Born Yesterday Revival

[Noel&Cole]

Posted: 3/31/11 at 11:24pm

Just saw the revival of BORN YESTERDAY. It had its first preview tonight. It was an enchanting breath of fresh air in the theatre season! Just wonderful! I saw ARCADIA and BENGAL TIGER both yesterday. BORN YESTERDAY today was a welcome tonic from those two shows. Now full disclosure, I have been looking forward to this production since I love the original film version and was delighted by the Shaw production last summer. However, I did have my reservations since I loved both of those incarnations and was not sure if this production would live up to those but I was won over as soon as the curtain came up on the set. The set design is just stunning. It’s the most glorious hotel room and I wanted to move in. The cast was uniformly terrific but of course the play lives or dies on whoever plays Billie Dawn. Nina Arianda made the role of Billie her own. She is a true star on the rise. She was lovable, funny, and made you root for Billie. It’s an incredible follow up to VENUS IN FUR, topping that performance which was no easy feat. Every other line out of her mouth practically stopped the show with laughter. Robert Sean Leonard was great as I think everyone would expect. He has the least flashy of the roles. Frank Wood was also top notch. The big question mark, Jim Belushi, well... he was outstanding. I’m not sure how he would be in other roles, but as Harry Brock he doesn’t have to act, he just “is”. He was a little nervous during the first 20min or so but once he settled in he delivered a powerful performance that was full of comedy, charm, and a little danger. He made you love and hate Harry all at the same time. He is a wonderful surprise. I never thought he would be as good as he was. The play itself flew by. It was funny and extremely topical. It almost took on an epic quality given the state of country and how people have to deal with the government.

This is a first rate revival and I predict will be a crowd pleaser. It was not 100% perfect, of course this is a first preview. They need to pick up the pace. It had a few slow points but I think that is a given with a first preview, especially with a comedy where they have not yet had a chance to time the laughs. Although I am sure that will come very quickly. Other than that it was just fantastic. I’m sure not everyone will agree and I’m curious to know what others thought but to me it was a great night in the theatre and something I was not expecting. It’s what Broadway should be, funny, elegant, and entertaining. 

[jbm2]

Posted: 3/31/11 at 11:45pm

is this production appropriate for a 13-14 year old?

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/31/11 at 11:58pm

I liked it quite a bit tonight too. The pace needs to pick up in spots, but who cares after the STAR performance given by Nina Arianda. If you thought she was excellent in Venus in Fur then you're going to be blown away by her in this. I love the movie too and was worried I was going to be thinking about Holliday the entire time. This wasn't the case at all. By the third act I was cheering on both Billie and Nina for their successes. It was just as exciting to watch Billie come out on top as it was to watch Nina triumph in her Broadway debut.

[Noel&Cole]

Posted: 4/1/11 at 1:55am

Whizzer- I agree, Nina Arianda comes out of this show a true Broadway star! It's a thrilling performance. I haven't see GOOD PEOPLE yet but I can't imagine Nina will not end up being a strong contender in the Tony race for this. What do you think?


And yes jbm- it's completely appropriate for a 13-14 year old. Updated On: 4/1/11 at 01:55 AM

[egghumor]

Posted: 4/1/11 at 2:58am

I think the present socio-politic climate in the U.S. is ideal for a revival of 'Born Yesterday.'

Billie Dawn could certainly teach Michelle Bachmann, Sarah Palin, Scott Walker, John Boehner, Newt Gingrich (among many others) a thing or two!

So great to hear such early enthusiasm for Nina Arianda.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 4/1/11 at 3:47am

Noel&Cole- I think it will probably go down to Frances and Nina, with the edge going to Frances. A big problem Born Yesterday will face is simply staying afloat. There is ZERO advertising that I've noticed and the theater couldn't have been barely 2/3 full.

If you glance at the credits of these producers they seem fairly new to the game and perhaps don't know how to get the word out there, not to mention it will be opening amongst the onslaught of the April offerings. Good People had the benefit of coming out to nice reviews when there was little competition for audience attention. I just hope Nina and this production don't get lost in the shuffle.

I personally think it would be thrilling to see a fresh new actress making her dynamo Broadway debut take home the Tony, but I guess we'll just have to wait and see how it all shakes out.

[gravity87]

Posted: 4/1/11 at 12:03pm

Caught the first preview as well, Nina Ariadna is beyond brilliant in the role. She alone is worth the price of admission. Though the entire productions is stunning!!

[bwayintern]

Posted: 4/1/11 at 12:41pm

I agree with all the Nina Arianda love...she was phenomenal. Only hearing good things about her performance Off-Bway last year but never seeing it, I was skeptical...but she blew me away. Jim Belushi...ehh...hmm...ah. I'm probably gonna get crap for this, but he reminded me of Dan Lauria in Lombardi as the "I'm an angry character I'm just gonna shout all the time with dead eyes to show I'm mad! Grr!... Don't you love me from my TV personalities?!". I kinda liked him better than Dan Lauria though.
I thought a lot of the other characters were weak; Billie was the highlight and her scenes with the tutor (at a loss for the name) were very interesting...when it was just Harry and the lawyers, or Harry and the senator...eh.

[JMPlayer6]

Posted: 4/1/11 at 3:16pm

I, too, saw this at Shaw two summers ago.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 4/1/11 at 4:12pm

Ok, so I haven't stopped thinking about this all day. Nina's performance keeps playing in my mind and I can still hear her line readings.

You know what was so great about her performance? She was neither selfish nor engaged in scene stealing. Yes she was the star, but not through any upstaging antics. She couldn't have been more generous to the other actors and elevated everyone in their shared scenes.

Congrats again, and I'll be making it back to the Cort later in previews.

[Noel&Cole]

Posted: 4/1/11 at 4:22pm

I couldn't agree more Whizzer. I've been thinking about it all day as well. Just told my sister I'd like to take her to see it next week. So I will be returning myself.

[JaredBway]

Posted: 4/1/11 at 5:21pm

any gunfire or anything overly loud in this?
thanks!!!

[Noel&Cole]

Posted: 4/2/11 at 1:59pm

No. Lol. There was no loud noises or gunfire

[mikem]

Posted: 4/2/11 at 6:12pm

Sounds like a great production. What time did the show let out?

[Noel&Cole]

Posted: 4/4/11 at 12:38pm

I saw the first preview and I was out around 10;45. But it didn't start till like 8:15 and although I didn't look at my watch, intermission felt like it ran long, so I would assume it's shorter after a few performances,

Still thinking abbot Nina Arianda's performance days later. Thinking of lines she said in my head that are still making me chuckle. Paraphrasing here but Robert Sean Leonard says "what's democratic mean?"

Nina A's response: "Not Repulican!"

Priceless, making my laugh here at my desk.

[April Saul]

Posted: 4/5/11 at 12:12am

Such good news! Can you guys make me even happier by telling me that the TDF seats for this one are good?

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 4/5/11 at 9:24am

My TDF ticket last week was Row E of the orchestra and a friend of mine had Row C of the mezzanine the night before.

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/5/11 at 11:44am

A friend is taking me to see it this evening. Really looking forward to it.

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/6/11 at 12:55am

Just got back from seeing it. Whizzer, you hit the nail on the head About Nina Arianda. It was a fabulous performance. And while she was acting rings around, at least, two other people on that stage she Nnever upstaged anyone. She is giving Leonard and Wood everything to play off of and,For me, unfortunately they didn't take advantage. Both, at this point, need to up their game in my opinion. I found both to be wooden. Especially Wood (Pardon the pun, or whatever!) It was like he was reading cue cards. Leonard all of a sudden came to life in act III but it was too late. I was very impressed with Belushi although this evening he ran out of steam in Act III, which was ashame. It is a performance almost worthy of a nomination.

Loved the set although from the mezz, the blue "carpet" looked like a big piece of felt.

All in all an entertaining 2 1/2 hours at the theater. It definetly needs some tightening up and some work on the pacing. I do hope Ms. Arianda snags a Tony nomination because she really deserves one. She was flawless.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 4/10/11 at 12:23am

Since I didn't have the funds or the theatre companion for the Company concert, I saw Born Yesterday today. I knew the plot, but have never seen either movie (although now I'm planning on seeing the Judy Holliday version), and I really enjoyed it. Nina Arianda was phenomenal, as everyone here has said. I actually enjoyed both Belushi and Leonard, but found Wood to be kind of weak. (I couldn't really get a feel for who his character was anyway.) I'm actually really hoping to see the show again, so I might try and convince a friend or family member that they'd really like to see it with me.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 4/10/11 at 12:28am

I have never seen any version of this, and know almost nothing about it. How funny is it? I know it's a comedy, but is it a comedy in the sense that it's light and somewhat humorous, or is it laugh-out-loud funny? If it is very funny, that might make me more likely to see it.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 4/10/11 at 12:38am

There are definitely lines that are laugh-out-loud funny, but it's certainly not a farce like Lend Me a Tenor.

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/10/11 at 12:40am

bwayfan, I actually didn't have it on my list to see. When I was offered a ticket to see it I thought, why not. (Plus I got to meet someone from the boards.) I like to see as much as possible and underneath I was curious. I knew nothing about it either. Go if you have any interest in seeing it. It is an enjoyable evening. You will laugh out loud but not constantly.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 4/11/11 at 12:32am

Saw this tonight and quite enjoyed it. Someone had told me it was a farce, so I went in expecting something completely different from what I got, but I still liked it.

The primary reason to see the show is, as others have mentioned, the fantastic, Tony-worthy performance by Nina Arianda, who just steals the show. Belushi even seemed to recognize it, graciously stepping back at the curtain call, allowing her to receive the lion's share of applause.

The rest of the cast was good, though unremarkable. Belushi was kind of one note- he yells his way through about 80% of the show.

The show itself runs a bit long and drags in spots (it's a long 2 hours and 40 minutes), but hopefully will be tightened up.

Definitely worth a visit, simply to see Nina Arianda, who's outstanding.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/11/11 at 12:38am

She's astounding and I hope to God she takes home that Tony.