THE WAVERLY GALLERY Reviews- Page 2

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 10/26/18 at 7:14am

I'm not sure that it's entirely her job to make sure those elements like lighting and set come together. I will say that her acting direction is sublime and, to me, that's really what's most important. The design, however, is deeply flawed, and pretty ugly, but you only worry about that for like 10 seconds and then you focus in on the phenomenal performances.

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/26/18 at 8:58am

GeorgeandDot said: "I'm not sure that it's entirely her job to make sure those elements like lighting and set come together. I will say that her acting direction is sublime and, to me, that's really what's most important. The design, however, is deeply flawed, and pretty ugly, but you only worry about that for like 10 seconds and then you focus in on the phenomenal performances."

It's not the job of a director to create a fully integrated production? Mmkay...That's precisely what her job is.

There's nothing wrong with acknowledging when a director's work is strong in certain areas and weak in others.

Updated On: 10/26/18 at 08:58 AM

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 10/26/18 at 9:01am

GeorgeandDot said: "I'm not sure that it's entirely her job to make sure those elements like lighting and set come together."

I would argue that that is exactly her job. A director's role is to make sure that ALL elements in the production come together.

 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 10/26/18 at 9:19am

Every time there was a long scene change, Elaine May emerged in the next scene wearing a new costume. So it might have been related to that.

Personally, I did feel the play was overdesigned and would have liked something a little more impressionistic like in the Glass Menagerie. I find that a lot of the scenery for Scott Rudin’s plays is more elaborate than it needs to be, though that could be a coincidence.

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 10/26/18 at 10:15am

I have a huge crush of Hedges too so glad to hear he's getting good reviews lol

[mc1227]

Posted: 11/24/18 at 7:13pm

I saw this play.today and was interested in comparing my notes with that of the critics as I deliberately avoided reading them until I saw the play.

without question, this play belongs to Elaine May.  She is so good that my biggest disappointment was that she did not take an appropriae individual bow so I could cheer my head off.   

Lonergan is a favorite writer of mine although he loves unnecessary dialogue at times.  I felt the second act was a tad long and I saw some fidgeting patrons when some of the scenes went a bit long.  I also thought Joan Allen was a strong supportive performance as the daughter.  

My biggest reservation was Lucas Hedges.  Much like a good portion of his role in Manchester, I found him a bit wooden and unemotional for a good portion of the play.  Except for one scene where he demonstrates anger there was just reciting of lines and not much else. The narrated scenes where he provides explanation of his grandmother would have been a perfect opportunity to convey softness and emotion that was needed. Michael Cera didn’t add much to the production but also didn’t detract from it.

It’s a beautifully written play portrayed beautifully by May and certainly worth seeing.  I got TDF tickets in Row R but I feel a better seat closer to the stage would have enhanced the experience.  

 

 

 

[Steve C.]

Posted: 11/24/18 at 9:43pm

We saw this today and I was really underwhelmed at the (lack of) direction. The actors are all in top form. I have never seen Elaine May in person so that is a delight. The problems, imo, lie in the very uneven direction  that somehow allowed the play to veer off into almost "vignettes" and not a fully developed and staged play.

I really wanted to like it a lot more, and I do think "The Waverly Gallery" got a few critical "passes" due to Ms. May. LN did not serve this production well. Hedges is very good, Cera is Cera in a somewhat comic relief part...Joan Allen and David Cromer ground their scenes extremely well. The actors do perform all the heavy lifting in this production, I just wish LN did as well.

Updated On: 11/24/18 at 09:43 PM

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 11/25/18 at 7:40am

Exquisite piece of theater.   So fortunate I had the chance to see this.  Extraordinary and special and heartbreaking.  What a cast.

I am not familiar at all with the director but thought the show had tight direction anchored by Kenny's writing and a dream cast.  

Elaine May will be receiving a Tony Award for this performance but the cast should also be properly celebrated when it comes time.  Lucas Hedges was perfect and the great Joan Allen was exceptional.  Hats off to Michael Cera - that accent from Lynn Ma was spot on.  A very nuanced and understated performance steeped in reality   

Make sure to see this at any opportunity given.  An American Classic.

[kelsey1389]

Posted: 11/25/18 at 10:30am

I saw this yesterday as well! I haven't seen many plays at all, but I'm so glad I went out of my way to see it. It's funny, my friend and I (both 19) were by far the youngest people there, and on our way to get our tickets scanned and an older man (very politely) told us that the que for The Lion King was up at the top of the block if that's the theater we were looking for. I thought Elaine May was absolutely phenomenal, as was Joan Allen. The only thing I really did not like were the transitions. The first act flew by but the transitions basically make the entire play come to a stop. Also wasn't a huge fan of Hedges, but props to him for being so young and able to hold his own with such a talented cast.

[TheaterGeek]

Posted: 12/21/18 at 9:04am

I saw the show last night and I am still thinking about its impact this morning. Elaine May, Lucas Hedges and Joan Allen were all fantastic. My grandmother suffered from dementia so it hit close to home to see Gladys disappear into the disease. The play goes by very quickly with strong performances by most of the cast. I would definitely recommend checking it out before it closes!

[Pashacar]

Posted: 12/21/18 at 1:37pm

TheaterGeek said: "I saw the show last night and I am still thinking about its impact this morning. Elaine May, Lucas Hedges and Joan Allen were all fantastic. My grandmother suffered from dementia so it hit close to home to see Gladys disappear into the disease. The play goes by very quickly with strong performances by most of the cast. I would definitely recommend checking it out before it closes!"

Seconded, big time. I've seen half a dozen shows since this one, and yet it's the one that won't leave my mind. Sad and beautiful and exceptional on every level (...and I even liked the transitions!).

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 12/21/18 at 4:25pm

Thirded (?) this show has really stuck with me. A grandfather went thru a similiar time, though not as extreme as we see here. Joan Allen I think may get nominated for a tony here. Lucas hedges for a sleeper pick to get a nom. Elaine May and Lauren Donnely is a really close battle for best actress, but I give it slightly to May right now. Great production.

[marcor]

Posted: 12/27/18 at 3:09pm

Fourth :) Saw it last night and it was heartbreaking. If you ever have/had grandparents you have/had to take care of in their old age this play will hit home. Brilliant cast - I hope this play gets remembered in the Spring and they get  the nominations and awards.

[Myshmoopsiepoo]

Posted: 12/27/18 at 5:39pm

Mike Barrett said: "Thirded (?) this show has really stuck with me. A grandfather went thru a similiar time, though not as extreme as we see here. Joan Allen I think may get nominated for a tony here. Lucas hedges for a sleeper pick to get a nom. Elaine May and Lauren Donnely is a really close battle for best actress, but I give it slightly to May right now. Great production. "

Completely agree- Laura Donnelly and Elaine May were the best female performances I've seen this season so far. 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/6/19 at 12:10pm

haterobics said: "NYT Critic's Pick:https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/25/theater/review-waverly-gallery-elaine-may-kenneth-lonergan.html"

Saw this last night night and it was simply one of the greatest theatrical experiences of my life. My mom has dementia and I just moved her into a Medicaid-approved nursing facility the day before my trip so this just gutted me (Act 2), but I laughed a lot too. Just splendid in every way. Brantley does indeed nail it in his review although I’ll say I love the set and the set transitions. I thought the videos transposed over the facade was just so evoking it kept my mind reeling as I awaited the next scene. If you were sitting near seat E103, I apologize if my sobbing distracted you. I can’t stop thinking about it. It has been interesting for me this trip because almost everything I’m seeing (Kinky Boots, American Son, The Waverly Gallery, and then Torch Song and maybe even The Lifespan of a Fact today) involves parental relationships which speaks to where I’m at in my life right now. 

Updated On: 1/11/19 at 12:10 PM

[BenElliott]

Posted: 1/6/19 at 1:23pm

Still can't get this production out of my head. Absolutely heartbreaking. I hope May and Allen aren't forgotten come Tony season. If you haven't seen this one yet, please do.

[thirtythirtyninety]

Posted: 1/6/19 at 2:09pm

Looks like Lucas Hedges is out for the matinee, presumably to attend the Golden Globes

[JustVisiting]

Posted: 1/6/19 at 11:28pm

thirtythirtyninety said: "Looks like Lucas Hedges is out for the matinee, presumably to attend the Golden Globes"

How was Brian Miskell?

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 1/6/19 at 11:58pm

JustVisiting said: "thirtythirtyninety said: "Looks like Lucas Hedges is out for the matinee, presumably to attend the Golden Globes"

How was Brian Miskell?"

Saw today’s show. Miskell was terrific. I was so impressed, I started a thread about his performance 

[schubox]

Posted: 1/10/19 at 10:55pm

Saw this tonight and was a little underwhelmed. After all the raves I guess I was expecting more. May was fantastic, so much so that at first I was wondering if it was a performance or she was just that person, fantastic performance.

Everyone else was good, but I though Lucas Hedges was terrible. Im a big fan of his film work, but I was almost pulled out of the play by how wooden and unemotional he was at times, especially the finale. His asides to the audience and when he was angry were the only times I bought in to his performance

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/10/19 at 11:37pm

You are absolutely entitied to your reaction to this production. After all, I have been underwhelmed by productions others loved. I know what you mean about Hedges's performance, but I think it was a deliberate choice. His character is patterned after the playwright who wrote this about his own grandmother’s battle with dementia and I do believe the playwright has a similar demeanor.

And it was Hedges's monologues to the audience toward the end of Act 2 that had me muffling my heaving sobs so as not to disturb my seatmates. I am afraid i utterly failed. I can’t stop thinking about it. I think the fact that he seems partially unfazed by his grandmother’s decline gives his monologues to the audience more gravitas because it is clear that he is affected. After a difficult visit to see my mom today (I had to remind myself that a year from now, I'll consider this a good day), I so wanted to just fly back to NYC to see this before it closes. I looked in vain online for a window card, but did purchase the original version (anyone know if there have been revisions for this production?) of the script from Amazon. There are some lines in the script that just achingly, beautifully, tragically capture this experience. The script should arrive on Saturday. Thank goodness for Amazon Prime 2-day shipping.

Updated On: 1/11/19 at 11:37 PM

[Smaxie]

Posted: 1/11/19 at 8:42am

The window card for the current production is available at Triton Gallery, online at www.broadwayposters.com. 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/11/19 at 10:19am

Smaxie said: "The window card for the current production is available at Triton Gallery, online atwww.broadwayposters.com."

Thank you, thank you, thank you.  I’m ordering right now. 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/11/19 at 1:19pm

Not only did I order it, as a surprise I ordered the window card of American Son for my friend who came into the city to see it with me on Saturday.

I think I actually helped turn two friends into New York theater junkies recently. My friend above is actually thinking of joining me again over the weekend at the end of my February work trip. Shes also considering coming back in to see the closing performance of Kinky Boots (we saw it Friday night). And another friend who comes into NYC for work a few times a year, saw a show each of his three nights in the city and is thinking about what he wants to see next. These were his first three broadway shows. I try to use my powers for good. Lol

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/13/19 at 7:12pm

I saw this last Saturday and just cant stop thinking about. I ordered the script from Amazon and it arrived yesterday and I devoured it before I went to bed last night. I am in the process of writing a heartfelt thank you letter to Lonergan, cast and creative team. I am expecting nothing in return. I just want them to know how much this meant & means to me. Ive seen people ask before about where to send letters to certain cast members or where to send if you want a signed playbill sent back. But Ive never been compelled to do that. So my question is do I just send my letter to the physical address of the theater or is there a PO Box I should be aware of?