THE COTTAGE On Broadway - Previews Thread

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 7/5/23 at 10:18am

Broadway will welcome an uproarious new American comedy this summer. Eric McCormack, Laura Bell Bundy, Lilli Cooper, Nehal Joshi, Alex Moffat, and Dana Steingold head an amorous, glamorous cast in THE COTTAGE, the new comedy written by Sandy Rustin and directed by Jason Alexander.

Set in the English countryside in 1923, this tale of sex, betrayal and love unfolds when Sylvia decides to expose her affair to both her husband and to her lover’s wife. The true meaning of fate, identity and marriage are called into question as a surprising and hilarious web of secrets unravels in this ridiculous – potentially murderous – romantic comedy. 

Previews begin July 7 before an opening night on July 24 at the Helen Hayes Theatre. Who’s planning on attending previews?

Updated On: 7/5/23 at 10:18 AM

[noahseestheatre]

Posted: 7/5/23 at 10:22am

I'm no sucker for play comedies, but LBB and Lilli Cooper do pique my interest! Excited to hear how it is, and interesting to see several shows opening the summer before Tony's to cash in on summer crowds. As for how this will fair...hopefully better than GREY HOUSE, which I loved but has been slumping. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 7/5/23 at 10:46am

I think a horror play in the summer was always going to be a stretch. But hey they did it. I think this sounds fun and I've seen Eric making the rounds to plug it. Hopefully it goes well! 

[Lot666]

Posted: 7/5/23 at 2:07pm

Nehal Joshi was absolutely hilarious as M. Andre in Phantom and I would love to see him again, but he also has a fantastic singing voice, so I'm disappointed that his next role won't be in a musical.

[perfectpenguin]

Posted: 7/5/23 at 2:14pm

I couldn’t pass on seeing Eric McCormack on stage so I grabbed a ticket for September. Plus my orch ticket was $58 so that’s a deal for me. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 7/5/23 at 2:20pm

Thanks for launching this thread, Jacob. 

This cast is full of comic pros and I really hope Rustin's work lets all of them shine. 

And FYI, The Cottage is a limited engagement that is currently scheduled to conclude on October 29. 

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 7/6/23 at 11:42pm

Final dress was tonight! Curious to hear how the show is. The play had a premiere prior to this Broadway run. Did anyone see it?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/7/23 at 12:13am

There were a number of performances for this show listed on TDF. They disappeared in.no time.

Updated On: 7/7/23 at 12:13 AM

[yyys]

Posted: 7/7/23 at 9:08am

Going tonight!

[angoradebs]

Posted: 7/7/23 at 9:10am

Just grabbed a digital rush ticket for tonight. I saw a pic from dress on Instagram - set looks deep, and I'd imagine far sides will be pretty obstructed, along with maybe the first row or two. I didn't get a seat location when I purchased, and it's box office pick up. Expecting partial view. I'll report back!

[bdn223]

Posted: 7/7/23 at 10:49am

Spoke with friends who were there last night. They said it was a fun night night at the theater, but they still need to work on their timing, and said I should wait a few weeks for them to iron out the kinks. Their biggest takeaway is it is a vehicle Bundy that made them remember why she was original Elle Woods and question why she hasn't been on Broadway since.

 

[angoradebs]

Posted: 7/7/23 at 7:39pm

Arrived right at 7:30 and was given my rush ticket - center mezz row B. Very pleasant surprise!

[yyys]

Posted: 7/7/23 at 7:55pm

My rush are mezz A seats 2 and 4.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 7/7/23 at 11:20pm

Any first preview thoughts, folks?

Running time is 2 hours 15 minutes including a 15-minute intermission, according to Telecharge. 

[angoradebs]

Posted: 7/8/23 at 8:03am

EDSOSLO858 said: "Any first preview thoughts, folks?

Running time is 2 hours 15 minutes including a 15-minute intermission, according to Telecharge."

That sounds right. I didn't look at the time when I left, but I stopped and got pizza and was back at my hotel on 41st by 10:40. I was surprised to find out it would be that long, I was expecting a 100 minute play. I don't know that it needs to be over 2 hours long, but they kept me entertained the whole time

I thought this was in really good shape for a first preview. The ending fell a bit flat for me, and Lilli Cooper's costume needs fixing (spoiler on that below)

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

Her character is 8 months pregnant, and her belly is so fake looking, and I don't think it's supposed to be

I don't think there was a weak link in the cast, they were all hilarious and worked well together. There are some delightfully funny sight gags, some nice physical comedy bits, and a fart joke that should have been dumb (and I guess it was) but had the audience in stitches (I normally loathe fart jokes but I still found it funny). Alex Moffat in particular was fun to watch - make sure to pay attention to him whenever he sits in a chair.

The play itself is a fairly decent comedy but isn't doing anything groundbreaking or overly interesting. It could ne a disaster with the wrong cast. I'm also not sure it really needed to be set in England and necessitate accents. The plot "twists" were pretty predictable and one in particular felt telegraphed:

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

if they wanted us to be surprised that Richard and William were the same person, they need to cut the dialogue where Deirdre and Sylvia compare them. You could literally hear audience members reach that conclusion, leaving the big reveal (the act 1 closer!) anticlimactic

 After seeing the set/stage in relation to the audience, I don't think side orch would be as bad as I thought it might be.

Overall, it was a fun night, and I definitely think it's worth seeing, especially at rush prices. But don't go in expecting anything revolutionary.

A warning: act 2 starts very suddenly and LOUDLY

[AntV]

Posted: 7/8/23 at 2:21pm

Is there an in person rush? Or similar discount ticket offer?

[Pashacar]

Posted: 7/9/23 at 8:10pm

A warning: act 2 starts very suddenly and LOUDLY"

You clearly know how to use the spoiler tag! Why not put this spoiler in it, as well!

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 7/9/23 at 8:17pm

Pashacar said: "A warning: act 2 starts very suddenly and LOUDLY"

You clearly know how to use the spoiler tag! Why not put this spoiler in it, as well!"

That should definitely NOT be in a spoiler box. It doesn't spoil anything, and it alerts people with sensitivities. As one of those people, I'm very thankful it wasn't hidden.

Updated On: 7/9/23 at 08:17 PM

[Leaf Coneybear]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 12:27pm

I saw it yesterday, after doing the digital rush. It's a classic farce, very "Man Who Came to Dinner." Overall it was definitely fun: Bundy's comedic chops really carried, and Moffat stole every scene he was in (even in the background.) 

Personally it wasn't my favorite show I've ever seen, but the audience around me was uproarious with laughter, which was great to see. I won't spoil too much, but most of the "twists" were pretty easy to see coming, according to me and the girls seated behind me. Of course, it's a comedy, so the drama isn't that important, but as Taffy said, the big Act 1 "reveal" wasn't much of a reveal at that point. They need to cut the dialogue that gives it away. 

Everything moves quickly, jokes every minute. I didn't find the book itself to be hilarious, but the actors really sold it and made it work, so I'm glad I caught it with the original cast. They definitely have a great vibe going and seem like they're having a good time. An enjoyable night out for sure, but I don't think I'll need to see it again.

I also saw Jason Alexander up in the Mezz taking notes, so that was pretty cool.

[HunterK]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 2:00pm

I saw this past Sunday matinee and I enjoyed myself very much. The standout for me and most of the audience was Dana Steingold. She nailed every line she had and more. Never expected such a character from our "Girl Scout". She gave me the most belly laughs especially in Act 2. Such a great vehicle for her. Also, Alex Moffat was just brilliant with his physical comedy. They won me over and most of the cast at times. I think, for it being the third preview, it was in a good shape. The audience was highly enjoying themselves. I truly wish them the best with their run. It was a refreshing afternoon full of laughter. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 9:34am

Oh dear. Oh dear. Oh dear.

What could’ve been a raucous summer farce like POTUS was last year turned out to be a very milquetoast and low energy affair. It definitely pays homage to Noel Coward comedies and farces, but is ultimately too basic and sluggishly paced to be considered a good farce. Plot twists are tossed off with no sense of comedic timing and, other than the occasional titter, I was left more confused than amused. It has major community theatre energy.

I don’t fault the cast because they all know comedy very well but are left at sea by the script and the direction. Eric McCormack has been given a character that is basically British Will Truman (he’s a barrister, naturally), and has some good moments. Cooper and Joshi are wasted here, as is Moffat (though he has some good physical comedy moments). Bundy and especially Steingold fare the best here and seem to be operating at a higher energy level that everyone else needs to catch up to.

Also, good lord, so many slipping accents

[quizking101]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 9:39am

Stage Door: Everyone came out, took pictures, and signed and we’re all really sweet. It’s a long-ish wait (30-ish minutes) then everyone in quick succession.

[verywellthensigh]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 2:19pm

Sounds like the kind of thing people walk out of saying "That was cute" in a neutral tone.

[Leaf Coneybear]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 10:44pm

verywellthensigh said: "Sounds like the kind of thing people walk out of saying "That was cute" in a neutral tone."

Agree. Not bad, but wouldn’t pay Broadway prices for it again. The names might be enough to sell it for a while though. 

[ElephantLoveMedley]

Posted: 7/18/23 at 3:39pm

Laura Bell Bundy is sensational in this and absolutely must become a Broadway mainstay. We cannot go another 15 years without her on the stage. She fully carries this show.

The set is stunning and has some fantastic gags toward the beginning of the show (though they do run out shortly thereafter).

Otherwise, this was just OK. The cast aside from Bundy is OK and the play itself is OK. It's not really a gut-busting comedy, nor does it have anything meaningful to say, but it's enjoyable and light. I do think it could be tightened enough to axe the intermission and just make it a quick and breezy 100-minute play. Didn't dislike it but probably won't remember it a few months from now.