Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui @ CSC

[cb2addict2]

Posted: 11/2/18 at 8:55am

Spontaneously decided to see this piece last night, and wow. What a show. Timely as ever, a stunning cast, absolutely nailing the Brecht text and so compellingly directed by Doyle. I think that was their third performance or so, and they are locked in. Raul Esparza is giving a performance that I have so longed to see from him in a long time. George Abud and Elisabeth Davis as well. Highly recommended.

[clowchan]

Posted: 11/2/18 at 11:15am

Saw the first two performances. First night had tech issues esp with the mics. Some either went out or were cut off too early. There was some confusion within the audience on when Act 1 ended. Also that one scene where the cast clapped and a couple of audience members did too. Thought it was ok on the first viewing.

Second night was much better. No tech issues whatsoever. Pacing was much better which really helped with this story. Raúl dialled back the yelling that he does for the Arturo (read as Hitler) speech at the end. So thankful
cos if he kept that up he would have no voice left and it will be Chess all over again. Poor guy. Ending for Act 1 still needs to be worked on.

NGL saw this for Raúl Esparza. He is giving such a raw and powerful performance here as Arturo Ui.Esp the ending speech. And he gets in people's faces and stares the audience down. George Abud was another standout esp when he plays the press. He has a very vaudeville nature to him that I love. All the cast is good honestly.

Since John Doyle is involved the set, props, and costuming are very simple. I actually loved the set design. Characters being represented by hats or props is genius. The lighting is phenomenal too. Esp when they bathe Raúl/Arturo in red and white lights as he transforms from a nobody gangster to a powerful dictator. The only thing I wish they did differently was the use of swastikas on the red circle things. I know Arturo Ui is an allegory to Hitler and his regime but they could have done a different design. There was a college production of this show that you can find on YouTube that made UI look like a swatstika. It was really clever.

I am worried tho with how empty the audience is. First night maybe it was 60%, maybe 70% full. Second was definitely 80%. For both nights few people left at intermission.Not to mention, the really cheap discounts and obvious papering that's going on. This play needs to be seen by all especially what's happening now.

I will say anyone planning to see this to read the play beforehand. Most of the actors play multiple characters and that ends confusing most people who go in blind for this.

[Gizmo6]

Posted: 11/2/18 at 3:45pm

Oh wow. I'm very close to cancelling my trip this month but this might just entice me, thank you for posting it hadn't come on my radar. 

One of my favourite plays, Brecht at his finest. I saw a revival in the West End a few years ago with Henry Goodman that was brilliant. 

So timely for the US now too.

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/sep/26/resistible-rise-arturo-ui-review

[Sauja]

Posted: 11/2/18 at 5:35pm

Can I ask two annoying questions? I really disliked CSC’s Chalk Circle and Mother Courage. Is this a stronger production? I’m inclined to see it for Esparza, but I’m nervous to see CSC try Brecht again.

And then a seating question: I’m very confused by where the exit is listed on the seating map on CSC’s site. Is the stage really straight ahead when you walk in, or is the set-up how they usually have it for thrust with the entrance between the center and right seating? I apologize—I’m neurotic about where I sit for shows in relation to doors...

[clowchan]

Posted: 11/2/18 at 6:46pm

Sauja said: "Can I ask two annoying questions? I really disliked CSC’s Chalk Circle and Mother Courage. Is this a stronger production? I’m inclined to see it for Esparza, but I’m nervous to see CSC try Brecht again.

And then a seating question: I’m very confused by where the exit is listed on the seating map on CSC’s site. Is the stage really straight ahead when you walk in, or is the set-up how they usually have it for thrust with the entrance between the center and right seating? I apologize—I’m neurotic about where I sit for shows in relation to doors..." 

==========

I can answer the exit question: It's the usual set up as you described

[BenElliott]

Posted: 11/3/18 at 4:21pm

I saw this production last night. It's definitely a relevant play and it truly chilled me to the bone. Raul Esparza is great as is the entire company. The set is very minimal and the actors change characters by changing their hats. It's a complex play so I found it a bit confusing at first and there were some slower moments in the first act, but the play picks up quickly and takes you on a wild ride. The final ten minutes or so are riveting and terrifying.

*Some SPOILERS*
The ending in which Arturo Ui is giving his speech with a Hitler impression and slowly you begin to realize that it's not a Hitler impression, but a subtle Trump impression, was incredible. Great direction and great acting.
END OF SPOILERS

Also, the audience was very empty and many left at intermission. Brecht is a bit of an acquired taste and I think the style may have turned some off.

[wonkit]

Posted: 11/3/18 at 7:03pm

It is also entirely possible that people don't need to go to the theater to be given a political sermon. If you don't like Trump, I am sure it was thrilling. If you don't like democrats, it might sound like a Jane Fonda replay.

[BenElliott]

Posted: 11/3/18 at 7:10pm

Those that are blind to the monstrosity brewing in our country are definitely not going to enjoy this production. Maybe stick to Frozen.

[Sauja]

Posted: 11/3/18 at 7:24pm

Thank you, clowchan!

[Cesare2]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 9:11am

Saw this last night and was pretty disappointed.  I agree that the play is still relevant, as, to paraphrase the play's last line, "the bitch that bore him is still in heat."  But this production seemed quite tepid, if not undercooked.  Well, at least it ended not with the chanting of "Heil, Hitler!," but "Lock her up!"

[Theater3232]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 9:46am

I've found most of their shows to be overly-long with cheap/nonexistent sets and hard to follow.  Is this more of the same?  How many people have been walking out at intermission?  If someone is bored in the first act, would that person think the second act is just as boring?  I wonder if this theater company will continue to be around if they can't get people to buy tickets (besides papering) and word of mouth is so poor with so many of their shows.

[little_sally]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 9:54am

What’s the run time?

[JBroadway]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 10:02am

Theater3232 said: "I've found most of their shows to be overly-long with cheap/nonexistent sets and hard to follow. Is this more of the same?"

 

Yes

 

How many people have been walking out at intermission?"

 

A noticeable number, last night at least.

 

If someone is bored in the first act, would that person think the second act is just as boring?

 

I found the second act even more boring than the first. 

 

The funny thing is, I actually found this production to be in the "upper middle" range in terms of ranking John Doyle's shows. But that isn't saying much at all because I've liked so few of them. I did enjoy parts of the first act. There was a snappiness to the pacing that one rarely finds in Doyle's productions, and there were some nice moments of humor too. I actually think this could have been a moderately enjoyable production if it hadn't been for all of the lazily blatant Hitler stuff, which is partly Brecht's fault. I tend to prefer a bit more subtlety in my Hitler/Trump allegories. 

 

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 10:33am

CSC used to be fairly lavish with their designs and now I feel like it's basically a bare stage for every show now. I miss that.

[JBC3]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 10:59am

Passion and Carmen Jones were both outstanding at CSC.

[clowchan]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 12:49pm

little_sally said: "What’s the run time?"

2 hours with a 10 min intermission

[clowchan]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 12:54pm

Cesare2 said: "Well, at least it ended not with the chanting of "Heil, Hitler!," but "Lock her up!""

lolwut. The only chants they used were "sieg heil!" and "Arturo!". Seen this twice already and made note of it.

[MarilynMonroeSmash]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 2:16pm

clowchan said: "Cesare2 said: "Well, at least it ended not with the chanting of "Heil, Hitler!," but "Lock her up!""

lolwut. The only chants they used were "sieg heil!" and "Arturo!". Seen this twice already and made note of it."

Cesare2 is correct. If you listen carefully at the very end of act one the chant changes to "Lock her up!" for about two lines. 

[wonkit]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 3:06pm

I am reading the play before seeing it. Is it as clunky in performance as on the page? There are a lot of "clever" paraphrases of Shakespeare, for example, but that could either work or fail miserably. Is there music? It seems like a speakeasy atmosphere and the text does suggest there may be background tunes. I guess I am trying to imagine how the production gets the audience involved, and whether any of the humor is being conveyed.

[yfs]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 6:26pm

wonkit said: "I am reading the play before seeing it. Is it as clunky in performance as on the page? There are a lot of "clever" paraphrases of Shakespeare, for example, but that could either work or fail miserably. Is there music? It seems like a speakeasy atmosphere and the text does suggest there may be background tunes. I guess I am trying to imagine how the production gets the audience involved, and whether any of the humor is being conveyed."

There should ideally be music, and Ui is, when properly played, a great COMIC villain with real evil behind the behavior. I saw a spectacular production (my first) of the play in the '60s on Broadway that certainly had music -- live music played by a small jazz combo -- by Jule Styne, of all people. Christopher Plummer played Ui, and it was one of the greatest experiences I ever had in the theater, for all the didacticism in the script. This is a play that can absolutely work. I've seen it do so several times, and seen it fail miserably too. It's a big mountain to climb. 

[clowchan]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 9:01pm

MarilynMonroeSmash said: "clowchan said: "Cesare2 said: "Well, at least it ended not with the chanting of "Heil, Hitler!," but "Lock her up!""

lolwut. The only chants they used were "sieg heil!" and "Arturo!". Seen this twice already and made note of it."

Cesare2 is correct. If you listen carefully at the very end of act one the chant changes to "Lock her up!" for about two lines."

I listened again and at the end of Act 1 "sieg heil" was used. Believe me, I listened to a recording of it a few times. Of course I only saw it on 30th and 31st and going by that. They could have changed it now.


wonkit said: "I am reading the play before seeing it. Is it as clunky in performance as on the page? There are a lot of "clever" paraphrases of Shakespeare, for example, but that could either work or fail miserably. Is there music? It seems like a speakeasy atmosphere and the text does suggest there may be background tunes. I guess I am trying to imagine how the production gets the audience involved, and whether any of the humor is being conveyed."

It's a bit clunky but once you read it and see it live it makes a little more sense . (but if you see it without reading you will be confused. A lot)
No music is used in this production.

[MarilynMonroeSmash]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 9:04pm

clowchan said: "MarilynMonroeSmash said: "clowchan said: "Cesare2 said: "Well, at least it ended not with the chanting of "Heil, Hitler!," but "Lock her up!""

lolwut. The only chants they used were "sieg heil!" and "Arturo!". Seen this twice already and made note of it."

Cesare2 is correct. If you listen carefully at the very end of act one the chant changes to "Lock her up!" for about two lines."

I listened again and at the end of Act 1 "sieg heil" was used. Believe me, I listened to a recording of it a few times.Of course I only saw it on 30th and 31st and going by that. They could have changed it now.

 

Believe me, I went on Friday November 2nd and they were using "Lock her up!" at the end of Act 1.

 

Posted: 11/4/18 at 9:09pm

I think officially 2:10 w intermission.  That's what was in my reminder email.

[wonkit]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 9:20pm

YFS said:

There should ideally be music, and Ui is, when properly played, a great COMIC villain with real evil behind the behavior. I saw a spectacular production (my first) of the play in the '60s on Broadway that certainly had music -- live music played by a small jazz combo -- by Jule Styne, of all people. Christopher Plummer played Ui, and it was one of the greatest experiences I ever had in the theater, for all the didacticism in the script. This is a play that can absolutely work. I've seen it do so several times, and seen it fail miserably too. It's a big mountain to climb.

Thanks so much for this answer. I would have loved to have seen Plummer in this. He has such a wonderful way of being sardonic with a twinkle in his eye, a kind of likable SOB. 

Updated On: 11/4/18 at 09:20 PM

[clowchan]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 10:35pm

MarilynMonroeSmash said: "clowchan said: "MarilynMonroeSmash said: "clowchan said: "Cesare2 said: "Well, at least it ended not with the chanting of "Heil, Hitler!," but "Lock her up!""

lolwut. The only chants they used were "sieg heil!" and "Arturo!". Seen this twice already and made note of it."

Cesare2 is correct. If you listen carefully at the very end of act one the chant changes to "Lock her up!" for about two lines."

I listened again and at the end of Act 1 "sieg heil" was used. Believe me, I listened to a recording of it a few times.Of course I only saw it on 30th and 31st and going by that. They could have changed it now.



Believe me, I went on Friday November 2nd and they were using "Lock her up!" at the end of Act 1.

"

Then they must have changed it after the 31st which is interesting. I'll be seeing it again in Dec so very curious about this and other changes that may happen  between that time