A DOLL'S HOUSE, PART 2 previews- Page 5

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 4/8/17 at 11:19am

Well I'm relieved. And also a bit annoyed lol. When you choose seats on telecharge, it calls the two sections "stage left" and "stage right."  I wrongly assumed that meant ONSTAGE left and right. So I purchased a ticket for the middle of the row, even though I prefer the aisle, because I am deathly afraid of audience interaction. Ok yay I'm glad I wrongly assumed.  I teach Doll's House to my seniors every year and I have so far managed to avoid all of the SPOILERS POSTED IN THIS THREAD.  Can't wait to see what Nora is up to.

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 4/8/17 at 1:37pm

This would be a total disappointment if you read the original play right before seeing this one. This play is good on its own but totally different from what you would expect from a Doll's House. All the characters have changed so much that you can barely connect their names with what you read or saw in the original play thanks to the convenient time jump. It is a lot of fun, which can be both enjoyable and off-putting depending on what you expect.

Updated On: 4/9/17 at 01:37 PM

[JBC3]

Posted: 4/9/17 at 9:40am

Your front row seat literally is almost on stage. The seating chart online is a bit deceptive. Think front row at a boxing ring.

Saw this last night and loved it. Such fantastic humor, as well as a real spotlight on issues related to rights and relationships. Cooper was fine, but the show really is a spotlight for the three women.

Highly recommend. And given the intimacy of the theatre and the staging, I cannot imagine many bad seats anywhere in the house.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 4/11/17 at 11:04pm

Saw this tonight and absolutely loved it! I was front row, and Metcalf, at one point, sat directly in front of me. It was so hard to control my excitement. She is INCREDIBLE in this role. She never leaves the stage - she swigs water out of a bottle between scenes - and she's on fire. She kills the comedy, as expected, but she really nails the more human moments. I haven't seen every play this year, but I think she deserves the Tony. 

As mentioned, all the women are great. I don't think I've seen Condola on stage before - at first I wasn't so taken with her - she didn't feel authentic to me at all, at least compared to the other performances. But I think she still nailed it. 

The script is really interesting and thought provoking. The staging is very simple. I was waiting for some grand moment, but nothing happens. It's very fresh, modern, and moves quickly. It was over before I even realized. 

I think the marketing for this is where it's going to die. It's tough. I was even hesitant to get a ticket because I was like "I haven't read A Doll's House in so long..." but it literally has nothing to do with it. There are a few cute insidery moments, but the point of the show has nothing to do with the original play. I almost wish they had gone with "Nora" or something else because I think the general, stupid touristy crowd is going to stay away. 

 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 4/12/17 at 1:29am

Also, I did find it odd that Condola was wearing a mic, but not one else - I was front row - was wearing one. Does she not know how to project? 

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/12/17 at 2:12am

 

Updated On: 4/12/17 at 02:12 AM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 4/12/17 at 2:13am

And?

[LarryD2]

Posted: 4/12/17 at 8:00am

I have no idea if she is or isn't wearing a mic, but when I saw the show last weekend, Condola was not projecting well. I was sitting in the rear orchestra and straining to hear her. Perhaps it was decided that she needed a discreet boost.

[canadian fan]

Posted: 4/12/17 at 10:09am

Well Rippedman, this "stupid tourist" has tickets and is very much  looking forward to it.  All "tourists" don't come to NY strictly to see Charlie and Cats. Just as not every NY based theater goer is only interested in intelligent, thought provoking theater.    

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 4/12/17 at 10:44am

RippedMan said: "Saw this tonight and absolutely loved it! I was front row, and Metcalf, at one point, sat directly in front of me. It was so hard to control my excitement. She is INCREDIBLE in this role. She never leaves the stage - she swigs water out of a bottle between scenes - and she's on fire. She kills the comedy, as expected, but she really nails the more human moments. I haven't seen every play this year, but I think she deserves the Tony. 

As mentioned, all the women are great. I don't think I've seen Condola on stage before - at first I wasn't so taken with her - she didn't feel authentic to me at all, at least compared to the other performances. But I think she still nailed it. 

The script is really interesting and thought provoking. The staging is very simple. I was waiting for some grand moment, but nothing happens. It's very fresh, modern, and moves quickly. It was over before I even realized. 

I think the marketing for this is where it's going to die. It's tough. I was even hesitant to get a ticket because I was like "I haven't read A Doll's House in so long..." but it literally has nothing to do with it. There are a few cute insidery moments, but the point of the show has nothing to do with the original play. I almost wish they had gone with "Nora" or something else because I think the general, stupid touristy crowd is going to stay away."

I was also there last night and absolutely loved the show! I wasn't really that interested when I first got my discount mailer (also my finances are so limited that I don't want to get too excited about that many shows this season), but after hearing so much positive feedback from friends and on the board, I was psyched to see it. The only other one of Hnath's shows I've seen was The Christians, which I did enjoy, but this was leagues better. I haven't read A Doll's House since high school, but I want to reread it now to see how I relate to the characters as an adult, and whether this play shades some of my readings.

I'm not sure what their marketing strategy is, but I'm sure it will get great reviews that will help them beef up their campaign a little more. I also help they're pushing to some school groups, because I would have LOVED seeing this immediately after reading A Doll's House.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 4/12/17 at 11:02am

Oh that's a smart idea! And you should have rushed it! $35 for front row! 

And "Canadian fan" that's great! Didn't mean to offend! Just meaning that I don't think the masses will be pairing this with their Miss Saigon tickets. 

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 4/12/17 at 12:10pm

I actually had a comped seat from a friend of a friend, but if I go back I'll consider rushing! I was in Row D, and it was so amazing to be that close. I've also sat in the back of the Golden before, so I would also just sit back there again.

[canadian fan]

Posted: 4/12/17 at 12:26pm

No offense taken Rippedman.  I knew what you meant, sometimes those generalizations are bothersome. Although I would love to see a whole thread devoted to the dynamic of the "NY tourist" vs the local NY theater crowd. Who supports what?  Are the Aladdin & Cats of the world strictly supported by the novice theater goers who visit town?  But I digress, not to get away from the topic here, but I have always been interested in that dynamic. 

Back to Dolls House.....I am just reading Dolls House Part 1 right now, gearing up for this show. I am super excited to read all the great reviews as I bought my tickets based solely based on Laurie Metcalf and Chris Cooper.

  

[RippedMan]

Posted: 4/12/17 at 1:39pm

They really don't reference the first play much at all. It's in very broad strokes - "You know how to use the door" kind of thing. 

And yeah, I'd say yes to that statement. The 1 time I sadly sat through Cats I was surrounded by Japanese tourists. 

[Fantod]

Posted: 4/20/17 at 10:40pm

Hnath goes conventional here, and while I like his artsier stuff more, he sticks the landing on Broadway. A great play in a great production. I'd love to see this in a smaller theatre, but the enormity of the physical production (those projections!) made it feel right at home in the Golden.

Chris Cooper was all wrong for the role. His performance isn't bad, but his voice and RBF make it difficult to believe that he could have believably been Ibsen's Torvald 15 years ago. I actually think Mark Rylance would be particularly strong in the role. Everyone else is spectacular. Throughout the evening, I kept switching between the three actresses as my favorite performance. It's no use, they are all perfect.

Most of Hanth's plays are just arguments, but they're such beautifully constructed arguments, reminiscent of Greek Tragedy in the Hegelian sense.

I don't know of a single more consistent author than Hnath. I haven't seen or read a single play from him that I didn't love.

 

Updated On: 4/20/17 at 10:40 PM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 4/21/17 at 12:11am

Those projections? It's literally someone's name projected for like 5 seconds...

[Fantod]

Posted: 4/21/17 at 1:25am

Yeah, they were simple, but they felt epic, almost apocalyptic.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 4/21/17 at 1:28am

To each their own, I guess. I was front row. And felt no "epicness." 

[Fantod]

Posted: 4/21/17 at 1:34am

Something about those twenty foot walls just really got to me. 

Anyways, this seems to be the one play this season that everyone seems to love, and I'm glad for it, too.

[little_sally]

Posted: 4/21/17 at 9:38am

Fantod said: "I don't know of a single more consistent author than Hnath. I haven't seen or read a single play from him that I didn't love."

 Agreed. And what's most exciting is that I don't even think he's hit his peak yet.

 

[newintown]

Posted: 4/21/17 at 9:57am

I, too, appreciated the projections; albeit brief, they added an epic, Brechtian touch. Anything that wakes the modern complacent audience up is good by me.

[Kad]

Posted: 4/21/17 at 10:00am

I also appreciated the title in an eye-searing yellow displayed during pre-show.

[little_sally]

Posted: 4/21/17 at 10:08am

Kad said: "I also appreciated the title in an eye-searing yellow displayed during pre-show.

I did too. After seeing a pic of it, I wasn't sure about it but ultimately I thought it was great.

 

[Kad]

Posted: 4/21/17 at 10:12am

It doesn't read very well in photographs at all (I tried to snap one!) but in person it is very striking.

[Fordham2015]

Posted: 4/22/17 at 7:56pm

I saw Doll's House 2 today (with PianoMann) and really enjoyed it! We had bought the $39 rear mezz seats months ago, but the mezz was half empty so we moved down to row C. Here's hoping the reviews are good to boost the box office!

The play is slight (not nearly as dramatic as the original Doll's House) but all four actors shine. Metcalf is the star of the show, and she bites into the role for all it's worth. She's hilarious and passionate and you can't take her eyes off her- she has a monologue about marriage that may win her the Tony on its own.

Contrary to other commenters here, I thought Cooper was excellent. Watching him go toe to toe with Metcalf was mesmerizing- and he's surprisingly funny too. I could see him getting a featured actor nomination (there's no way he's a lead).

Houdyshell (no surprise) is a delight, especially (as others have pointed out) when she tells Nora to F off and that "You know where the door is."

Rashad only has one brief scene as Metcalf's daughter, but she really makes her time on stage count. Her character may be the most thought-provoking of the piece.

Sweat is still my pick for Best Play (I'm seeing Indecent in a couple weeks) but this show definitely deserves a nomination. The 90 minutes flew by!