The Assembled Parties previews

[geudupe]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 3:16pm

Anyone attending the first preview tonight? I'm very curious to hear about this one!

[dave1606]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 3:50pm

I will be there and am actually quite excited about it! Especially for Judith Light and Jessica Hect!

[geudupe]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 4:17pm

It certainly seems promising, with both of them involved!

[dave1606]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 11:10pm

This play is the type of thing that MTC does very well. A classy, respectable effort, that ultimately was slight, but very well put together.

Jessica Hect and Judith Light are both giving terrific performances with a slight edge going to Jessica for some fantastic moments in Act 2.

The play takes place in 1980 in act 1 and in 2000 in act 2, revisiting the same characters in Act 2 20 years later. I liked that we gradually found out what happened to the characters as act 2 progressed.

The set design is truly excellent. It is the classic MTC turntable, but very functional and inventive. It opened up nicely in act two as well.

The play is very funny even though I missed some things here and there as I am not Jewish. Still, very enjoyable, and delivered by pros.

My issue is that in the end nothing really added up to anything too significant. Interesting, and even slightly moving, but just not too significant.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 11:13pm

Run time?

[greatwhiteway72]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 11:17pm

Can you give some more details about the plot? I'm intrigued with this show but I don't know a lot about the narrative.

[dave1606]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 11:17pm

It was about two and a half hours with an intermission. We were out around 10:30.

[PianoMann]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 11:17pm

Thanks for the early report, dave1606, I've been looking forward to this since it was announced long ago! Was this a good enough subsequent role for Light following her amazing performance in Other Desert Cities last year?

[dave1606]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 11:26pm

The plot in a nutshell is this:

It is Christmas Eve in 1980 following a Holiday dinner of an affluent Jewish family. Jessica Hect is the matriarch who was once a film actress. Jeremy Shamos is a close friend of Jessica's son (Jake Silbermann) and Judith Light is his aunt (Jessica's husband's sister). We follow the proceedings up until their holiday dinner. The set opens on Jessica and Jeremy in the kitchen and slowly spins around as we move through the scenes.

Act 2 opens up on the family again in 2000 again on Christmas Eve. (hope this helps, don't have my playbill in front of me).



Updated On: 3/21/13 at 11:26 PM

[dave1606]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 11:28pm

Not quite up to par as Other Dessert Cities, but definitely a great one for her.

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 11:28pm

how was Jeremy Shamos???

[dave1606]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 11:29pm

I liked him in this, but it is about the two women more than him. He is pretty reactionary to everyone around him, but solid.

[PianoMann]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 11:58pm

I'm looking forward to seeing it! Thanks again, dave!

[stevenycguy]

Posted: 3/22/13 at 12:21am

Very engaging drama/comedy about a family living on the Upper West Side, their relationships with each other and some family secrets that come out. Great to see Jessica Hecht, Judith Light and Jeremy Shamos on stage; they are all extremely talented. You find out what happens to each of the characters 20 years later in Act II. And why some characters don't make an appearance in Act II (vastly different reasons).

The telephone conversation in Act II with Judith Light (Aunt Faye) is hilarious and has the audience rolling with laughter. I enjoyed hearing all the NYC/LI references (Kings Plaza, Roosevelt Field Mall, Roslyn, etc). Definitely recommended. Great cast and loved the very detailed (and fancy) set design.

[LaCageAuxFollesFan]

Posted: 3/22/13 at 11:00am

Was there last night as well. I Really thought this was a strong production from MTC and agree, this is the type of play they excel at. Is it extremely plot heavy? No, but it sticks with you in a way that other plays don't. There is an honesty in this play that is refreshing for mature audiences. One of the main reasons for that are the performances from Jessica Hecht and Judith Light. It seems this was the first time this show has ever been done in front of an an audience, so sure there was a hesitation or 2, but Jessica Hecht's character is so heartbreaking and she delivers a performance that should garner her a much deserved Tony nomination. And speaking of deserved accolades, Santo Loquasto may be doing the best work of an excellent ensemble. His set is probably the sleekest, smoothest, and homiest Upper West Side turntable apartment on a nyc stage. Well done.

Is it for everyone? I think younger audiences might be bored, as it is a play that seems better appreciated with age. It's like a very fine wine.

[dave1606]

Posted: 3/22/13 at 1:08pm

I'm 24 and really liked it. I am actually still thinking about it this morning.

The writing is very smart. I loved in the first act how we kept working up to the same moment from different rooms. (Jessica Hect calls out for everyone to get ready for dinner.)

[Tom-497]

Posted: 3/25/13 at 8:48pm

I saw last night's performance. I'd agree that it's an enjoyable, well-acted drama with many funny moments, especially from Judith Light. The dialogue struck me as a bit too polished and quippy at times. But that didn't stop me from becoming wrapped up in the stories of the three main characters (Light, Hecht, and Shamos).