this might be the best new play of the 21st century.
ALOT of the dialogue went over my head. but the POINT of the show is brilliant.
Its all about massacres, coups, and the PEOPLE who are left behind to clean up the mess.
its about what happens with terrible leaders with no unchecked power.
its about the power dynamic between men and women
its about what we do with our feelings when the world is falling apart and everyone is dead and TRAGEDY has befallen us. (the answer is create art)
BASICALLY its about the current state of America, and it made me want to start an uprising, but FRAMED in a Shakespearean setting, after the fall of the Roman Empire.
this play is BRILLIANT
I know practically NOTHING about Titus Andronicus, and I understood what was going on completely.
the curtain speech was SO SPECIAL and beautiful. Nielson was in HYSTERICS. I think she couldn't even BELIEVE she got through it. she looked SO relieved..... ive never seen an actor more vulnerable in my life.
While I found Gary to be a very clever and well acted play, I have to admit that it was not my cup of tea. I didn’t find the play to be very funny, but that has more to do with my personal sense of humor.
Lane, Nielsen, and White are all fantastic. It is truly astonishing that Nielsen was able to step into such a big role with just a week of rehearsals. The performances are all extremely polished, and it is obvious that they are all having a blast up there.
Santo Loquasto’s set design is absolutely gorgeous and full of fun tricks. As others have mentioned, the use of props, bodies, and body parts is ingenious.
While I hoped I would enjoy this more than I did, there is no denying that this is one of the more solid plays this season. It’s just not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. I also wish I would have read up more on Titus Andronicus before going in. I knew the basics of the story and characters, but I still think a lot went over my head.
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
Would very much appreciate opinions on front of mezz vs Row BB at the Booth. Is the mezzanine set back or does it overhang mid-orch? I’ve only sat in the very back of the orch for Boys in the Band and would like to be much closer to better see facial expressions; however I have a daughter who will be coming with me who doesn’t like high or steep mezzanines.
Um... I liked Gary but I think some of these reports are a bit too hyperbolic, which is often the case with zealous theater fans attending early previews.
I was there last night & I saw a decent, original, dark-humored & irreverent show that has a lot potential but also needs a lot of work. It's full of lowbrow humor & highbrow soliloquies, but the pacing is off. I have to admit, the show works best with the lowbrow physical stuff. I wish it was a full-on farce. I didn't really care for the introspection & profundities. I thought the message was muddled & dull. I just wanted more physical humor.
It's a decent show with a lot of potential but I would not call it the "best new play of the 21st century." That seems rather excessive. I think I need to temper people's expectations! If I had to grade what I saw last night I would give it a B-/C+.
To answer some questions, Danny Elfman's score was fine but practically nonexistent. There are only two moments with music & it totals about a minute & a half in length. (However one of those moments is a zany production number that is definitely a highlight.)
I would strongly disagree with the person that said you need to study up on Titus Andronicus before seeing Gary. All you need to know is that there's a really gory ending with a high body count. Gary (the character) also sums up the events at the top of the show. Having a basic familiarity will certain help but you don't have to do any homework. I will say I read Titus Andronicus in college but that was almost 20 years ago & I forgot most of the details, save for the gory ending... and that's all I needed to know!
The show is 95 minutes with no intermission.
While the show is full of crude jokes about bodily humor, I would say it's definitely not for children. Solid R rating. Leave the kiddies at home. (Plus they'll probably be bored silly.)
And I don't think it matters what side of the theater you see the show from. Not a lot happens on the side of the stage.
I would definitely be curious to revisit this show once the pacing is tightened & the performances gel. It IS in good shape but some of these early reports seem a bit... generous? Also, as far as last night's crowd goes, yes, most were engaged & enthusiastic but I saw a lot of walkouts. (Nathan Lane even made a joke about it.) The couple next to me quickly gathered their belongings & bolted after the first fart joke, which was in the first 10 minutes. With each dick joke I saw more people leave. (But whatever. I personally wanted more of that stuff.)
Mike Barrett said: "Well these reviews have me more than sold. Going to try and purchase tickets today for the week of the Tony's."
Just a heads up, given all of the hoopla and build-up to the Tonys, the week before the awards often has a lot of callouts, although it may affect musicals more than plays, since when I went to a Hello Dolly/Great Comet doubleheader the day before the Tonys, and had a lot of callouts for both. YMMV.
Matty, I stand by saying it’s worth reading the Titus Wikipedia synopsis (which takes all of five minutes). It’s not like someone can’t follow Gary going in cold, but there were lots of little jokes and references throughout Gary that are aided by familiarity with the character names and basic plot. I didn’t mean to imply that someone needs to pull out their annotated Shakespeare and have scholarly knowledge at their fingertips, but a couple paragraphs of synopsis can only enhance one’s enjoyment IMO.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
Sure, a Wikipedia brush-up is totally fine. (Hell, I did it, since I forgot most of Titus Andronicus.) Of course familiarity with the source material will enhance one's enjoyment of the show. I'm just saying it's not necessary. All you really needed to know was that it's an ultra-bloody ending with a high body count. (And that people are baked into pies... but they also explain that Gary.)
haterobics said: "Mike Barrett said: "Well these reviews have me more than sold. Going to try and purchase tickets today for the week of the Tony's."
Just a heads up, given all of the hoopla and build-up to the Tonys, the week before the awards often has a lot of callouts, although it may affect musicals more than plays, since when I went to a Hello Dolly/Great Comet doubleheader the day before the Tonys, and had a lot of callouts for both. YMMV."
That's very good to know thank you! I'm hoping attending on a Tuesday or Wednesday will help, but we shall see. Excited none the less!
I was there last night and sat towards the back and I didn't see anyone leave. Maybe a few people left to go to the bathroom and came back, but there weren't swells of people leaving. Unless that was everyone behind me or in the mezzanine, I don't really know what Matty is talking about. And it sounds like it's just their opinion rather than the end all be all. Matty didn't like it, but their report doesn't mean everyone else is wrong. Matty just seems to be applauding themselves for giving a report that isn't a great review, and that means they'll save the community. It's just your opinion don't inflate your head and ego that much.
I was looking at grabbing seats in the second row for this, for anyone who has seen this production, is that too close? I’ve only been to the Booth once and can’t remember how high the stage is. But I usually like to sit close fornpkays, but I don’t want to miss anything
I was there last night as well. Had no idea it was the first preview until I sat down. That said I thought all three leads were just outstanding, Julie White will be getting loads of awards with her portrayal. Her performance last night at the first preview was award worthy in itself, can’t wait to see it later once the kinks get smoothed out. I’ll echo what everyone else said, the set is fantastic, performances were top notch. To call it a “mess,” is completely untrue. It ran smooth and the content is quite funny and raises many questions on leadership and the consequences of war and who’s left after to pick up the pieces. Sure there were times when people went up on their lines, but I’d like to see anyone else complaining about that go up there with only a week to memorize that whole show and perform it without one single flaw, during the first preview as well. Only disappointment was Danny’s score which was basically not there. But he’s a big name and it will get people in the door so. Overall I see this doing quite well. And they curtain call last night brought a tear to my eye. Just a wonderful expression of what live theatre is all about. You could tell both ladies were so touched. And Nathan was a class act as always. If you have the chance to see it, get tickets immediately.
schubox said: "I was looking at grabbing seats in the second row for this, for anyone who has seen this production, is that too close? I’ve only been to the Booth once and can’t remember how high the stage is. But I usually like to sit close fornpkays, but I don’t want to miss anything"
For American Son I sat front row and it was a perfect view. Granted, I know nothing about this show's set, but you should be fine.
to each his own. I appreciate that you provided your own feedback and your own experience, but no need to knock down others opinions in the first place.
I wouldn't consider myself a zealous theatre fan, and frankly tend to hate ALOT, if not most, of what I see. I think this show brilliantly portrayed the current state of the world, in a Shakespearean period manner. and THAT is what makes good theatre for me. reflecting modern opinions in an artistic fashion
lightguy06222 said: "to each his own. I appreciate that you provided your own feedback and your own experience, but no need to knock down others opinions in the first place.
I wouldn't consider myself a zealous theatre fan, and frankly tend to hate ALOT, if not most,of what I see. I think this show brilliantly portrayed the current stateof the world, in a Shakespearean period manner. and THAT is what makes good theatre for me. reflecting modern opinions in an artistic fashion"
I’m curious why you would continue to frequent something you hate most of the time
schubox said: "I was looking at grabbing seats in the second row for this, for anyone who has seen this production, is that too close? I’ve only been to the Booth once and can’t remember how high the stage is. But I usually like to sit close fornpkays, but I don’t want to miss anything"
There are pics from last night on Instagram, and the stage looks VERY low.
CT2NYC said: "schubox said: "I was looking at grabbing seats in the second row for this, for anyone who has seen this production, is that too close? I’ve only been to the Booth once and can’t remember how high the stage is. But I usually like to sit close fornpkays, but I don’t want to miss anything"
There are pics from last night on Instagram, and the stage looks VERY low.
Well, I didn't mean to imply that there were "swells of people leaving." I was sitting row L of the orchestra, seat 101. I can tell you that the couple across the aisle from me-- row L seats 1 & 3, according to the seating chart-- got up & left in a huff during the first onslaught of fart jokes. (Those who saw the show will know what I'm talking about-- it's no more than 10 minutes into the show!) I thought it was funny that people can be so stuffy & prudish. I was on the aisle & noticed more people leaving during the production number towards the end of the show. (Again, those who saw the show know what part I'm talking about.) They had their bags with them so I don't think they were going to the bathroom. But there had to have been more b/c Nathan Lane even made a joke about it during the show! He pointed to empty seats towards the front of the theater & made a joke about how they left, then joked about another couple who look like they're thinking of leaving. I'm assuming that was an ad lib. I'm not agreeing with those folks, btw. I think they were probably a bunch of cantankerous prudes. (Biting my tongue so as to not sound ageist.) I was just pointing out that the irreverent material seems to have been oft-putting to a certain demographic of theater folk! :P But to hell with them. I loved the fart jokes.
Also, why are you saying I didn't like the show? I did like it. And I stated as much. If you go to Show Score you'll even see that I scored it a 75, which is currently the highest score. (Three other people didn't like it as much as I did.)
I just said that I don't think Gary is the "greatest play of the 21st century," which is what others have said. And I thought that some of the early praise has been a skosh hyperbolic, but I find that is typically the case on the internet during early previews. I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade. We're all entitled to our opinions. I was just giving mine. Sorry if it came off as snarky or presumptuous.
I was in Row B orch seat 13. Close is great for this show. However the last seat house left there are 2 bits where the actors are cut off and you miss some physical comedy. From those around me in row a b and c seat 9 seams to be full view. 11 and 13 are cut off fir those few parts. The gentleman behind me was rather upset he was not told he wouldnt see things as he bought full price online. The very front row seems fine right to the end as seats stop before the procenium.
joined:12/3/06
joined:
12/3/06
Posted: 3/12/19 at 1:25am