DOWNSTATE - reviews

[sinister teashop]

Posted: 11/16/22 at 4:22pm

If only dramatic complexity was a virtue that producers and award organizations were desperate to signal then DOWNSTATE would have a limited Broadway run. 

Critic's pic from New York Times:

‘Downstate’ Review: A Foulness in the Very Air They Breathe

Updated On: 11/30/22 at 04:22 PM

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 11/16/22 at 9:01pm

Surprised Green or Philips didnt review this stellar play. Here's hoping its selling out. Its truly phenomenal.

[sinister teashop]

Posted: 11/16/22 at 10:25pm

PipingHotPiccolo said: "Surprised Green or Philips didnt review this stellar play. Here's hoping its selling out. Its truly phenomenal."

Jesse Green reviewed the production in Chicago.

 

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 11/17/22 at 12:33am

I saw it in Chicago in the original run at Steppenwolf and found it to be one of the single most incredible pieces of theatre I've ever seen. One of my top ten theatre going experiences of all time. Tim Hopper, Francis Guinan, and K Todd Freeman's performances were revelations. I hope to see it in early December to see how it has germinated in these actors since pre-pandemic.

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 11/17/22 at 2:10am

a play that absolutely not work on paper, one of the best of the year, easily 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 11/22/22 at 11:21am

Tickets now on sale through 12/22.

[Pashacar]

Posted: 11/23/22 at 9:52am

About to buy and deciding between the center farther back or the sides close up. Does anyone have any recommendations?

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 11/23/22 at 10:04am

Pashacar said: "About to buy and deciding between the center farther back or the sides close up. Does anyone have any recommendations?"

One of the reviews mentioned sightline issues from the close sides, and it looks like furniture in the way could be a problem:



 

 

 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 11/23/22 at 10:07am

Pashacar said: "About to buy and deciding between the center farther back or the sides close up. Does anyone have any recommendations?"

While I can't pinpoint what the problem would be from the sides, whole scenes do take place in specific areas towards the corners of the stage, and since the theater is so small, Id go with center rear

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 11/23/22 at 10:59am

Center and further back might be better but I can't imagine there's a bad seat in the house. Definitely worth seeing from any seat.

[Pashacar]

Posted: 11/23/22 at 11:28am

Many thanks, everyone. Buying now!

[AC126748]

Posted: 11/23/22 at 3:19pm

I have seen the production twice: first, from Row G on the house right aisle, and then from Row D in the dead center. In terms of sight lines, I can definitely attest that there were a number of things that I noticed when sitting closer and in the center that weren't evident when I was sitting more toward the side. For example:

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

I didn't notice the sign on the front door telling kids not to trick-or-treat at the house, or the front window being boarded up, when I saw the show from Row G.

I would definitely recommend sitting as close as possible and as centered as possible. The energy was truly electric being closer to the stage, too.

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 11/24/22 at 6:25am

was so looking forward to this.   just got an e-mail that due to covid they had to cancel this weekends' performances.   I hope easy symptoms and that whomever got the virus feels better quickly. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 11/30/22 at 6:58pm

Oh good, now Ted Cruz and conservative Tweeters (who have not seen the play) are accusing the Washington Post/Peter Marks and the theatre for glorifying pedophilia...

(Though the Post's headline-writer leaned into clickbait)

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 11/30/22 at 7:15pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Oh good, now Ted Cruz and conservative Tweeters (who have not seen the play) are accusing the Washington Post/Peter Marks and the theatre for glorifying pedophilia...

(Though the Post's headline-writer leaned intoclickbait)"

But of course they are. This is the sort of intelligent, nuanced art that beckons the dumbest and lowest common denominator forces in society to scream and yell about it. And Ted Cruz fits that bill perfectly.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 11/30/22 at 7:42pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Oh good, now Ted Cruz and conservative Tweeters (who have not seen the play) are accusing the Washington Post/Peter Marks and the theatre for glorifying pedophilia...

(Though the Post's headline-writer leaned intoclickbait)"


Who cares what that absolute pathetic loser has to say. Ignore!

[blaxx]

Posted: 11/30/22 at 8:43pm

Chance this could transfer?

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 11/30/22 at 10:03pm

blaxx said: "Chance this could transfer?"

It isnt selling out in that small theater, so I dont see how/why. But it would get another round of unanimous praise and would pick up a bunch of Tony awards, almost definitely. 

[Bill Snibson]

Posted: 11/30/22 at 10:26pm

blaxx said: "Chance this could transfer?"

At this point I don't think so especially with the way Broadway is right now.  They almost would've been better off to just open on Broadway in a smaller house. The play is so good and the performances are OUTSTANDING. It is definitely a tough sell because of the subject matter but anyone who loves great theater should go see this. It's riveting. 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 11/30/22 at 10:29pm

Susanna Guzmán and K. Todd Freeman in particular deserve shoutouts.

[blaxx]

Posted: 11/30/22 at 10:31pm

Bill Snibson said: "blaxx said: "Chance this could transfer?"

At this point I don't think so especially with the way Broadway is right now. They almost would've been better off to just open on Broadway in a smaller house. The play is so good and the performances are OUTSTANDING. It is definitely a tough sell because of the subject matter but anyone who loves great theater should go see this. It's riveting."

That's too bad, wish it could play longer. Regional tends to stay away from shows with content like this.

Updated On: 11/30/22 at 10:31 PM

[Dan6]

Posted: 12/2/22 at 6:24pm

Anyone have info on a possible extension? Heading to NY first week of January and REALLY want to see this. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 12/2/22 at 7:18pm

I don’t think stars would necessarily want to touch it now, but would have been interesting if they tried offering it to any major actors. Guinan is brilliant, but imagine Tom Hanks or Mark Rylance or John C. Reilly in that part on Bway?!

I wonder if it could work as a (small) film or limited series…

[sinister teashop]

Posted: 12/2/22 at 7:54pm

Dan6 said: "Anyone have info on a possible extension? Heading to NY first week of January and REALLY want to see this."

 

When productions like DOWNSTATE that have originated at Steppenwolf have transferred to Broadway in the past they usually do so with much of their original cast intact. I can't see a further extension at PLAYWRIGHTS where a replacement for Tim Hopper is already scheduled for after 12/13. But I could see a limited Broadway production in late spring or perhaps next season with much of the original cast that would win a lot of awards.

 

Updated On: 12/2/22 at 07:54 PM

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 12/2/22 at 10:53pm

Considering they produce A Parallelogram a few seasons back and already have a relationship with Norris, it would be nice to see Second Stage partner w/ PH and bring this to the Hayes next season, but might be one non-profit entity too many to make it worth peoples time financially