#1
Posted: 11/25/07 at 11:55pm
Overall, a very solid run-through of a very bizarre show.
Notables in the audience included Eddie Kaye Thomas and girlfriend/life-partner/wife Ari Graynor, as well as Dan Sullivan's wife Mimi Lieber, and former first daughter Chelsea Clinton.
It played Stage 2 at New World, which normally houses CELIA. The spare walls of the CELIA set were fitting for the production, though provided for slight confusion among the cast.
Sullivan welcomed everyone and introduced the cast, to so much applause that they (the cast) had to gesture for everyone to stop. Raul Esparza seemed to be the joker of the bunch, dissolving into laughter a number of times. When Dan Sullivan introduced the time period, Raul looked at the set and said "And we're in Cuba, right?"
Casting-wise, I say most assuredly right now that this could very well end up Raul's Tony (though everyone said the same about Company, so I'll end right there). His dry, sardonic performance soars above everyone else's except Ian McShane, who is also incredible.
Couldn't understand a word Gareth Saxe said, couldn't decide whether his accent was a character choice (he's a boxer, and with his accent, you can assume he was hit in the head too many times). Eve Best doesn't ooze with the sexuality needed to make Ruth a temptress. Michael McKean and James Frain are strong, and McKean makes the most of his thankless part.
The biggest problem were what seemed to be age discrepencies. Best looks much older than Frain. Frain, who playes the oldest son, looks significantly younger than Esparza, who seems to be closer in age (and stature) to Best.
The 2 hour production (guy at the door said Act 1 was 48 minutes, Act 2 was 52) flew by. They made the plea for Broadway Cares, all six holding buckets. Was very surprised and dismayed to see people NOT donate. Don't get me started.
You can tell the cast members can't wait to get on stage. And I, for one, can't wait to see how it turns out fully staged.
Notables in the audience included Eddie Kaye Thomas and girlfriend/life-partner/wife Ari Graynor, as well as Dan Sullivan's wife Mimi Lieber, and former first daughter Chelsea Clinton.
It played Stage 2 at New World, which normally houses CELIA. The spare walls of the CELIA set were fitting for the production, though provided for slight confusion among the cast.
Sullivan welcomed everyone and introduced the cast, to so much applause that they (the cast) had to gesture for everyone to stop. Raul Esparza seemed to be the joker of the bunch, dissolving into laughter a number of times. When Dan Sullivan introduced the time period, Raul looked at the set and said "And we're in Cuba, right?"
Casting-wise, I say most assuredly right now that this could very well end up Raul's Tony (though everyone said the same about Company, so I'll end right there). His dry, sardonic performance soars above everyone else's except Ian McShane, who is also incredible.
Couldn't understand a word Gareth Saxe said, couldn't decide whether his accent was a character choice (he's a boxer, and with his accent, you can assume he was hit in the head too many times). Eve Best doesn't ooze with the sexuality needed to make Ruth a temptress. Michael McKean and James Frain are strong, and McKean makes the most of his thankless part.
The biggest problem were what seemed to be age discrepencies. Best looks much older than Frain. Frain, who playes the oldest son, looks significantly younger than Esparza, who seems to be closer in age (and stature) to Best.
The 2 hour production (guy at the door said Act 1 was 48 minutes, Act 2 was 52) flew by. They made the plea for Broadway Cares, all six holding buckets. Was very surprised and dismayed to see people NOT donate. Don't get me started.
You can tell the cast members can't wait to get on stage. And I, for one, can't wait to see how it turns out fully staged.
Updated On: 11/25/07 at 11:55 PM
I know I hold him to ridiculously high standards. And besides, it's a silly discussion to get into. It's November. 
