How to Transcend a Happy Marriage Previews

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/1/17 at 8:58am

I caught a preview of the new Sarah Ruhl play at the Mitzi Newhouse last and overall I enjoyed it. The first act is very linear and fairly straightforward; act two becomes more Ruhl-like as the plot fades into the background as the goings-on take a slight turn for the supernatural and the tone becomes more meditative and spiritual. 

Tomei impresses, especially in several monologues where the action freezes, allowing her to step forward and directly address the audience. After Top Girls, Marie and Bruce and The Realistic Joneses, Tomei has really found her groove in these weird roles and her experience shows. She was a big draw for me to buy a ticket so I'm glad she had a large role and delivered. 

The other real standout was Lena Hall who nearly walked away with the show singing all six verses of "She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain," in a way you've probably never seen it performed before. I'll never be able to think of this as a children's song again, ha! I saw Hall as Yitzhak so many times that I almost forget she was anything other than that persona; it was nice to see her back onstage in a different kind of role. 

The plot basically concerns two middle aged couples who begin discussing a temp, Pip (Hall), who works for Robin Weigert's character. Pip is in a polyamorous relationship with two other guys; a former vegetarian, she now won't eat any meat unless she has slaughtered the animal herself in order to ensure it was killed in a spiritually ethical way and every part was used. The couples are intrigued and invited Pip and her two partners over to their New Year's Eve gathering where things start to get out of hand. 

I liked the performances more than the actual text, but there were moments of beauty and some laughs along the way. 

[Kimbo]

Posted: 3/1/17 at 9:29am

"The other real standout was Lena Hall who nearly walked away with the show singing all six verses of "She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain," in a way you've probably never seen it performed before. "

Spoiler request:  What's the way we've never seen it performed before?  Is she naked?

(Kidding aside, what's the sexual content and is there any nudity?  I'm seeing the whole show with my whole family- we're not prudes, but I would like to be sort of generally prepared.)

Thanks for your great and informative review.

[haterobics]

Posted: 3/1/17 at 9:40am

Kimbo said: "(Kidding aside, what's the sexual content and is there any nudity?  I'm seeing the whole show with my whole family- we're not prudes, but I would like to be sort of generally prepared.)"

How does one "prepare," exactly?

[Kimbo]

Posted: 3/1/17 at 9:55am

It's not like it involves some demanding physical or psychological regimen. I just like to know if there might be awkward conversations later, or if I need to give my mother-in-law a heads-up that there might be some potentially embarrassing moments.

Sorry if it seems like a strange question to you.. Some people like to be warned if there will be gunshots during a performance so they can have their hands ready to plug sensitive ears. some like to be warned about strobe lights because they have sensitive eyes (or a medical condition that might cause seizures) –

I only like a bit of info if there will be explicit or sexually frank material, and strictly for shows I'll be seeing with my spouse's family.

 

 

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/1/17 at 10:23am

Kimbo, 

Re: "She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain" I would resist reading the description below so it doesn't spoil any delight from experiencing it for the first time. There is no nudity during the song (but there is later) and the song doesn't spoil a plot point. 

 

SLIGHT SPOILER *************

Pip asks if there is a karaoke machine at the New Year's Eve party and there is, but it only has children's songs on it for the host's daughter. Pip figures out how to slow the tempo and sex up the number; the microphone cord becomes ridiculously long as she basically seduces each guest with her performance. It's funny and sexy. 

END SLIGHT SPOILER**********

 

As far as nudity goes, Robin Weigert does get completely naked at the end of act one. The front of her body is mostly turned away from the audience, but depending on your seat you could see it all. There is a fully-clothed orgy that takes place too, but it is more suggested than graphic. There is a fair amount of discussion about sex, polyamory, penises, vaginas, etc. Much of it is dealt with in a humorous way, but if your mother-in-law has a strong aversion to these subjects you can give her a warning they will be brought up! 

 

[barbraboy19902]

Posted: 3/1/17 at 10:40am

How did I not know about this show?! My whole trip is booked but I may be willing to drop a show for this. Is this show better than Glass Menagerie?

[Kimbo]

Posted: 3/1/17 at 10:42am

Thank you Whizzer!  Extremely helpful!

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/1/17 at 11:05am

barbaraboy, The Glass Menagerie as a play is obviously one of the greats and most plays would pale in comparison, but I found this new production so lacking that I would suggest How to Transcend over seeing Menagerie. If you've already purchased tickets and find it a hassle to exchange (they are both LCT productions so you might have some luck doing so) just go see Menagerie- I would suggest reading that preview thread as there are a variety of opinions and you'll get a sense of what you're in store for with that production. 

[barbraboy19902]

Posted: 3/1/17 at 4:08pm

WhizzerMarvin said: "barbaraboy, The Glass Menagerie as a play is obviously one of the greats and most plays would pale in comparison, but I found this new production so lacking that I would suggest How to Transcend over seeing Menagerie. If you've already purchased tickets and find it a hassle to exchange (they are both LCT productions so you might have some luck doing so) just go see Menagerie- I would suggest reading that preview thread as there are a variety of opinions and you'll get a sense of what you're in store for with that production. 

 

"

Thanks for the insight. From what I've read on the GM preview thread, that production just does not sound appealing to me. It really sucks though...I was SO looking forward to seeing Sally Field on stage. Happy Marriage seems like a fun show, with a great cast. Let's hope I'm making the right choice!

[nycesq]

Posted: 3/3/17 at 9:02am

The show is toxic

 

thank goodness  the entire run seems to be sold out.

[nycesq]

Posted: 3/3/17 at 9:02am

The show is toxic

 

thank goodness  the entire run seems to be sold out.

[nycesq]

Posted: 3/3/17 at 9:02am

The show is toxic

 

thank goodness  the entire run seems to be sold out.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 3/3/17 at 9:11am

But... it's not though.

It's not a big theater and it's mostly sold but there are still tickets available. I'll concede that they probably won't last long but you can still see the show if you want to and haven't purchased tickets yet. 

[@z5]

Posted: 3/3/17 at 9:48pm

Tea;lay interested in seeing this. 

'Anyone know if Marisa and Lena have been signing afterwards?

[haterobics]

Posted: 3/4/17 at 4:43am

nycesq said: "The show is toxic

 

thank goodness  the entire run seems to be sold out."

It's a subscription house, so seats will open up. You can easily go again and see if your misgivings were accurate.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 3/12/17 at 1:29pm

Has anyone else seen this recently?

[cjmclaughlin10]

Posted: 3/20/17 at 10:29pm

Ooof   Not kind from Brantley/ the Times

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/20/theater/review-how-to-transcend-a-happy-marriage.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Ftheater&action=click&contentCollection=theater&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront&mtrref=www.nytimes.com&gwh=A3E9502FC784D8392B317759E7EAF17E&gwt=pay
 

Had high hopes for this one 

Updated On: 3/20/17 at 10:29 PM

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 3/20/17 at 10:37pm

cjmclaughlin10 said: "Ooof   Not kind from Brantley/ the Times

https://food52.com/blog/8264-blistered-shi****o-peppers"

Methinks you provided the wrong link. Unless Brantley actually called this show blistered Shi****o peppers. 

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 4/9/17 at 12:19am

Saw the play tonight, and like the last play I saw at this theatre, Babylon Line, I left confused about what I was supposed to get from the whole thing.  In both, there were bizarre moments that tried to be deep and metaphorical, but they ended up being foggy and pretentious.  I thought the actors were good in this one, but the material didn't give them much.