Saw one of the final previews this past Sunday. Thought it was entertaining although Simon's stuff is starting to feel a little dated. DeVito was very funny and a bundle of energy. He was fun to watch. Hirsch played it more reserved and I didn't think he came across that well. Charles McNulty's mixed to positive review in the L.A. Times more accurately captured what I saw and felt about it. Still an enjoyable night and a solid if not great production.
BTW, if you are a Neil Simon fan as it appears you are, the La Mirada Theater production of Broadway Bound runs till October 13 and is definitely worth checking out. Saw that last Friday and enjoyed it.
Fisherman Bob - agree with you on the show. Actually sounds like I enjoyed it quite a bit less. Devito is outstanding a bundle of Borscht Belt energy snapping out zingers in a perfectly executed manner. Hirsch was fine although what I would have done to see Richard Griffths play that role.
While entertaining, The Play is creeky and dated - no scurting around the issue there. Was the play well reviewed when it first was produced?
I felt the direction was sort of weak as well. The lighting of stage seemed off to me - I dont know if that was an artistic choice but it was all sort of bleak white lights where I think some colored gels could have helped mitigate what seemed to be an interminable few scenes. The play comes alive at the start of the second act - without giving anyting anyway. I also think the ending of the show is a tad weak.
Justin Bartha was good and held his own against Devito.
I hope this doesnt hold back on anyones desire to produce RUMOURS from what I can tell on the message board seems to be like a great Neil Simon farce - or for that matter - any other works from Doc Simon in the coming seasons. I think that The Sunshine Boys isn't that play to jump start a resurgance in Neil's work.
Fishmerman Bob - Thanks for the recommendation on Broadway Bound down in La Mirada. Dont think I'll have time to make that schlep down from LA - but it is a show I have always wanted to see - I was lucky enough to have caught BBM and BB on Broadway when I was a kid.