So happy to hear all these great reviews. I know that this play is considered a three act show, but is it separated into two acts for this staging? Basically is it one or two intermissions, it doesn't say on telecharge.
I saw this last night and thought it was a delight. Also, if you can get a seat in the center balcony Row E 100s (between the poles) I recommend it. I had an excellent view of the stage.
I could have watched Kristine Neilsen and the cat(s) for the whole two and a half hours and would have been perfectly happy. I am constantly amazed at how a single expression from her or vocal inflection can get such a laugh.
Rose Byrne I was not so sure of until Act 2, but her reaction coming down the stairs was PRICELESS. Her performance really grew on me, and I think she is making quite a good stage debut.
James Earle Jones is wonderful (I especially enjoyed his prayer at the end of the play), and all of the rest of the supporting cast a really strong.
Act 2 was fantastic, and that set is amazing. I hope I can go back an catch this again. A strong start to the fall season!
Whizzer and/or Dave, where are these poles in the balcony? I have seat E1 which is the first seat on the aisle of the right balcony. Am I sitting behind a pole? I know these seats were cheaper. but with fees, not so cheap that I'm sitting behind a pole. I don't see this till September 20.
This hadn't been on my must-see list, but now it is! I had been hesitating because I had seen the Jason Robards production after he left, and all I can remember was that his replacement, Eddie Albert, kept going up on his lines. But thanks to these raves, I bought myself a ticket in row E of the center balcony. Thanks for that tip, Dave. Only $35. I'll bring my binoculars. Also, I had received a discount code, which I didn't end up using. But I was told that side balcony is $49 with the code. The code, in case anyone wants to try it, is YCTDML.
Glad to hear the positive buzz. I've played Ed twice and therefore, never felt the need to revisit the show, but I'm glad it can still entertain in the hands of the right director and cast. I was never a fan of the film and I had mixed feelings on the 1983 revival (for example, why was Ed played as if he were constantly stoned?).
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
Thanks for all these great reports. The producers should pay you guys a commission because I'm sure you sold a lot of tickets, including a pair that I bought today based only on these posts.
I'm thrilled to see such enthusiastic reports. YCTIWY is such a great classic play that appeals to so many...it was one of my first roles in high school, so I'm sentimental about that.
It's shaping up, on paper at least, to be a terrific season for plays.
This play is awesome, and I hope I can get the chance to see it. Playing Tony was one of my favorite acting moments, and while I'm upset I was passed over for this role (), I'm happy to hear the great reviews!
Gah! I can't believe I have to wait until OCTOBER to see this! (Pairing this with It's Only a Play)
Funny thing: I'm directing this soon, and had chosen it long before the revival was announced.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Had such a good time tonight. I definitely recommend seeing this play. It's a terrific ensemble-all the actors are in top form. And as previously mentioned, the set is gorgeous. I wish Kristine Nielsen was given more to do because she sparkles. Plus I wanted to see the kittens more.
One of the best moments came when Elizabeth Ashley enters the room and glares at Annaleigh Ashford who is marvelous as the candy-making ballerina who's married to a xylophonist.
I'm a little surprised that they are doing two intermissions, which most audiences tend not to like these days. There is a great way to do the show with just one -- right after the Kirbys enter on the wrong night. Everybody sees them and freezes. Then after the intermission the curtain goes up on that same scene with everyone doing their thing and Rheba answering the door for another entrance of the Kirbys. It not only fits the play well, but gives us a chance to take in that amazing scene with everyone doing their crazy hobbies twice!
And while Alice and Tony tend to be the least "exciting" and most dated of the characters in the play, if they are played with some major sexual tension -- like they are acting all prim and proper while struggling to keep their hands off each other in that night scene, it really adds a lot to the play. If it really appears he is about to lay her right there on the dining room table each time they get interrupted, it plays well.
With all due respect... Kaufman and Hart wrote a perfect play. It's three Acts. To freeze it in the middle of one of those acts would kill the momentum and is utterly unnecessary. Each Act ZIPS by, especially the second. The two intermissions are also really quick. When they say ten minutes, that's what it is. Just a little time to stretch. It would also be illegal (in regards to the licensing) to move the intermission.
Put me in the camp that LOVES it! It was so funny and the play made a point. The cast was very strong-particularly James Earl Jones and Kristine Nielsen. I really loved it and if it opened tonight it would get raves-very polished for such an early preview.
Has anyone tried the student rush or have any more details? I can't seem to find much and that link doesn't work for me... Hoping to do it this weekend!
I'm a little surprised that they are doing two intermissions, which most audiences tend not to like these days.
Audiences didn't seem to mind it for August: Osage County. Personally, I would have preferred that play to have one intermission and cut an hour (or more) of the lumbering script.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
I'm a little surprised that they are doing two intermissions, which most audiences tend not to like these days.
How do we know that? Has there ever been any kind of definitive survey? Or is that just an accepted notion?
The three-act structure is really much more the perfect storytelling structure: beginning, middle, end.
George S. Kaufman famously described the three act structure as follows: "In Act One, you get the hero up a tree. In Act Two, you throw rocks at him. And in Act Three, you get the poor son-of-a-bitch back down."