The splendid, heartbreaking "Next Fall"

[pacificnorthwest]

Posted: 4/27/10 at 8:27am

A weekend of fabulous theater, four shows in three days, included the powerful production, "Next Fall." I hope it gets lots of Tony nominations.

The acting was extraordinary. I was proud afterward to be able to buy a signed poster to support Broadway Cares, and in the process got to meet Patrick Breen, Patrick Heusinger and Cotter Smith and tell them how much I'd enjoyed their performances, and been moved to tears. Especially when Cotter Smith's character cries out toward the end. What a scene.

It's clear how much emotion they bring to their roles; you could still see it on their faces when they took their bows.

[Ryan4]

Posted: 4/27/10 at 11:25am

I think the performances are basically the secret of this production's success. The play is good - better than most new plays each season - but not great, and feels a lot like a first play by a talented writer. But the performances are so delicate and well calibrated that several scenes become quite powerful. (Sort of the same reaction I had to "The Pride".)

It's difficult to get noticed in a strong ensemble, but I hope somebody from the cast manages to pull out a Tony nod as the acting really is its strongest asset.