THE NORMAL HEART, JERUSALEM & ANYTHING GOES Reviews

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 6/10/11 at 4:23pm

I came into the city this week to see THE NORMAL HEART and JERUSALEM before the Tony Awards on Sunday (I also saw ANYTHING GOES), all of which are strong productions.

I saw JERUSALEM tuesday night, and looking back I'm very lukewarm on the play. The production, the acting, specifically Rylance, are stunning but the play I do not find to be the masterpiece many are making it out to be. The first act is particularly flawed, throwing an enormous amount of exposition to the audience most of which is never revisited. If further cuts were put in place (which obviously is not going to happen now that it's open) the play could easily run two and a half hours and lose the second short intermission. That being said, the third act is spectacular. The story finally takes flight and Rylance's physical and emotional work is fantastic, but up to this point in the show, I did not find much of what he did to be particularly brilliant or masterful as many of the reviewers did. Sure the final sequence is brilliantly staged and presented by Rylance, but that's about it. I almost feel bad that I didn't love the rest of the production (Although Crook & Gallagher are both excellent, although both parts are underwritten). Much of it I feel is going over the heads of the majority of an American audience. That set design though, BEAUTIFUL. I'd have a hard time choosing between that or EARNEST if I was a Tony voter.

The next night I saw THE NORMAL HEART, which is the single most thrilling theatrical experience I've ever had. The work that company of actors does each night is mind blowing. Mantello, Barkin, Hickey and Pace lead a fantastic company of actors. I had never read the play before, or seen the reading so I came into the play completely unaware of the power of the dialogue & story. If Mantello looses the Tony to Rylance it will truly be a travesty. Yes Rylance is doing some excellent work, but Mantello's raw emotion and connection to the piece radiates through to the audience, and it's electric. Ellen Barkin's monologue is the best moment i've had in a theatre. After it was over my face stood still throughout the entire next scene, not quite sure if what I had just witness was real. Her performance should go down in the books for Best Broadway Debut. Hickey is great, and it's a shame that Lee Pace lost out on a Best Featured Actor nomination, his second act monologue is truly devastating.

On a lighter note, I also was able to catch (after an unsuccessful rush line, thank god for their student rush half off policy!) Kathleen Marshall's crisp production of ANYTHING GOES. While MORMON is the best musical I've seen all year, this would be the best production I've seen. All the production elements were splendid, and Marshall's choreography is fantastic (multiple applause break out during the title number and 'Blow Gabriel, Blow'). Sutton Foster truly deserves her second Tony this year, and with the exception of Patina Miller in SISTER ACT, I feel many people will say it was an easy win due to the lack of competition this year, but I think she could've won either way. I saw an interview with her where she mentioned branching out from the roles she's always played up to this point, and I think she's finally evolved into playing a 'woman' instead of someone like Janet, Millie or Fiona. Her comedic timing is splendid, and I loved the slower, sexier version of 'I Get a Kick out of You' this production uses. Minor book changes (from the licensed LCT revival) help the fluffy plot and I LOVE the new finale where the eight leads reprise 'It's De-Lovely' with different lyrics instead of 'I Get a Kick out of You'. J such essica Stone & John McMartin should also have Tony nominations this year, particularly McMartin. His Elisha Whitney stands out, which is hard to do with only four or so short scenes. Laura Osnes also should be getting accolades for making the character of Hope Harcourt have more then one dimension (Rose Hemingway should stop over to the 43rd St and take a lesson from Ms. Osnes).

All in all a fantastic batch of theatre! Joel Grey should have a very happy Sunday evening, when both of his productions take home Best Revival Tonys.

[dreaming]

Posted: 6/10/11 at 4:44pm

I totally agree about The Normal Heart-all three actors nominated deserve to win. (I think the play deserves all 5 Tonys it was nominated for.) It is a truly beautiful, moving play that still resonates today. (I agree about Pace's second act monologue-I sobbed when I heard it. It's horrible to think that such an act could have occurred.)

I see Anything Goes tonight so I'll have to compare notes! So glad you liked Normal Heart. Hoping it wins everything!