Fool for Love or Curious Incident, or...

[LW2]

Posted: 9/22/15 at 2:06am

Looking for a play to see while I'm in town and may have only one available slot. Any suggestions?  Fool for Love seems to be getting very mixed reviews here but I recall really liking it when I read it years ago.  Does Curious Incident live up to the hype, and is it worth seeing without Alex sharp?  Enjoyed the book a great deal.  Is there something off-broadway that should not be missed?

[CapnHook]

Posted: 9/22/15 at 2:25am

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME is not to be missed. See it. No need to continue the discussion. I'm actually perplexed as to why, if you haven't seen it yet, you would even consider anything else. And I do not ask that as a criticism of your judgement, but, rather, has the show not grown a reputation outside of New York? I assumed out-of-towners/tourists are aware of the show and it's excellence. I had thought it was on the same level of interest as WAR HORSE. Yet, you and relatives of mine ask if it truly is worth seeing.

There must be some sort of disconnect in its marketing for someone to even ask if they should see it. I marvel at this because everyone in New York knows of its greatness. We've all seen it and raved about it and awarded it with practically all the trophies possible. How is it that this show is not at the top of everyone's list, if you haven't seen it?

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 9/22/15 at 8:00am

Hook makes a good point, but Curious is quite likely to have a life after B'way, and FFL is quite unlikely to do so.  I'd say see Fool now, to see the heat that those two actors generate, and then see Curious next year in NYC or when it tours in your area down the line.

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 9/22/15 at 8:56am

I really enjoyed Curious Incident but I liked Hand to God more and since that's closing, I have recommended it to almost everyone looking for a play in NY. It was my favorite play I've seen in a long time. It's not for everyone however--particularly not those who are easily offended. 

 

Haven't seen fool for love so I can't speak to that. 

[little_sally]

Posted: 9/22/15 at 9:33am

Curious Incident. It's one of my favorite shows on Broadway right now.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 9/22/15 at 9:47am

Having seen both, I'd probably recommend Curious Incident. Unless you're coming back to NY soon-ish, in which case Curious Incident will still be open, but Fool For Love will not. Or, unless you're a big fan of Nina Arianda and/or Sam Rockwell. Their performances are terrific.

[Falling]

Posted: 9/22/15 at 10:02am

I adore Nina Arianda and Sam Rockwell. However, Hand to God was my favorite play of this past season...go see it!! Steven Boyer, Geneva Carr and Sarah Stiles are excellent (as is the rest of the cast). It's something you may not get with this kind of cast on tour.

[The Other One]

Posted: 9/22/15 at 12:43pm

I don't know if I agree with your chief point, Wee Thomas2, although I love your moniker.  "Fool For Love" has been, and is likely to continue to be, produced quite easily at all sorts of levels.   "Curious Incident"'s magnificent staging is going to be very hard to replicate, and non-musicals with that many actors are rarely produced anywhere anymore.

 

That aside, "Curious Incident" is a much stronger piece all around than "Fool For Love", which is more of a good acting exercise than a good play.

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 9/22/15 at 12:54pm

T.O.O:

I agree, you'll be able to find FFL regionally, but not with Rockwell and Arianda.

 

And if we're adding Hand to God in to the mix, I'd go with that one as I doubt it will be mounted anywhere else, ever (other than the London transfer), and certainly never with anyone as capable as Boyer.

[The Other One]

Posted: 9/22/15 at 1:01pm

True all around.

 

I'd still go with "The Curious Incident..." personally.

[LW2]

Posted: 9/22/15 at 2:33pm

Thanks for all your replies. I'm going to try to work it out to see both. Seeing Hamilton tomorrow and saw Spring Awakening last night and was looking for a play that would deliver a good story with riveting performances. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/22/15 at 4:08pm

LW2 said: "Thanks for all your replies. I'm going to try to work it out to see both. Seeing Hamilton tomorrow and saw Spring Awakening last night and was looking for a play that would deliver a good story with riveting performances. 

 

"

DEF consider Hand to God.