The Minutes Preview Thread- Page 2

[MusicAndPassion]

Posted: 2/25/20 at 11:33pm

I absolutely loved this tonight. After recently discussions with my boyfriend about how privileges are earned/given and tribalism in politics, I found this play to through ideas in your face rather than explore them as questions. This is how I had hoped Letts would continue to grow as a playwright. Unlike other shows this season, this one is very timely. 

I'll return to this. Absolutely loved it and how well it fits into the question of the season - how well do one-act 90-ish minute shows fair?

Through TDF, I was in the mezz on the far left side. I couldn't see Mueller for anything other than when she was down center. I assume that the far sides cut off whoever is sitting at the table downstage left and downstage right. 

[theatretenor2]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 9:37am

For anyone who was there, would the front row center seats be too close and too low for the production? We are both 6'2". 

[Hamilfan2]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 9:41am

Did anyone attempt to stage door this? How crazy was it? I imagine Armie draws quite a crowd

[Melissa25]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 10:01am

 

Love the ad campaign.  Get my pills.



 

Updated On: 2/26/20 at 10:01 AM

[JBroadway]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 10:19am

theatretenor2 said: "For anyone who was there, would the front row center seats be too close and too low for the production? We are both 6'2"."

 

I was not in the front, but I did try to take note of the stage height (because someone on this board usually asks - and I was right! haha!) . The stage appeared to be average height - tall enough that you would have to look up somewhat, but not so crazy high that you're craning your neck all the way up. I can't speak to sight-lines, as far as seeing the actors upstage and such, but I will say that people in the front will likely have be turning their heads quite a lot. Because the actors are all sitting at desks in a big semicircle, so you'd have to keep looking back and forth at the various characters as they chime in. Not for the whole show though - they do get up and walk around. 

(Note the photo that CT2NYC posted further up on this page) 

In case anyone is curious: 

Jessie Mueller sits on the far house-left side

Tracy Letts sits upstage center

Austin Pendleton and Blair Brown sit together on the far house-right side 

Armie Hammer and K. Todd Freeman sit at the second desk from the left (house left). 

Updated On: 2/26/20 at 10:19 AM

[sm33]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 2:42pm

Melissa25 said: "Sm33 —thanks for the heads up regardingAudience Rewards. If possible,could you please share your assigned seat location?"

Sure! I received Row K, Seats 1-3. I don't think I've ever been to this theater before, but that seems pretty good from looking at the seating chart - about 2/3 of the way back in the orchestra, on the aisle. 

[theatretenor2]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 3:03pm

JBroadway said: "theatretenor2 said: "For anyone who was there, would the front row center seats be too close and too low for the production? We are both 6'2"."



I was not in the front, but I did try to take note of the stage height (because someone on this board usually asks - and I was right! haha!) . The stage appeared to be average height - tall enough that you would have to look up somewhat, but not so crazy high that you're craning your neck all the way up. I can't speak to sight-lines, as far as seeing the actors upstage and such, but I will say that people in the front will likely have be turning their heads quite a lot. Because the actors are all sitting at desks in a big semicircle, so you'd have to keep looking back and forth at the various characters as they chime in. Not for the whole show though - they do get up and walk around.

(Note the photo that CT2NYC posted further up on this page)

In case anyone is curious:

Jessie Mueller sits on the far house-left side

Tracy Letts sits upstage center

Austin Pendleton and Blair Brown sit together on the far house-right side

Armie Hammer and K. Todd Freeman sitat the second desk from the left (house left)."

We nabbed our tickets for row K, right side of house center aisle. Will we have any issues?

[gibsons2]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 4:58pm

I got a single M 108 seat through TDF for today's matinee. Perfect full view of the stage. Since rows go only up to the row P, the mezzanine overhang doesn't cut the view. 

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 5:40pm

Falsettolands said: "Than again, it brings to the conversation: who is allowed to tell whose story? Am I exempt from trying to tell a story about injustice against a group of people because I am not one of them? Or does it matter, if done with clarity? Is my well meaning attempt still genuine? Maybe it’s genuine, but am I doing it well?"

Thank you for your immediate thoughts. I'm somehow both more intrigued and more wary of seeing this. It's sounding skippable...

[Esther2]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 5:46pm

Saw this this afternoon.  First, let me say the cast is fabulous. The play started off kinda of silly and funny.  Then it went deep and I was really intrigued, pulled-in, and interested.  Then it took a total left turn. 

I'm not sure how I feel about it yet.

[Falsettolands]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 9:55pm

VintageSnarker said: "Falsettolands said: "Than again, it brings to the conversation: who is allowed to tell whose story? Am I exempt from trying to tell a story about injustice against a group of people because I am not one of them? Or does it matter, if done with clarity? Is my well meaning attempt still genuine? Maybe it’s genuine, but am I doing it well?"

Thank you for your immediate thoughts. I'm somehow both more intrigued and more wary of seeing this. It's sounding skippable..."

A day later and I've deduced: I'm glad this play is covering a very complicated topic. I just wish it had more interest in exploring it than just skimming the surface of it.

Updated On: 2/26/20 at 09:55 PM

[Zion24]

Posted: 2/27/20 at 12:07am

Falsettolands said: 
A day later and I've deduced:I'm glad this play is covering a very complicated topic. I just wish it had more interest in exploring itthan just skimming the surface of it."

I think thats a VERY generous interpretation. I thought this was horrible: it was a snooze for the first hour, but intriguing enough that I kept expecting SOMETHING to trigger/happen, and then it sorta DOES and the play gets very interesting very quickly, and then just as you think Letts is building to some sort of point, he just throws his hands in the air and raises his middle finger at the audience. What (and i say this as an enormous fan of Mr. Letts' work both as a writer and actor) a total waste.

Speaking of waste: Armie Hammer is given a shockingly bland role that he cant do much with but come off as earnest, well meaning and attractive. Jessie Mueller has about 10 lines of dialogue and then one long sorta monologue- I get she wanted to work with Shapiro and Letts but its an odd follow up to three leading roles in big Broadway musicals. The only actor worth noting is- as others have said- Austin Pendleton, who had me laughing out loud regularly. He is given Letts' funniest lines, yes, but he really nails this- and to think the original Motel in Fiddler in 1964 is stealing scenes on Broadway in 2020. Love that stuff.

Hard to talk more about the show without getting yelled at for spoilers. I will just reiterate that you spend an hour waiting for the entree, and then it comes and you think it might be OK, and then all of a sudden someone comes and throws the entire table on the floor and you leave hungry. Frustrating.

Theater did not seem full and i thought the reaction was muted. Cort is never a comfortable sit but my TDF seat mid center mezzanine offered a perfect view. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 2/27/20 at 12:38am

I think, from an actors standpoint, regarding Mueller, it might be nice to take step back and not be the LEAD and yet work with some great writers, directors, and actors. And, heck, you're still on Broadway. I get it. 

[Zion24]

Posted: 2/27/20 at 1:43am

thats totally fair- and she certainly acquits herself fine here. But she is given very very little to do (and everyone is on stage the entire time). I guess that goes even more so for Blair Brown who has even less to do but I would argue is an even bigger name. But really, had the play worked for me I would have had a different reaction. Given what it is, I just was waiting for Mueller to save the evening with a well sung ballad to send us all home.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 2/27/20 at 2:18am

How would the view from the box seats be for this?

[astorian_ofthe_heart]

Posted: 2/27/20 at 9:53am

RE seating, I was in front row Mezz near the side--probably 5 seats off the last aisle. I will say that if you are in those box seats House right, you will miss Austin Pendleton. DON'T. As others have said, he's one of the bright shining moments of this show. The problem is, if you choose house left, you'll likely miss Jesse Mueller. The characters are stationary for a majority of the show, so it's really best to see this one as straight on as you can. I had full view of everyone from my seat far Mezz right.

As others have said, it's hard to talk about anything with this show without giving anything away, so read at your own risk.

I'm still processing how I felt about this show. I very much agree with Falsettolands and others: this is a very frustrating play. While moments in Letts' writing are sweeping and beautiful and poignant, a lot of it feels clunky. The cast does a great job with what they're given, especially Armie Hammer and Austin Pendleton. I have a problem with the way some of the characters are written, especially at the end. I don't feel that the play really earned it's ending. Whether that's a directorial or a textual issue though is up for debate. I think it's a little bit of both.

I expected so much from this play, and I don't think it quite lands. Interested to see how it progresses through previews, though.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 2/27/20 at 1:22pm

I think I’ve decided on The Minutes tonight. I’m looking at using my discount code for either front or second row center orchestra. I know the Cort is known for poor legroom. I’m 6’2” with bad knees. I’ve never been to the Cort before (another vote in favor of seeing The Minutes). Row A currently has a discounted aisle seat available while Row B doesn’t. Advice on legroom/view?

[JBroadway]

Posted: 2/27/20 at 1:41pm

@Miles2Go2: Are you in town already? Have you considered dropping by the theatre and asking about rush? Might be better value. 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 2/27/20 at 4:33pm

JBroadway said: "@Miles2Go2: Are you in town already? Have you considered dropping by the theatre and asking about rush? Might be better value."

I’m currently working in Secaucus. At least for another 30 minutes. Then need to pack up, get to hotel, change clothes, then take Secaucus train station to Penn Station. The discounted first and second row seats vanished off the site. Not sure what I’ll do: either grab discounted mezzanine aisle seat, wait to see what TKTS and/or box office has once I get there, or since I’m tired, just stay at hotel and relax tonight. Not sure if seeing the play is worth the hassle of getting there. 

[EthelMae]

Posted: 2/27/20 at 4:44pm

It’s not.

[Zion24]

Posted: 2/27/20 at 7:39pm

EthelMae said: "It’s not."

Amen.

The Cort is lovely, but the legroom is atrocious. I was in actual pain in the front mezz. But i should say last night whole rows of the mezz were empty on the sides so it should be easy to move/spread out as needed...

[VotePeron]

Posted: 2/28/20 at 8:57am

Loved this last night. It’s a good play until it’s not - then it’s something else entirely. I feel like perhaps people are mistakingly going in expecting to see a super profound, here’s-some-deep-meaning-and-answers, but the show tackles the topics it does in a fresh and compelling way.

As for the curtain call, I think a lot of it has to do with what happens at the very end of the play, and not the play as a whole. It’s all a bit much - there was thunderous applause at the blackout, and tons of laughs and claps throughout the show as well.

I don’t want to say anymore as to let people experience it themselves, but am happy to write a more detailed analysis on why I think it all worked in a spoiler box if people would like. Between this and Dana H., how lucky we are to have such amazing plays on stage at the moment.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 2/28/20 at 9:23am

@VotePeron - Aw, wish I could’ve met you last night!

[perfectliar]

Posted: 2/28/20 at 11:34am

Miles2Go2 said: "@VotePeron - Aw, wish I could’ve met you last night!"

So you went? Was it worth the trip in? 

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 2/28/20 at 11:47am

He originally posted a review that was above VotePeron's post (that's what VotePeron's comment about the curtain call was responding to). Looks like it was deleted? It's still in his own thread (for now?)...:

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1121283&page=2#5215753
 

Updated On: 2/28/20 at 11:47 AM