Some Different Thoughts On “Some Americans”

[myManCape]

Posted: 8/3/08 at 2:14pm

Everything Ive read and heard both on this board and elsewhere about Some Americans Abroad was for the most part negative, so I decided to check it out before its final bow.

I caught the show yesterday and I believe it sold out. It was also a closed captioned performance so the text was on a small monitor on the left side of the stage.

I found the play fascinating from the opening scene. The blend of literary history and political science had me instantly believing that these were university professors. The arguments and positions from those on George Bernard Shaw to those on the Death Penalty were incredibly thought out and well argued, which to me was a sign of excellent writing. Perhaps it takes a background in these subjects to truly appreciate the writing.

The play gives you an insight into the world of academia. How professors interact, relax, care for students and enjoy a vacation. However each had their not so obvious reasons for making the trip to London from “the states”. Joe Taylor (Cavanagh) made it to prove to his old boss Prof. Orson Baldwin (Cunningham) and to him self that he could handle and lead the department. Henry McNeill (Rapp) made it to save his job, and Phillip Brown (Stoll) and Frankie Lewis (Graham) made it so that they could be together away from suspicion and Lewis’ husband and family.

The acting was for the most part good. Tom Cavanagh was phenomenal as the Dept Chairman who tried to rule it strongly and better than Orson but ended up relying on Orson and his colleagues for every decision. Anthony Rapp, Corey Stoll and Enid Graham were all strong in their supporting roles and were very believable as young(er) professors. Cristin Milioti pulled off a difficult part well. She had the task of being Taylor’s daughter and acting mature to fit in with academic crowd but also being a student on the trip who was trying to enjoy her vacation and pass her class(es). The weaknesses in the cast fell to the rest of the supporting females. Emily Bergl was miscast as McNeill’s wife and added nothing to her scenes. She was easily overpowered in her scene with Cavanagh which would have been a lot better if she could have held her own. Pamela Payton-Wright seemed lost and confused as Mrs. Baldwin. Fiona Dourif was completely unbelievable as she was accusing a man of molesting her. (Maybe this was the point?) And Halley Feiffer added nothing but an annoying laugh as Joanne Smith, the former student.

The director’s idea of moving scenery to the back of the stage worked, at first. The silhouetted actors moving the scenery to the rear of the stage, leaving it there to serve as a reminder of everywhere that they had been so far on their trip, as tourists would take photographs. However the idea started to go array in the second act when other pieces of scenery were stacked on top or in front of the pieces already there, and by the end the actors were using the old scenery as coat racks. This could have been better thought out.

In the end I would say that any weaknesses this show had, were due to the direction and supporting cast, and not the writing which many other people seem to be faulting. I can very easily see why there are people out there who did not like the show or didn’t “get it” but I also believe that if your educational background was in any of the subjects that Some Americans discussed I think that would enhance your experience. Perhaps this play was too smart for general audiences. (By saying that I am not in anyway implying that people who disliked it are dumb, but rather that it takes an advanced knowledge of the subject to be toughly enjoyed.)

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 8/3/08 at 8:43pm

myManCape,

I completely agree with your assessment. I saw the show last weekend, and I really enjoyed the writing and subject matter. I think even if you have a bit of knowledge in the topics discussed that you would enjoy the show.

All the performances were wonderful. I went primarily to see Anthony Rapp in a role other than Mark, and I was impressed. However, I was impressed with all of the performances. I felt that Emily Bergl wasn't given much to work with, but I agree that she added little to the overall story.

I also agree the weakness of the show IS the directing. The scenery situation did become distracting. And I felt that the bond between the characters and the rhythm of the dialogue was off. Overall, I enjoyed the peformances and material, but the direction was far from inspired.

[StarUsher]

Posted: 8/3/08 at 10:40pm

I saw the show yesterday afternoon as well. I agree with myManCape that perhaps an advanced knowledge of some of the literature they were discussing might have brough an appreciation on a different level. I was not familiar with most of what they were talking about and felt like a good deal of that dialogue was going over my head. I also felt, and maybe this was just me, that in terms of the plot, there was a lot of build up but not a lot of pay off. I was expecting some sort of big event or change and it never really happened. Even the accusation by the student never went anywhere. And HermioneJuliet I could not agree more about the rythmn of the dailogue. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I kept feeling like something was awkward. I have a feeling that it was an intentionally choice but I don't feel like it worked.

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 8/3/08 at 11:05pm

My biggest problem was that first dinner scene. Clearly those lines were written to be right on top of each other, and it just wasn't happening.

[16andschizo]

Posted: 8/4/08 at 12:41am

i agree, the pacing during the dinner scene was odd.

i thought tom cavenaugh was great, as was a lot of the acting but overall the production just missed the mark.