Printer Friendly - First Preview of Picnic
Posted by WhizzerMarvin TrinaJasonMendel 2012-12-15 00:00:30
Anyone else there tonight?
I thought it was pretty good, and easily one of most well-cast group of actors Roundabout has assembled in a while, with one exception.
Maggie Grace is great as Madge. She feels so right for Inge, and would do well with Tennessee Williams too. I'd cast her as Maggie or Stella in an instant. She has a natural beauty that fits the role well.
Mare Winningham and especially Elizabeth Marvel fare best though. Marvel is giving the best performance the American Airlines has seen in 5 years! Like Metcalf in The Other Place, she's dangerous and very exciting to watch. I can't believe it's Winningham's Broadway debut. I know she's done theater, but her performance was already pretty nuanced.
Reed Birney and Ellen Burstyn were good in their smaller roles. Burstyn's final little monologue was beautiful.
The weak spot in the casting is with Sebastian Stan as Hal. He reminded me of James Snyder in Cry-Baby. He looks the part, but lacks that charisma/magnetism that causes the character to turn everyone's lives upside down. It's not like he's terrible or anything; he's very serviceable.
Stronger than any of the actors is the play itself, and this is the type of thing Roundabout should be reviving.
I liked it without loving it, but in this season I would definitely recommend it.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by batchels 2012-12-15 00:07:32
What was the running time? I am seeing this tomorrow and have a train to catch to DC afterwards.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by WhizzerMarvin TrinaJasonMendel 2012-12-15 00:09:41
About 2 hrs and 10 minutes, but it started late and the intermission felt long. The second act is only about 30 min.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by CurtainPullDowner 2012-12-15 00:16:46
Is there shirtlessness involved?
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by macnyc 2012-12-15 00:19:05
Yes, there was extreme shirtlessness.
Elizabeth Marvel was great in a hilariously over-the-top yet poignant portrayal. I wasn't connecting with Ellen Burstyn until the very end, when you can tell that the encounter with Hal really changed her. The set was very well done and I loved the retro costumes and those shoes!
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by WhizzerMarvin TrinaJasonMendel 2012-12-15 00:21:09
What would Picnic be without shirtlessness? 
Stan is shirtless or in a dirty wife beater most of the show. Like I said he very much looks the part. He just didn't have that "it" that would truly make him as appealing as he needs to be.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by perfectlymarvelous 2012-12-15 00:23:04
Yes, Sebastian spends a lot of the first act without a shirt on.
Also Whizzer, I had the complete opposite assessment of Maggie Grace...I thought she looked awkward onstage and was standing with a slightly slumped posture and pigeon-toed and was just generally kind of a dead weight.
I thought Elizabeth Marvel's performance and Sebastian Stan's chest were easily the best parts of the whole evening. Mostly I was lukewarm on the whole thing, but I think that may have to do with my ambivalence toward the play itself. I read it a couple of years ago in school and didn't really like it then, and I didn't exactly dislike this production but I didn't like it either.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by WhizzerMarvin TrinaJasonMendel 2012-12-15 00:27:30
Ha perfectlymarvelous- well we were both ambivalent about the production, but for different reasons!
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by CurtainPullDowner 2012-12-15 00:38:16
I've seen productons where the shirtlessness is minimal, which is strange since the movie poster is basically a picture of Holden's Nipples.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by Wynbish 2012-12-15 00:40:26
Some posters have a strange lack of nipples
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by dave1606 2012-12-15 00:54:44
I really liked this. I was not familiar with the play, but really adored it. A slice of Americana for me.
I thought Maggie Grace was fantastic, especially in her second act speech when she asks her mom about love.
Elizabeth Marvel was superb. Her opening scene of Act 2 was heartbreaking.
The rest of the cast was fine. Ellen Burnstyn elevated an otherwise throwaway character.
I don't feel the same way about Sebastian Stan, but maybe I was distracted by his shirtlessness.
A shout out to Madeline Martin for being such a fantastic young actress. I loved her in August Osage County, and then in Californication and her she is really doing some lovely work. I really have enjoyed following her and hope she continues to appear on the stage.
Finally, some kudos to the set design and direction. The second act contains one of my favorite moments in all the plays this year.
The house has lots of windows that allow you to peer into the kitchen. At one point in act 2 everyone (except 1 character) are all inside the house talking. You can't see everything, but enough to get the idea of what is happening. It was a brilliant, brilliant moment that reminded me of something that might take place in a Robert Altman film.
I really hope this show is a hit for roundabout because it is one of the best first previews they have had in years.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by EricMontreal22 2012-12-15 05:18:00
Seb's chest could bring me in regardless.
It sounds good, I appreciate reading all your reviews, but not the revelation I sorta hoped it would be from reading the director's thoughts on the show. Inge has always been in the shadow of Williams, but I think he has a lot to say in a different way (mind you I think his best play is the reviled Where's Daddy? so your mileage may vary.) I hope this finds an audience though.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by After Eight 2012-12-15 09:00:26
It's an ok production, but not as good as the previous ones I've seen.
The play, at least here, now seems a bit quaint. There were some unintended laughs. What was lacking was dynamism and wattage. The requisite tension wasn't there, and it all came off as too lackadaisical.
Aside from Reed Birney and the supporting players, I'd say none of the acting was quite right. Perhaps that will come with previews.
In the original production, Inge was forced by director Joshua Logan to change the ending he wanted. He later revised the play with his original ending and renamed it Summer Brave. Perhaps it was just because of last night's production, but this time I think Inge was right.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by best12bars 2012-12-15 09:52:37
Sorry to read these early tepid thoughts ...
If there's really no chemistry or sparks flying between the leads, then you don't have a good production of Picnic.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by AHTC 2012-12-15 09:59:06
For me, the best pars of the evening were Marvel, Birney and Madeline Martin. Marvel's top of Act II was indeed completely and totally wrenching.
As far as Maggie Grace goes, sorry...I thought she was the weakest of weak links. In fact, I thought she was an almost completely wet rag mop. Nothing going on at. all. Oy.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by iluvtheatertrash 2012-12-15 10:50:58
Had no idea Sebastian Stan was even in this. Suddenly VERY excited to see it on Sunday. I may have fallen in love with him during Political Animals. AND shirtless? Oh, my.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by kyl3fong2 2012-12-15 19:06:11
Did anybody meeting the stars after the show at the stage door? And if so, does Sebastian Stan come out to take photos/sign autographs?
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by EricMontreal22 2012-12-15 21:52:09
AfterEight, did you like the Roundabout's last production more? I saw the Showtime broadcast of it and thought it was very average--at least on TV (and Stroman's choreography ridiculously elaborate given the situation).
I think I agree with you that the more realistic, but less "happy" Summer Brave ending may be more truthful and right for a current production, although when it's been staged it's never gone over too well with audiences (but that may be due to the production, not the ending--ie the flop Broadway production staged, I believe, shortly after Inge's suicide in the 70s).
I agree with TheatreTrash that I fell a little in love with Seb in Political Animals. He and Ellen had great chemistry in that show, I wonder if it carries over on stage.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by After Eight 2012-12-15 22:55:25
^
I enjoyed the previous Roundabout production more.
Summer Brave was a fine production. Again, the actor who played Hal could have been better. Alexis Smith was excellent, as was Nan Martin.
I don't think the so-called happy ending imposed by Logan is all that happy for Madge. I certainly don't see a happy future for her running off with this inveterate loser based on a one-night fling. Her mother was right, and last night, I kept wishing that Madge would listen to her.
Inge was right.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by EricMontreal22 2012-12-15 23:33:00
I tend to be a romantic in situations such as the story of Picnic, but I absolutely agree with you, Eight (and with Inge). If there was a sequel to Picnic, it would almost certainly show a very unhappy life for Madge. Maybe Inge realized this and so was less annoyed with Logan's pushed changes. (It's interesting--well to me anyway--that this and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof are being revived at the same time--two back to back Pulitzer Prize winners, and both works where the author's original take was compromized by the director. I know they say that for Cat they are gonna cherry pick from the various productions, but I suspect it'll largely be WIlliams' 1970s revised script as with most past productions, which takes from his and Kazan's ending).
I know we often don't see eye to eye, AfterEight, but you really know your stuff when it comes to classic plays like this, and I always enjoy reading your take on them.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by JayG 2012-12-15 23:41:52
Saw the show at the Saturday matinee. The play is quite lovely, but there is a huge gaping hole. Hal and Madge. Not good at all. She less so than he. His performance is high school calibre. The rest of the cast is quite good and, I suspect, will improve until opening night. He's hopeless. Of all the young actors in NYC, this is the best they can come up with?
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by After Eight 2012-12-15 23:43:59
Eric, you know your stuff better than I do.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by mikem 2012-12-16 00:06:42
I'm a little disappointed and surprised that Sebastian Stan is having such trouble. He was very good in the Liev Schreiber Talk Radio revival a few years back, and he is certainly capable of giving a good stage performance.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by perfectlymarvelous 2012-12-16 00:10:10
I didn't think Sebastian was bad at all, but I think part of the problem is that he and Maggie Grace have basically zero chemistry. Last night it seemed like he was working really hard and trying to compensate but there was just no crackle at all and it made it hard to believe the relationship.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by bobs3 2012-12-16 00:30:35
Having seen the last Roundabout revival of the play with Ashley Judd and Kyle Chandler who had no chemistry at all and were overshadowed by an excellent supporting cast (especially Anne Pitoniak), I have to wonder if it is the characters of Madge and Hal that are problem with the play.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by get-it-right 2012-12-16 00:35:39
Having (somehow) seen this production more than once already, I've come to realize that Maggie Grace just really doesn't work as Madge for me. I don't know, she and Stan's scene just before intermission really comes across as awkward. I agree that they have no chemistry. At least, unlike Grace, I find Stan to have many more redeeming moments during the show.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by perfectlymarvelous 2012-12-16 00:38:43
Yes, the scene before intermission was extremely awkward. And I agree with you about Stan having far more strong moments than Grace. Like I said, it seems like he's trying to make it work but they really just have no chemistry at all.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by chrisampm2 2012-12-16 01:38:13
EricMontreal, was the Roundabout revival televised or are you confusing that with the Ahmanson production with Jennifer Jason Leigh and Gregory Harrison that Showtime aired in the mid-80's?
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by iluvtheatertrash 2012-12-16 17:03:25
For those of you who know the play well, I have a question. You see, I just returned and feel nothing. It was fine. I was entertained. But I feel NOTHING.
It was like staring at a Norman Rockwell painting for two hours.
Is it better with a Hal who can act?
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by best12bars 2012-12-16 17:19:42
LOL
Well ... yes, it's better.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by iluvtheatertrash 2012-12-16 17:29:45
Okay.... I mean, there's some nice performances. But it just sort of seemed like, "Why?" What was the point of that? It felt like cotton candy, pure and simple, and the ending felt like one out of left field. And I almost didn't care that she was leaving (either way), because there was no passion between them to begin with.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by best12bars 2012-12-16 17:47:59
I agree, seeing a romantic story played out where there is no romance apparent on stage is pointless.
But I wouldn't blame the play, especially a proven one, because you saw a bad production of it.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by EricMontreal22 2012-12-16 17:48:45
Ugh, that's not a good review of the production. I think the play can be quietly devastating--at least that's my take on it.
ChrisAMPM, I think you're right. I have two recordings--and one is a *ahem* live taping which is the Roundabout production. I haven't honestly seen either in at least ten years--due to not having a working VCR anymore...
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by best12bars 2012-12-16 18:01:44
The heart of "Picnic" is a mother's expectations of her two daughters, and how one of them breaks away when a stranger comes to town threatening to change all of that conventionality and she decides to live her life her own way.
It takes an ordinary day, a holiday, with ordinary people doing ordinary things and turns it upside-down, making them rethink the decisions they've made in their lives so far.
But if the leads can't put across the romance and excitement of doing something like that, you haven't got squat.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by JoeKv99 2012-12-16 19:36:16
Picnic is one of my favorite shows. I can't imagine a production so bad that it felt like you were looking at a Norman Rockwell painting for two hours.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by JoeKv99 2012-12-16 19:41:17
And I've always thought that Flo ran off with a "Hal" in her prime. She had a couple kids, he took off and she worked the rest of her life to support her family. She sees Madge blossoming and hopes she won't do the same. That's why she wants her to marry the rich-yet-boring guy and take it easy. Rosemary was a "good girl" and has waited too long to "cash in." She married Howard because it's probably her last chance.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by best12bars 2012-12-16 20:34:10
Oh, absolutely. I think Flo sees herself in Madge, and she's doing everything she can to prevent her oldest daughter from making the exact same mistakes. And it's tearing her apart to watch it happen anyway.
And I agree with you about Roesmary.
When Hal comes to town, he inadvertently (in most cases) awakens everyone to see themselves and the decisions they've made in a whole new light. That's what his raw sexuality, charisma, and reckless behavior does for them. Hal is a big mess, though, and unquestionably flawed. Still, to a town full of people "doing what they ought to do," he represents something exciting that is missing from each of their lives.
They each react to it, and to him, differently.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by EricMontreal22 2012-12-16 20:37:13
Best, you put the power of the play perfectly. (and I agree with Joe's take on it, as well.)
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by best12bars 2012-12-16 20:50:23
A lof of what Joe and I are describing comes out in the movie. I admit the two leads are't the greatest. William Holden is a decade too old for the part, but still plays it well, and Kim Novak underplays to the point of looking bored, but that still works (enough) for the character. They don't suck, either one of them, even if they aren't the best. And they definitely have chemistry. The Moonglow dance scene by the water, even with Kim's hokey gestures, is a classic sexually charged scene.
The rest of the film cast is first-rate, especially Betty Field as Flo. She can do more with a disapproving look than most writers can do in ten pages of dialogue and backstory. You see the history of her character so beautifully. When Hal looks at her and says, "So you're the mother?" and she confirms it. He nods to her as if he "approves" of her in a "hey, you're not so bad yourself" kind of sexual way, and she instantly knows exactly who he is. You can see how she turns on him in a split second as if to say, "I know you."
All of that is on her face.
Then add in one of the best screen performances of Roz Russell's career as Rosemary. Her "Marry me, Howard" scene with (OBC member) Arthur O'Connell is a tour de force of acting from both of them.
I love everyone else in the film, too.
See the movie if you want to understand the power of the story. It's not a "perfect" film adaptation, and I've seen better on the stage, but it's a damn good one.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by Jon 2012-12-16 21:59:15
A weak Madge can also be overshadowed by a good Millie. She's really a more interesting character.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by MrMidwest 2012-12-16 23:24:36
Here's the 1986 Showtime Broadcast with Leigh and Harrison:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1DuiV_cl7A
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by guettboy 2012-12-17 00:55:45
this is fascinating, seeing this 1986 production.
I'm really excited to see this revival, especially to see Reed Birney. He has become one of my favorites in recent years.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by somethingwicked 2012-12-17 02:16:02
I saw the show on Saturday, and I think it has a lot of potential to become a strong production. Unfortunately, though, I walked away not really feeling the urgency in why Roundabout felt the need to produce it.
The standout is Elizabeth Marvel, who steals the show as Rosemary. It's so nice to see her play the comedic relief in something, given that she is so often required to be incredibly dark and intense. I also really enjoyed Maggie Grace, who started off a bit stiff but found some really introspective dimensions to Madge. I think she could lighten things up a bit (she's a little sullen and forlorn a little too long,) but she strikingly conveyed Madge's painful realization of how little everyone thinks she has to offer beyond her looks. It was quite heartbreaking. The other supporting cast are all uniformly strong, particularly Madeleine Martin, Mare Winningham, and Ellen Burstyn.
As others have said, I am sad to confirm that Sebastian Stan is largely unsuccessful as Hal. Lord knows he looks the part, but he has absolutely none of the presence and charm and the utter magnetism that is so critical to the entire plot. I've heard that Finn Wittrock and Adam Driver both played Hal in previous readings of this incarnation, and I couldn't help but think that either of them would have been a vast improvement (particularly Wittrock, opposite Grace.)
Stan is the dead weight that prevents this production from getting off the ground, and it's sad how much he hinders things given how promising everything else around him is.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by best12bars 2012-12-17 07:26:12
Thanks for posting that, MrMidwest!
I saw that Ahmanson production during its run and thought it was excellent.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by cglaid 2012-12-17 11:45:45
I saw this show on Saturday. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. Thought Madeleine Martin stole the show - she's such a strong actress, and was the most interesting character in the show. Thought Maggie Grace was fine, wish Ellen Burstyn was used more/Sebastian Stan less, Mare Winningham is so pretty, and though I may be in the minority, to me, Rosemary was a useless character. Apart from her giant meltdown to start act two, I didn't see her purpose at all and thought the show would've been exactly as is without her character.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by JoeKv99 2012-12-17 12:02:48
Well Rosemary is there for formula's sake. Shows used to routinely feature a "lead" couple echoed by another couple that slightly "burlesques" the leads: The King and I is the classic example, with all sorts of parallels and echoes between Anna and the King and Tuptim and Lun tha.
Rosemary and Howard are the "second couple" here and while some see them as strictly comic relief I have always found them to be a second center of the show. Rosemary waited too long and now she sees Howard as her last chance. Maybe she was a beauty in her day and fell in love young but waited for a better man who never came. She can settle for Howard (who's not wealthy OR sexy but he's a man and available) or wind up an "old lady school teacher" like the other women she socializes with. Seeing Madge with Hal reminds her of what she's missed. Inge is vague on what transpires offstage during act II between Rosemary and Howard but clearly SOMETHING happens and Howard's line "You were awfully nice to me tonight" makes me think that they (like Hal and Madge) were somewhere Doing It. And Rosemary makes it clear that in her mind, that means he's GOT to marry her. She's a fascinating character- and yes, Russell was spectacular in the part- well deserving of her Oscar nod.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by iluvtheatertrash 2012-12-17 12:09:18
Rosemary, to me, was the only interesting character. The production is FINE. But the leads are not. And maybe that's the problem. Did I enjoy it? Sure. I was entertained. But did it matter? No. Was I affected? No. Will PICNIC linger in my mind forever? Certainly not.
My only reaction was that I couldn't understand why it was such a beloved play.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by cglaid 2012-12-17 12:38:49
Thanks for the explanation, JoeKv99.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by Borstalboy 2012-12-19 19:12:53
Saw it this afternoon and found it to be a very mixed bag. The grownups steal the show. Winningham, Burstyn, and especially Elizabeth Marvel and Reed Birney are all wonderful. Some nice turns by Maddie Corman and Cassie Beck in smaller parts fill things out nicely.
Maggie Grace is okay, Madeline Martin is highly nasal, and Sebastian Stan uses his hands a lot and needs to learn some technique.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by iluvtheatertrash 2012-12-19 19:47:18
I'm pretty sure that's Madeline Martine's real voice, as she's used it in everything. I think she is becoming a wonderful actress, though, and I've enjoyed watching her over the years.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by WiCkEDrOcKS 2012-12-19 23:15:50
I saw this tonight and thought it was pretty mediocre. I wasn't particularly impressed by anyone in the cast, except for the always excellent Elizabeth Marvel. She is just wonderful in this and every time she was onstage, my attention was instantly drawn to her.
Maggie Grace is fine, Sebastian Stan is uninspired and pretty bland, and everyone else is good. For a two hour long show, this mounting felt pretty long to me. It's not exactly a Roundabout disaster, but it's certainly nothing to rush out to see. It's just another safe, boring, unimpressive Roundabout show. I honestly don't have much else to say about it.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by Mr Roxy 2012-12-19 23:22:55
Someone needs to tell the sounman to turn up the mikes. It was hard to hear what they were saying. Samething happened with Cyrano.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by WiCkEDrOcKS 2012-12-19 23:24:40
Oh, that was one of my biggest complaints. When the cast is in the house, you can barely hear any of their lines. It almost sounds like background noise at times, until you realize there's actual context to what they're saying and there are real lines being spoken.
And even then, I had to strain to hear them.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by Auggie27 2012-12-20 08:40:43
Inexcusable, and really not the sound man's problem. I am still appalled that straight plays need mics.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by After Eight 2012-12-20 08:59:40
The scenes in the house should have been staged outside. The dialogue was totally thrown away.
Re, Elizabeth Marvel. She's gifted, no doubt about it. But I think she came off too hard, too strong here. Actually, so did Roz in the film. The character is not a hard-as-nails dragon lady. Don't play her that way. What makes it worse is that she is made up to look something like Faye Dunaway in Mommie Dearest. Poor Howard! You're supposed to want him to marry her, not flee for the hills.
This past summer, Jayne Houdyshell was wonderful as an old-maid schoolteacher in Horton Foote's Harrison, TX. That's the approach that should be taken with Rosemary.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by Auggie27 2012-12-20 09:11:26
Interesting comments on Rosemary. In the film, I can detect the original's influence, Eileen Heckart's, on Russell, and at least a couple of times her line readings sound eerily like Heckart. I'm reminded of Bette Davis's comments on Regina in LITTLE FOXES. She heard Tallulah, and used it because if it wasn't broke, why fix it. (Bankhead criticized her for copying her performance, but Davis was smart.) We all heard this sort of accusation/debate again a few years ago about DREAMGIRLS and Effie. I need not go into it.
I saw the role played with more elegance -- Alexis Smith in SUMMER BRAVE (the Rosemary material in that version isn't all that different than PICNIC, unlike Hal and Madge). Smith was not especially persuasive, and her natural beauty and sophistication were at odds with the part.
I would see this production only for Marvel, Winningham and Burstyn. But the reports are tepid.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by After Eight 2012-12-20 09:25:38
Indeed, Elizabeth Marvel sounds a great deal like Eileen Heckart here. Too much. The vulnerability is not coming through. Also, I would say she's directed to behave too boorishly.
I thought Alexis Smith was much better in Summer Brave. She may have been innately too glamorous for the part, but that didn't undermine her performance, which, in my opinion, was honest and moving.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by Auggie27 2012-12-20 10:22:10
You are likely right about Smith. In fairness, she played opposite Joe Ponazecki, an actor who is always proficient but seldom memorable.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by followspot 2012-12-20 10:25:13
If mediocrity is Roundabout's artistic goal (as it so often seems to be), they've hit a goldmine with this production. Hoping to quickly wash it from my memory.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by little_sally 2012-12-20 11:26:42
It's just not mediocrity; I don't understand why they choose the plays they revive. Was anyone clambering for a revival of Picnic? Cyrano? Man and Boy?
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by newintown 2012-12-20 12:18:13
I've always loved the play; I just wish I could drum up an ounce of interest in this production. I love Marvel, but fear that she could tip over into drag-queeniness in this rather dangerous (as described earlier here) role.
And those two aging B-TV actors in the leads? Will they actually sell tickets, or were they just the best Jim Carnahan could drum up?
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by After Eight 2012-12-20 12:23:44
Little Sally,
You ask a good question.
Frankly, I don't think the public is clamoring to see any revival. But they'll pay to see any revival if there's a star they want to see- eg, Denzel Washington, Al Pacino, Jim Parsons.
Does the public really want to see yet another revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, or will they go to see Scarlett Johansson?
Apart from that, if it's good, then perhaps people will go. But that's a big perhaps. Golden Boy, first Broadway revival in seventy-five years gets an excellent production and excellent reviews. It's not selling. Edwin Drood? Great production, great reviews. Not selling.
Personally, I would have preferred a revival of Dark at the Top of the Stairs as opposed to Picnic. But I don't know if the public would rush to that one, either.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by kerrydixon 2012-12-27 15:12:02
Anyone know if Sebastian Stan took photos/signed autographs after the show?
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by EricMontreal22 2012-12-27 17:41:42
I would love to see a revival of Dark at the Top of the Stairs too, but can't see it happening. Out of Inge's four big hits, it seems to have been really forgotten despite I believe his second longest run (Picnic, Bus Stop and Little Sheba at least have much more familiar names even if people don't know the plays). The film of Dark isn't even released on VHS or DVD (despite doing decently--though it's a pretty watered down production).
Newintown I get why you call Seb Stan and Maggie Grace b-tv actors (though Lost was hardly a b tv show, she definitely was not a major star on it) but do you really see them as aging? they seem, at the least, age appropriate to me (if anything Hal is usually played older...0
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by AC126748 2012-12-27 17:51:09
The invaluable Transport Group staged a fantastic revival of THE DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS five years ago. Donna Lynne Champlin won an Obie for her great work as Cora.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by bjh2114 2012-12-27 23:13:47
I thought Marvel was very good in this. I actually thought she and Madeleine Martin were the only good ones. Mare Winningham almost redeemed herself in her final scene, but it was too little too late.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by bjh2114 2012-12-27 23:16:41
Also, whoever let Sebastian Stan onto a stage deserves to be shot. He was terrible! (And this coming from someone who loves his TV work.) And as to Madeleine Martin being nasal, that is, as someone said, just her natural voice. It's unfortunate that sometimes it sounds like she's putting it on, but that's just how she speaks. In spite of that, I think her choices are almost always impeccable.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by fashionguru_23 2012-12-30 20:46:39
I actually really liked Maggie Grace as Madge. I've seen so many Madge's just jump into Hal's arms, and the rest of the show is this fluff romance that when it ends she gives up really quickly and runs off. In this production, I thought that Madge was this very timid girl, who wanted the adventure that Hal could give her. But she was being torn between following her dreams and keeping with tradition/expectations, especially from her mother. I think the show was really well casted, and I would bet money that Elizabeth Marvel will get the Tony nomination, and possible award for "Best Supporting Actress".
My three other thoughts from this production was, I loved that the house was useable on the inside, and that everything seemed so real. Along with that, I loved how the lighting of the show was actual light as if this was done in September in a backyard. I first thought it was too dark at times, but looking back on it, I really liked it. And, I never really liked the ending of the show. By, that I mean the dialogue between Flo and Helen. I always waiting for it to end. But there was something where you could feel the emotion between these two characters. I loved it.
My complaint of the show is the acts. I didn't really like that the second act was only 35 minutes. I prefer doing the show with the 3 full acts, and two brief intermissions.
It was a great production of my favourite play!
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by AC126748 2012-12-30 21:34:09
Maggie Grace reminded me a lot of a young Julia Stiles. I was quite taken with her performance, actually. Stan is white bread, no charisma whatsoever. They would have done better casting someone like Seth Numrich (who obviously wouldn't have been available, but still) as Hal.
Is Helen Potts always cast with a woman Burstyn's age? She seemed a good twenty years too old, despite being very good in the part.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by Auggie27 2012-12-30 21:42:57
Didn't David Cromer do a DARK AT THE TOP?
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by AC126748 2012-12-30 21:47:13
He directed PICNIC in Chicago. Not sure if he did DARK as well
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by kevinr 2012-12-30 22:17:13
What is / was the stage door like? How busy was it and who signed/posed for photos?
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by MrJNLong 2012-12-30 23:50:17
So I just saw this and actually thought it worked quite well. Probably the best thing I've seen at Roundabout in a long while.
Some chemistry and specificity missing from Stan and Grace I thought. There were some dropped moments from those to and Martin, but the older cast was quite impeccable I thought. I couldn't decide if I liked Winningham or Marvel more. So good! Birney and Burstyn were also very solid I thought.
It seems to me that Sam Gold was taking very good care of what the play is actually about. I was moved.
So, all in all, the younger leads weren't awesome but not horrible bad either...but I thought it was a solid and meaningful production overall.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by EricMontreal22 2012-12-31 04:28:43
Lots of really interesting discussion about this play and production.
Fashion guru, how long does Act I (which I assume is I and II combined) play now? It does strike me as odd to combine them--so often with those three act plays from that era, the act divisions seem quite important and written clearly into the structure.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by bobs3 2012-12-31 05:00:05
"Is Helen Potts always cast with a woman Burstyn's age? She seemed a good twenty years too old, despite being very good in the part."
Burstyn is 80 but looks at least ten years younger. In the 1994 revival Anne Pitoniak was 72 when she played Helen and she looked 72 (by the way Ms. Pitoniak was the highlight of that production). The general idea is that Helen is an elderly woman who has spent her whole life caring for her mother who is now an invalid and in her 90s.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by AC126748 2012-12-31 08:28:10
Eric, Acts I and II are combined and run about 1:20. Act III runs 35 minutes. Last night's performance began at 7:05 and ended at 9:09.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by nyel24 2012-12-31 15:31:53
does anyone know if Maggie Grace stage doors? I'm a huge fan of hers and would love to meet her after the show. If so does she go out thru the back or thru the main entrance?
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by EricMontreal22 2012-12-31 19:53:24
Thanks AC. I guess I didn't remember the play being (by 1950s drama terms) relatively short.
First Preview of Picnic
Posted by Freckles1329 2013-01-09 00:09:42
Anyone asking about the stage door:
I went tonight and I didn't stay long, but I went to the stage door on 43rd street. They didn't have barricades up but I saw Elizabeth Marvel, Sebastian Stan, Ellen Burstyn, & Madeleine Martin. Some of them will just walk away, but if you get their attention, they'll stop and sign for you.
I hope that helps!
