Saw the 1st preview tonight, and overall I thought it was quite good. I had never heard of the play before this production, but it’s essentially a German morality tale, with a suspenseful plot that I found kind of reminiscent of film noir. I found it engaging and thought-provoking, but the play isn’t life-changing, and I predict it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea.
The show clocked in at about 95 minutes tonight (including the brief pause, but not including the show starting about 10 minutes late). It let out right at 9:15 (after a 7:30 curtain). While I’m always grateful for a short, intermissionless evening at the theatre, I actually think this play could have benefited from being about 20-30 minutes longer. I’m not sure if this adaptation is short, or if the original is also short, but I wouldn’t have minded more time to really build the tension in the story, and see things complicate even more. The ending felt kind of abrupt to me, and I think they the text could build to it more.
In true Armory fashion, the staging is absolutely massive. There are two huge unit set pieces that move around to various configurations, and occasionally open up. The lighting and sound design are both impressive as well. The performance paused briefly early in the show, due to issues with moving the unit set, but it continued after only a minute or two and everything seemed to go smoothly for the rest of the evening.
The cast is full of familiar faces that all get strong moments in the spotlight, but also work cohesively as an ensemble. Harriet Harris is excellent, as ever, but I wish she had more to do! I thought there were 1 or 2 weak links, but overall it’s a great cast.
It seems like this show isn’t selling all that well. The house was well-sold, but I got my ticket on TDF, and there were empty seats around me. Then again, the same was true about Yerma before word of mouth spread. My impression is that they brought out a big marketing push on this one. I’ve seen a lot of ads trying to play on people’s sense of FOMO. I enjoyed the show, and I love attending these massive productions that only the Armory has the space to house. But I don’t necessarily see this becoming the next “talk of the town” hot ticket. Happy to end up being wrong though!
Saw this, tonight and I pretty much echo JBroadway's take.
If it makes sense, I enjoyed this more an hour ago, than I do now. .The more I think about it, the more I'm finding wrong with it. That said, it's good. It just could be so much better.
The play is an exploration of fault, conscience and responsibility, which, nowadays, couldn't be more current and in the 1930s had an entirely different context. However, there isn't enough 'meat' on the bones, to make those connections. Totally agree with JBroadway about the film noir. I said to my companion, earlier, that I occasionally felt like I was watch a 1940s film...I might not get everything going on, but it's still kinda fun to watch.
Kudos to Christopher Shinn for not giving us a narrator, as so many recent plays do. My quibble with his translation is that the language sometimes seemed too modern and current and sometimes sounds like that 1940s film.
The set is huge, but maybe one of the most odd sets I've seen at the Armory. Sound and lighting were excellent, as they always are.
Luke Kirby was very good as the Stationmaster. The less said about his wife, the better. Most everyone else was fine.
We're still left with something to think about at the conclusion and that makes it worthwhile, but, as JBroadway said, it's not the next hot ticket and not really life-changing.
I saw this last night and enjoyed it.. Yes, it's not life changing but most plays aren't. I will echo the film noirish production and dialogue. The sound effects and lighting were very good, and it's an ensemble piece. Glad I saw it - it's engaging and thought provoking.
Last Friday night, the second preview, the production was in terrific shape with the exception of some sound issues (crowd noises overpowering the leads in a few places) and a few of the supporting players truly giving minor performances. But what a treat for "Mrs. Maisel" fans to see "that hot guy who plays Lenny Bruce" live on stage! Luke Kirby as the stationmaster was really wonderful and Harriet Harris, along with the lighting and sound effects, steals the entire opening scene waiting for the train (as she is wont to do).
Seating advice : try avoiding the side sections, otherwise whatever is staged on the other side from you will be ridiculously far away (you'll be wishing they had some of those reviled van Hove video projections). We were in the center of the third row, which was perfect.
joined:6/26/15
joined:
6/26/15
Posted: 12/5/19 at 6:55pm