rOcKs @ 'Hedda Gabler'

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

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.


Updated On: 1/7/09 at 11:26 PM

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 1/6/09 at 11:36pm

AAAAAH, I'm so glad to hear positive word-of-mouth for Mary-Louise Parker!! She's the only real reason I have for seeing this if I do later this month.

Shame the production as a whole isn't stronger, though.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 1/6/09 at 11:38pm

Was there as well, Rocks (posted my review) -- agree that MLP reason to go, but very respectfully disagree with you about Cerveris. Normally love him, but felt like he is totally unbelievable in the role, and his delivery was totally unnatural. Totally forced.

The others.... OY !!!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 1/6/09 at 11:40pm

I agree...a lot of the other performances were not strong.

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 1/6/09 at 11:41pm

Question for both of you:

I'm a humongous Mary-Louise Parker fan. Should I shell out the money for a student/rush ticket to see this or see AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY (which I have yet to see)?

I know it's random, so feel free to PM me with responses.

[kissmeimirish]

Posted: 1/6/09 at 11:51pm

I liked Cerveris who I'm not a huge fan of. On the fence about MaryLouise. The rest of the cast is not very good. And I'm being kind.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 12:06am

If you LOVE, LOVE, LOVE MLP, I would "rush" but would not spend a penny more... She was much better in "Proof" and "Reckless"-

"August: OC" is a must--- at ANY price !!!!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 12:10am

I agree.

[A Director]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 2:47am

Something is VERY wrong, if Hedda is played insane. There is nothing in the script to support this.

[wonkit]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 9:28am

SPOILER



If her decision at the end of the play is not cold and rational, everything else doesn't make sense.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 10:28am

Mary Louise Parker? I just might have to check out this production!

[jordangirl]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 12:51pm

Theaterkid ~ I haven't seen the production, so I can't comment as to if you should see it. But Roundabout has general rush that is MUSH cheaper than student rush (which is half the REGULAR PRICE of whatever's left). Yeah, it's rear mezz, but that's really not bad at their theaters.

[pattilupuppy]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 2:58pm

I was there as well.

I totally agree with everyone about MLP and Cerveris

The direction and casting seemed very off to me

[Testing1232]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 3:04pm

The more thought I gave to the show today, the more I realized--- it was an absolute mess.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 3:56pm

The more I thought about it the less I liked it as well; it's a shame too because I stick to my guns in that the adaptation was strong. The problem(s) lie in the messy and mediocre-at-best execution.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 6:03pm

How can a production be called "mediocre" and then be dclared something you "liked"?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 6:05pm

If you pay attention to what I said, the direction and basic technical execution of the production is mediocre at best. The adaptation is fine and the two leads are strong and therefore I enjoyed myself even though it's not close to being a great show.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 6:15pm

So it's a mediocre show and you are admitting that you enjoy mediocrity.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 6:23pm

Personally, I would have GLADLY settled for mediocre !

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 6:43pm

Didn't I just repost saying that after I slept on it, I liked it less?

The production is uneven; not terrible and it definitely has potential. The two leads are very strong, the adaptation is good, the direction is very flawed. For the millionth time, the execution in the direction is where it is mediocre at best. Everything else about the show (save for a few terrible performances) is fine enough and was worth my ten bucks. For ten bucks, I enjoyed it. For 110, that would be a different story.

[Glory]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 8:47pm

did you stage door? i wonder if MLP comes out? I'm seeing it in 2 weeks and I am very excited!!

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 8:51pm

Between the rain and what I had just seen on stage I couldn't bring myself to stage door. I'd be surprised if anyone did given the weather last night.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 9:39pm

Nope, didn't stage door. I was thinking about it just to meet Mary Louise but it was freezing and just starting to rain.