rOcKS checks up on 'August: Osage County' (with Rashad)

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/20/09 at 1:27am

I'll try to keep this relatively short because it's basically echoing what everyone else has said.

Rashad is the best Violet I've seen (I saw Dunagan, Parsons, and now Rashad). She is an absolute revelation in the role and is giving what I think might be the best female performance I've ever seen in a straight play. She is so unbelievably good that it's not even worth trying to describe her performance. Just go see it.

The rest of the cast is holding up exceptionally well...Morton is absolutely incredible in every single sense of the word. What a tour de force. I particularly loved the replacement they got for Jean, Annie Burkowitz. She looked way older than fourteen to me but she is still wonderful in the role...better than the two girls I saw play it before (the one from the original cast and the girl who replaced her while she left to film "Californication," I believe). She was hilarious and really just very talented. Elizabeth Ashley is also fantastic as Mattie Fae. She looks like a drag queen but she is absolutely hilarious and heartbreaking in the role.

I, and many BWWers, have made it clear what a masterpiece this play is. It's sad to see it go in just a week but here's hoping it goes out in a blaze of glory. Because tonight, the theater was PACKED. The orchestra had about four or five empty seats that I could see and the mezzanine looked about 80% full. If you haven't seen this show, go see it NOW. It's still in as great shape as it was when it first opened.

**** out of ****

[little_sally]

Posted: 6/20/09 at 1:37am

I saw this tonight and was blown away. I agree with everything you said, especially about Rashad. What an outstanding performance.

[TheatreFreak05]

Posted: 6/20/09 at 1:48am

I'm sad that I never got to see this, but at least I will be able to catch the tour when it comes to L.A.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/20/09 at 1:58am

"Morton is absolutely incredible in every single sense of the word."

Seriously? Because the word has two meanings and they're contradictory.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 6/20/09 at 2:09am

Absolutely agree 100% about Rashad and Morton. And the two of them together...WOW.

[TBone]

Posted: 6/20/09 at 2:24am

I saw the show Tuesday evening, and have to agree with you - I did enjoy Rashad's performance more than Dunagan. She is *really* worth seeing in this role.

[Sondheim_Geek]

Posted: 6/20/09 at 3:42am

This show has just be SO well casted as far as replacements go...I think that must be said.

[MiracleElixir]

Posted: 6/20/09 at 3:55am

"Rashad is the best Violet I've seen (I saw Dunagan, Parsons, and now Rashad). She is an absolute revelation in the role and is giving what I think might be the best female performance I've ever seen in a straight play. "


Um, seriously? Someone needs to stop taking their hyperbole pills before every show they see, and stop declaring everything either THE BEST or THE WORST.

Rashad is very, very good, but she's not even giving the best female performance in THIS PRODUCTION OF THIS PLAY, let alone ever. For the record, she's my least favorite of the three Violets I've seen, but I can't chagrin someone for having the opinion that she was the best. But "the best female performance I've ever seen in a straight play"? Honestly, calm down, see some more plays, and sssshhhhhh.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 6/20/09 at 4:08am

I'm sorry really?? Who are you to tell someone to SHHHHHH. Give me a break. If you can accept that this is the best Violet in his opinion, why is it such a leap to think this is the best performance he's seen by a female. You don't know who he's seen. And even if he saw every known theatre icon in the world, he's still allowed to think it's the best one he's seen. HE can't be wrong, it's is opinion. Now if he said it's the best one YOU'VE seen, then you've got a point. But he didn't and you don't. Now I'd looove to hear some constructive disagreements. Why do you disagree? Belittling someone doesn't make your opinion worth more than his...
Updated On: 6/20/09 at 04:08 AM

[Testing1232]

Posted: 6/20/09 at 12:12pm

Thanks for the review, Wicked ! Going on Thurs nite !

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/20/09 at 12:20pm

Enjoy!

And Miracle, what the hell?

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/20/09 at 12:53pm

"But "the best female performance I've ever seen in a straight play"? Honestly, calm down, see some more plays, and sssshhhhhh."

No, Rocks said he thinks it may be the best female performance in a straight play. There is a difference between "definitely" and "thinks."

It's a matter of opinion. Rocks always posts great reviews from many shows, including straight plays, so I don't understand why you are telling someone to calm down and see more plays.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 6/20/09 at 4:27pm

You convinced me. I bought a ticket for Friday night to see it again.

[TonyVincent]

Posted: 6/20/09 at 7:19pm

wow, and when it was announced, many considered this to be stunt casting that Rashad would be unable to support.

[fgreene1938]

Posted: 6/20/09 at 7:53pm

Rashad was never one I cared for in her TV performances. I found her haughty, condescending and playing with attitude everywhere. Then I saw "Gem of the Ocean" in Boston. I forgot I was watching the actress, believed the character completely and she won me over with her accomplishment. With minor reservations, I found her believable and moving in the TV "Raisin". I expected her to benefit "August" and am not surprised you enjoyed her performance. Hopefully, she'll be back soon. Can't wait to see the touring show when it hits Beantown.