It's the kind of play that needs to be discussed with others who have seen it.
I saw the first preview of the Vineyard's production of Jordan Harrison's "The Amateurs." In spite of director Oliver Butler's warning that, as a first premiere, there may be stoppages, etc., there was only one (fixing of a low-tech set item) and one line-call. Otherwise, the staging seemed in good shape, though they may still be working on the play itself.
There is a surprise opening to the second act, and something I found very interesting, where the "playwright" explains the basis for the play - or does he? Whatever it is, it is entertaining, and the cast is terrific, especially Michael Cyril Creighton.
Looking forward to the playwright's "Log Cabin" (I think that's it) later this year, too. From what (little) I've seen, there is no typical "Jordan Harrison" play - always a surprise.
One audience note - at the performance I attended, there were a lot of young college-age people there, in groups scattered throughout the audience. They were well behaved by the traditional rules, but their over-reaction to humor, especially the kind involving "off color" words and themes, was really distracting. And they "fell for" the surprise in a huge vocal way - maybe the playwright expected that (but come on, it's the same actor we watched in the first act). OK, I'm a cranky old woman. |
