The cast is mostly wonderful, with the exception of Jones who looked like he inadvertently wandered onto the Longacre stage.
The first act suffered from lack of cue pickup. An actor would deliver a line, and then ten seconds would pass before the response. In a Champagne comedy, this was deadly.
On the plus side, Ashford was HYSTERICAL. She made that character something new, and it worked like gangbusters.
Nielsen was very good, Halston wrung everything out of a three line character, and Ashley was lovely.
The problem was the pace, which was sluggish at best.
It's early, maybe they'll fix it.
I did see several moments where actors waited for laughs that didn't happen. They should know better.
The intermissions felt so short, I didn't mind two at all. The only play I've been to that had them was "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and I didn't mind it then, either.
Saw the show last night. So charming. I knew going in that I would enjoy Kristine Nielsen, Mark Linn-Baker, Elizabeth Ashley, Annaleigh Ashford, and Will Brill (a bit meta since he was also in Act One), but the real surprise for me was Rose Byrne. I did expect her to be as natural and just...funny as she was. She really held up well against more seasoned stage actors.
I didn't expect much from James Earl Jones - after seeing him do a talkback for The Best Man it seemed he operates a bit slower, but he really looked to be giving it his all and I couldn't ask more than that. The show was just too much fun to watch to really nitpick at it.
I'm a huge fan of the Robards '83 production, it was an A+. I thought this production was a charming, solid B - some of the jokes sailed by like lead balloons, and Jones just grinned weirdly and seemed to be in his own world. Essie and Ed had me rolling. I couldn't understand a thing the Grand Duchess Olga said. I love this play, and hope it has a good, long run.
Saw yesterday's matinee. Delightful afternoon. Full house. Funny, funny play, great ensemble. Got my ticket through Living Social. They have tickets available thru September 30th. $31 for a balcony ticket with NO fees, well worth it. The balcony sight lines were great.
Saw it last night from the front balconey and had a delightful time. A very fun, effervescent show. The play is a little creaky, but it's a top-notch cast and a handsome production.
Kristine Nielsen and the constantly-dancing Annaleigh Ashford walk away with it.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
I have to say I'm a bit surprised by all the raves on here. I enjoyed the show. It was nice, and had some very funny moments, but it wasn't anything extraordinary to me. The whole ensemble was good for the most part, but none of the performances stood out to me as being exceptionally good. Kristine Nielsen was wonderful, and James Earl Jones was good. Rose Byrne didn't have much to work with in terms of character, but had some great moments in act 2 especially. And personally, I did NOT like Annaleigh Ashford in this. This is the 4th show I've seen her in live, and her ever-present "quirky" gag has sort of worn out its funniness for me, and I didn't think she pulled it off as well in this show.
The play itself was pleasant and funny, but not as good as I was expecting. I haven't had much experience with Kaufman and Hart. The only other play of theirs that I've seen was Once in a Lifetime, which I found to be MUCH funnier than YCTIWY.
I'm putting a lot emphasis in this post on my critiques, because I'm surprised by how many people on here raved about it. But I don't want to create the impression that I hated it, because I really didn't. I definitely enjoyed myself, and I'm glad I saw it.
I got out of today's matinee a little over an hour ago, and I am still blown away and amazed at what happened at the Longacre this afternoon. I am on my phone but I will post more complete thoughts when I get back to my hotel tonight!
I was at the matinee yesterday and all I can say is that it was GLORIOUS. I honestly loved every second. The stand out for me (as others have said) was Annaleigh Ashford. She was getting laughs at any and everything she did. Also Kristine Neilson as Penny was fantastic. I have been a fan of her's for awhile, but just missed Vanya and Sonia and Masha, and Spike. So I was really excited to finally see her live. I thought James Earl Jones was great as Grandpa. The biggest pleasure for me was Rose Byrne. Given the mixed to positive reviews on here, I was not completely sure what to expect. I thought she was fantastic and held her own while being surrounded by broadway vets. The pacing was fantastic and the 3 acts flew by. I went to the stage door afterwards and most of the cast came out to sign. Everyone was super nice and just excited at all the great buzz they ere getting. Go see this! You will not regret it!!!!
