The Minutes Preview Thread — Page 5

VotePeron said: "For anyone who saw the first week of previews, you're in luck. They've cut about 30 seconds off the finale -

"

This is crazy!

I'm definitely in the underwhelmed camp, and I think most of my thoughts align pretty closely with that of Zion's. I had been loosely following this thread and skipping over any mentions of spoilers or the ending, but I'm really quite shocked rereading it at how well received it was. I don't even think the ending is that shocking (though it is somewhat abrupt - almost too much so for me to think it's intentional), but it's more that the point seems to be expressed with such heavy-handedness that it makes me wonder why I spent 90 minutes watching the play.

I think my main issue was that I never felt quite invested in the characters or where the story was going. You get a few hints early on that there's something strange afoot and I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, but it seemed more like it got caught on something on the way down and landed softly. The beginning is entertaining enough, though I feel like it often falls under the category of "amusing but not quite funny" (though I did laugh quite a few times, and many of those times due to Austin Pendleton). Much of the first third I seemed to me to almost be stalling for time and I'm honestly confused what Letts was trying to portray with it (a dysfunctional council that squabbles over everything? I expected that going in. Some revelations about each character? Maybe, but that seems generous.)

I can almost understand why people might like it, but it seems to be a very pale imitation of what this play could be, like a light outline of a much more vibrant picture. I didn't think that the overall message of the play was necessarily something new or noteworthy either, and I'm honestly a little baffled this became a Pulitzer Prize finalist (though I wonder how much it's changed since then). One of my friends mentioned how she had liked Slave Play and What the Constitution Means to Me, but as a liberal millennial, she felt they imparted no new knowledge, whereas I felt that the experience of sitting through those did seem to add more layer and depth to the conversation. I really just didn't feel any of that here, but I wish I did.

Also for those interested in seating, I got TDF tickets for Orchestra L 9-15, which is house right, full view. It's nice to be far enough back in the orchestra to see the reactions of the ensemble members as another person is speaking, which I thought was occasionally more interesting than the dialogue itself. Also it bears saying that Jessie Mueller was out today but I thought Caroline Neff was quite good in her role (as good as she could in such a small part anyway).

The time has come once again.

Tracy Letts’s new play The Minutes resumes previews tomorrow night, at a new house and with a new star. Opening night is set for April 17 at Studio 54, and the show will play a limited engagement through July 24. Noah Reid replaces Armie Hammer as Mr. Peel; rounding out the principal cast are Ian Barford, Blair Brown, Cliff Chamberlain, K. Todd Freeman, Tracy Letts, Danny McCarthy, Jessie Mueller, Sally Murphy, Austin Pendleton, and Jeff Still. The Minutes is directed by Anna D. Shapiro.

“This record-breaking hit from the award-winning Steppenwolf Theatre follows the inner-workings of a city council meeting in the small town of Big Cherry – and the hypocrisy, greed, ambition, and devious doings that ensue. This electrically charged and sharply funny play proves that everything you know can change – it’s just a matter of minutes.”

Who’s going?

Did anyone go tonight? Running time is 90 minutes, no intermission.

I went yesterday afternoon. Worth the wait. Impossible to discuss the reasons why this piece provokes so much discussion (I already hear, "the play will be divisive" without spoilers, so I'll say only: I found it in every way riveting, its startling gear shifts fresh, potent and appropriately open to subjective responses, both in terms of what happens in the story and what the audience takes away thematically. Noah Reid, as the baffled common counsel interloper and de facto protagonist was an inspired replacement for Hammer. His natural warmth provides welcoming access to a canvas filled with veiled secret keepers. Letts has crafted a subversive fable that offers sneaky homage to, of all people, Shirley Jackson; like that other master, Letts trusts both his tale and his audience. Terrific company, evocative designs, and (to my surprise) even a nice fit in 54. How available? I got third row center orchestra seats on TDF.

Oof. I’ve been anticipating this the before times and finally saw it this afternoon and I think I hated it. There were a few moments, but I didn’t feel like the cast really had a chance to shine. It posed some interesting ideas and could have been a good conversation piece, but I just thought it was a mess.

n2nbaby said: "Oof. I’ve been anticipating this the before times and finally saw it this afternoon and I think I hated it. There were a few moments, but I didn’t feel like the cast really had a chance to shine. It posed some interesting ideas and could have been a good conversation piece, but I just thought it was a mess."

whoops sorry wrong thread.

Updated On: 4/10/22 at 08:17 AM

uncageg said: "Finally saw it tonight. I most definitely didn't dislike it but I left the theater a bit confused. Maybe it just has to sit on my mind for a bit."

I was there last night as well and feel the same exact way. Or, should I say, I don't really know how I feel about it.

As I was leaving the theater, the word I picked up on most from other patrons was "preachy" and I can see how this play now feels quite preachy in 2022.

I'm considering seeing it again to see if I can pick up on more subtleties, now that I know how the plot progresses.

Finally, I will say this - give Austin Pendleton a Tony nomination!! One of the funniest performances I've seen this season.

uncageg said: Also, I was sitting in the last row of the front mezz. Lost just a little bit of dialogue before they all sat down and used the mics. It got better after that when they were moving around. I noticed a floor mic at the edge of the stage so maybe they adjusted it."

I also in the last row of the front mezz - maybe we were sitting next to each other! lol

Agree that some dialogue got lost in the beginning but that it improved over time.

Saw this tonight and I’m gonna have to sit with this one for a while. I think I really did enjoy it. Definitely not what I expected, but in a good way. Uniformly strong performances - I hope Austin Pendleton get a Tony nomination - and a very intriguing script. I had heard two years ago it had a surprise ending so that’s when I decided to not read anything at all about the play which was HARD for two years!! But I’m very glad I managed to avoid the spoilers.

Has anyone done digital rush through TodayTix? How are the seats?

WiCkEDrOcKS said: "mbusani14 said: "Has anyone done digital rush through TodayTix? How are the seats?"

Bumping to see if there are any reports on TT rush seat locations."

Just got seated for mine. Dead center rear orchestra in row m. Fantastic seats for the money.

^ bump