To Kill a Mockingbird vs. The Lehman Trilogy

[Thomas Jefferson]

Posted: 6/16/21 at 9:17pm

I'm going to NYC in October, and I have one more slot available to see a show.  I have already seen To Kill a Mockingbird with Ed Harris, but I was disappointed to have missed Jeff Daniels and feel like I'd be mad at myself if I don't see him this time around.  Should I go for The Lehman Trilogy instead? 

I know most people on here would probably say to see the play I haven't already seen, but I still feel conflicted.

EDIT: This is taking into consideration that there is a National Theatre Live proshot of The Lehman Trilogy with the original cast.

 

EDIT (10/31/2021): I got to see both.  Both great, but I was really blown away by Lehman!

Updated On: 10/31/21 at 09:17 PM

[George in DC]

Posted: 6/16/21 at 10:18pm

Since you have technically seen them both (one via taped vs live), I would see the one I could get the best tickets for - at the best price. But then I'm on a budget, maybe price has no meaning to you.

 

[Thomas Jefferson]

Posted: 6/16/21 at 10:24pm

I haven't actually seen the recording, I just know that it exists and is being released in theatres outside of the U.S, and I'm assuming it'll be available to me sometime in the future. Price matters, but the availability and pricing is pretty much the same. I'm probably overthinking this, I'll decide tomorrow.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 6/16/21 at 11:53pm

I don’t believe Lehman Trilogy is getting an encore presentation in theatres. Is it?

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 6/17/21 at 9:37am

I loved both shows, but it sounds like you'd regret missing Mockingbird more, given that Lehman doesn't feature the original cast anymore. I'm sure Adrian Lester will be great, but, if Ben Miles was still with the show, I think it would be a more difficult choice for you.  I don't think you can go wrong with either, but, judging from your original post, it seems like you're leaning that way already.

In any event, both shows offer refunds up to the day of the performance, so you could buy for both, and decide later which one you'll see.

Updated On: 6/17/21 at 09:37 AM

[JBroadway]

Posted: 6/17/21 at 10:36am

@OP

Based on the info you've given, I can see why it's a tough call. 

If it were just based on the plays themselves, I would definitely go with Mockingbird. I actually disliked Lehman Trilogy, mostly because I have a hard time with shows that are mostly narration. However, I know I'm in the minority there - most people really love it. And I'm actually inclined to say go with Lehman, for 3 reasons:

(1) It's the one you haven't seen (I know, I know, you anticipated that someone would use this reason, but it's still true I think!) 

(2) Jeff Daniels was great as Finch, but I don't consider it a "one for the history books" kind of performance. Plus, he'll be in other things. He's still comparatively young, and he seems to like performing onstage. I expect he'll have plenty of other great stage roles in the coming years. I didn't get to see Ed Harris in the role (I'm still kicking myself for waiting too long), but I love Ed Harris as an actor, and honestly, I would guess that he was just as good in the role as Daniels. 

(3) It's interesting that CT2NYC used Adrian Lester's casting as a reason NOT to see the Lehman, whereas I would argue exactly the opposite. You were worried that seeing Lehman might not be worth it because it was already captured on film - but this upcoming run will feature a new performance from another renowned actor, and this new performance won't be available to watch onscreen. 

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 6/17/21 at 10:55am

I think it comes down to how big of a fan of Jeff Daniels you are.  Are you saying you want to see Mockingbird with him because he's one of your favorite actors who you've always been dying to see onstage?  In that case, then definitely go ahead and catch Mockingbird.  But if you're saying you want to see it just because he's an original cast member and you heard he was good in it so you feel you should see it, then I'd advise for the one you haven't seen, that also has three incredible actors performing something new.  But they're also two extremely different plays, and if you're not a fan of plays with tons of narration, stick with Mockingbird again.

[Thomas Jefferson]

Posted: 6/17/21 at 12:57pm

I'm already seeing Freestyle Live Supreme on a Saturday at 5:00 PM and then Phantom at 7:00. Do you think I'd have time to squeeze in a 1:00 PM show of Lehman? Freestyle is 80 minutes so I know that would give me enough time to get me to the Majestic, but will I have enough time between Lehman and FLS to get from the Nederlander to the Booth? If I'm able to then I might be able to see Mockingbird the next day.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 6/17/21 at 1:12pm

Thomas Jefferson said: "I'm already seeing Freestyle Live Supreme on a Saturday at 5:00 PM and then Phantom at 7:00. Do you think I'd have time to squeeze in a 1:00 PM show of Lehman? Freestyle is 80 minutes so I know that would give me enough time to get me to the Majestic, but will I have enough time between Lehman and FLS to get from the Nederlander to the Booth? If I'm able to then I might be able to see Mockingbird the next day."

 

I think you can make it work. IIRC, Lehman runs about 3.5 hours, leaving you 30 minutes to get to the Booth - probably a 5 minute walk. 

I know this is not related to the initial question, but I would also give you a slight warning: Freestyle IS liable to run long. It ran about 1h40m when I saw it, and I wouldn't be surprised to hear than it ran longer other nights. Assuming it will be a phone-free experience again, I would highly recommend wearing a watch, so you can keep an eye on the time and duck out a bit early if it comes to it. Having said that, The Booth and the Majestic are quite close to each other, as you know, so even if Freestyle runs long, it's unlikely to make you miss the Phantom curtain time. 

Also - are you making sure to account for food in all of this? The last thing you want is to have your 3-show day ruined by low-energy and a grumbling stomach (I know from experience). I'd recommend bringing plenty of substantial snacks, and if you need to buy dinner, plan out a quick grab-and-go spot nearby, because timing could be tight. 

I think it will work out nicely, with Lehman, being the most difficult show, coming first, following by Freestyle as a nice pallet cleanser, followed by the more serious-but-digestible Phantom.  

[Thomas Jefferson]

Posted: 6/17/21 at 1:26pm

Thanks for the advice! I might get a quick 5 minute bite to eat here and there but honestly I'm more starved of theatre then anything after a year and a half. I have a limited time in the city that month so I'm just trying to see what I can! I might see Mockingbird on Saturday and Lehman the next day but I'll see how it goes.

Updated On: 6/17/21 at 01:26 PM

[Thomas Jefferson]

Posted: 6/17/21 at 1:30pm

I know this is not related to the initial question, but I would also give you a slight warning: Freestyle IS liable to run long. It ran about 1h40m when I saw it, and I wouldn't be surprised to hear than it ran longer other nights. Assuming it will be a phone-free experience again, I would highly recommend wearing a watch, so you can keep an eye on the time and duck out a bit early if it comes to it. Having said that, The Booth and the Majestic are quite close to each other, as you know, so even if Freestyle runs long, it's unlikely to make you miss the Phantom curtain time.

 

I'm not too worried about this since there's a 7:00 PM show following it so they'll probably make the effort to keep it at it's normal runtime.

 

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 6/19/21 at 10:56am

Call_me_jorge said: "I don’t believe Lehman Trilogy is getting an encore presentation in theatres. Is it?"

I think, at this point, we all know that once something is uploaded to a server, such limitations are only minor hurdles.

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 6/19/21 at 12:31pm

Thomas Jefferson said: "
I know this is not related to the initial question, but I would also give you a slight warning: Freestyle IS liable to run long. It ran about 1h40m when I saw it, and I wouldn't be surprised to hear than it ran longer other nights. Assuming it will be a phone-free experience again, I would highly recommend wearing a watch, so you can keep an eye on the time and duck out a bit early if it comes to it. Having said that, The Booth and the Majestic are quite close to each other, as you know, so even if Freestyle runs long, it's unlikely to make you miss the Phantom curtain time.



I'm not too worried about this since there's a 7:00 PM show following it so they'll probably make the effort to keep it at it's normal runtime.

"

The later show on 2-show days is at 9 p.m., not 7 p.m.

Updated On: 6/19/21 at 12:31 PM

[Thomas Jefferson]

Posted: 6/19/21 at 3:35pm

I just checked, and you're right. That's the only time I can see it though, so I just have to bring a watch and hope it works out. I doubt it'll run a full 2 hours, so as long as I have 10 minutes to get to the Majestic I'll be ok. I'm not planning on going to the stage door unless I know I have time.