God of Carnage 5/14
God of Carnage 5/14
#1God of Carnage 5/14
Posted: 5/15/09 at 11:03am
Just because I love these anecdotes, I thought I'd briefly share one about last night's performance of GOD OF CARNAGE. About a minute into the play, on James Gandolfini's second line, he started coughing and couldn't quite get the words out. Marcia Gay Harden grabbed a glass of water and handed it to him, but the rhythm was so thrown that when they tried to get back into it, Harden and Gandolfini stumbled and repeated two lines once or twice. Hope Davis and Gandolfini then sort of gestured wildly to each other, hopped out of their seats and headed in opposite directions before they announced they'd just restart. Jeff Daniels, looking quite amused, asked, "Anyone have any questions? See, it's about these parents..."
Gandolfini came back on stage looking a bit bashful but got a supportive round of applause from the audience. After a slightly tense moment with Marcia Gay Harden looking mildly terrified when it came to that moment, the play went off without a further hitch.
I'm not saying it was a great moment, but I actually like seeing things like this happen every once in awhile driving home how much performers really do fly without a net every time they take the stage.
And now that I've seen the show, I can understand why everyone thinks it has the Tony wrapped up. I'd still probably toss my vote to reasons to be pretty, which I loved a lot more than most other people seemed to. But Carnage is 90 minutes of sheer entertainment. It dabbles in issues of depth, but really, it's just a delight to watch four hugely talented actors have so much fun fighting with each other, shifting alliances, indulging in physical comedy, and milking each moment for all its worth.
Of the performances, the revelation to me was Hope Davis, an actress I often admire but rarely enjoy watching (if that makes any sense). She is extremely impressive and became, for me, the most sympathetic of the mostly unlikeable bunch. And she really sells the puking bit. Harden started a little stiff for me, but once she got going, I was most impressed by her. She found a lot of emotional honesty in the midst of the farce and delivered the most surprising moments. Daniels is wonderful but faded into the background juuuust a touch. And Gandolfini, god love him, is funny as hell.
I was lucky enough to get a standing room ticket and only had to pay $25. As much fun as I had (and I really did), the play does seem a bit thin to command $115 ticket prices.
Oh, and Ellen Burstyn was in the audience looking flawless. Love her!
#2re: God of Carnage 5/14
Posted: 5/15/09 at 12:28pm
That is one of the reasons I love live theater. It is so real and authentic happening right in front of your eyes that you really never know what you're gonna get or when you're going to see something that no other audience will. It just makes going to the theater that much more exciting!
I'm glad you enjoyed the play though, and that they were able to get things off to a better start. I'll be pulling for Reasons at the Tonys as well, but I won't have any qualms if God of Carnage wins instead.
#2re: God of Carnage 5/14
Posted: 5/15/09 at 3:57pmI love stories like this - thanks for sharing!
If people have split views about your work, I think it's flattering. I'd rather have them feel something about it than dismiss it.
Stephen Sondheim
bestoffates.com
Stephen Sondheim
bestoffates.com
#3re: God of Carnage 5/14
Posted: 5/16/09 at 12:44amThis is perhaps a bit off-topic, but am I the only one who finds it just a bit annoying that the promotional pictures for the show feature the 4 actors (presumably - correct me if I'm wrong) smiling gingerly and out of character?
2010
Feb. 28 - Looped, Feb. 28 - Next to Normal, March 4 - Hair, March 11 - A Little Night Music, March 24 - Time Stands Still, April 6 - La Cage Aux Folles, April 10 - Anyone Can Whistle (City Center), April 10 - Looped, May 9 - Enron, May 15 - A Little Night Music, May 15 - A Behanding In Spokane, May 30 - A Behanding In Spokane, May 30 - A Little Night Music, June 20 - A Little Night Music, June 23 - Red, June 23 - Sondheim on Sondheim, July 13 - A Little Night Music, July 18 - The Grand Manner (Lincoln Center)
#4re: God of Carnage 5/14
Posted: 5/16/09 at 2:08ami never understood that either rudy..
BROADWAY IMPACT!
TAKE ACTION! EQUALITY!
http://www.broadwayimpact.com/
