MIKE BIRBIGLIA'S THE NEW ONE Previews

[BroadwayConcierge]

Previews for the Broadway premiere of Mike Birbiglia’s solo comedy The New One begin in just a few days (Thursday, October 25, 2018 ) at the Cort Theatre. Written by and starring Birbiglia, The New One is set to open officially on Sunday, November 11 for a limited run currently through Sunday, January 20, 2019.

Who's going?!

[whatdoesntkillme]

Just got my ticket through TDF for Saturday night. It appears he's not changing it much, if at all, from the previous iteration, as, according to his social media, he just started rehearsing today. Looking forward to seeing what he does!

[LightsOut90]

i mean hes been touring and essentially workshoppin g it for 2 years, maybe a line or two is going to change, be removed or added but i didnt think it was gonna change massively from Cherry Lane 

[ilysespieces]

I'm seeing this Saturday afternoon (thanks TDF), I'm excited because Mike Birbiglia was one of my first favorite comics and I've seen him live a few times (but mostly in intimate venues, like UCB or bar back rooms), but never on Broadway.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Bump - starting tonight.

[Danielle49]

I’m looking forward to seeing how a wider audience feels about Birbiglia on Broadway. I love his work, and saw this show at the Cherry Lane. That said, I feel like most people who have seen him were already fans.

Also SET SPOILER but I’m so curious as to how that set change is going to happen at the Cort. I was in awe when the baby items dropped onto the stage, and hope they can make it an even bigger spectacle in a bigger house

[l0l]

Saw tonight's first preview. I had no idea who Mike Birbiglia was, I did not even realize this was a stand-up comedy act. I'm a gay man and I was pretty disappointed. He lays into that cliche of comedy - self deprecation. He borrows from some straight white men who panic at their marginal loss of privilege, and hammers on the importance of himself in respect to others. He is not a misogynist, but through his routine expects the audience to identify and sympathize to the crises (some listed below) that he has experienced. I was largely not convinced. I think I’ll stick to queer comedians.

A prostate exam. That medical necessity that heterosexual men consider a highly embarrassing and demeaning procedure. A well lubed finger inserted where a straight male would not desire to publicly admit.

A disappointing encounter with a prostitute. Erectile disfunction, premature ejaculation, the price of $200, tied into a joke.

Sleepwalking, precautionary measures taken to avoid injury to oneself or others. A joke.

Inadequate sperm movement, the promise not to have a child, the spitefulness of said sperm movement, a reluctant pregnancy. A joke.

The birth of that child. The emotions of being a father. The loneliness of being a father, being the third wheel in a mother-daughter-father relationship. A bit of emotional depth, finally.

*spoiler* The one element of theatricality was the largely empty stage suddenly being filled with props to be found in a kid's room, falling from above the stage. Was reminded a bit of "Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties", just all at once.

Others might highly enjoy this. Some people at today's half-empty performance were very amused.

[JSquared2]

l0l said: "Saw tonight's first preview. I had no idea who Mike Birbiglia was, I did not even realize this was a stand-up comedy act. I'm a gay man and I was pretty disappointed. He lays into that cliche of comedy - self deprecation. He borrows from some straight white men who panic at their marginal loss of privilege, and hammers on the importance of himself in respect to others. He is not a misogynist, but through his routine expects the audience to identify and sympathize to the crises (some listed below) that he has experienced. I was largely not convinced. I think I’ll stick to queer comedians.

A prostate exam. That medical necessity that heterosexual men consider a highly embarrassing and demeaning procedure. A well lubed finger inserted where a straight male would not desire to publicly admit.

A disappointing encounter with a prostitute. Erectile disfunction, premature ejaculation, the price of $200, tied into a joke.

Sleepwalking, precautionary measures taken to avoid injury to oneself or others. A joke.

Inadequate sperm movement, the promise not to have a child, the spitefulness of said sperm movement, a reluctant pregnancy. A joke.

The birth of that child. The emotions of being a father. The loneliness of being a father, being the third wheel in a mother-daughter-father relationship. A bit of emotional depth, finally.

*spoiler* The one element of theatricality wasthe largely empty stage suddenly being filled with props to be found in a kid's room, falling from above the stage. Was reminded a bit of "Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties", just all at once.

Others might highly enjoy this. Some people at today's half-empty performance were very amused."

 

Gee you sound like you’re a riot at parties. 

[BobbyBubby]

No need to be a dick towards someone posting their honest thoughts on something. I wouldn’t want to sit through a straight male making jokes about prostate exams, either. And I’m a hoot at parties. 

[n2nbaby]

BobbyBubby said: "No need to be a dick towards someone posting their honest thoughts on something."

You know this is BWW, right?

[BobbyBubby]

I’m well aware, but thanks for the condescending reminder.

[RippedMan]

In our defense, you went in not knowing anything about the show. I mean, I've learned I don't like revue shows. I need a plot. So I stay away from those. Etc.

[n2nbaby]

BobbyBubby said: "I’m well aware, but thanks for the condescending reminder. "

 

LOL I was clearly making a joke and was in no way being condescending.