Weighing in on the run-through of THE HOMECOMING — Page 2

Some of them need to work on their accents, but I think that will come with time.

Oh, the accent.

Overall, I throughly enjoy the play. There were definitely times where I would be surprised and confused. The "eh?" moments, if you so please -- but I think those add to the dysfunction of the family. As someone...wise once said (paraphrase) "You can intellectually analyze this play until you turn purple." (Or something like that, hehe)

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I'm not sure if there were a few empty seats or not, but it look as if it was almost full.

It was a full-on rehearsal. There were entrances/exits, but no costume changes (unless you consider coats and hats costumes).

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There were nowhere near 300 people on line, but the theater was entirely full, save 2 rows which were roped off. Two gentlemen who couldn't find seats together just ripped down the rope after the ushers yelled at them - but nobody ever came for those 2 rows.

It was a rehearsal. Off-book, with no costumes or sets, just a few props and chairs.

It's going to be incredible with the costumes and makeup and their own set. This really could be a phenomenal play.

I don't think Raul's behavior was attributed to nerves, per say, but I think he just gets so enthusiastic and excited about being in front of an audience. I've seen him do that on stage before - where he's just like, itching to perform.

It must have been really great for them all to finally be on stage in front of a captive audience. With this material, I can't imagine how hard it is to critique one's performance and gauge what works and what doesn't without an audience.

ETA: From the NY1 website:

The group Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS held a fundraiser last night with a reading of "The Homecoming." The show doesn't open until December 13th, but the producers are already trying to make up for a gap in donations.

"If there wasn't a strike for example, the actors, nightly, at the Court Theatre, where ‘The Homecoming’ will be playing would be taking buckets out at the end of the show and asking patrons if they've enjoyed the performance to contribute to this very worthy organization,” said Jeffrey Richards, producer, “The Homecoming.”

"With the shows down for two weeks, we haven't been able to make those appeals, and that's a loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars for us that the cast of ‘The Homecoming’ is helping us to make up,” said Tom Viola of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

link

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Updated On: 11/26/07 at 09:31 AM

The tickets I was given at 7:30 were 284 and 285.

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My biggest concern for this show is the Cort. I wish there was a way they could just not sell seats in that balcony unless every seat in the Orchestra and Mezzanine has sold for the performance at hand.

Not to mention that location. They better have some serious TKTS marketing folks out there for every single performance encouraging people to get into the "Plays Only" line, buy tickets, and then map them out to the Cort.

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IF things get back on track this week, I've got a ticket for Thursday. I definitely plan to go later in the run after the kinks and stuff have been worked out.

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I think there was definitely a lot of interest drummed up. People were passing by on the street and asking what the line was for. If nothing else, the fact that a line curving around a building built up in the cold for a show should have drawn interest. And the Splash tours came by a couple of times too.

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It was a very surreal experience being there to see Eve Best but in the midst of Raul groupies. LOL. I still had fun though.

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The people around me in line anyway were all BIG TIME Raul fans ~ or seemed to be. I guess it was the curse of getting there early. LOL. It wasn't bad...I didn't mean that. I just got some weird looks when the woman in front of me looked at me after he'd walked by to go into the theatre and said "Don't you just love him?" I stammered and said "Actually I'm here because of Eve." She was like "Oh..." :) I don't dislike him, but he was not my reason for wanting to see the play. I'm more neutral on him than anything.

And I didn't mean groupies in a bad way. It's not ALWAYS a negative connotation. As long as spinach is not involved, you're fine. :)

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Updated On: 11/26/07 at 11:53 AM

I was like 4th in line. LOL.

I did think it was a little over the top... But I couldn't tell if it was in front of the audience for the first time with the work jitters or a conscious choice. I did think it possibly made some of the performances seem "dull" by comparison...but it may just be a case of everyone getting used to their characters and making them all work together. Like when I read the play, I did see Ruth as very reserved and sort of above the situation... And there is the indication from Teddy (whether it's true or not) that she's not well...so perhaps there is medication involved in Eve's mind when playing her. I don't know for sure.

That's why I really want to see it later in its run so that I can get a "real" picture of it when it's locked and settled. I think it'll be fantastic if they can all make their performances really gel together...which may involve compromise on all parts. We'll just have to see.

Overall, I did like it a lot more than I'd expected to just reading the play. I think as much as it's one that needs to get in front of an audience for the actors to really get it, I think it's one that needs to be seen to be "gotten" so to speak.

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Bump. I want to hear what more people thought.

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Raul looks like he's trick-or-treating.

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