The Normal Heart 1st Preview- Page 5

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 12:52am

Right, and it's great if he's bringing people who wouldn't otherwise go to see it into the theater, but yes, hopefully they will take more away from the experience than that, because it has a tremendous amount to offer, and it is so much bigger than one actor's fame. It'd be really sad if that's all people got out of that experience.

[binau]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 1:13am

Pleassse extend.

[lowwriter]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 1:47am

I went to tonight and was impressed by the commitment of all the actors in this production. People have mentioned Barkin for a Tony. I hope Hickey gets the Tony for best supporting actor. He was fantastic in this. I agree that Mantello was also excellent, but I'm not completely sure he'll win the Tony over Rylance or even Bedford.

I saw Esparza in the Public Theater revival a few years ago and I was a bit more moved by his performance as Ned than Mantello's.

I was glad to finally see Lee Pace live in a show. I thought he was well cast.

And it was so good to see lots of young people at a serious play.

[PopAria]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 2:01am

oh man. I had NO IDEA what I was in for. I went tonight and came out a changed person.

Everyone was great. And Yes, Barkin was amazing and just brought out tears and applause from every single person ... my emotions were all over the place tonight because of this piece.

Please go see it.

It deserves to be seen and talked about.

[topherkraz78]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 8:30am

Wow! So damn sorry for asking a simple question about one certain star. Geez! I ask because I live in Cali so I will never get out there. I'm more associated with Jim Parsons show than I am in theater. I have friends who also want to know his successes over there. Kill the messager, always. Don't worry. I'm done asking but its a simple question and I don't feel off the mark to ask. Goodbye!

[After Eight]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 9:45am

Hey Topher,

If you're still reading this thread, don't go away angry! I'm into theatre, rarely watch tv, and didn't even know who Jim Parsons was before seeing this. There may be other theatre buffs who are likewise not familiar with his work.

But I can tell you that he did a very good job here, and you can tell your friends the same.

And I hope you'll go to the theatre out in Cal and let us know what's out there.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 10:02am

All that's been said about this production is true. The performances of Mantello and Barkin are simply breathtaking. The staging is simple and beautiful. It's not a masterwork in terms of writing...but it is in terms of political theatre. And somehow, it doesn't feel stale or dated. It feels incredibly fresh...and is perhaps the most visceral experience I've ever had in a theatre.

But as good as Barkin and Mantello are (and they are that good), they couldn't be as good if they weren't surrounded by the other actors. Lee Pace is heartbreaking. Jim Parsons brings a southern queen's sharp wit, but shows the depth of his heart at just the right times.

Special mention, though, must be made of two journeymen actors are who doing work that should truly get both of them Tony noms. Patrick Breen is so different here than in anything I've ever seen. His aria in act 2 (there's really no other word for it) was just magnificent. He built it brilliantly so that it felt like it came out of nowhere...but at the same time, it was the only thing that could be said in that moment. Just devastating work.

And then there's John Benjamin Hickey, whom I've followed since before I even moved to this city to pursue acting. He's always been so very good...doing such strong work. And he has yet to receive the attention I believe he deserves. I hope this beautiful, harrowing performance changes all of that. The craft and skill it takes to go from a healthy, virile man to (SPOILER) dying in front of our eyes is tremendous. And to know that he does this without us getting caught up in watching him 'act' astonishes. He's absolutely beautiful in this show. And, for very, very personal reasons, his was the performance that will stay with me forever.

[topherkraz78]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 10:08am

Thank you, After Eight. I'm an actor myself (tv/film) mainly but I do want to try to get back into theater too. I'm setting up for a web show in a few weeks on my YT channel so that will be my base but anyway, I appreciate your response. I'm irked because so many were speaking of one or two actors and I just ask for a less known (in theater anyway) actor that I admire and am loyal to. I guess it is mainly because I have seen TBBT film in person and have met most of the actors so I am drawn to that show. I have also heard via twitter that he was doing well too. I just wanted opinions from theater enthusiasts to get a different view on the subject.

[After Eight]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 10:11am

I agree with you a 100% about John Benjamin Hickey. He is a gifted actor who is great in everything in which he appears, but he has never gotten the recognition he deserves. Please, let this man be given his due!

[Pomita]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 10:16am

As one of the Jim Parsons fans who are inevitably present (lurking or posting) on this board, I just want to thank topherkraz for asking the questions many of us want to, and After Eight for her very gracious reply.

To those above who were not very complimentary to the likes of us - the intention was not to belittle the play. We are really excited that our favorite actor is part of such an important piece of work, and proud to hear that he has put in a noteworthy performance. Since it's impossible for many of us to see the show, I feel that asking about his contribution and his performance is perfectly justified.

From what I read, this comes across as a very powerful and relevant socio-political drama, and we are very glad if his presence as a star brought in a section of the audience who might not even have known about the play otherwise. If only for this reason, TNH is probably just as lucky to have him as he is to be a part of it.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 10:20am

I pray that someone (HBO, I'm talking to you) will film this for broadcast.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 10:39am

Saw the Show last night. Liked it a lot. Wasn't as moved as much as when it was at the Public. I think it had to do with the largeness of the stage.
Barkin did command the audience in her second act monologue!
Mantello although good, didn't have the fire Weeks needs IMHO.

[topherkraz78]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 10:41am

Hey Pomita! Thank you for responding.:) (I know her from many, many TBBT and Parsons fan clubs..lol) Anyway nice to see you join the chatter.
I'm not leaving this suddenly I just felt my question was answered in a negative fashion. I'm thrilled at how much praise this play is recieving. I also understand the importance of said play too. I honestly cant wait til it opens and gets the critics attention. Then the REAL pros will speak. To ALL the actors associated with The Normal Heart, Good luck and break a leg!

[clever name]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 10:47am

I saw it last night and loved it. What a powerful play. I was thrilled to see so many young people in the audience. My daughter is 20 and was positively riveted. Stunned. Lee Pace made me cry. And Jordan, I agree, this needs to be filmed.

As for the stage door question earlier. It was raining and most of the cast made a run for it. But Jim Parsons and Lee Pace signed and took pictures and they were both very generous with their time.

[topherkraz78]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 10:58am

It's really sad that I can't meet him in LA (his hometown) but I hear so many people are meeting him in NY. Argh!

[broadwayjim42]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 11:06am

I saw Patrick Breen on his way to the theatre Saturday afternoon and was as impressed by that as my daughter was with meeting Darren Criss, who was in the audience of "How To Succeed," two hours later.

Cannot wait to see this in July.

EDITED to remove a very poor choice of words. Updated On: 4/25/11 at 11:06 AM

[Pomita]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 11:15am

Same here, I'm really looking forward to the reviews. And not just because of JP.. it's great to know that he's a part of such quality work.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 11:59am

Mantello although good, didn't have the fire Weeks needs IMHO.

The reason I found Mantello's performance so moving and effective was that he felt so incredibly genuine. So incredibly real. My problem with a lot of the actors who play Ned is that they feel the need to scream their way through the entire thing. Like "look at me! I'm acting! I'm angry!" I thought Joe did an amazing job of light and shade. His nuances were so beautiful, and his performance was so beautifully fine-tuned. I am always aware of the fact that Ned is based on a real person and, thus, is something more than a character in a play. Joe found that human quality and ran with it. I know a lot of people on here liked Raul better, but from what I've seen of his performance, he did the typical Raul thing and shouted/"angsted" (for lack of a better word) his way through Ned.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 12:06pm

^ THIS!

Mantello really was judicial in the fire and brimstone of it all wasn't he? And somehow he found so many colors in the emotion known as rage. So when the big milk scene finally happened, it felt seismic. And don't even get me started on his 'I do'.

Watching him and Hickey play off each other, knowing how far back their professional relationship goes, was really just magical. Though I've yet to see Rylance, I wouldn't be surprised if Mantello wins the Tony. It's an astonishing performance...and he's given A LOT of work to A LOT of people of the last two decades.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 12:31pm

I was at the show last night. I hadn't read the play completely through prior to seeing it live, so I was mostly in the dark about what was coming (other than knowing there would be no happy ending). Act 1 was a little too preachy for me, but Act 2... man. Act 2 is really where the play packs a punch. The play as a whole, however, serves the purpose of political theatre as it should.

Ellen Barkin, as everyone has said, is out of this world. Her big monologue is the most heart-stopping acting I've seen all season. Joe Mantello is excellent. He feels so human and so flawed. It's an agonizingly real performance. Pace, Parsons, Hickey, and Breen are all uniformly great in their supporting roles. Special mention goes to Lee Pace, whose monologue in Act 2 left my stomach in knots.

The production really is dependent on a solid ensemble and it delivers in so many ways. Anyone who claims to support theatre, human rights, or both should not miss this. One of the most deeply affecting and powerful pieces of theatre I've ever witnessed.
Updated On: 4/25/11 at 12:31 PM

[topherkraz78]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 1:13pm

Just a curious question are they off today or is it tomorrow before the big grand opening? Thanks

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 1:32pm

They're not off today...I'm going tonight and I can't wait to see it for myself!

[SNAFU]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 1:40pm

Yes the first act is preachy but you have to realize, when it was written this was information that wasn't getting out! People were learning these things right there in the theatre. It all seems rather didactic now.

Question; I heard the Mayor Koch lines but I didn't hear the lines about Ronny Reagan Jr the silent President's the ballet dancer son. Was it cut?

ETA: Ned Weeks is based on Larry Kramer. there is nothing nuanced or subtle in the way he presents himself. Just sayin'

Updated On: 4/25/11 at 01:40 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 2:10pm

^ True - but for the sake of the paly the audience has to empathize with Ned (Larry) despite his antagonism or the entire character's journey becomes emotionally null. I think Mantello does an extraordinary job of finding a fine balance between stridency, desperation and vulnerability. To me, its the lead male actor performance of the season, in a season with many great male lead performances. I really do hope he takes the Tony. Rylance may have the showier role, but to me what Mantello was able to pull off was a lot more impressive.

I didn't see Esparza, but am not sure I would ever believe him as someone that has trouble finding a date.

[dreaming]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 2:18pm

Michael Bennett-I couldn't have said it better myself. Mantello gives one of the very best performances by an actor in a play that I have ever seen. He manages to curb the anger with humanity and vulnerability. It's just a beautiful performance from an immensely gifted actor. I was totally on the character's side the whole time and felt complete compassion for him. I really hope he takes the Tony.