ECLIPSED Reviews

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 3/6/16 at 5:43pm

Limelight Mike seems to be out tonight, so I shall be taking over.

 

Tonight is the opening night of the Broadway production of Danai Gurira's Eclipsed starring Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong'o and directed by Liesl Tommy!

 

Post the reviews right here!

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 3/6/16 at 8:27pm

The first reviews are in, and they've been pretty good so far...

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Review-Roundup-Lupita-Nyongo-Led-ECLIPSED-Opens-on-Broadway-UPDATING-LIVE-20160306

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 3/6/16 at 10:09pm

Looks like we have another contender for Best Play...

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Review-Roundup-Lupita-Nyongo-Led-ECLIPSED-Opens-on-Broadway-UPDATING-LIVE-20160306

[ScottK]

Posted: 3/7/16 at 12:27am

Not only best play--Best actress, and Best supporting Actress!

For those in the other Eclipsed thread complaining about Lupita taking a perf off a week--go see the show ans you'll see why! It is emotionally raw--and quite physical in Act 2--and yes, every actor is different--but she, and the ensemble, are outstanding. 

There are enough discounts available (now) so go see this. Support new work. Support important work. Support diversity. Whatever makes you go to theatre--go!--or just stop whining and moaning about what Broadway isnt--go support this show for what Broadway could be.

 

 

[Broadwaystar2]

Posted: 3/7/16 at 12:49am

Is there a rush or lottery?

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 3/7/16 at 8:02am

Not only Best Play--Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actress!

 

How many of the supporting actresses do you think could get nominated?

Updated On: 3/7/16 at 08:02 AM

[Broadwaystar2]

Posted: 3/7/16 at 8:03am

Who for supporting?

[PJPan]

Posted: 3/7/16 at 9:45am

I could see Pascale Armand (#3/Bessie), Zainab Jah (#2/Maima), and Saycon Sengbloh (#1/Helena) as contenders for Featured Actress, with Jah the most likely if I had to pick one.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 3/7/16 at 10:57am

Personally I think Armand and Sengbloh have the best chance out of the supporting women (I saw Sengbloh's replacement at the Public, so I'm just going based off of the role itself). I think their biggest competition now is probably the Noises Off ladies, Megan Hilty in particular, if I had to wager a guess. 

Updated On: 3/7/16 at 10:57 AM

[PJPan]

Posted: 3/7/16 at 10:58am

^Absolutely. Of course it depends on the other nominees, but I'd love a Hilty win.

[ScottK]

Posted: 3/7/16 at 11:06am

I'd think Ardmand (#3) for the "flashier" role, but Sengbloh (#1) had a more moving arc.

The Hilty role has always been nominated (and with one win)--so that would appear to be a "lock"

[romain2]

Posted: 3/12/16 at 12:13pm

Silly question but do guns go off in Eclipsed?  I have sensitive ears and gunshots are particularly hard on them.  Thanks!!!

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 3/12/16 at 1:26pm

^ If my memory serves me correctly, there are some gunshots in the show, but they are not super startling by any means.

[romain2]

Posted: 3/12/16 at 1:31pm

Thanks bwayphreak234!

[AndrewAndrew]

Posted: 3/14/16 at 12:43am

Via @ReviewEquations:

{ [ Moving Production +( Warlords of BookOfMormon) - Missionaries ] x 68% Ruined - Musical } + Bill Clinton  = Eclipsed 4 TONY

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

Posted: 3/14/16 at 5:19pm

Selling one rear mezz aisle ticket for tomorrow night's show (Tues March 15). Asking $50. PM me if interested. 

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

Posted: 3/16/16 at 7:08pm

I saw Eclipsed on Tuesday night and really loved it. I was riveted throughout and moved to tears in the second act. Ms. Nyong'o is making quite a splash in her Broadway debut - I thought her performance was stellar and I'd expect to see her in the thick of the lead actress Tony race. I couldn't believe how young she looked - much different from the show artwork and from her Lancome ad on the back of the Playbill.

 

Personally I found Ms. Sengbloh's performance as #1 to be the most powerul of the supporting actresses and I also think she'll be in the Tony picture.

 

I sat in the second row which is always a little too close for my taste, but here I was thrilled to be able to see so much detail! They often play close to the edge of the stage and I was just feet away from the actresses at times. You could see the tiny details in the set, the "sweat" on the actresses, and their very real tears. In a play with this heavy drama, I recommend the close seats.

 

Though the actresses have been in the roles for a while, through The Public and Broadway previews, you can tell they are still moved by the work every night. The last scene is very emotional but all of them still had very real tears in their eyes and real emotion on their faces through the curtain call. It was amazing to see the impact the story and experience of telling it has on them.

[vickster51]

Posted: 5/10/16 at 5:35pm

I think Eclipsed was the highlight of my recent New York theatre trip. I thought it was simply superb. A brilliant script, full of moments that were upsetting, unsettling, dark and then in an instant light, funny and full of hope. All five actresses are excellent and I hope Lupita and Pascale triumph at the TONYs. It was a truly powerful production and from my front row seat I was immersed in it from start to finish. 

For anyone interested my full review is on my blog here: 

https://vickster51corner.wordpress.com/2016/05/08/theatre-review-eclipsed-starring-lupita-nyongo-broadway-new-york/

[RippedMan]

Posted: 5/24/16 at 11:17pm

I saw this tonight and really don't get all the hype. The performances are incredible - with Lupita being the weakest - but the actual script I didn't find it all that interesting or involving. Wife #1/#3 were the best. The staging was fine, but parts felt a little forced. 

Lupita just has such a shrill voice, and I just felt like I was watching someone "act" as opposed to the others who just felt like full-formed people. 

[ashk8177]

Posted: 5/31/16 at 1:57pm

I have one ticket for tonight's 7pm show that I am unable to use. Asking $45.  Please reply or PM me if you are interested. Thanks!!!

Updated On: 5/31/16 at 01:57 PM

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 6/4/16 at 12:33am

Saw this tonight and was really moved by it. No, the writing isn't spectacular- the play is somewhat unfocused and felt a little overly long- but it's powerful stuff, alternately gripping and incredibly sad. It's a topic that I honestly wasn't too aware of beforehand, and I'm glad that the issues at stake in this play are getting such a prominent platform on Broadway. Plus, after curtain call, the actors ask for quiet and talk about the schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram last year and have the audience invoke the names of two of the girls taken. Given that a major theme of the play is the power of names, it was a really effective way to end the night.

The acting on display is really stunning. I was surprised to see Lupita Nyong'o's role characterized as a Leading Role, as the focus is pretty equally on all of the women. Still, she's very good, especially in the second act. All of the women are really excellent- Pascale Armand (who I loved last year in An Octoroon), Zainab Jah, and Akosua Busia- but for my money, Saycon Sengbloh walks away with the show. Her arc as Wife #1 is absolutely heartbreaking, and she plays it perfectly. 

All the other elements of the production are also very well done- I was especially impressed with Jen Schriever's lighting design. Liesl Tommy also did great work with her direction. Sadly, the house (or at least the mezz) was pretty empty tonight. It's heavy stuff, but it should really be seen, and I encourage people to go soon, especially since the run ends the week after the Tonys. Plus, in a year where diversity on Broadway has been a big talking point, it's fantastic that this play came to Broadway written and directed by and starring women of color. 

[asmith0307]

Posted: 6/5/16 at 7:07pm

Eclipsed is headed to SF in the spring.

 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/2016-Tony-Award-Nominated-Best-Play-ECLIPSED-Will-Have-West-Coast-Premiere-Engagement-at-The-Curran-Next-Spring-20160605