GRACE Reviews

[LimelightMike]

Today is Thursday, October 4, marking the official opening night performance of Craig Wright's Grace, a four-person darkly comic drama set in Florida that examines the meaning of religion and life, at Broadway's Cort Theatre following previews that began September 13. Under the direction of Dexter Bullard, the cast comprises Paul Rudd, Michael Shannon, Kate Arrington and Edward Asner.

The 100-minute intermissionless play is described as such: "In alternating scenes of hilarity and poignancy, life turns surreal for an eclectic foursome whose destinies collide in the Sunshine State. A wide-eyed young couple (Rudd & Arrington) head south with big plans to open a chain of Gospel-themed motels. When an agitated rocket scientist (Shannon) and a prickly pest-control man (Asner) enter the picture, the couple's ordered world is thrown into utter chaos."

[egghumor]

To those who've seen the play... Could REBECCA The Musical replace the Christian hotel chain, and Paul Rudd's character be a novice theater producer?

[egghumor]

VERY FAVORABLE from
The Hollywood Reporter

[egghumor]

VERY FAVORABLE from
AP

[egghumor]

MIXED from

amNY

[aaronb]

I thought it was great. Michael Shannon has the best hands since Marlon Brando. You can see my review here: http://scribicide.com/2012/10/04/grace/

[broadway_show_fan]

I thought this was pretty good. I'm really surprised about all the negative reviews from board posts on here. This show must have really come along during previews.

[chanel]

Mixed review on Villagevoice.com.

Liked Rudd and Asner.

Compared the Rudd character's investor problems to Rebecca the Musical!

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/dailymusto/2012/10/paul_rudd_in_gr.php

[NewYorkTheater]

My review -- a stellar four-member cast but
"what seems to be one of the major messages in the play: Having faith can set you up for disappointment. That also, unfortunately, is one of the messages I took home about the play."



Grace Review: Faith and Loss, Paul Rudd and Ed Asner, on Broadway

[uncageg]

Saw it last week. Really enjoyed it. It is one of those shows that, in my opinion, hits you even more after you leave the theater and sticks with you for a while.

[After Eight]

". It is one of those shows that, in my opinion, hits you even more after you leave the theater and sticks with you for a while."

Like heartburn.

Can't wait to read the raves from the esteemed critiical fraternity.

[CapnHook]

http://theater.nytimes.com/2012/10/05/theater/reviews/grace-with-paul-rudd-and-michael-shannon-at-cort-theater.html?ref=theater&_r=0

Brantley raves about Michael Shannon and has positive things to say about the play and rest of the actors.

[After Eight]

^

Surprise, surprise.

[themysteriousgrowl]

^ Yuck. What a sour apple.

Brantley hit the nail on the head, imo.

uncageg, I agree about the play's lingering impact. Just yesterday, I was telling a friend that I've been surprised by how much it's been on my mind nearly a week later.

[After Eight]

One thing, (the only thing) that has lingered with me weeks after experiencing this trial of a play: Why would they have an actress who can't pronounce French mangle a poem in the language?

I mean, if the character is of such poetic bent, why not have her cite some lines of Elizabeth Barrett Browning? At least she would be able to pronounce the words intelligibly.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Well, you're a particularly deep thinker, so I'm not surprised.