Today is Thursday, October 4, marking the official opening night performance of Craig Wright's Grace, a four-person darkly comic drama set in Florida that examines the meaning of religion and life, at Broadway's Cort Theatre following previews that began September 13. Under the direction of Dexter Bullard, the cast comprises Paul Rudd, Michael Shannon, Kate Arrington and Edward Asner.
The 100-minute intermissionless play is described as such: "In alternating scenes of hilarity and poignancy, life turns surreal for an eclectic foursome whose destinies collide in the Sunshine State. A wide-eyed young couple (Rudd & Arrington) head south with big plans to open a chain of Gospel-themed motels. When an agitated rocket scientist (Shannon) and a prickly pest-control man (Asner) enter the picture, the couple's ordered world is thrown into utter chaos."
I thought this was pretty good. I'm really surprised about all the negative reviews from board posts on here. This show must have really come along during previews.
My review -- a stellar four-member cast but "what seems to be one of the major messages in the play: Having faith can set you up for disappointment. That also, unfortunately, is one of the messages I took home about the play."
Saw it last week. Really enjoyed it. It is one of those shows that, in my opinion, hits you even more after you leave the theater and sticks with you for a while.
Brantley raves about Michael Shannon and has positive things to say about the play and rest of the actors.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
uncageg, I agree about the play's lingering impact. Just yesterday, I was telling a friend that I've been surprised by how much it's been on my mind nearly a week later.
CHURCH DOOR TOUCAN GAY MARKETING PUPPIES MUSICAL THEATER STAPLES PERIOD OIL BITCHY SNARK HOLES
One thing, (the only thing) that has lingered with me weeks after experiencing this trial of a play: Why would they have an actress who can't pronounce French mangle a poem in the language?
I mean, if the character is of such poetic bent, why not have her cite some lines of Elizabeth Barrett Browning? At least she would be able to pronounce the words intelligibly.