The Normal Heart 1st Preview- Page 3

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/20/11 at 4:47pm

Maybe Babs will film it!

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/20/11 at 4:49pm

Was wondering if seeing this would be a bit of a 'too soon' moment for me.

But I broke down and got two TDF tickets for Saturday night. In 1994, Joe Mantello changed my life with his performance in ANGELS. It'll be an honor to see him again on stage.

[Q]

Posted: 4/20/11 at 4:56pm

Son - I think it might be cathartic. Just let the tears flow, and the memories (both theatrical and real) continue to inspire.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/20/11 at 5:06pm

I was walking by the theatre a little while ago and some people involved with the production were outside talking about last night's performance and how exhilarating it was, particularly the prolonged applause in the second act when Barkin's searing take on a monologue literally stopped the show (when is the last time you've seen that happen in a straight play).

An amazing accomplishment considering they put it together in only two weeks.

PS --

For those wondering - the 26 dollar tickets are way upstairs but are fine. I would like to sit closer next time I see the show, but for the price you can't beat those seats.

Updated On: 4/20/11 at 05:06 PM

[benmangini]

Posted: 4/20/11 at 5:07pm

Does Jim Parsons Stagedoor?

[vegas2]

Posted: 4/20/11 at 5:23pm

I appreciate all these posts. I was waiting to hear what people had to say. And now I have my tickets!

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/20/11 at 5:28pm

I intend to, Q.

I saw both parts of ANGELS two weeks to the day of David's funeral...and it was astonishingly cathartic...but also brutally emotional. I was going to say 'How much worse could this be?' but I'd rather not tempt fate!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/20/11 at 5:30pm

I so wish they would be able to perform a scene on the Tony Awards. Sadly they'll be lucky if Joe Mantello gets to give a 4th grade style book report on it in front of some ridiculous projection.

[GatorNY]

Posted: 4/20/11 at 6:11pm

I got a ticket yesterday for the matinee this Saturday, so am very excited. I've been waiting for something to knock my socks off this spring, so looks like it'll finally happen this weekend.

[breathyfemalevocal]

Posted: 4/20/11 at 7:26pm

Thanks to everyone for your advice. Really made me think because these NYC trips are very, very special to me (only 3rd time ever.) I discussed with my partner and now own two tickets to see Normal Heart on 4/29. Very excited! Hope the raves for this show continue. The whole cast has me giddy with anticipation.

Not easy to give up Donna Murphy for the first time (and I still have the People in the Picture tix for the same time slot, so I haven't officially given her up yet), but I can't be in two places at once. Anyone looking for PITP tix for Fri, 4/29? :)

[breathyfemalevocal]

Posted: 4/20/11 at 11:24pm

Anyone see The Normal Heart on its second night tonight? Opinons? How was the audience, reaction wise and in terms of a full/not full house?

[nealb1]

Posted: 4/20/11 at 11:49pm

Great news to hear all the wonderful feedback on the show. I'm seeing the show on May 1st.

[Kevn520]

Posted: 4/20/11 at 11:52pm

I just got home from seeing the second preview. I was completely blown away by this production.

This is a full production, for those wondering. I don't think that it even needs anything more than what they're doing with it now. The material and emotional impact of the show can carry it quite well on its own.

That final line in the first act and then the projections just took my breath away.

The audience was fully engaged. There were people crying around me. There was applause after many of Mantello's scenes. Barkin and Pace got applause as well for their respective monologues.

I couldn't really see upstairs, but I think it was a full house, with the exception of the 3 seats next to me.

There were some lighting queue issues, but other than that this was a perfect night of theatre.

Did anyone else get the printed letter by Larry Kramer after the show?

[breathyfemalevocal]

Posted: 4/21/11 at 12:05am

Great to hear. So excited to see this. What is the running time?

[Kevn520]

Posted: 4/21/11 at 12:18am

It ran roughly 2.5 hours. My watch read 10:36pm as I was exiting the theatre.

[topherkraz78]

Posted: 4/21/11 at 12:49am

I gotta know how my guy Jim Parsons is doing all the way over in NYC. :) Two nights down.

[Idiot]

Posted: 4/21/11 at 1:41am

AH. This is one of those painful 'wish I was in NY' moments. I saw a production of this in Los Angeles in the mid eighties (when it was a 'current' play) with Richard Dreyfus, and remember feeling like I'd just seen my first major theatrical work.

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 4/21/11 at 2:28am

I saw the show tonight and agree with all the superlatives already posted. What a powerful & brilliant show. Everyone is so strong in their roles, especially Joe Mantello and Ellen Barkin. Give them both the Tony right now!

Such a great show! If you have the opportunity to see the show, do it!

Act One runs about an hour, and then Act Two is longer at around 1h:15m. It ended at 10:30pm. It seemed like a pretty full house, though I couldn't see what the mezzanine was like.

[Taryn]

Posted: 4/21/11 at 2:56am

Saw it tonight from down in the orchestra (as did Julianne Moore, actually). What a fantastic and moving production. I think Pace's monologue killed me the most, but I was crying for a good deal of the second act.

[topherkraz78]

Posted: 4/21/11 at 11:35pm

How many 'preview' nights are there?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/21/11 at 11:38pm

Opening night is the 27th. So, however many until then.

[theatreguy]

Posted: 4/21/11 at 11:39pm

10 preview performances.

[topherkraz78]

Posted: 4/21/11 at 11:43pm

i'm unfamiliar with broadway plays living in cali but what is the purpose for so many preview nights? is it like a rough draft, get out all the glitches or what?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/21/11 at 11:46pm

They're actually having way fewer than most shows. Yes, to work out technical glitches, and make sure everything is in the best possible shape before opening/the critics. Sometimes there are text changes, but that's more common for new plays.

[topherkraz78]

Posted: 4/21/11 at 11:50pm

k, thanks for the info. so those who go to preview nights do u also attend again when it officially opens?