A LIFE IN THE THEATRE Reviews

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 12:38am

Today is Tuesday, October 12, marking the official opening night performance of the Broadway premiere of David Mamet's comedic drama "A Life in the Theatre". Patrick Stewart and T.R. Knight co-star in the production, which began previews September 21 at the Schoenfeld. Atlantic's Artistic Director, Neil Pepe, directs this incarnation, which will play a limited engagement through January 2, 2011.

"A behind-the-scenes peek at the challenge of actors battling to share both a dressing room and the spotlight, A Life in the Theatre follows two actors in a repertory company: Robert, an older, experienced performer and John, a newcomer to the stage," begin production notes. "John at first welcomes Robert’s guidance, but soon overshadows his mentor. From rehearsals to reprisals, from ego trips to acting tips, the play gives a glimpse into the complex relationship that develops as the torch is passed from one generation to the next - a passing that wavers from love and mutual respect to impatience and resentment."

Having caught the final preview this past Sunday afternoon, I'm wishing nothing but the absolute for this production.

My best ao all involved!

Updated On: 10/12/10 at 12:38 AM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 1:11am

I'm seeing this on Wednesday! Very excited. For those who have seen it, any gunshots?

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 1:12am

Fret not. Go. Enjoy!

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 8:42am

I saw it Saturday night and really loved it. I'll be eager to hear the critical opinions on this one!

[Fosse76]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 10:44am

"Today is Tuesday, October 12, marking the official opening night performance of the Broadway premiere of David Mamet's comedic drama 'A Life in the Theatre'. Patrick Stewart and T.R. Knight co-star in the production, which began previews September 21 at the Barrymore. Atlantic's Artistic Director, Neil Pepe, directs this incarnation, which will play a limited engagement through January 2, 2011."

It's at the Schoenfeld, not the Barrymore.

[wonkit]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 11:50am

Natural mistake, there's been so much Mamet at the Barrymore lately.

ETA: I saw this play at an early preview and thought the acting was first rate and the play itself funny and yet poignant. Not your typical Mamet - which, depending on your point of view, is a good thing or a bad thing. Updated On: 10/12/10 at 11:50 AM

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 2:23pm

I'm seeing it with my dad this Saturday. It'll be my first Mamet play so I don't know what to expect. Hopefully, I'll like it.

[quizking101]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 4:36pm

"I'm seeing it with my dad this Saturday. It'll be my first Mamet play so I don't know what to expect. Hopefully, I'll like it."

Good choice for a first Mamet. This was my first Mamet as well when I saw it in previews a few weeks back. I enjoyed it very much.

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 5:01pm

^ Did you laugh as hard as the people in the
video preview ?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 5:09pm

This play is the most accessible Mamet has ever been. At least, until NOVEMBER.

[wonkit]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 5:10pm

Sounds like canned laughter to me. The audience response was strong and consistent but hardly ROTFL.

[ShaneMB]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 8:45pm

Wall Street Journal
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703440004575548133890697248.html?mod=googlenews_wsj#

Back Stage
http://www.backstage.com/bso/reviews-ny-theatre-broadway/ny-review-a-life-in-the-theatre-1004120506.story


Variety
http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=print_review&reviewid=VE1117943828&categoryid=33

[ShaneMB]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 10:17pm

 ”seldom has Mamet revealed his heart so openly.” (* * * out of four)
USA Today

http://www.usatoday.com/life/theater/reviews/2010-10-13-lifetheatre13_ST_N.htm

“The nicest show in town is by - no kidding - David Mamet. It is also an exhilarating showcase for two terrific actors, Patrick Stewart and T.R. Knight, and a thrilling joyride back to the days when Mamet was a baby virtuoso in crazy love with the theater.”
Newsday
http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/theater/two-actors-give-life-to-a-life-in-the-theatre-1.2354517

[Drewprecht]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 10:27pm

NYT

http://theater.nytimes.com/2010/10/13/theater/reviews/13life.html?ref=theater

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 10:31pm

They all seem pretty positive...except the Times. :-

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 10:46pm

Positive from TheaterMania

[skander2]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 10:54pm

Not believing these reviews. Did we see the same show? Thought it was weak.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 11:06pm

Guess that means I'm opting for Time Stands Still this Saturday -- this sounds like a snooze-fest galore.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 11:11pm

Brantley is spot on. Everyone else is sucking up.

[wicked4l]

Posted: 10/13/10 at 12:16am

Just got back from Opening Night! How exciting! Before I get to the show there were plenty of stars there, Including: Alan Cummings, Sutton Foster, Angela Lansbury, Joel Grey, Uma Thurman, Taye Diggs, Andrea Martin, Kate Walsh to name a few. I knew very little about the show before I saw it, and hadn't read any reviews of previews online. But I thoroughly enjoyed it. T.R. Knight was fantastic, I found myself smiling every time he was on stage. Patrick Stewart was also a joy, he had some great comedic moments. The show moved along pretty well for there being so many scenes. There were one or two scene changes that seemed to drag on but for the most part it flowed well. As a performer, I really enjoyed the story and the experiences they shared with one another. The audience seemed to enjoy the show but I don't think they were as lively as I imagined. I'd definitely recommend this show, especially to anyone involved with the arts.

P.S. Countess Luann was also present

[MiracleElixir]

Posted: 10/13/10 at 12:57am

"Brantley is spot on. Everyone else is sucking up."

Love how anyone who doesn't agree with you is just lying.

Anyway, I almost always agree with Brantley, but this time, I agree with the rest. Insubstantial, sure, but well-staged, entertaining, and ultimately poignant. Glad I saw it.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 10/13/10 at 7:35am

Love how anyone who doesn't agree with you is just lying.

It's not the disagreement I am referring to. That happens all the time, and people are entitled to their opinions. The majority of the reviews, however, aren't just people who liked the show, but rather they are paragraph after paragraph of endless flattery. Some of them are SO saccharine. Even if you liked the show, you don't have to go on and on about how Patrick Stewart is a god in this nothing of a role. So there it is. If the reviews were merely positive, I would respectfully disagree. But some of them are just so over the top in the other direction, falling all over themselves like the show is the second coming.

[After Eight]

Posted: 10/13/10 at 8:14am

Mamet is one of those critics' darlings who always gets a bye. Personally, I agree with Brantley on this one. I found it a feeble jape, and dull all around.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/13/10 at 9:06am

I'd hardly call Mamet a critic's darling. In recent memory alone, RACE, NOVEMBER, and the revival of AMERICAN BUFFALO all pretty much ranged from mixed reviews to pans.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 10/13/10 at 9:14am

Word of mouth at Sardi's last week was that this was a real snooze-fest and several who saw it fell asleep. Brantley corroborated everything they said. So Time Stands Still will be my choice for this Saturday.