#1
Posted: 1/6/09 at 11:26pm
Just got back and am too tired to write an actual in-depth review but I enjoyed myself mainly because of the two great performances from Michael Cerveris and the incomparable Mary Louise Parker.
The direction was sloppy...it needs to be cleaned up and I'm sure it will be by time the critics come. It has potential but even if it's cleaned up it still will be mediocre, I think.
This adaptation was strong...it was a bit confusing at times but it very quickly got back on track and got engrossing and totally involving.
The set was beautiful (reminded me a little of the IS HE DEAD? set in the first act) and simple, the music was somewhat pointless...slow, percussive music plays every time Hedda is left alone onstage.
The performances ranged from bad to servicable save for two wonderful turns from two veteran performers who can seem to do no wrong. Michael Cerveris slips very comfortably into his role and is very strong, although I do wonder if he can play roles in shows that are less dark than ASSASSINS, SWEENEY, ROAD SHOW, and now HEDDA. He is very talented and I would love to see him try his hand at something different. And always a treasure, always welcome on Broadway, Mary Louise Parker is a fantastic Hedda. She embues the role with the right amounts of pathos, rage, humor, and at times borderline insanity. She should get a Tony nod out of this, she alone is worth seeing this otherwise good but juuustttt good-enough production.
I liked the production, I didn't love it. Parker and Cerveris are great though.
The direction was sloppy...it needs to be cleaned up and I'm sure it will be by time the critics come. It has potential but even if it's cleaned up it still will be mediocre, I think.
This adaptation was strong...it was a bit confusing at times but it very quickly got back on track and got engrossing and totally involving.
The set was beautiful (reminded me a little of the IS HE DEAD? set in the first act) and simple, the music was somewhat pointless...slow, percussive music plays every time Hedda is left alone onstage.
The performances ranged from bad to servicable save for two wonderful turns from two veteran performers who can seem to do no wrong. Michael Cerveris slips very comfortably into his role and is very strong, although I do wonder if he can play roles in shows that are less dark than ASSASSINS, SWEENEY, ROAD SHOW, and now HEDDA. He is very talented and I would love to see him try his hand at something different. And always a treasure, always welcome on Broadway, Mary Louise Parker is a fantastic Hedda. She embues the role with the right amounts of pathos, rage, humor, and at times borderline insanity. She should get a Tony nod out of this, she alone is worth seeing this otherwise good but juuustttt good-enough production.
I liked the production, I didn't love it. Parker and Cerveris are great though.
Updated On: 1/7/09 at 11:26 PM
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