The Snow Geese - Previews Thread
The Snow Geese - Previews Thread
#1The Snow Geese - Previews Thread
Posted: 10/1/13 at 9:55pm
The Snow Geese, starring Mary-Louise Parker, Danny Burstein, and Victoria Clark, begins previews tonight at Manhattan Theater Club's Samuel J. Friedman Theater. Use this thread to discuss the production from now until opening night!
Did anyone go tonight? Thoughts? I'm can't wait to see MLP back on stage!
AndersonTours
Stand-by Joined: 12/19/10
#2The Snow Geese - Previews Thread
Posted: 10/2/13 at 12:30amI should also be there Sunday night, if I'm not called into work.
Some people paint, some people sew, I meddle.
#3The Snow Geese - Previews Thread
Posted: 10/2/13 at 1:00amgoing Saturday night, if anyone goes before then please post a running time.
#4The Snow Geese - Previews Thread
Posted: 10/2/13 at 8:41amI'll be there tonight.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
#5The Snow Geese - Previews Thread
Posted: 10/2/13 at 12:06pm
I've only seen one report so far, posted on All That Chat (linked below). Negative on the play and Parker's performance.
Link to post
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
#6The Snow Geese - Previews Thread
Posted: 10/2/13 at 12:19pm
I can't wait to hear your report, Whizzer!
I'm jealous of all those going so early - not sure why I decided to wait until it opens, but I don't imagine that tickets will be too difficult to get.
Not sure what to make of that first response from ATC; there's not enough detail to grasp.
#7The Snow Geese - Previews Thread
Posted: 10/2/13 at 10:40pm
The Snow Geese is what one could kindly describe as an homage to Chekhov. It takes place in a hunting lodge in upstate New York, and all the key ingredients are present to help you spot the Chekhovian characters and plot devices. MTC should really save the set for the next time they put on Uncle Vanya.
The problem is that the play never really stands on its own as anything more than imitation Chekhov. The characters speak of their unending boredom and hardships. They are self-absorbed, which is often played for laughs. The woods are isolating and there is much talk of money, the estate and moving back to Moscow, I mean Syracuse. There is very little plot; the description on mailer tells the whole thing.
It was initially difficult to figure out how all the characters were related to one another, and I think they could make that clearer sooner.
The acting was all good, but honestly I would rather have seen this cast do a production of Vanya or The Cherry Orchard. Mary-Louise Parker would certainly be wonderful performing the Chekhov canon and hope she does someday. She's very committed to her role, and acquits herself well given what she has to work with.
Victoria Clark and Danny Burstein add some nice support. What dramatic tension there is lies on Evan Jonigkeit (his pants stay on in this play) and Brian Cross, who play MLP's two sons. I enjoyed both of them.
The pacing needs to be ratcheted up a few notches because it drags in some scenes, but I guess that will get fixed with practice.
The set, lighting and costumes are beautiful.
Too bad the play wasn't better.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
#8The Snow Geese - Previews Thread
Posted: 10/2/13 at 11:01pmI'm curious what AfterEight thought of the show since his Great Grandson used to babysit Chekhov.
iluvtheatertrash
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/9/04
#9The Snow Geese - Previews Thread
Posted: 10/2/13 at 11:09pm
I adored this exceptionally talented band of actors and designers. And I loved THE OTHER PLACE. But this play meanders with very little focus. It's two hours of chatter. In short, they were rich. Papa squandered it all. Papa's dead. Mama doesn't know what to do. Her boys are leaving. What will happen? But there's zero tension, because for the most part the characters (the leading and most affected by their fall from grace) are rather unlikable. Somewhere in there is an exciting, enticing play. I'm not sure they've found it quite yet.
I see just about every play MTC puts on. They're my favorite company in the city. I worship Lynn Meadow for her love of playwrights. But I'm not sure what I saw tonight. I will probably give it a second chance very late in the run, but I am curious to see what others get out of it.
(The set is STUNNING.)
"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman
#10The Snow Geese - Previews Thread
Posted: 10/2/13 at 11:32pm
"I'm curious what AfterEight thought of the show since his Great Grandson used to babysit Chekhov."
That must be the reason why he has an adult and coherent opinion about theater.
After Eight
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/09
#12The Snow Geese - Previews Thread
Posted: 10/2/13 at 11:44pm
A clunker, a mishmash, a mess. But the set is beautiful.
Updated On: 10/3/13 at 11:44 PM
#14The Snow Geese - Previews Thread
Posted: 10/2/13 at 11:48pmI visit this board only from time to time but when I do I'm always interested in what AfterEight has to say. Jordan Catalano, not so much. You can get snark for free on the sidewalk at any time of the day, a substantive opinion about theater is much rarer.
#15The Snow Geese - Previews Thread
Posted: 10/2/13 at 11:54pm
a substantive opinion about theater is much rarer.
... I am just going to bite my tongue.
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
#16The Snow Geese - Previews Thread
Posted: 10/2/13 at 11:56pm
Whenever I visit this site, I always hope to see what wisdom sinister teashop has to offer. Sinister Teashop's insights have changed the way I view not only theater, but life. Sinister Teashop one of the most insightful posters this message board has ever had and every letter typed by him is like a star shining down from the heavens, illuminating the path to righteousness. Sinister Teashop makes hungry babies in Africa feel full, for the wisdom he imparts on the world feeds us like milk from a Mother's teet.
Sinister Teashop is just the most. To say the least.
WiCkEDrOcKS
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#17The Snow Geese - Previews Thread
Posted: 10/3/13 at 12:03am
After Eight trashes nearly everything he sees. He's rude, condescending, accusatory, obnoxious, I could go on and on. Jordan is anything but. His "snark" aimed at After Eight is entirely justified. There are many, many other posters on here (Jordan included) who give "substantive opinions on theater" without being assh*les about it, unlike After Eight.
Now, back to the show. I really, really enjoyed THE OTHER PLACE so I'm sad to hear this one is a misfire. I had hoped Parker found a show that matched her talents.
Updated On: 10/3/13 at 12:03 AM
#18The Snow Geese - Previews Thread
Posted: 10/3/13 at 12:04amWiCkEDrOcKs is amazing, but Sinister Teashop is more amazing, for his breath is the breath that breathes breath into the breath of life.
#19The Snow Geese - Previews Thread
Posted: 10/3/13 at 12:08amI am sitting in a Starbucks cracking up laughing right now, Jordan. You made my day!
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
#20The Snow Geese - Previews Thread
Posted: 10/3/13 at 12:12am
I saw a reading of the play some time ago and had mostly enjoyed. Sad to hear that it's not coming across as well when fully mounted.
As for After Eight, well- those who cross him will inevitably be blocked by him.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
#21The Snow Geese - Previews Thread
Posted: 10/3/13 at 12:18am"Substantive opinions" not "substantiated opinions" is what I wrote, WiCkEDrOcKS. Substantive opinion means an opinion that has or expresses a innate content, a substance even if that substance might be largely negative and rude. A substantiated opinion might mean an opinion that has been proven through evidence. I have no idea whether AfterEight has evidence to back up his opinions. I do feel his opinions have substance however.
WiCkEDrOcKS
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#23The Snow Geese - Previews Thread
Posted: 10/3/13 at 12:33amI know the difference between "substantiated" and "substantive"; I used the wrong word by mistake and edited it afterwards. I still couldn't disagree with you more.
#24The Snow Geese - Previews Thread
Posted: 10/3/13 at 2:40amWas the running time 2hrs as iluvtheatertrash noted?
