Thoughts on LES LIAISONS and THURGOOD?

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 11:36pm

Anyone?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 11:43pm

I found LIAISONS to be a disappointment.

With the exception of Ben Daniels, everything about this production is plainly adequate. Daniels really is excellent - and Linney has her moments. I'm hoping she'll grow into the role. It's just kind of a pointless production that packs no punch.

The accents were terribly distracting. Few of the cast members actually maintained an accent for the duration. Even Linney's accent was bad. Mamie Gummer didn't even attempt one.

So, I suppose my feelings on this production are just kind of "eh." Definitely not great.

[TheBoyDownstairs]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 11:47pm

I thought Liaisons was fairly good until the last 2 scenes and at that point they completely lost me. They kind of came out of nowhere and were very abrupt.

I did really enjoy the set with the use of curtains though.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/13/08 at 12:01am

<< They kind of came out of nowhere and were very abrupt.>>

Totally agree... what was with that swordfight !!!???

Daniels is very good, although I liked him better in the first Act (which was VERY long, btw...almost 1:45)

[broadfan327]

Posted: 4/13/08 at 12:03am

I agree that Laura's accent was distracting. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't outstanding. I didn't care for the sound effect at the end at all. I did not notice a sounding ovation, at least not in the mezzanine, where fellow board members were also sitting. I also did like the use of the curtains. I also agree they should have had the intermission a scene or two earlier than they did.
Updated On: 4/13/08 at 12:03 AM

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 4/13/08 at 12:03am

Thanks for the feedback on LIASIONS...

What of Larry Fishbourne in THURGOOD?

[jaystarr]

Posted: 4/13/08 at 12:10am

I was supposed to be there tonight..but did not go...so was it BWW night?

Who's in attendance:

1. testing123
2. munk
3. Without A Trace
4. dollypop
5. Adamgreer
6. LaCage AuxFollesFan
7. Wanna Be a Foster
8. bcsneid
9. frog_fans
10. dave


I already knew of 10 people who went tonight.. Were you guys all sitting together?

BTW- How's scenic design? how's costumes?

J*
Updated On: 4/13/08 at 12:10 AM

[bschneid76]

Posted: 4/13/08 at 12:10am

I found Liasons to be a scrumptious production. The costumes were divine as was the set design. Laura Linney was superb and Ben Daniels was excellent.

As to the accents, I didn't ever notice any type of an accent from anyone. Laura Linney's voice is very appealing on stage.

The worst part was at the end when I was very much distracted by loud music playing outside which made it hard to listen to Daniels and Linney towards the end of the production. Overall it was an enjoyable evening.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/13/08 at 12:13am

You didn't notice accents? Uh....


The costumes are fine, the scenic design is rather sparse with lots of fabric and just a few pieces of furniture.

I just found the entire production to be paced very poorly. There's nothing really exceptional about it at all.

[being.jeremiah]

Posted: 4/13/08 at 12:21am

I was there as well tonight. All I can say is, it truly felt like a first preview. Ups are ups, downs are downs.

Looking forward to seeing it again on April 24th.

[singingbackup]

Posted: 4/13/08 at 12:31am

I was there as well and thought it was just OK. Did enjoy the scenic design and costumes, but also felt the pacing was off and the accents or lack thereof was off-putting.

I found Ben Daniels very engaging. My overall question has to do with the direction and tone. I felt much was played more for laughs then for menace. Particularly Laura Linney, who I do enjoy, seemed to be playing things lighter than I had anticipated. Though the comparison to Glenn Close (from film) might be unfair, I was waiting for her to be more devilish and wicked, and that didn't happen.

Hopefully it will tighten up both in length and tone.

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 4/13/08 at 12:36am

I was there thanks to Testing :) I also loved the set! I did have a slight problem with the accents, but hopefully they will resolve that during previews. There were a few line trip ups and lighting issues, but that's to be expected with a first preview. I actually really enjoyed it. I agree that the ending was sort of strange, but I thought that the pacing was good and Daniels was wonderful.

[shira467]

Posted: 4/13/08 at 12:40am

I liked Linney's take on it, it felt more desperate than conniving. I agree with the others, the end sort of fell apart a bit.

But overall, the play is wonderful, and I'm sure with this being the first preview and all, it will tighten up a bit.

[Ryan4]

Posted: 4/13/08 at 12:48am

I disagree with most of the thoughts on LES LIAISONS here...

Particularly, with the complaints regarding the accents. There was no uniform accent that everyone was attempting. Everyone used their own voice. The Americans sounded like Americans. The Brits sounded like Brits. And since it is set in France, the only logical choice if attempting any accent at all would be to have everyone speak with a French dialect, which they obviously were not. So I'm not sure what everyone's problem seems to be regarding that...

I found it to be a promising preview. There is much to admire. It's gorgeous in its design. Extraordinarily thoughtful in its direction; Norris has an eye towards the inner solitude of the characters and creates a very eerie, lonely atmosphere -- the haunting singers, the presence of actors upstage who are not necessarily in a scene but important to its subtext.

Daniels obviously has the flashier role and devours it, Linney may seem a bit subdued for the role but I thought she was working on something interesting--her character's intense love for Valmont and inability to express it. She'll grow into it more, but it has potential to be a very fresh take on the role. Sian Phillips was a standout among the supporting cast.

Typical first preview problems...too slow, awkward set changes, flubbed lines...but on the whole very promising. One to watch.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/13/08 at 12:50am

Then why did Kristine Neilson and Laura Linney attempt English accents?

Dude.

Come on.

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 4/13/08 at 12:51am

What! No one is talking about the man-flesh on display. All of the skin showing tonight, once in both acts, was substantial and very enjoyable.

Other than that, I thought the show was mediocre - didn't love the ending. Here is a rare instance where the movie is better than the play.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/13/08 at 12:53am

Oh, the movie is MUCH better.

And yes, the nudity was hot.

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 4/13/08 at 12:56am

That young dude had the pastiest white skin I had ever seen.

I know nothing about Dangerous Liasons, and I wasn't expecting it to be a comedy, which it surely seemed like. Everyone in the theatre kept laughing and laughing.

[MaximumAmbition]

Posted: 4/13/08 at 12:56am

anyone sit in the orchestra? i was handing out the playbills in the orchestra

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/13/08 at 12:57am

It's definitely a comedy of sorts.

And yes, his skin was really pale, but he was so damn beautiful.

[MaximumAmbition]

Posted: 4/13/08 at 1:01am

i have to watch the show a few times a week and im really hoping the show gets better lol! thats why we are in previews!

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 4/13/08 at 1:09am

I agree he was a bit on the pale side, but he was stunning to look at, even clothed. I was thrilled when he rolled onto the set totally naked, and even further thrilled that he stands there barefoot and naked with just his hand covering his crotch. Nice ass too.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/13/08 at 1:12am

The highlight of Act II, to be sure!

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 4/13/08 at 1:14am

And in Act One, from where I was sitting, I got to see Ben Daniels danglers. Worth the $10 I paid for the show tonight.

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 4/13/08 at 1:15am

During the sword fight in Act 2, I was terrified for the audience in the ORCH. That looked like a lawsuit waiting to happen.