The Trip to Bountiful First Preview

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/30/13 at 11:41pm

I saw the first preview tonight and am mixed about it, though mostly hopeful that things will get better.

From my experience with Horton Foote's plays I have to say that he is one of my favorite playwrights. There is a simply beauty about his characters, stories and settings. His dialogue is often poetic and lilting, as if ready to be set to music. The Trip to Bountiful is no exception. A bittersweet story of an unwanted old woman who wants nothing more than to visit her childhood home, where she hasn't been for 20 years. That's it. The whole plot is right there.

The pacing was an issue, but I have faith that Michael Wilson will fix that problem. How can one not give him the benefit of the doubt after his masterful direction of The Orphan's Home Cycle?

I know The Trip to Bountiful played at The Henry Miller originally, but I would have much rather seen it in an off-Broadway house. The story is so small, and the central character is a frail, elderly woman whose heartaches and longings would be more deeply felt in a smaller space.

Cicely Tyson is mostly great as Carrie. I thought things started off on a shaky foot (for all involved), but once she got on the bus and then throughout the second act she was quite effective. She has a very warm presence, and I think she will win over audiences easily every night.

Vanessa Williams was the strongest cast member though. She's a total bitch and the audience reacted most to her. There were plenty of "No she didn't just tell her to pick that up," and "I'd shut her mouth up real quick if she said that to me," comments.

Condola Rashad is sweet and Tom Wopat has a very minor role.

The truly unfortunate thing about this production is Cuba Gooding Jr. I found his performance borderline amateurish. He mumbled his lines; his limited projection had me straining to hear anything he said. There was no energy or emotion behind his performance- or if there was it was too small to be carried over the footlights. His final scene with Tyson was very, very weak. I think Wilson has his work cut out for him here.

I will try to go back and see this later in the run because I love the play so much and I think once Tyson settles into the role she will be magnificent.

On small final quibble: some of the moments where Carrie, IMO, should come off pathetic or desperate or tragic were being played for laughs (or were being perceived by the audience as funny). I think it's easier to fall back on a laugh, and certainly is more comfortable for the audience, but it takes away from the magnitude that this woman's desperation has reached.

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 3/30/13 at 11:47pm

considering this is from the same team behind the recent Streetcar and Cat (with terrance howard) revival, this was above what I was expecting to hear from you, and I'm happy to hear it.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 3/30/13 at 11:59pm

Cuba has been over rated for many a year, even his Oscar winning role was nothing special and maybe more of a slap in the face to cruise

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/31/13 at 12:30am

How was the design? I'm concerned how this play would play play in such a large space.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/31/13 at 12:32am

That's my concern with this show, as well. It's such a tiny little story in a big ol' theatre.

[jeffmiele]

Posted: 3/31/13 at 1:50am

I was there as well. I think I was a bit more impressed than Whizzer. I was so charmed by Cicely. But Cuba was pretty bad.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 3/31/13 at 2:13am

I was very skeptical about Cuba Gooding Jr. doing this but thought maybe he'd have a career comeback, guess not. I'm with rosscoe(au), I've never found him to be an impressive actor, including that awful movie he won an Oscar for.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 3/31/13 at 2:41am

If pacing was an issue, what was the run time?

[ArtMan]

Posted: 3/31/13 at 8:05am

Whizzer, was there alot of "making comments" back to the stage? I'm seeing this on May 4 and am a big fan of the cast. The yelling out would truly ruin my experience of seeing this play.

[Luv2goToShows]

Posted: 3/31/13 at 8:57am

Sorry to hear about Cuba Gooding Jr's weak performance, hopefully he finds his footings and it strengthens. Do you think it could be nerves getting the best of him?

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/31/13 at 9:28am

The show got out at 10:30, which is pretty long considering the movie is only an hour and 45 minutes. This wasn't deliberately slow-paced though (like Gold & Baker's latest effort), but rather just first preview sluggishness in parts. The first two scenes in Vanessa's apartment needed the most tightening. Since the dialogue is so much like poetry if you can't find your rhythm it feels out of whack.

I liked the design elements. All the colors of the set, costumes and lighting are very warm. The cramped apartment thankful doesn't take up the whole stage (remember how in Man and Boy they kept complaining about how small the apartment was and the set was biggest basement apartment I had ever seen!!). The design was not done on the cheap, but it doesn't feel overblown either. The creative team was clearly aware that they couldn't let this show get lost in the space, and their work helps fight that battle accordingly.

There wasn't A LOT of talk back from the audience, but it sprung up in places. There were two chatty people behind me, but they mostly saved their comments for Vanessa. It's not like Trip to Bountiful is a trashy soap opera a la Stick-Fly where those comments felt organic and appropriate. I wouldn't give it much worry ArtMan.

I don't know what Cuba would really have to be nervous about, ha. The entire show is carried on the shoulders of Tyson. There's barely a moment when she's not onstage, and the next biggest role is Vanessa's. (Jo Van Fleet won a Featured Actress Tony for playing Vanessa's part in the OBC.)

[AC126748]

Posted: 3/31/13 at 11:08am

I don't know what Cuba would really have to be nervous about, ha.

Making his Broadway (theatre-in-general?) debut, perhaps?

I'm excited to see the production this afternoon. I'll try to post some thoughts later.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 3/31/13 at 11:37am

There's a difference between nerves and just not having much talent. I saw Terrence Howard in the first preview of CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF and, while I'm sure he was nervous, every single issue I had with his performance (the dull line delivery, the complete inability to create a character, the superficiality of the performance) was pointed out by others who saw the run later on and by the critics as well. I just don't think Gooding Jr. has it in him, but we'll see how he continues later in the run.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 3/31/13 at 12:59pm

I was there last night as well and had a much stronger positive reaction than Whizzer, it seems.

I agree that the first sequence of scenes in the apartment needs the most work, but pacing issues are to be expected for a first preview. I'd actually say they can and should cut a lot of that material, but I understand that it's one of the only chunks of the play Cuba Gooding Jr and Vanessa Williams' characters are in, so that probably won't happen.

I was completely blown away by Cicely Tyson's performance. For an eighty year old woman who hasn't been on stage in thirty years, her total assuredness in carrying the entire play on her back was remarkable. There was no hesitancy, no line issues, no uncertainty- already at the first preview, she has crafted a performance that really feels completely inhabited and fully formed. I found her funny, warm, heartbreaking, and ultimately inspiring. She'll only get better as time goes on, and I think this will turn into one of those special performances that goes down in history as a monumental moment people were lucky to be able to experience.

The rest of the cast is really lovely as well. Vanessa Williams hits all the right (albeit broad) notes as Jessie Mae, and Condola Rashad is very touching and sweet as the passenger on the bus. I would agree that Cuba Gooding Jr. has some work to do, but I didn't find him nearly as egregious as Whizzer did. My biggest issue with him was that he really needs to project more, because there were a lot of times I could barely hear him, but I thought he conveyed a really nice sentimentality throughout, particularly in the final scene in Bountiful. There's not a lot to do with his role, but I thought he equipped himself nicely. This is his stage debut, so I'd cut him a little slack as far as finding his footing in previews goes.

For those who are concerned that the play is too intimate for a Broadway house, I was sitting in the back of the orchestra last night and didn't have any issue with the scope of it. The Sondheim is a gorgeously designed and fairly intimate house, and I thought the show fit into it really well. The set design is simple but quite beautiful, though I thought they could have done a little more with the set in Bountiful. The full audience where I was sitting was very, very engaged in the play, and you could hear a lot of sniffles and crying during the second act.

Overall, I'd highly recommend it. By the time it opens, I think this will be something really remarkable.

Updated On: 3/31/13 at 12:59 PM

[Scottsacto]

Posted: 4/12/13 at 1:40am

This is one of those shows I was so looking forward to seeing--amazing story with Cicely Tyson returning to the stage. Anyone have an updates on this and/or seeing it this weekend?

I am a bit disheartened as to the lack of excitement over this project.

[After Eight]

Posted: 4/12/13 at 7:07am

It's a lovely play and a very nice production.

I found it one of the best things on Broadway this season.

[jnb9872]

Posted: 4/12/13 at 9:15am

I'm looking forward to this one... never encountered the play before nor had the pleasure of seeing Cicely Tyson live, so this is definitely on my list. Glad to hear the general positivity.

[customsay]

Posted: 4/12/13 at 9:21am

It's a serviceable production, meaning it more or less gets the job done, but I think the delicacy and power of the play are greatly diminished in a great big Broadway house. I couldn't help compare Tyson in BOUNTIFUL with my recent experience at THE REVISIONIST with the Vanessa Redgrave. That play, which is infinitely more problematic than Foote's, benefitted greatly from the Cherry Lane's intimacy, and it was wonderful to see a great artist like Redgrave do such detailed and committed work up close. Tyson's performance felt broad and underpowered at the same time to me. It looks and sounds like she has the stamina to give a great performance here, and we know she has the talent, but right now her work doesn't resonate to the back of the house and the emotional impact and catharsis of Carrie's journey doesn't land the way it should. The supporting cast is fine - again, serviceable. A design note: the Bountiful drop in the last scene is pretty wretched. It looks like a bad oil painting and it's poorly hung with little gathers that catch the light. Hopefully that's been fixed. The audience the night I went was mostly intent and respectful except (***slight spoiler***) when Carrie sang a couple hymns in act two. A pretty large segment of the audience launched right in with her, at times drowning Tyson out completely. There was actually something touching about the impromptu singalong, but I would have liked to see what Tyson could have done with that moment a capella. I can only assume Tyson and the director want this to happen because there are certainly subtle performance and directorial cues they could employ to silence the audience at that point if they wanted to.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 4/19/13 at 11:47pm

I sat close to the stage and was very, very moved by the show. I can understand how the back of the house may not have had the same experience I had.

Cicely Tyson is giving a masterclass on acting. There are moments in the play when Tyson would speak words and her character didn't really mean them, and in reading her eyes I knew exactly the words she was thinking, even though different words came out of her mouth. There are other moments when she spoke volumes without saying anything. Tyson commands the stage with high levels of emotion that are never shouted or forced, but merely felt. She FEELS, and we feel for her. When the show was over, I wanted nothing more than to run up on stage and hug her. This is a performance that I will never forget.

And it's a shame that a performance of that magnitude shares the stage with Cuba Gooding Jr. What a WASTE! It is truly something pathetic. He could take acting lessons from Deborah Cox and Constantine Maroulis and would end up with a better performance. It's horrifying. Yes, I am making it out to be worse than it was, but when you perform so poorly with the masterful Cicely Tyson, it is infuriating.

Williams is fine. Rashad is good. Both do their roles justice and do not overpower the play, as rightfully so.

NO ONE is talking about this play, it seems. It's lost in the late part of a crowded season. Hopefully the positive reviews for Tyson will draw more attention to THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL.

Updated On: 4/19/13 at 11:47 PM

[aaronb]

Posted: 4/19/13 at 11:50pm

It's a lovely play and a very nice production.

I found it one of the best things on Broadway this season.

Good to hear! I'm seeing it next Friday and have been pretty let down by Broadway this season.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/20/13 at 12:57am

What was the rush situation like, tobias?

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 4/20/13 at 5:06pm

I rushed today, got there at 9:45am and was second in line. It's student rush, $32 a ticket. A couple people showed up after me just as the box office opened, but it seemed like you'd be able to show up later and be fine. I had a good orchestra seat.

[AndersonTours]

Posted: 4/21/13 at 10:31am

Sadly, the word of mouth that I've heard is not good.
Except for Tyson. All agree she is wonderful.

[behindthescenes2]

Posted: 4/21/13 at 11:07am

I saw this show last night, Saturday, 4/20 and was worried that Tyson would be too tired after a long week. To my surprise, she was more than excellent. In fact, I liked everyone. Gooding is much better than I had expected and Williams almost too beautiful for the role, but she was very good. The play itself is dragging in the 2nd act, that may be to pacing, but the story is so thin it seems stretched to make a full 2nd act and that isn't the actors fault. I think it needs better publicity...to see Tyson live is worth every dollar.

[Cearsgk]

Posted: 4/21/13 at 12:22pm

"On small final quibble: some of the moments where Carrie, IMO, should come off pathetic or desperate or tragic were being played for laughs (or were being perceived by the audience as funny). I think it's easier to fall back on a laugh, and certainly is more comfortable for the audience, but it takes away from the magnitude that this woman's desperation has reached.'

The overwhelming thing I came away with was the laughter. Is it intentional? Initially played that way or audience motivated? The movie with Best Actress winning Geraldine Page is the saddest thing I've ever seen. Especially the scene on the bus where where she talks about her marriage.