rOcKS @ 'The Understudy'

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 9:29pm

I don't have time to post a full review, but it was a lot of fun! The trio they've assembled couldn't have been better; the play itself is nothing to write home about but the cast made it a 100 minute laugh-fest. More later!

Was anyone else there? Whatd you think?
Updated On: 10/10/09 at 09:29 PM

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 10:02pm

I was there as well and really enjoyed myself. I agree that I didn't find the material to be anything spectacular, but White, Kirk, and Gosselaar worked quite well together. I haven't laughed that hard in a while in a theatre. I hope to see this one again!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/10/09 at 1:08am

It's definitely not an incredible piece of writing but it's light, frothy fun. When it tries to be emotionally resonant, it fails, and it takes a lot away from the piece. The performances, however, are each so strong that the sadder moments do ring true to some extent. But 85% of the show is comedy and the cast finds laughs where no one else could. I hope to see it again later in the run because if they were each in such good shape tonight, this just might end up being the funniest play in town in the next few weeks. The comedy in the play itself is a bit generic, but again, the cast makes it feel fresh and alive. The play takes about fifteen/twenty minutes to really get going but once it does, it's a lot of fun. Even if, at 100 minutes, it's still a bit too long.

Julie White is wonderful. Just wonderful. I never got to see her in THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED and I am so sorry for that because she's just a great comedic actress; nothing more to be said there. Mark-Paul Gosselaar started out being the weakest of the three but really won me over in the end. He just needs to relax a little bit, something I'm sure will come as he gets more comfortable in the role. He's still wonderful though; it takes a very good actor to play a bad actor and he makes that very clear. And Justin Kirk is sensational. If his other halves weren't so wonderful, he would have easily stolen the show.

It's swiftly directed, very nicely designed, and really entertained me. The play itself is just alright but this is a very strong production and I really laughed quite a lot. It's certainly one of the better things that Roundabout has offered up in the last couple of seasons.

*** out of ****
Updated On: 10/10/09 at 01:08 AM

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 10/10/09 at 6:10pm

I saw the show this afternoon, and agree 100%. Yes, I will not writing love letters to the playwright for their genius, but the acting is absolutely fantastic! I think Mark-Paul Gosselaar may well find himself in more NY theatre (if he'd like to stretch his artistic chops). He held his own against two theatre stars, and looks absolutely edible in his tight tshirt. Kirk was jarringly fun, and White is, as always, a comic genius. Roundabout is getting known as the big theatre that produces junk, but this is one of the smaller exceptions (and 100% thanks to a cast of actors who raise the level of the script).

[MiracleElixir]

Posted: 10/10/09 at 6:18pm

I was there this afternoon as well. Due to White and Kirk's chops and delivery and Gossaler's depressingly still-amazing looks (though his acting was stilted even in moments it wasn't supposed to be), I had fun. It's a frothy, light play with no plot whatsoever about the love of theatre and why people do it.

That said, it's certainly not a laugh-fest. It's amusing -- I smiled through most of the play -- but those who said it was the hardest they've laughed in some time should probably either have higher standards, or temper their ejaculatory love of White and Kirk.

I'm glad I saw it... but I'd be lying if I said my attention didn't dwindle occasionally during the middle chunk (not the best thing for a 95 minute play). White is pretty delightful without verging on annoying, Kirk is easily the standout of the three -- impressive with his delivery as well as his physicality -- and I think MPG signed on just to give himself some theatre cred; it's not a particularly good part.

It's an enjoyable, breezy way to pass an hour and a half, and elements of it might resonate with those who love theatre (though the Jeremy Piven joke struck me as a lame, desperate pop culture reference for an easy laugh), but don't expect anything that's going to stick to your ribs.

Updated On: 10/10/09 at 06:18 PM

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/10/09 at 7:38pm

I was at today's matinee and, unfortunately, I was unable to find the level of "light, frothy fun" that the other posters seemed to glean from this play. This is probably the most painfully unfunny "comedy" to hit New York in years. I didn't laugh once in the entire ninety minutes, despite the herculean efforts of the three very talented performers who try extremely hard to make the material work. It just doesn't. Theresa Rebeck has always been a hit-or-miss playwright, but this is her biggest failure to date. Had an unknown playwright submitted this play for consideration, he/she would be laughed out of New York City.
[And before anyone tries to criticize me for posting a negative review of a very early preview, I'll just say that I'm not disparaging the cast or the production. Both are fine. I'm denigrating the writing, which is simply terrible. The only way to improve it would be to throw out the script and let these three talented actors do improv on a bare stage for ninety minutes.]

[MiracleElixir]

Posted: 10/10/09 at 8:19pm

Going a little overboard, are we, AC? It's not a laughfest, but there's little writing here that I think could really be dubbed "atrocious." If anything, the play's fault is that it's incredibly aimless, and uses a one-line description ("an understudy with a past relationship with the stage manager gets on the nerves of a movie star during their rehearsals for a Broadway Kafka play") as a plot synopsis rather than simply the jumping off point. There's not really anything there -- no story, no character arcs, no climax; just three characters getting on each other's nerves during a rehearsal. It's breezy and fun at times due to the actors, but you keep waiting for the drama to kick in.

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/10/09 at 8:24pm

I don't think so. It really was the most unbearable afternoon I've had at the theatre in about a year--even Impressionism didn't try my patience as much as this play--and it makes me sad that three capable actors have to work so hard to try to sell this dreck. The script is both plot-free and laugh-free and shouldn't have been produced at this stage. Any laughs come courtesy of the actors and their stage business.

There's probably a good play in there somewhere, but as it stands right now, I've read better material written by first year playwrighting students.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/10/09 at 8:34pm

Wow...really?

And maybe "laugh-fest" was a bit over the top, but I did laugh quite a lot.

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/10/09 at 8:41pm

Yeah, even with the actors working overtime, I can count the number of times I laughed on one hand...hell, on one finger.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/10/09 at 9:14pm

Rebeck is the most overrated, overproduced playwright in the history of the form.

That her pathetic pieces of garbage called "plays" are being used in acting classes as scenes for male-female work is extraordinarily depressing.

[dave1606]

Posted: 10/10/09 at 10:29pm

Saw the play tonight and honestly, I thought it was a great night of theater. The play isn't memorable, or life changing or anything remotely new, but what it is is an enjoyable night of theater, which considering roundabout's track record lately, many should be thankful for.

Julie White makes this play. She owns her performance and had me from the minute she walked on stage. I was also lucky enjoy to have a seat right in front of her "stage manager" spot in the back so that was fun as well. If there is a second reason to see this play it is Justin Kirk. He has always been a favorite of mine from Weeds, and while he is essentially playing the same character here, he plays it to perfection. Mark-Paul Gosselaar is serviceable, and a pretty face, but I am not sure if he would really work playing anything outside of that part.


Overall I would say its one of the more enjoyable things I have seen this season, and I would add it to my list of favorites along with Superior Doughnuts and Wishful Drinking.

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 10/10/09 at 11:28pm

I was also at the show tonight and I have to agree with what most people are saying. I thought that, while yes the plot is very thin, the show was very enjoyable and the cast pulls it off brilliantly. I had a great time and thought it was very funny. I do agree that the Jeremy Piven joke seemed stuck in there (and out of date), but it did get a laugh.

[April Saul]

Posted: 10/11/09 at 6:39pm

Saw this today and would have to agree with rOcKs...what fun! Maybe I don't have the same sense of humor as AC1 but I did laugh so hard at one point that my daughter gave me the you're-such-an-embarrassing-mom look. Yes, it's a light, funny piece about what it's like to be an actor and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I have to say that after I quit being a Roundabout subscriber at the end of last season, they've gotten much better. Birdie is just awful, but I've liked Wishful Drinking, Miss Julie and now this, so someone must be doing something right. The $10 preview seats in the mezz at the Pels were much better than other times that I've sat in the back of the orchestra, too!

On a stage door note: Julie, Justin and Mark were all gracious, friendly, chatted, took photos and signed everything they were asked to, from Weeds souvenirs to a DVD of Saved by the Bell! They seemed like they were having a great time with this funny little play...

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 10/11/09 at 9:53pm

Saw it this afternoon and very much enjoyed myself!!! Strong cast!

[NotScott]

Posted: 10/11/09 at 10:55pm

Saw it this afternoon as well. Thought it was decent, but am I the only one who thinks that Julie White is too old for that part? Her character seems like she should be about 10 years younger. I really enjoyed her performance in "The Little Dog Laughed" but she was totally miscast for this one.

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/11/09 at 11:03pm

The role was written for her, actually.

[NotScott]

Posted: 10/11/09 at 11:26pm

Well then that was Rebeck's mistake because she is clearly too old. She looks every bit of her 48 years and the men play at least 10 years younger.

[Sauja]

Posted: 10/12/09 at 12:05am

I thought this was a totally pleasant evening of theater for the performances alone. Julie White is always a delight. Justin Kirk never fails to tickle my funny bone. And Mark-Paul Gosselar impressed me. He held his own against two very strong actors, and though he was occasionally a bit stiff, I got the feeling that he has the potential to really grow into the tole as previews go on and he gets a little more comfortable.

That said, the play itself is a wisp of a thing that strains the bounds of credulity. There are several occasions where one character overhears the other two over loudspeakers elsewhere in the theater. And yet no one EVER catches on. The unseen stoner running the lighting and sets is inconsistent to the point of disbelief. And the way the connection between two characters is slowly revealed is clearly written to tease out as much tension as possible over 90 minutes without any apparent basis in how people actually communicate.

I'd be happy to watch any of these actors on stage again. I'm in no rush to see anything else by this playwright (and, in fact, haven't caught any of her previous work). My feeling was that this was a very strong production that almost redeems its weak material.

Side note: I don't think White is too old for the part. The characters ages are never mentioned that I recall, and I thought it was a pleasant change of pace to see an older woman romantically linked with one (or two) younger men.

[scripps]

Posted: 10/12/09 at 7:20pm

Watch out Hugh, Daniel and Jude, Mark-Paul Gosselaar is in town and he is hotter than y'all!

Attended the invited dress Thursday night and agree that the play is nothing to write home about though the performances are enjoyable.

The anticipation of seeing Zack Morris on stage however, made me feel like a giddy grade schooler again. Priceless!

[April Saul]

Posted: 10/12/09 at 10:57pm

Okay I have to say that my daughter and I both talked to Gosselaar at the stage door and thought he was MUCH better-looking in person than on stage or screen...Scripps is right!

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 10/13/09 at 12:28am

Was Mark nice at the door? I was thinking about saying hello. I'm not usually a stage door-er, but I just loved SBTB.

[scripps]

Posted: 10/13/09 at 1:48am

Clearly, Roundabout is casting my generation's earliest heartthrobs in a desperate attempt to deplete my savings account. Zack Morris. Uncle Jesse. Is Joshua "Pacey" Jackson next?!

I echo Dolly_Levi's sentiments, I may have to breakdown and stage door for M-P. Maybe drop a note backstage and ask him to meet up post-show at the Maxx!

[April Saul]

Posted: 10/13/09 at 8:43am

Hey Dolly--Yes, Gosselaar, Kirk and Julie White were all very friendly and relaxed, and the two men hung around chatting for some time after the play let out...Gosselaar didn't mind talking about Saved by the Bell at all, although when I mentioned NYPD Blue, he smiled and alluded to that being better material

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/13/09 at 9:00am

Hah, I'm glad I'm not the only one with those "I might have to break down and do this" feelings about the stage door on this one. I don't normally do it anymore, but Justin Kirk is one of my favorite actors ever, and I'd really like to meet him. Has anyone met him? What's he like? And can someone tell me where the stage door is? Thanks.