Twelfth Night - Shakespear In The Park- Page 10

[yay_gerb]

Posted: 6/24/09 at 3:52pm

even if the reviews are bad, getting a group of friends together and camping out overnight is pretty fun. i'm definitely going to do it soon.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/24/09 at 3:57pm

Heh, you guys are resolute! I got to the park at 6:30 or so last weekend and don't know that I can handle doing that again. I fell asleep when I got home after getting the tickets!

[Mrfreeze]

Posted: 6/24/09 at 6:27pm

Well I won t camp out but I was just thinking the reviews don t come out til Friday,so maybe the rush won t start til Saturday.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/24/09 at 6:28pm

Most of them will be up late tomorrow night. That's why it sounded like you would be there overnight. :)

[Mrfreeze]

Posted: 6/24/09 at 10:00pm

Oh!hehe,my bad. For some reason I was only thinking print...

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 6/25/09 at 1:15am

I tried my luck at the virtual line for the very first time last night and I ended up winning! I saw the show tonight and I must say I was so impressed with how brilliant this cast is. They took the show and put a modern spin on it while still leaving it true to its roots. Audra McDonald was just stunning as Olivia. That woman is a gift. I strongly suggest taking the time to see this show. And what a beautiful setting to see a show! Outside in the center of Central Park while being surrounded by the New York City skyline...such a joy. I enjoyed seeing HAIR in the park last year, but I really loved my experience at the Delacorte tonight.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 6/25/09 at 7:57am

Gah. And my virtual line losing streak continues. I'm 0/10 this season ~ and 0/every time I was available last summer, which was a lot.

[wonkit]

Posted: 6/25/09 at 8:21am

jordangirl - I'm following right behind you in my losing streak on the virtual line. My ability to get into NY on short notice is also limited. Is there a saint in charge of virtual lines that I can light a candle to?

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 6/25/09 at 10:58am

Has anyone ever tried stand-by for an opening night? I'm thinking about it tonight, and wanted suggestions for what time to get there. The point may be moot as I won't be able to get out of the office until at least 5, but thought it was worth posing the question, regardless.

[BroadwayAbridged]

Posted: 6/25/09 at 11:02am

"Has anyone ever tried stand-by for an opening night?"

You know, I was going to say that I don't suggest it because they don't have regular 1pm ticket giveaways for that day, so the standby would take up all the rest. And then I realized, maybe because there's no 1pm, nobody will think to standby.

(Obviously I've just added nothing to this conversation.)

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 6/25/09 at 11:05am

[viola13]

Posted: 6/25/09 at 2:04pm

I did standby for Hair last year...I don't remember what time I got there, but the line wasn't as bad as the normal standby line, and I think everyone got in. I know there were empty seats in my row. I really think people don't realize the standby line exists for opening night.

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 6/25/09 at 2:48pm

Thanks, Viola. I might just give it a go!

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 6/25/09 at 5:02pm

Does the same "two tickets per person" policy apply to the standby line?

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 6/25/09 at 5:29pm

No. One per on Standby.

[humbugfoto]

Posted: 6/25/09 at 8:21pm

The first review that I've seen is up, from Talkin' Broadway.

http://www.talkinbroadway.com/ob/06_25_09.html

Extremely glowing review, and he seems to think it's not a coincidence that the set could fit very neatly in a prosecnium theatre - that maybe they were thinking of a transfer to Broadway when they designed it.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 6/25/09 at 9:46pm

Another very positive review, from the AP:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jUtWG_2q4FqypN5e0ZShuNx_OpJgD991VQSG0

"The exuberance that permeates "Twelfth Night" has been magically captured by the Public Theater's buoyant Central Park production of what is Shakespeare's most melodious comedy.

This revival practically floats through the night air at the outdoor Delacorte Theater where a sterling ensemble shines in the Bard's blissful take on mismatched romances and the things besotted creatures do for love, both real or imagined.

It's that chaotic confusion that director Daniel Sullivan has marshaled so effectively in this playful revival which features Anne Hathaway as the cross-dressing Viola, Audra McDonald as the ardent Olivia and Raul Esparza as the noble Orsino....

....Too bad this production isn't scheduled to make the move there (Broadway). It would add luster to any Broadway season."

It's interesting how both reviews allude to Broadway.

Updated On: 6/25/09 at 09:46 PM

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 6/25/09 at 10:01pm

TheaterMania is positive:

http://www.theatermania.com/new-york/reviews/06-2009/twelfth-night_19768.html

"Hathaway makes for a very cute and passably convincing boy, and costume designer Jane Greenwood and wig designer Tom Watson have done a good job in emphasizing her resemblance to Sands' earnest and appealing Sebastian. The actress fares best in her more comic scenes, particularly with McDonald's love-struck Olivia. For her part, the four-time Tony winner is an absolute delight to watch, with facial expressions and body language that seem like they should be over-the-top, but are somehow still grounded in McDonald's grin-inducing portrayal.

Esparza gives a more low-key yet still very funny performance, while Linklater's Andrew Aguecheek is pure comic genius -- particularly when he faints dead away when challenged to a fight. Cumpsty endows Malvolio with an appropriate smugness, and the wonderful cast also includes a sprightly Julie White as Olivia's maid, Maria; a larger than life Jay O. Sanders as Sir Toby Belch; and a marvelous David Pittu as the clown, Feste.

Pittu gets to sing the majority of the show's many songs, beautifully composed by musical ensemble HEM and featuring a folk sound with Celtic influences. Since the cast includes some of Broadway's greatest musical theater stars, it's also a joy to hear Pittu duetting with Esparza in one gorgeous number, and McDonald joining in on the final song along with the rest of the cast. Here, music really is the food of love, and this production should leave audiences fully sated."

"

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/25/09 at 10:09pm

Is there anything up on Variety yet?

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 6/25/09 at 10:10pm

The New York Times is a rave (reviewed by Isherwood):

review is up now: http://theater2.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/theater/reviews/26night.html

"'Most wonderful.' The exclamation of joyous surprise that bursts from the lips of Countess Olivia at the climax of 'Twelfth Night,' when she discovers that her new husband appears to have divided himself in two, seems an apt reaction to the scintillating new production of Shakespeare?s romantic comedy at the Delacorte Theater. "Twelfth Night" is a perennial favorite, and with its multifaceted plot mixing sweetness, sadness and silliness it is also about as surefire as Shakespeare plays get. If the romances are dreary, the comedy may still crackle. And vice versa. But this polished staging, expertly directed by Daniel Sullivan, is the most consistently pleasurable the city has seen in at least a decade. And it is certainly one of the most accomplished Shakespeare in the Park productions the Public Theater has fielded in some time."

Updated On: 6/25/09 at 10:10 PM

[aliciag]

Posted: 6/25/09 at 10:11pm

http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117940562.html

So glad to read such great reviews!

[humbugfoto]

Posted: 6/25/09 at 10:33pm

Hollywood Reporter another rave:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film-reviews/twelfth-night-theater-review-1003988022.story

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 6/25/09 at 10:49pm

Bloomberg (mixed to positive?):
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=adgkI6Oo8RfU

"Anne Hathaway, Audra McDonald and Raul Esparza in 'Twelfth Night'-- that trio offers star power equal to any we?ve come to expect from the Public Theater's free Shakespeare in New York's Central Park. Now add formidable support from Michael Cumpsty, David Pittu and Julie White, along with flashy direction from Daniel Sullivan, and you have a rollicking show.

Is it entirely Shakespeare? Perhaps it doesn't matter in this comedy of cross-dressing, mistaken identity and final marital bliss....

My only quarrel is with the wonderful Raul Esparza, whose Duke Orsino could use more hauteur and a less Orphan Annieish wig, and who might show greater affection for Viola as a boy to make his prompt embrace of her as a fiancee more believable....

Still, this 'Twelfth Night' is mostly for gushing innocents or indulgent sophisticates; those in between had better beware."
Updated On: 6/25/09 at 10:49 PM

[humbugfoto]

Posted: 6/25/09 at 10:54pm

NYT is up, Isherwood calls it "Most wonderful!"

http://theater2.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/theater/reviews/26night.html?ref=theater

[Mrfreeze]

Posted: 6/25/09 at 10:56pm

I'm glad to see the critics like it. It is a damn good production! :)