#1
Posted: 3/15/11 at 2:05pm
Not that I'm an amazing critic, but I know the other board doesn't allow it...let me know!
Welcome to B'way, Chris Rock: and am I allowed to comment on a final dress rehearsal here, guys?
#2
Posted: 3/15/11 at 2:12pm
Some find it in bad taste, but it's generally accepted here. Would like to read your thoughts on it.
#3
Posted: 3/15/11 at 2:12pm
I am seeing it next week. Can't wait.
Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder
#4
I fully support this.
Posted: 3/15/11 at 2:17pm
I fully support this.
CHURCH DOOR TOUCAN GAY MARKETING PUPPIES MUSICAL THEATER STAPLES PERIOD OIL BITCHY SNARK HOLES
#5
Posted: 3/15/11 at 2:35pm
I say go for it, because I'm personally very curious about this one.
"Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos."-Stephen Sondheim
#6
Posted: 3/15/11 at 2:59pm
YES unless you rip into it in which case you are violating a sacred Broadway Tradition of not reviewing a show until it opens.
UNLESS it is Spiderman.
Of course if you review it and LOVE it you are probably a shill, unless it's a Marc Shaiman show in which case you are a suck up.
UNLESS it is Spiderman.
Of course if you review it and LOVE it you are probably a shill, unless it's a Marc Shaiman show in which case you are a suck up.
#7
Posted: 3/15/11 at 3:06pm
Okay here goes: Got to see this not as an industry insider, but because Labyrinth Theater Company offered admission to this with their $35 yearly membership. I jumped on the deal because they're good anyway, and I've always thought Rock was a brilliant standup and wanted to see what he could do in theater.
Stood in line and was rewarded with a front row center seat. To my right was an assistant director, notebook, on her lap. To my left, a slightly tipsy and quite cheerful railroad worker, open can of beer in hand, who inexplicably got handed a free ticket on the sidewalk and having never been to a B'way show before, was expecting standup comedy. So it was interesting to see it through his eyes...although I had to remind him that you don't yell out to Chris in this venue!
The characters in Motherf***** are all struggling with addiction. Cannavale does a good job as the kind of explosive, blue-collar guy he portrays so often, Sciorra (whose entrance prompted my railroad seat buddy to exclaim with great excitement, 'She was on the Sopranos!') is fine in the smallest role, Elizabeth Rodriguez tears up the stage with the meatiest part in the piece and Yul Vazquez gets a lot of laughs in the part of Cannavale's effeminate, all-knowing cousin.
Rock is not quite up to their level yet, although he may get there. SLIGHT SPOILER ALERT: My ability to buy into his performance in a bigger way requires that I accept him not only as a master manipulator but as an irresistible ladies' man, which is harder to do when he's sharing a stage with a shirt-less Cannavale. I'm not sure it's his fault that I couldn't forget that I was watching my favorite comedian tackle his first Broadway role, but I wished I could, at least a bit more.
The play itself, though always interesting, did not blow me away. I think the first act needs to be shortened, and it's a bit too one-note with a lot of yelling and screaming.
After I got home last night, I read an interview with Rock where he basically said he loved the fact that this play would appeal to a wide demographic...and I think he would have totally approved of this being an introduction to Broadway for my theater acquaintance--who almost got kicked out at intermission when he went out for a smoke and they didn't want to let him in because he seemed so out of place!
So that's theater snob-ism for you. In the end, the railroad guy loved every minute of it, and was truly in heaven by the end of Motherf****r. Me, not quite so much...but I'm sure it'll improve, and I'm glad Rock is giving it a try. It's very hard to be incredibly good at one thing and make yourself vulnerable by taking on something completely different. I applaud him for taking the risk and will be rooting for him.
As I write this, I'm realizing why even though I'm a journalist, I could never be a theater critic...but it's fun, for once, to be the first to comment here and I hope I haven't done this play wrong. Will be eager to see what others have to say!
Stood in line and was rewarded with a front row center seat. To my right was an assistant director, notebook, on her lap. To my left, a slightly tipsy and quite cheerful railroad worker, open can of beer in hand, who inexplicably got handed a free ticket on the sidewalk and having never been to a B'way show before, was expecting standup comedy. So it was interesting to see it through his eyes...although I had to remind him that you don't yell out to Chris in this venue!
The characters in Motherf***** are all struggling with addiction. Cannavale does a good job as the kind of explosive, blue-collar guy he portrays so often, Sciorra (whose entrance prompted my railroad seat buddy to exclaim with great excitement, 'She was on the Sopranos!') is fine in the smallest role, Elizabeth Rodriguez tears up the stage with the meatiest part in the piece and Yul Vazquez gets a lot of laughs in the part of Cannavale's effeminate, all-knowing cousin.
Rock is not quite up to their level yet, although he may get there. SLIGHT SPOILER ALERT: My ability to buy into his performance in a bigger way requires that I accept him not only as a master manipulator but as an irresistible ladies' man, which is harder to do when he's sharing a stage with a shirt-less Cannavale. I'm not sure it's his fault that I couldn't forget that I was watching my favorite comedian tackle his first Broadway role, but I wished I could, at least a bit more.
The play itself, though always interesting, did not blow me away. I think the first act needs to be shortened, and it's a bit too one-note with a lot of yelling and screaming.
After I got home last night, I read an interview with Rock where he basically said he loved the fact that this play would appeal to a wide demographic...and I think he would have totally approved of this being an introduction to Broadway for my theater acquaintance--who almost got kicked out at intermission when he went out for a smoke and they didn't want to let him in because he seemed so out of place!
So that's theater snob-ism for you. In the end, the railroad guy loved every minute of it, and was truly in heaven by the end of Motherf****r. Me, not quite so much...but I'm sure it'll improve, and I'm glad Rock is giving it a try. It's very hard to be incredibly good at one thing and make yourself vulnerable by taking on something completely different. I applaud him for taking the risk and will be rooting for him.
As I write this, I'm realizing why even though I'm a journalist, I could never be a theater critic...but it's fun, for once, to be the first to comment here and I hope I haven't done this play wrong. Will be eager to see what others have to say!
#8
Posted: 3/15/11 at 11:35pm
I just got back from the first preview, here are my thoughts:
My overall thoughts on the show are pretty lukewarm. I think they best way to sort through the show is looking at the Good, The Bad, and the "eh..."
The GOOD:
The SETS! The sets were done by the same artist who brought us the August: Osage County set, and boy are they amazing. The set is like an intricate puzzle piece. It's 3 full apartments, and pieces spin, flip, and collapse to fully bring us into each of these space within seconds before our very eyes. VERY impressive.
Yul Vazquez. Even though he has some of the least stage time, his character was very interesting and brought some real complexities to the role. Very hard to do when you're trying to stand out among all the people yelling and swearing on stage (The F-word had to have been used at least 200 times). His 1 scene in act 2 was especially impressive.
Bobby Cannavale. This role was PERFECT for him. It may not be anything totally different from stuff he's done in the past, but he really carries the show nicely. His character makes a nice fluid arc, and he makes a not-so-likable person kind of easy to side with.
Elizabeth Rodriguez. The audience LOVED her. She was another character that didn't have that much stage time, and he character spent most of her time yelling and cursing, but she was a spit-fire and her energy on stage was addicting.
The EH....
Chris Rock. There was nothing special being done here by Rock. At points his character was this subdued guy, and at times the "Chris Rock" persona would spurt out for a few minutes (this is what people wanted to see based on the laughs he was getting). He seemed pretty stiff on stage, but hopefully that will change as previews continue. I was just looking for some kind of character and he wasn't really providing anything.
The play. There were some really funny scenes, some great 1-liners, and a few very touching moments. The language is very brash, but not out of place. The first act felt pretty long at 1.5 hours, and there were points in the second act were some scenes went on without much happening. If they can cut some dialogue and get the scenes developing at a faster piece, I think it'll be at a good point. There are a few little surprises in act 1, but nothing shocking.
the BAD:
Annabella Sciorra. Someone needs to tell this woman that she doesn't need to shout EVERY SINGLE LINE. She has a scene in act 2 with Cannavale that was supposed to be a very important part of the plot, but she just shouted. Not in a yelling way, but in a loud speaking way that was just grating. I wanted to turn the volume on her mic down, or just off at points.
The fight scene. I wont say who it entails, but it was just bad. It comes at a pivotal moment of the play and it was just laughable. IN FACT, both a CD player and a mug flew off the stage and into the front row. People started laughing, I was actually afraid someone would be hurt, but luckily that didn't seem to be the case.
The ending. All I can say is, this needs to be cut. It's completely out of place, seems schticky and TOTALLY unnecessary. People around me were whispering "seriously?" Cut this and the ending will suffice just fine.
All in all, it's a decent piece of theatre. Nothing groundbreaking and nothing extremely special, but there are some good laughs and some nice performances to watch unfold. Is it bad to say that the thing I'll remember most about this play were the really cool sets?
~ To those inquiring, there is no curtain, it's just the first scene of the play. The show runs about 2 hours, 10 minutes with a 15 min intermission. The theater was about 80% full.
My overall thoughts on the show are pretty lukewarm. I think they best way to sort through the show is looking at the Good, The Bad, and the "eh..."
The GOOD:
The SETS! The sets were done by the same artist who brought us the August: Osage County set, and boy are they amazing. The set is like an intricate puzzle piece. It's 3 full apartments, and pieces spin, flip, and collapse to fully bring us into each of these space within seconds before our very eyes. VERY impressive.
Yul Vazquez. Even though he has some of the least stage time, his character was very interesting and brought some real complexities to the role. Very hard to do when you're trying to stand out among all the people yelling and swearing on stage (The F-word had to have been used at least 200 times). His 1 scene in act 2 was especially impressive.
Bobby Cannavale. This role was PERFECT for him. It may not be anything totally different from stuff he's done in the past, but he really carries the show nicely. His character makes a nice fluid arc, and he makes a not-so-likable person kind of easy to side with.
Elizabeth Rodriguez. The audience LOVED her. She was another character that didn't have that much stage time, and he character spent most of her time yelling and cursing, but she was a spit-fire and her energy on stage was addicting.
The EH....
Chris Rock. There was nothing special being done here by Rock. At points his character was this subdued guy, and at times the "Chris Rock" persona would spurt out for a few minutes (this is what people wanted to see based on the laughs he was getting). He seemed pretty stiff on stage, but hopefully that will change as previews continue. I was just looking for some kind of character and he wasn't really providing anything.
The play. There were some really funny scenes, some great 1-liners, and a few very touching moments. The language is very brash, but not out of place. The first act felt pretty long at 1.5 hours, and there were points in the second act were some scenes went on without much happening. If they can cut some dialogue and get the scenes developing at a faster piece, I think it'll be at a good point. There are a few little surprises in act 1, but nothing shocking.
the BAD:
Annabella Sciorra. Someone needs to tell this woman that she doesn't need to shout EVERY SINGLE LINE. She has a scene in act 2 with Cannavale that was supposed to be a very important part of the plot, but she just shouted. Not in a yelling way, but in a loud speaking way that was just grating. I wanted to turn the volume on her mic down, or just off at points.
The fight scene. I wont say who it entails, but it was just bad. It comes at a pivotal moment of the play and it was just laughable. IN FACT, both a CD player and a mug flew off the stage and into the front row. People started laughing, I was actually afraid someone would be hurt, but luckily that didn't seem to be the case.
The ending. All I can say is, this needs to be cut. It's completely out of place, seems schticky and TOTALLY unnecessary. People around me were whispering "seriously?" Cut this and the ending will suffice just fine.
All in all, it's a decent piece of theatre. Nothing groundbreaking and nothing extremely special, but there are some good laughs and some nice performances to watch unfold. Is it bad to say that the thing I'll remember most about this play were the really cool sets?
~ To those inquiring, there is no curtain, it's just the first scene of the play. The show runs about 2 hours, 10 minutes with a 15 min intermission. The theater was about 80% full.
#9
Posted: 3/15/11 at 11:48pm
Saw the first preview tonight and kind of had a similar reaction to April Saul. The play itself is kind of weird, and a bit pointless/stupid. Not much happens and there are no surprises plot wise, but I still managed to laugh quite a bit.
Chris Rock seemed very ill at ease. Almost like he was terrified to be on stage. I guess his role is the least funny, but it could also be that Rock just hasn't found the right way to deliver his lines yet. *Slight spoiler* I totally agree with April that it's hard to imagine Rock as big lover when Cannavale is so freakin hot in this show!
Speaking of Bobby, he really is the standout in the cast. Aside from his (IMO) devastatingly good looks he really excels at playing an ex-con struggling with addiction. Annabella is kind of wasted in a small role, and Elizabeth Rodriguez gets to yell and swear a TON! I think her "best" line was something like, "I would f**king spit on a nun's c**t and then rip it out with my teeth before I let you [do whatever it was he was doing]."
The real camp lines got to go to Yul Vazquez though. Rock said something about going to the Y every morning and Vazquez chirped that he went to David Barton and my friends and I cracked up. He also had some line about "playing reach around in the steam room."
I don't know why, but it sort of reminded me of Behanding in Spokane. It had funny lines/moments but didn't have much direction. Also just like you could see those exposed cinder blocks in Behanding there were exposed wooden rectangles on the set in the same style. The set was cool in general though. It looks really drab when you walk in, but half the stage is on a turntable and rotates to transform into three different locations.
The worst moment of the night came during a fight scene that evoked that laughable fight choreography in Superior Donuts! I'm sure it will be fixed by opening though. Always bad when an intense violent scene just makes you want to giggle.
Chris Rock seemed very ill at ease. Almost like he was terrified to be on stage. I guess his role is the least funny, but it could also be that Rock just hasn't found the right way to deliver his lines yet. *Slight spoiler* I totally agree with April that it's hard to imagine Rock as big lover when Cannavale is so freakin hot in this show!
Speaking of Bobby, he really is the standout in the cast. Aside from his (IMO) devastatingly good looks he really excels at playing an ex-con struggling with addiction. Annabella is kind of wasted in a small role, and Elizabeth Rodriguez gets to yell and swear a TON! I think her "best" line was something like, "I would f**king spit on a nun's c**t and then rip it out with my teeth before I let you [do whatever it was he was doing]."
The real camp lines got to go to Yul Vazquez though. Rock said something about going to the Y every morning and Vazquez chirped that he went to David Barton and my friends and I cracked up. He also had some line about "playing reach around in the steam room."
I don't know why, but it sort of reminded me of Behanding in Spokane. It had funny lines/moments but didn't have much direction. Also just like you could see those exposed cinder blocks in Behanding there were exposed wooden rectangles on the set in the same style. The set was cool in general though. It looks really drab when you walk in, but half the stage is on a turntable and rotates to transform into three different locations.
The worst moment of the night came during a fight scene that evoked that laughable fight choreography in Superior Donuts! I'm sure it will be fixed by opening though. Always bad when an intense violent scene just makes you want to giggle.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
#10
Posted: 3/16/11 at 12:01am
I find these first preview review threads abhorrent, the same way I find gossiping in a theater hangout after a first or second preview, in a loud voice, fueled by a few drinks, opining as to what is WRONG about the show and how YOU think they could fix it to be equally repellent.
#11
Posted: 3/16/11 at 12:26am
Glad you guys were in agreement...and Pal Joey, I don't think any of us are being particularly mean. Cannavale was of course not only hot but giving a terrific performance, the fight scene REALLY needed work (although last night, no objects flew into the audience), Rodriguez was fun to watch, Yul got the best laughs and Chris needs to get more comfortable. Behanding is actually a decent comparison in this case; not bad, but you'd so hoped for more. And no matter what Rock does here, the guy is comedic genius and a national treasure IMHO...
#12
Posted: 3/16/11 at 12:30am
People always bitch about first preview threads. But I love reading it. I'm dying to know what the sets, etc. are like, and I love reading it. I don't see the big deal. It's all public knowledge at this point, so why not discuss it? It's not going to make any drastic changes at this point.
#13
Posted: 3/16/11 at 12:34am
I was NOT a fan of BEHANDING. I hope this is better. Seeing it this weekend.
#14
Posted: 3/16/11 at 8:17am
I feel like I kind of need to join the bandwagon on this one. I wanted to like it a lot. A lot. Dealing with addiction and the aftermath of incarceration and probation/parole are topics near to my heart (not from experience, per se, but more from my vocation). That being said, I was rather underwhelmed by what transpired on stage last night.
Yes, the cast will get better as they acclimate to their roles. Shoot, last night it felt like Act Two was an entirely different play in terms of the actors connecting with the material. I am sure the end of Act One fight will get tighter too. While a bit laughable due to execution, it was great content wise.
They seriously need to jettison the ending. It was terrible. SPOILER: I get that the two characters are seemingly fated for one another and that addicts stick together as part of their addiction no matter how toxic the relationship is, but instead of a feeling of being disappointed in the pathetic cycle of their relationship being perpetuated, we are given a final moment that almost seems to want to induce happiness for these characters and falls flat. Happiness, not hope. It just seemed laughable and out of place to me.
Cannavale and Vasquez definitely took the acting honors for the evening. Cannavale was both vulnerable and commanding in his highs and lows. A very commanding presence.
The set...AMAZING! I also really liked Terrence Blanchard's transition music.
All in all, it was not an awful evening and not a terrible play. And YES, it was the first preview, I get that. I will be curious to see the shape of things when it opens.
Yes, the cast will get better as they acclimate to their roles. Shoot, last night it felt like Act Two was an entirely different play in terms of the actors connecting with the material. I am sure the end of Act One fight will get tighter too. While a bit laughable due to execution, it was great content wise.
They seriously need to jettison the ending. It was terrible. SPOILER: I get that the two characters are seemingly fated for one another and that addicts stick together as part of their addiction no matter how toxic the relationship is, but instead of a feeling of being disappointed in the pathetic cycle of their relationship being perpetuated, we are given a final moment that almost seems to want to induce happiness for these characters and falls flat. Happiness, not hope. It just seemed laughable and out of place to me.
Cannavale and Vasquez definitely took the acting honors for the evening. Cannavale was both vulnerable and commanding in his highs and lows. A very commanding presence.
The set...AMAZING! I also really liked Terrence Blanchard's transition music.
All in all, it was not an awful evening and not a terrible play. And YES, it was the first preview, I get that. I will be curious to see the shape of things when it opens.
#15
Posted: 3/16/11 at 9:08am
Is posting a review of a preview really an issue here?
#16
Posted: 3/16/11 at 10:17am
Obviously, different people feel differently, but I appreciate the early preview threads, and I'm glad people post them. They help give me a sense of whether I personally would enjoy the show before the reviews come out, and that helps with planning.
Compared to some other early preview threads (kyle4 and Women on the Verge, perhaps?), I think the comments here are pretty balanced and not inflammatory. I think the posters did a good job of explaining what they liked and what they didn't, without stooping to the "the creative team are a bunch of worthless stupid idiots" that sometimes happens.
Compared to some other early preview threads (kyle4 and Women on the Verge, perhaps?), I think the comments here are pretty balanced and not inflammatory. I think the posters did a good job of explaining what they liked and what they didn't, without stooping to the "the creative team are a bunch of worthless stupid idiots" that sometimes happens.
"What was the name of that cheese that I like?"
"you can't run away forever...but there's nothing wrong with getting a good head start"
"well I hope and I pray, that maybe someday, you'll walk in the room with my heart"
Updated On: 3/16/11 at 10:17 AM
#17
PalJoey is the Broadwayworld equivalent of the C.I.A. to April Saul's Julian Assange.
Now stuff that information back down your throat, April.
Posted: 3/16/11 at 10:54am
PalJoey is the Broadwayworld equivalent of the C.I.A. to April Saul's Julian Assange.
Now stuff that information back down your throat, April.
CHURCH DOOR TOUCAN GAY MARKETING PUPPIES MUSICAL THEATER STAPLES PERIOD OIL BITCHY SNARK HOLES
#18
Posted: 3/16/11 at 2:36pm
I enjoy reading thoughts on first previews. If it is a show I want to see, I am going to see it regardless of what people have to say about it. Plus, it is a first preview and it's not going to be perfect. I am a Chris Rock fan and am looking forward to seeing him step out of his comfort zone of standup. He has said he is just trying to make sure he does everything right and hits his marks. I could be wrong but I think he will slip into the character and do fine. Or maybe not. We will see.
Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder
#19
Posted: 3/16/11 at 9:19pm
I find these first preview review threads abhorrent, the same way I find gossiping in a theater hangout after a first or second preview, in a loud voice, fueled by a few drinks, opining as to what is WRONG about the show and how YOU think they could fix it to be equally repellent.
Uh, then don't read the thread. And don't go to Joe Allen after the first preview of something. I'll sit and wait for the discussion of how back in the day, before the big bad Internet, artists were able to work out their kinks in front of an audience in piece. It was a simpler time. A better time. A bitchier time...but we just didn't hear about it.
Uh, then don't read the thread. And don't go to Joe Allen after the first preview of something. I'll sit and wait for the discussion of how back in the day, before the big bad Internet, artists were able to work out their kinks in front of an audience in piece. It was a simpler time. A better time. A bitchier time...but we just didn't hear about it.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
Updated On: 3/16/11 at 09:19 PM
#20
Posted: 3/17/11 at 11:52am
I got a last minute rush ticket, and I have to say, I didn't care for it. For a play with such an interesting title, the play was kind of boring. It's just a lot of arguing. If hearing people curse makes you laugh, then this is the play for you.
I thought the biggest disappointment was her directing. So great in August, but here it just felt stilted and uninspired. Do we really need to watch the female lead have a breakdown and cry for a good 3 minutes? That's not interesting to watch. Why not give her some action that shows that she's not quite over her ex-boyfriend? Also, I felt like the lead female - sorry I don't have my Playbill - spent a lot of time awkwardly standing around and talking. What were their physical objectives in every scene? It was just kind of boring.
Chris Rock wasn't awful. I thought he was funny, but just miscast. He isn't a lady's man, at all.
The girl from the Sopranos doesn't do anything. She has, I think, one scene, and that's about it.
Bobby C. was great. Gave a great, commanding performance.
I didn't really understand why we needed to have a "is he or isn't he gay?" character in the show, but whatever. It was interesting.
The set was cool. I hated that they had this huge staircase on stage right that they never used. Seemed like such a waste.
The scene change music was like bad 80s cop drama. I didn't get it. And each act begins with a rainbow of lights shining on the set, then going to black. I didn't get that choice.
I thought the biggest disappointment was her directing. So great in August, but here it just felt stilted and uninspired. Do we really need to watch the female lead have a breakdown and cry for a good 3 minutes? That's not interesting to watch. Why not give her some action that shows that she's not quite over her ex-boyfriend? Also, I felt like the lead female - sorry I don't have my Playbill - spent a lot of time awkwardly standing around and talking. What were their physical objectives in every scene? It was just kind of boring.
Chris Rock wasn't awful. I thought he was funny, but just miscast. He isn't a lady's man, at all.
The girl from the Sopranos doesn't do anything. She has, I think, one scene, and that's about it.
Bobby C. was great. Gave a great, commanding performance.
I didn't really understand why we needed to have a "is he or isn't he gay?" character in the show, but whatever. It was interesting.
The set was cool. I hated that they had this huge staircase on stage right that they never used. Seemed like such a waste.
The scene change music was like bad 80s cop drama. I didn't get it. And each act begins with a rainbow of lights shining on the set, then going to black. I didn't get that choice.
#21
Posted: 3/18/11 at 12:52am
Amazing! There is a poster on the other board who says this is better than Good People and even Book of Mormon and that Chris is brilliant in it...did he see the same play I did? Or is he just a more dedicated fan of Rock's? Because I am really rooting for these guys...
#22
Posted: 3/19/11 at 6:54pm
Saw it this afternoon. And, overall, I enjoyed it. I definitely didn't love it though. Chris Rock is miscast, but okay. The real star is Bobby Cannavale, who I've always loved. He is so freaking talented and deserves a Tony nod, for sure. He was excellent. The fight scene is a mess. Is it supposed to be funny...? If not, restage it ASAP.
The sets were fantastic! Loved them. Ditto to the lighting.
The show itself is mildly entertaining and a nice diversion for an afternoon. There's not really much there, or too much of a deep message, and I didn't truly find myself feeling for any of the characters too much. It does offer up a few good laughs and it zips along rather nicely (I was on the street by 4:07). I actually didn't mind the ending.
I liked this way more than BEHANDING. Way more. I'd say it was worth the 30-something dollars I payed for a TDF ticket.
The sets were fantastic! Loved them. Ditto to the lighting.
The show itself is mildly entertaining and a nice diversion for an afternoon. There's not really much there, or too much of a deep message, and I didn't truly find myself feeling for any of the characters too much. It does offer up a few good laughs and it zips along rather nicely (I was on the street by 4:07). I actually didn't mind the ending.
I liked this way more than BEHANDING. Way more. I'd say it was worth the 30-something dollars I payed for a TDF ticket.
#23
Posted: 3/19/11 at 6:56pm
I saw it on Thursday and basically agree with what you said. Thank goodness for Bobby Cannavale--loved finally seeing him onstage.
#24
Posted: 3/23/11 at 9:21am
Saw it last night. Last night's performance was done with no intermision. It started a tbit after 8:00 and ended at 9:45. Seems they may have shaved about 15 minutes off of the show.
I loved the book. It is written well and is full of laughs. There are a few twists that you don't see coming which made it interesting. I was kind of like "Is that it" at the final moment. But realized what was happening. We still aren't sure who the Motherfu**er with the Hat is and why the hat is on a subway in the poster by the end. Maybe it doesn't matter. As far as the "is he or isn't he gay" character, we know the answer to that. For him it was more about an unseen character in the play.
Cannavale was really good and almost carries this show on his own. Chris Rock seems to be a bit stiff and doesn't always know what to do with his hands. Hopefully he will loosen up. There are glimpses of the Chris Rock we are used to seeing and part of me thinks they should let that out more in some scenes. With the dialoug, his attitude would be perfect as he has some great lines. I thought Sciorra was fine. She didn't scream all of her lines. When she did, it was warranted. Elizabeth Rodriguez was very good and that foul mouthed opening scene had the entire audience gasping. There is just something off with her that I can't put my finger on. With Yul Vasquez, I thought he was kind of robotic at the beginning but after Julio's story becomes clear, you understand why he acts the way he does. And yes, he had some great lines.
All in all an enjoyable evening. I hope Rock and Rodriguez settle into their characters more. They were the two weakest in the cast for me. And they really need to work on that fight scene. It just looks awful. It needs to be more believable especially for all of the dialoug that follows it. Having not seen it when there was an intermission, I don't know where Act I ended. We were all in agreement afterwards that it should stay with no intermission. An intermission would really pull you out of the show. Maybe it worked when the show was a bit longer but I would leave it without one now.
Loved the set and the music. Cannavale and Rock got entrance applause but Sciorra didn't, which I found interesting. The curtain call is done all together so no spotlight is on Rock. It got an almost instand standing ovation and the entire house was up when they stepped up for their bows.
If you have any thought of seeing this show, I say grab a ticket and go.
I loved the book. It is written well and is full of laughs. There are a few twists that you don't see coming which made it interesting. I was kind of like "Is that it" at the final moment. But realized what was happening. We still aren't sure who the Motherfu**er with the Hat is and why the hat is on a subway in the poster by the end. Maybe it doesn't matter. As far as the "is he or isn't he gay" character, we know the answer to that. For him it was more about an unseen character in the play.
Cannavale was really good and almost carries this show on his own. Chris Rock seems to be a bit stiff and doesn't always know what to do with his hands. Hopefully he will loosen up. There are glimpses of the Chris Rock we are used to seeing and part of me thinks they should let that out more in some scenes. With the dialoug, his attitude would be perfect as he has some great lines. I thought Sciorra was fine. She didn't scream all of her lines. When she did, it was warranted. Elizabeth Rodriguez was very good and that foul mouthed opening scene had the entire audience gasping. There is just something off with her that I can't put my finger on. With Yul Vasquez, I thought he was kind of robotic at the beginning but after Julio's story becomes clear, you understand why he acts the way he does. And yes, he had some great lines.
All in all an enjoyable evening. I hope Rock and Rodriguez settle into their characters more. They were the two weakest in the cast for me. And they really need to work on that fight scene. It just looks awful. It needs to be more believable especially for all of the dialoug that follows it. Having not seen it when there was an intermission, I don't know where Act I ended. We were all in agreement afterwards that it should stay with no intermission. An intermission would really pull you out of the show. Maybe it worked when the show was a bit longer but I would leave it without one now.
Loved the set and the music. Cannavale and Rock got entrance applause but Sciorra didn't, which I found interesting. The curtain call is done all together so no spotlight is on Rock. It got an almost instand standing ovation and the entire house was up when they stepped up for their bows.
If you have any thought of seeing this show, I say grab a ticket and go.
Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder
#25
Posted: 3/23/11 at 11:47am
"Maybe it worked when the show was a bit longer but I would leave it without one now."
The only cut was the intermission. There has been no material cut from the play.
The only cut was the intermission. There has been no material cut from the play.
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