Has anyone here seen MARYS SEACOLE at LCT3 yet?

[AC126748]

Curious to hear some thoughts about the play and production. Thanks.

[JBroadway]

Seeing it tomorrow! Will report back!

[JBroadway]

Scratch that. Just received word that today's matinee is cancelled. 

[AC126748]

I just saw that. I have tickets to tomorrow’s evening performance — fingers crossed it goes on.

[whatdoesntkillme]

Any updates? I'm going tomorrow evening.

[AC126748]

I saw last night's performance. The full cast was present and the show went off without a hitch, so I assume whatever caused both Saturday performances to be cancelled was a fluke.

Those who've seen previous work by Jackie Sibblies Drury will not be surprised by the style and tone of the piece, which is very discursive, not strictly narrative and often deliberately anachronistic. The play's theme is the role of women (and especially women of color) as caregivers throughout Western history, refracted through the story of Mary Seacole, a Jamaican nurse and entrepreneur who worked the battlefield of the Crimean War. Sibblies Drury suggests, in a way, that all caregivers are descendants of Mary -- hence the plurality of the title.

The script includes some trenchant humor and sharp observations, though at times it tries too hard to be disorienting. Sometimes its messages are conveyed with a touch too much bluntness. The production is very well directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz and strongly acted by the cast of six. Quincy Tyler Bernstine is particularly outstanding as Mary.

[CarmenA3]

Thanks for the review AC126748. Good to know everyone was there and like you said the issues were a fluke.

[whatdoesntkillme]

Just got out of tonight’s performance. All went well, though one actor flubbed a few lines, so I suspect they’re still making script changes. I sat right in front of the creative team and they seemed to be in good spirits.

The play itself is WILD. Tells an important story about a fierce historical figure and also relates her story to contemporary caregivers, particularly black women, particularly Jamaican immigrants. If you know Jackie Sibblies Drury’s earlier work, you won’t be too surprised by how much it departs from the norm. Production-wise, the sound design is particularly excellent. It really fits well in that theater.

[bandit964]

I saw this on Thursday night. I echo whatdoesntkillme's sentiments, even the few flubbed lines. I went in with low expectations per the word of mouth on show-score but really enjoyed this. I wasn't hooked at the opening monologue or even the second scene, but as the play went on, I became more and more invested. The play succeeded more in the abstract scenes and tableaus. I left moved and have thought about it in the following days far more than I think about other plays.

Suggested, especially for the price.

[JBroadway]

I finally got to see this, after my initial date was cancelled! 

My opinions are pretty much in line with that everyone has said so far - particularly Bandit964's comments. The play didn't really grab me at first, but I become more involved as it went on, and began to take shape. The play felt uneven to me - some sections work better than others. But I think it manages to paint a very interesting portrait of modern caregivers are under-appreciated figures, in contrast with the renown and attention Mary Seacole received in her time. Glad I saw it, but a little bit disappointing compared to Fairview, which I thought was brilliant. 

[whatdoesntkillme]

Renown and attention?

One of the main points of the piece is that Seacole was unappreciated and discriminated against when she was alive and doesn’t receive nearly enough recognition for her work today.

[bandit964]

Critic's pick from the Times:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/25/theater/marys-seacole-review.html

[LarryD2]

whatdoesntkillme said: "Renown and attention?

One of the main points of the piece is that Seacole was unappreciated and discriminated against when she was alive and doesn’t receive nearly enough recognition for her work today."

Mary Seacole was quite well known in her time, even as she experienced discrimination. She has largely been forgotten by history. I think the play makes that point very clearly.

[Susanswerphone]

I was hooked from the beginning.
Quincy Tyler Bernstine is wonderful! This is a well-crafted work about an important historical figure. Its larger theme, about how we view people paid to care for those we cannot or will not, will make some uncomfortable. So be it.

[LightsOut90]

Another whirlwind from Jackie Sibiblies Drury. Dug this, reminded me ascetically of WAR another show they did at LCT3 with the director of this show. Also I will never hear a certain Whitney Houston song the same way again