The Heiress

[vegas2]

The performances were outstanding across the board. The Sunday night audience was truly into it, and completely sympathized with Catherine -- they audibly gasped at some of the thoughtless comments by her father and aunt. It was funny how we reacted as though it was all real. I think that's a pretty strong indication of the quality of this production.

[ClydeBarrow]

I definitely agree with the Judith Ivey/Estelle Parsons comparison.

[givesmevoice]

I was at today's matinee and loved it. The performances were truly incredible, the scenic design is sumptuous and, not being familiar with the play, had a totally satisfying payoff.

[Misha515]

I saw this Friday night and was blown away. Hands down best show I have ever seen. The performances were riveting and the set was beautiful. It was a different take than the original movie but I felt it was a lot more lively and emotional. The entire cast was perfect and Jessica Chastain as Catherine Sloper was Tony worthy. The audience sat in silence as her father tore her down. So good I want to see it again!

[jaxandmci]

I saw the Saturday matinee and must agree that it is an outstanding show in all aspects. I was a bit worried that a 2 3/4 hour play might leave me a bit restless (or nap prone since I got little sleep the night before) but it was riveting and the time just flew by. A superior cast led by a very strong Jessican Chastain. See it!

[kyl3fong2]

How is the stage door at the show? Are there a lot of people or is it relatively easy to get photos with both Chastain and Stevens?

[givesmevoice]

After the Saturday matinee there were probably about 30 or so people at the stage door and both Chastain and Stevens were very sweet, signing and taking pictures with anyone who asked.

[WickedOne2]

I would love to see this as I am a big fan of Jessica Chastain. Does she come out the stage door at matinees?

[tokki2]

Yes, she does. She's said that she tries to come out the stage door after every show and to my knowledge she has done just that. Very kind and lovely person :)

Does anyone know if she'll sign non-Heiress related things? I'm planning to catch the show again and would like to maybe get a DVD signed.

[bobs3]

I wonder if they will reschedule the opening. It's due to open Thursday evening. Assuming Tuesday and Wednesday performances are critics previews and with the Tuesday performance cancelled and who knows what will happen Wednesday. I don't know what the weather forecast is for Wednesday.

[Misha515]

My guess is that Jessica would sign anything. She's a lovely person and I can't see her saying "NO" to a fan.

[Playbilly]

Will they post-pone opening night due to Sandy?

[tokki2]

Guess not.

[jaxel614]

Does anyone know if there is going to be a rush for opening night tomorrow? Nothing to do so I thought I might as well give it a go.

[tokki2]

Very unlikely. If you check telecharge, there seems to be only a few balcony seats left.

[cglaid]

I was there for the matinee. It was EMPTY. Seats available all over the orchestra and mezzanine. I grabbed a ticket 10 minutes before curtain. However, it didn't stop the audience from truly getting into it. Like someone else said, there were audible gasps after comments from Catherine's aunt/father. Jessica Chastain is amazing in this show. Notable mentions to David Stratairn and the always amazing Judith Ivey. I thought Dan Stevens was very over the top and caricature-ish in act one, but they made a comment about him being less animated or something in act two, and I liked him better in act two.

On another note, the set is absolutely breathtaking.

I only stayed for Jessica Chastain/Dan Stevens at the stage door. Both stayed and posed/signed for EVERYONE. Michael Urie came to visit Jessica and as she came out she was so excited and announced to everyone, "THIS IS MICHAEL URIE EVERYBODY, WE WENT TO COLLEGE FOR FOUR YEARS TOGETHER." So happy I saw this show. Definitely recommend.

[darion]

i saw the show last saturday and it was amazing. everyone was great especially Judith Ivey who lit up the stage and Jessica Chastain who absolutely amazed me with her ability to change emotions in a flash and get her tears to stream down her face at a moments notice. afterwards she and dan came out and were so gracious and friendly, you would have thought this was their first acting jobs ever.

[jaxel614]

How is the rush post-Sandy? I know there haven't been too many performances and tonight is opening night, but I'm deciding whether or not to get a ticket tomorrow morning.

Thanks for your help.

[ChairinMain]

Reviews are out...Brantley managed to write a review that made me want to punch him. Not because I disagreed with him (though in large part I did) but because of the dismissive, "I'm-so-witty" tone usually reserved for outright pans rather than a mixed but favorable review. The tone of the review hurts the show more than anything he actually critizes it for, and it seems the revival's biggest crime is not being as good as the Cherry Jones vehicle was. Pretty annoyed.

[henrikegerman]

Charin, you said a mouthful. He is turning into a major bitch. I may agree with him less than you did, but my sentiments and yours are the same. I feel that Brantley didn't even try to see/express what this production was going for - less melodrama and more of a more Jamesian psychological study of the characters - and then finding it unsuccessful for the reasons he did. The fact that I find it very successful and he did not is fine. The fact that he was so arrogantly dismissive is what made me also want to take him out.

[RippedMan]

I kind of agree with Brantley. I saw the show's matinee today and was totally into the story, but I thought the performances - besides Ivey and the supporting cast - were pretty boring. Chastin kept doing this weird like sing-song way of saying her lines. Even a simple yes was said "yesssSSSs" and it just got annoying. Her best moment was during the "will someone love me" scene in the dark, but otherwise I didn't see her change at all. The change was too small and too drastic.

The set was gorgeous, and I loved the lighting at the end with the transparent walls. Almost wish there had been more of that. I always expect gorgeous lighting and stage craft from Kaufman. The mezz had about 20 people in it.

[greatwhiteway72]

Did she come out the stage door after the matinee?

[RippedMan]

Didn't stick around to see. Dan Stevens did, so I imagine she probably did?