Rudin has always had a mix of big lucrative productions (Hello Dolly, Book of Mormon, Mockingbird) and prestige productions. He is successful enough to be able to attract backing for both. Obviously he’d like everything to be a massive hit, but he knows that is impossible and is in a place where he can gamble on riskier properties.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
Like others have said, I guess I’ll go see it but I can’t muster up an ounce of excitement for yet another revival of this play when there are so many others that deserve to be seen again.
For me, the great joy of seeing Metcalf as Nora and Hillary was both the surprise of her performance, but also the freshness of the writing. I can see her Martha in my head, and while I'm sure she'll be great, it's hard to be the "definitive" Martha.
Izzard actually has the most to prove here. This is a departure for him as a stage performer, and he's following in the footsteps of TWO recent Tony winners, Tracy Letts and Bill Irwin. But I would imagine Rudin did a reading of the play with he and Metcalf (like Sutton Foster in Music Man).
And the Lord said let there be a revival of Woolf every 7-8 years.
The last production was so good, Tracy Letts' performance so transcendent and iconic, just not seeing the need for this at all. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. The role feels so against type for Izzard and he is such a thoughtful and intelligent performer, seeing what he does with it especially with the memory of Letts still fresh in the minds of many is the only thing I can see making this even remotely interesting.
I've never seen it live, just the movie and Imelda's broadcast, and I've always regretted not seeing the last revival, so this is thrilling news to me.
I remember the rumor about Metcalf and Nathan Lane doing Salesman, and now I'm trying to see Lane as George. Talk about casting against type.
I agree regarding The Goat but seeing Metcalf as Martha a deceptive woman hiding her feelings and secrets and treating her husband appallingly. Count me in! I last saw this in London with an amazing Diana Rigg.
Laurie is the gift that keeps on giving. I think this has potential to be really thrilling. You have Laurie, the only American actor in the show. And I do wonder if there is a queer element to the production Mantello is going for with the casting of Izzard and Tovey and the Wojnarowicz art.
I’m trying to figure out what makes people tick about Tracy Letts in the last revival. Don’t get me wrong, it was a damn good show, but I enjoyed them as an ensemble and wasn’t knocked out by any performance in particular.
The only notable thing I remember is Letts winning the Tony over the likes of Nathan Lane, Tom Hanks, and David Hyde Pierce
Also with Miriam Buether as the set designer, do you think we should expect another set with a purple carpet? Kidding. I do love her work and I'm hoping her and Mantello to go a different and unexpected route with the design.
Imagine three American actors going to the UK to do a four-person British play with British characters. What do you think the reaction would be? So, the real question is how much did Mr. Rudin pay Equity to make this happen, because it really is ridiculous.
joined:11/5/05
joined:
11/5/05
Posted: 4/13/19 at 1:02pm