, and Letts himself have somewhat flashier roles, and are also very good.

I can imagine this one being divisive among audiences, particularly because of the unexpected ending. But I think it’s a really strong piece of writing, elevated by a top-notch ensemble.

[Falsettolands]

Posted: 2/25/20 at 10:38pm

TECHNICALLY I’m not spoiling the twist of this play, but if the general themes that the twist hinges on bother you, stop reading. I tried to be a bit vague.


I had such a frustrating experience with this play. It feels like an attempt at a scathing satire, like a well meaning attempt at magnifying the dangers of washing away historical transgressions against a particular group and race of people and it’s even, in a a way, about more than just that. About the dangers of conformity, National interest etc.

And yet...it feels as though Letts has a hard time skewing these topics comfortably, confidently. It’s As though he’s making a blanket generalization about the character of those in power having the control to rewrite history and being like “isn’t that bad?”

I mean, yeah? It’s bad...and what else?

I felt like Larissa Fasthorse achieved what Letts was going for in one of her recent plays (I won’t name- it spoils a bit of The Minutes, but it was a very popular play this season regionally). But in a funnier, more scathing way that also felt more genuine when reaching the danger of its themes.

Than again, it brings to the conversation: who is allowed to tell whose story? Am I exempt from trying to tell a story about injustice against a group of people because I am not one of them? Or does it matter, if done with clarity? Is my well meaning attempt still genuine? Maybe it’s genuine, but am I doing it well?

It’s an interesting conversation starter, and while I don’t necessarily think the play succeeds in achieving the righteousness or horror it intends to impart, it has me thinking. I just wish it had me caring more about the characters onstage and less about the ownership of history and who is allowed to write about who. But  that’s what’s makes it a good play- not a great one. In terms of plays this season that touch on grand, heavy social themes (Slave Play, The Inheritance) it’s the most successful at what it’s going for. But in terms of a fulfilling and meaningful experiences, The Sound Inside has got it beat.

The cast is uniformly excellent. However, if Austin Pendleton doesn’t get a Tony nomination for perfecting the art of senility, I may riot. In a cast that works in genuinely listening, breathing, and flowing together, he receives the strongest response in both laughs and affection from the audience. I’m not sure anyone else is doing work that would warrant award recognition. And for Jesse Mueller fans- unfortunately she has almost nothing to do. But she makes the most  of her moments and gels well with the ensemble.

David Zinn’s set ought to be preserved and kept in a museum. It’s one of the most beautiful and functional scenic designs I’ve seen on a broadway stage.

Sorry this was such a mess. But I wanted to get out some sort of immediate thoughts.

Updated On: 2/25/20 at 10:38 PM

[Melissa25]

Posted: 2/25/20 at 10:41pm

Sm33 —thanks for the heads up regarding Audience Rewards.  If possible, could you please share your assigned seat location?

[10086sunset]

Posted: 2/25/20 at 11:24pm

Went tonight and loved the show. That said, I completely expect the show to be divisive among many. Letts is truly attempting to do something here and I thought he nailed the majority of it. 

Going to stay away from mentioning anything because the show needs to be seen and the experience is best served walking in with knowing as little as possible. 

The entire ensemble works rather well but as a previous poster stated, I found Austin Pendleton to be the true standout. 

While I don't know if you will love or hate play, I feel confident that you'll be speaking about it afterwards. Perhaps that is the true meaning of what art should do. 

Someone earlier in the thread asked about the stage door and it looked fairly crowded. i was out of the theater quickly and was surprised there was such a large crowd already gathered. 

 

[MusicAndPassion]

Posted: 2/25/20 at 11:33pm

I absolutely loved this tonight. After recently discussions with my boyfriend about how privileges are earned/given and tribalism in politics, I found this play to through ideas in your face rather than explore them as questions. This is how I had hoped Letts would continue to grow as a playwright. Unlike other shows this season, this one is very timely. 

I'll return to this. Absolutely loved it and how well it fits into the question of the season - how well do one-act 90-ish minute shows fair?

Through TDF, I was in the mezz on the far left side. I couldn't see Mueller for anything other than when she was down center. I assume that the far sides cut off whoever is sitting at the table downstage left and downstage right.