EXIT THE KING

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/18/09 at 6:25pm

Wow.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 3/18/09 at 6:26pm

Vague.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/18/09 at 6:28pm

Hopefully that was a good "wow" Yankeefan...

I'm interested to hear your thoughts.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/18/09 at 6:30pm

Yeah, good "wow." Busy evening, so I won't get to posting until late, late. But...wow.

[Calvin]

Posted: 3/18/09 at 6:45pm

I'll second the wow. I don't really have time to type up a full review right now, either, but I saw it last night, and Rush's performance has really been on my mind on all day long.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 3/18/09 at 6:46pm

what about Serandon?

[Calvin]

Posted: 3/18/09 at 6:49pm

I thought she was fine in the role. As some others have mentioned, it's not that showy of a role except for at the very end.

[wonkit]

Posted: 3/18/09 at 7:08pm

I was at the matinee today, and thought Rush was spectacularly good. Sarandon was adequate but I wanted something more from her at the end than she was delivering. It is rather a shame that the last ten minutes are pretty much hers. I just think she needs to find a way to vary her tone and intensity. Funny though - I thought the same thing about Elisabeth Moss in SPEED-THE-PLOW and by the end of the run she had learned a lot and was much more impressive. Hopefully Sarandon will do the same.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/18/09 at 7:15pm

Ah, I really want to see this.

And here comes my usual question: any gunshots?

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 3/18/09 at 7:17pm

Nope, no gunshots.
I think it's absolutely fabulous. I wasn't crazy about Sarandon, but Geoffrey Rush's performance is just brilliant.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/18/09 at 9:17pm

Ionesco revivals are always hard to come by in New York; the last Broadway production of one of his plays was THE CHAIRS in 1998; the last Off-Broadway Ionesco was BALD SOPRANO/THE LESSON at the Atlantic in 2004. So that's one reason why we should be celebrating.

The next reason is that Neil Armfeld's production of EXIT THE KING is probably gonna end up one of the best things I've ever seen. It is perfect in every way, shape and form.

Geoffrey Rush is beyond fully committed to the role of King Berenger. The show is his, his alone and he knows yet. Yet, he's a generous enough actor to let the pitch perfect ensemble get some glory-time. Susan Sarandon misses a few punch lines here and there, but she'll find 'em. Andrea Martin and William Sadler are assured Tony nominations. Lauren Ambrose and Brian Hutchison are also both wonderful.

What lighting. What sets. What costumes.

What a show!

[Calvin]

Posted: 3/18/09 at 9:23pm

Second, second and second. This by far is the most affecting piece I've seen this season. Not the one I enjoyed the most, necessarily, but definitely the most affecting.

[wonkit]

Posted: 3/18/09 at 11:08pm

Andrea Martin was hysterical - kind of a fun part.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 3/19/09 at 2:59am

The ending imagine is so haunting!

[Roscoe]

Posted: 3/19/09 at 8:49am

An excellent production, in better shape in its second week of previews than BLITHE SPIRIT is in after opening.

Splendid performances all around. I think Sarandon really came into her own during the final scene with Rush. Last night was the best work I've ever seen from Rush, it was really something to behold. But everybody was good, without exception.

There are a few rough spots here and there, and I'll admit that my attention wandered a bit during one particularly extended monologue about a ginger cat, but overall this is one of the best productions I've seen in a while.

Drop everything and get tickets.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/19/09 at 8:53am

Glad you liked it.

It's utterly magnificent in every way. As you said, without exception.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 3/19/09 at 2:50pm

Ugh, I wish they would revive The Chairs again. I love that show, and I hear the last production wasn't so great.

[wonkit]

Posted: 3/19/09 at 8:47pm

I loved the ginger cat monologue - got kind of tired of all the business with the trains.

[Lamc16]

Posted: 3/25/09 at 3:34pm

saw this last night. what an interesting experience. it's definitely going to stay with me for a few days. it goes without saying that i loved Rush in every way. his performance was majestic, truly. i was astounded by his physicality - every muscle, every pore was invested in this performance. Sarandon was good, but (as stated previously) she didn't really get to do much, besides sit and seethe, until the finale. but when her moment came i was pleasantly surprised. though i didn't really understand why they miked her so heavenly in the final moments unless she was supposed to sound like a "higher" voice, leading Beringer to his end (??). in any case, i was most surprised by Ambrose. i thought she too was fully committed to the character and found her physical and vocal capabilities very impressive. bottom line: i completely believed Marie and Beringer as three-dimensional characters, forgotting that i was watching Geoffrey Rush and Lauren Ambrose, whereas i was always aware that it was Susan Sarandon up there with them.

also... saw Michael Musto, Roger Rees, and Brantley sitting nearby. they all seemed to be enjoying the play. Brantley especially seemed to be eating it all up (or at least Rush's performance, anyway) and looked downright delighted during the end of the first act when Rush steps off the stage and walks into the audience.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 3/25/09 at 3:40pm

Rentboy, I saw that production of The Chairs and it was wonderful from beginning to end. One of the rare times that Geraldine McEwan has graced the Broadway stage and a delight in every way. And, as I recall, the reviews were excellent -- I'll try to look them up when I get home.

[Mrfreeze]

Posted: 3/26/09 at 11:37pm

I saw the show tonight. I have to say Geoffry Rush was nothing short of amazing. He really owned that role. I wasn't crazy about the modern adaptation because I felt like some of Ionesco's observations turned into somewhat cheaper jokes, but still, it worked. Andrea Martin was great as Juliette. She cracked me up.
Unfortunately I was not all that impressed with Susan Sarandon. She just felt the same to me throughout the entire show.
I really hope she will eventually find her voice and really tap into the character.
All in all it is a great production that is definitely worth seeing!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/27/09 at 12:25am

Where are the Student Rush seats?

[aliciag]

Posted: 3/27/09 at 12:29am

Front row!!!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/27/09 at 1:13am

How is the front row?

[aliciag]

Posted: 3/27/09 at 1:21am

It's great! The stage isn't high like the Palace or St. James at all. You are right in there on the action and practically getting spit on by Rush. Plus I'm pretty sure it was also really go on the leg room with space in between the stage and seat.