Picnic by William Inge and directed by Sam Gold opens tonight at the Roundabout's American Airlines Theater and is scheduled to run until February 24th. I'll kick off the reviews:
Are all single women to be pitied? Would an undisciplined drifter in the 1950’s have a torso with a sculpted six-pack? Did William Inge’s “Picnic” really deserve the Pulitzer Prize for Drama over all other plays and musicals that debuted in 1953, including Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot” and Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”? These are fair questions to ask while sitting through the third Broadway production of Inge’s play, now opening at the American Airlines Theater. There is no disguising how dated and relatively slight the playwright’s script, nor anachronistic some of director Sam Gold’s choices. But there is also no denying the power of a good cast – and this is a good cast, full of reliably stellar veterans and exciting newcomers — to fashion out of “Picnic” an enjoyable outing. Picnic Broadway Review
"It's now rather very common to hear people say 'I'm rather offended by that'. As if that gives them certain rights. It's actually nothing more than a whine. It has no meaning, no purpose. It has no reason to be respected as a phrase. 'I am offended by that'. Well, so f**king what?"--Stephen Fry
By the way, Ben, it was Ralph Meeker who premiered the play, not Paul Newman.
"It's now rather very common to hear people say 'I'm rather offended by that'. As if that gives them certain rights. It's actually nothing more than a whine. It has no meaning, no purpose. It has no reason to be respected as a phrase. 'I am offended by that'. Well, so f**king what?"--Stephen Fry
Whether Picnic won (or deserved) a Pulitzer prize should have no bearing on an audience's enjoyment.
No good can possibly come from using this vast wasteland of error and deliberate deceit. You should get off of it and warn others away. You should make sure your children and grandchildren know what a corrupt and morally bankrupt institution it truly is.
Man, Brantley really slams into Elizabeth Marvel. Ouch.
"Ms. Marvel, usually the best thing in any show she’s in, embraces that description with an embarrassing vengeance, giving an over-the-top performance that suggests vintage Lily Tomlin (I mean in “Laugh-In,” not “Nashville”)."
TV: Neil Patrick Harris' 2013 Tony Awards Opening!
TV: Rannells, Hilty & Benanti's Lament at 2013 Tonys!
Breaking News: Neil Patrick Harris to Star in HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH on Broadway - Spring 2014! Update - Michael Mayer Directs
INTO THE WOODS Film to Hit Theaters Christmas Day 2014!
Enter to Win a Trip for Two to Russia!
Photo Flash: OMG! The First Photos from GIRL MEETS WORLD!!!
Sony Orders Two More AMAZING SPIDER-MAN Sequels
Saks Fifth Avenue Unveils New Creative Campaign 'LOOK'
VIDEO: First Listen: Macklemore and Ryan's New Single 'Stay at Home Dad'
Big News for Mailbox iPad App Fans - You've Got Portrait Mode at Last!
BWW Blog: Leah Edwards - Opera vs. Theatre
BWW Reviews: Houston Ballet's PETER PAN is a Whimsical Good Time
STAGE TUBE: Sneak Peek at New York Phil's A DANCER'S DREAM: Two Works by Stravinsky, 6/27
joined:1/23/10
Posted: 1/13/13 at 09:14pm