Munk's THE CAINE MUTINY COURT-MARTIAL review

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/15/06 at 3:05am

I've long been a fan of court room dramas, fascinated by the various twists and turns both the defense and prosecution are able to always provide to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. The intelligent (albeit scripted) banter of the various sides of the case (regardless of whether it's TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD or THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE) have always utterly fascinated me. I've always respected Herman Wouk's CAINE MUTINY, in any of it's respective forms - but I had never seen a live production. Admittedly, I was extremely apprehensive about this one for two main reasons: David Schwimmer and Jerry Zaks.

Of course, this review is of the first preview and it can only get better from here - but Schwimmer and company are in excellent shape this early on in previews.

This play is about the trial of Lt. Stephen Maryk with the purpose of determining whether he has cause to commit mutiny aboard the fictional S.S. Caine. Mutiny is an extremely serious offense, and generally, whom ever commits such an act is always sentenced: if they are found to be within reason, they are still jailed. If reasons are not found to be reasonable, he is to be killed. So here, the stakes are pretty high for Lt. Maryk - and we, as the audience, should be aware of these stakes the entire time. However, the stakes only manage to rise to an acceptable level during act two, when the defense (Lt. Barney Greenwald, as played by Schwimmer) is presented.

David Schwimmer is pretty good - nearly spot on for all of his court-room material. He doesn't have all that much to do for most of Act One, but Act Two is almost entirely his. He doesn't command attention, he doesn't cross-examine like a silver-tongued lawyer - but he shouldn't. He's not an experienced lawyer and explicity reveals that he doesn't always know what he's doing or where he's going. He starts off okay, and gets better and stronger up to and through the end of the trial. In the last scene of the play, at party of sorts at a hotel, he shows up late a little drunk, and he's wonderfully spot on until the very end of the show. His drunken banter quickly takes a turn to something more serious - he talks about how he is a Jew, how is family members are being "made into soap" in Europe, and then goes on to further badger and accuse Lt. Com. John Challee (as played by Tim Daly) of the unthinkable. His final line (and, the final line in the play) is something quite serious, quite important, and quite a perfect way to end the play. Unfortunately, Schwimmer basically threw the line away to mean nothing more than just "I'm drunk, I went too far." He will, no doubt, get better with time - he's in fine form here.

The other featured players in the cast - Joe Sikora, Tim Daly, Terry Beaver, etc., all do excellent, spot on, serious work here. Their consistant and focused performances never falter, and they couldn't be any better than they are. Occasionally, several cast members got hung up on the quick, verbose dialogue and ended up a little tongue twisted, but I attribute that to first-night nerves - they're all alarmingly aware of what they're doing up there, and it's incredibly refreshing to see a supporting cast as strong as this one.

Zeljko Ivanek, who was excellent in THE PILLOWMAN, is absolutely brilliant here as Lt. Com. Philip Francis Queeg - the Commander who's mental stability is the reason for the so-called mutiny. He's perfectly reserved in act one, but during the defense's questioning in act two, there's sheer brilliance on the stage. I can't rave about his performance enough - he's a truly amazing actor, and he will definitely end up with a Tony Nomination, if not a win. Upon his exit after the completion of his examination, he received a generous hand of applause - and last time we saw that, the play was DOUBT and the actress was Adrienne Lenox. He is remarkable in every sense of the word.

The performances are the highlight of this production - though nothing in it necessarily lacking completely. Zak's direction is pretty much what it always is - it's a very faithful revival with absolutely no risks taken, and nothing new. That's not really a problem, but the vision of this show - however straight forward it may be - is missing a certain spark, atleast for me. His direction in the past has been abyssmal, but here, it's atleast good. Not deserving of any awards, but it's quite appropriate for the piece.

There isn't much in the way of lighting, sets, and costumes - all are appropriate for the time and the place. John Lee Beatty's set is pretty bare-bones for the court-martial room, but I assume that it's incredibly realistic. No embellishments, nothing unnecessary - just a cold, sterile room. William Ivey Long's costumes are exactly what the need to be - there's not much room for artistic vision here. Paul Gallo's lighting is appropriate as well - this play doesn't require much in the way of extreme lighting.

With everything said and done, this is a good production of a good play. It's not a must-see, it's not remarkable, but it's quite well done. The appropriately overly-verbose dialogue may not be for everyone, and the topic at hand can no doubt be alienating for some - but it proved to be a wonderfully fulfilling evening for me.

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 4/15/06 at 3:12am

I was going to avoid this because:

It's a courtroom drama.
David Schwimmer is in it.

But maybe I'll go see it.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/15/06 at 3:14am

It demands the audience to pay attention - if you zone out for two seconds, you may very well be lost for a good portion of the play.

If you're not into fast-paced back and forth dialogue with tons of detail, it may not be for you - but I hope you do go, and I hope you enjoy yourself.

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 4/15/06 at 3:20am

I dunno, you put people in that courtroom setting and they start spouting off a lot of legal jargon, I start zoning out unless it's a cartoon. Sometimes I get irritated with this on television because it can be a little meaningless, but I'm sure that in a play it would be much more smartly written.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/15/06 at 3:22am

There really isn't much in the way of legal jargon here - it's not a COURT trial, it's a court-martial, which is different.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/15/06 at 6:36am

How long did it run?

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/15/06 at 7:32am

Going tonight and thanks to this review, I can't wait.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/15/06 at 11:33am

I don't recall the running time, sorry...

[Broadway_Boy]

Posted: 4/15/06 at 12:20pm

It was two hours and 15 minutes with a 15 minute intermission.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/16/06 at 7:19am

I went last night. I'll post something more detailed later, but for right now I'll just say that it was very good. Schwimmer, Daly and especially Ivanek were spot-on. Ivanek will definitely be nominated (it's such a crime that he wasn't nominated last year for THE PILLOWMAN) and I think Schwimmer will be nominated too.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/16/06 at 7:23am

Watched the movie again yesterday & this is the way I will remember this piece. Would rather spend money on a new show or revival of one we have not seen. Since we can not see everything, this is one of a number of things that will fall by the wayside

To all those who will be seeing it, enjoy

[JerseyScoundrel]

Posted: 4/17/06 at 10:04am

I saw it yesterday and really enjoyed it. I think its also good for any aspiring acotrs to see this because of the great work that is presented on stage. David Schwimmer was very compelling on stage along with the huge ensemble he had to work alongside of. It really is an ensemble show.

Updated On: 4/18/06 at 10:04 AM

[Calvin]

Posted: 4/21/06 at 11:58pm

Just got back, so I have to jump in with the Ivanek praise. A brilliant performance. His monologue alone made this show worth the trip.

I was pleasantly surprised by David Schwimmer, particularly in the last scene. Tim Daly, I thought, was a bit over-the-top in his jumps to anger at times, but I guess that goes with courtroom theatre -- and overall, I thought he was pretty good, too.

Tom Nelis was also excellent in his small role. He managed to get exit applause.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 12:03am

Seeing it tomorrow night, cannot wait

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 4/23/06 at 7:39pm

Saw this yesterday as well...must fall in line with all the love for this revival here. I think it is a top notch piece that deservess high praise and many honors. Below is my review:
________________________________________________________________

During the Second World War, onboard a small trivial ship, an event occurs unlike any that the United States Navy has ever experienced. Another similar event, unlike most play revivals this season, is occurring nightly at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on Broadway – a Great production of the revival of Herman Wouk’s 1952 Pulitzer Prize winning play “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial” is taking magnificent shape. Under the strong directorial leadership of Tony winner Jerry Zaks, this revival is as fresh and spell-binding today as it ever was. And Julia Roberts should take a few lessons from her neighbor next door and fellow screen actor David Schwimmer; he is turning in a not to be missed theatrical masterpiece that unfolds before the audiences eyes. With help from a top-notch design team, a tremendous supporting cast and star turns alike; Zaks has breathed brand new life into Wouk’s classic tale and makes “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial” a glorious event for Broadway Theatre-goers.

For those who don’t know the classic tape it all begins when Lt. Stephen Maryk (Joe Sikora) of the fictitious U.S.S. Caine is removed from his command by his superior, Lt. Com. Philip Francis Queeg, (Zeljko Ivanek) in an apparent outright act of mutiny. Or was it? As the trial and its bevy of witnesses begin to disclose more and more information, it is then the audience sees that the Captain of the ship was mentally unstable, perhaps even insane. Or was he? The Courts then must make a decision: was this a criminal act? Was this an act of courage? Or was it neither?

Only a trip to the Schoenfeld Theatre to see David Schwimmer and Tim Daly as opposing attorney’s battle the fate of Maryk and Queeg will begin to answer any of those questions. The performances given by Schwimmer and Daly are well worth the price of admission alone and Sikora and Ivanek only add splendid sweetener to this already rich desert.

John Lee Beatty continues to give Broadway audiences something to cheer about with his clever and innovative set designs (“Rabbit Hole,” “The Color Purple”); and he doesn’t begin to waiver a bit here. The same can be said for the usually showy costuming of William Ivey Long (“La Cage Aux Folles,” “Hairspray”) – but here Mr. Long gets to use his well detailed thumb to costume Nave Lieutenants in World War II garb, and he does so perfectly.

Perfect can some up this revival in one word. It is a sensible and ethnic drama with a true ensemble cast lead with great command and conviction by all of its leaders. A challenging, character driven story of social relevance does not come around all that often; just ask the Pulitzer committee from the season just past us. Do not pass up this classic tale…it will keep you wanting to know more up until the bitter end and even then.

[andyf]

Posted: 4/23/06 at 8:39pm

Does anyone know their student rush policy?

I think I remembered seeing it was front row, but I really have no idea, so any information would be awesome.

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 4/23/06 at 8:41pm

I just got back from seeing it today and unfortunately I have to disagree with that review.
The acting in Mutiny is, for the most part, top notch. Schwimmer, Daly, and Ivanek all give fine performances. But unfortunately the production itself is stale.
I don't understand the praise of the scenic/lighting design. It was at BEST adequate. There is nothing new or fresh brought to this production and, as munk said, absolutely no risks are taken here.
Unfortunately, in spite of some good performances, the production falls flat.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/23/06 at 8:41pm

the usual....$26.25 day of show, when the BO opens...2 per ID

[TheEnchantedHunter]

Posted: 4/23/06 at 8:49pm

Well, I'm hard-pressed to understand what about this play compelled Walter Kerr to write, 'a theatrical adventure...of such hair-raising intensity, you are sure nothing, and no one, can ever top it. Someone then proceeds to top it' (presumably Henry Fonda); nor can I fathom why it ran for a year. The play's (and its source novel's) concerns and revelations must have had greater immediacy and impact coming so soon after the war (and authentic star power probably didn't hurt, either). By contemporary standards, it plays like a dated and talky courtroom drama that doesn't come to life till the middle of the second act (see below) and makes one appreciate more fully the dramatization and expansion given the material in the movie. I don't quite fully see the point of this revival--perhaps the audience is meant to draw parallels with contemporary events (a defense of the current administration?) but the analogy doesn't apply, in my estimation.

The role of Greenwald does play to Mr. Schwimmer's strengths, allowing him to utilize his hangdog persona for subversive effect as well as his comic timing and even his ethnicity (I sure would like to have seen Fonda, the quintissential WASP, in the role!). At first, his coterie of fans in the theater would anticipate a punch line every time he opened his mouth to speak and would squeal with Pavlovian laughter at his every utterance, however inappropriate. It wasn't till mid-act that they realized they weren't watching an episode of FRIENDS and managed to contain themselves. Tim Daly does what he can with a generic, thankless role but seemed distracted the night I saw him, jumping cues, confusing words, etc. The performance to watch for is Mr.Ivanek's, whose ten-minute monologue in Act Two is truly riveting and hits closest to the mark of the Kerr review.
Each of the supporting players shone in their cameo roles.
Other than the play itself, my biggest gripe of the evening concerned itself with the embarrassingly bare-bones set design. It's one thing to use the back wall of the stage for effect as in AWAKE AND SING but another thing entirely when, for all pratical purposes, it IS your set.


Mayella Ewell
Maycomb, Alabama

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 4/23/06 at 8:53pm

I agree enchanted....the set design left a lot to be desired. I'm not sure what the artistic motivation was to have the back wall of the stage exposed.

[TheEnchantedHunter]

Posted: 4/23/06 at 10:36pm

Cheap-jack economics, erik, that's what.



Stenka Razin
Siberia, Russia

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 4/23/06 at 10:44pm

I felt Schwimmer's preformance lacked any sort of physicality, and I felt like he whined pretty much consistantley in a way that did nothing for his character. I loved all of the featured preformances.