Very Brief Thoughts About JOURNEY'S END

One question sums up my feelings: WHY?

WHY did I wait this long to see it?
WHY isn't anyone else seeing it?
WHY were there only 100 people in the theater?
WHY is there no publicity for it?
WHY wasn't Hugh Dancy nominated for a Tony?
WHY hasn't this show caught on?

Lastly: WHY haven't YOU seen it yet? You know who you are.

Just about. Almost full orchestra, empty mezzanine/balcony.

I asked the same question myself too. Except I have seen it last February and thankfully I did not wait that long. I guess, some people want instant gratification when watching a show ( I mean both musical & play) though most would prefer
musicals than plays. But I found that a play can stick with you more- the more you think about it, the more it hits you... This is the case with Journey's End. Too bad a lot of people cannot see beyond its candlelit scenery- Definitely its not a show about a flying nanny nor a sorority girls on an elevator stage at the end of ACT 1.
But it is a play about the horrors of war that does not show blood-spilling & guts but the psychological effects of it -- which everyone is in denial and dont want to face the brutality of it- I am sure Journey's End will take the award for Best Revival Play and I dont know why it has to close too ???? BTW I read an article on NYTIMES about this season with so many critically acclaimed productions (GG, SA, LDL , Company & J's E) but not a financial one- sad huh?-J*

Updated On: 5/19/07 at 06:34 PM

Just an excellent show. Even better if you sit in the front row.

BECAUSE I'M ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COUNTRY!!!
June 2nd, though. Soooo excited.

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I agree with everything you said, Yankee. I am also shocked that Hugh Dancy was not nominated for a Tony. He gave the most startling, human performance by a leading actor in a play this season, and it is a shame that the only awards that recognized him were The Drama League (among their 80-some honorees). No nomination from the Outer Critics Circle, New York Drama Critics Circle, Drama Desk, or Tony Awards. It really blows my mind how a performance like that could possibly be so overlooked.

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Well he certainly deserved to be nominated, but in no way is the best male performance of the year.

He would be in 6th place for me, behind Frank Langella, Liev Schreiber, Brian F. O'Byrne, Christopher Plummer, and even Michael Sheen.

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That's funny, BSoBW2!

Did you have to dry your socks over a candle?

One of the most enthralling and thought provoking evenings in the theater I've ever experienced. There wasn't a dry eye in the house the night I saw it.

(And Yankee, I was sitting in the fifth row and the seats were shaking wildly too.)

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Probably noon. But, and I hate to say it, you shouldn't have trouble getting a ticket.

I've had the privilege of seeing JE twice and was blown away by it's brilliance on both occasions. It's one of the most profound, moving experiences I've ever had in the theatre. No dry eyes around me either, mine included. I'll see it again before it closes.

I find it disturbing that such a brilliantly crafted play, with such rich, wonderful performances, (Darcy absolutely deserved a Tony nod) can be playing to a crowd of 100 or so people nightly. Next time we, as part of the theatre going public starts carping about the lack of good, quality plays, it might be a good idea to remind ourselves of the one that got away. We pay good money for the privilege to see theatre productions and we deserve plays like JE, and JE definitely deserved a more honorable discharge from us.

This was the best performance I've seen this season. I am so sad to see it closing but the marketing was horrible.

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"I sat front row and got splashed in the face many times by that disgusting puddle of water. Interactive theatre at its best. Now I know what it was like to be in a trench."

yeh, I got splashed a little, but I also got a book thrown at my head. I guess they knew that I only paid the student price for my ticket lol.