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| Iceman Cometh last night | |
| Last Edit: ianx73 01:47 pm EDT 04/05/18 | |
| Posted by: ianx73 01:42 pm EDT 04/05/18 | |
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| Was lucky to get a seat from TDF. Sat in row L orchestra and was able to move to 6th row on the aisle. Unfortunately I wish the production was as exciting as the seat location. I have to admit that Iceman is not my favorite O’Neill play. I find it lugubrious and way too long but saw the Kevin Space production and was affected by it There is something curiously lackluster about this production. I wish that I could put my finger on what’s wrong. Is the cast under rehearsed? Were the directorial choices wrong? Really can’t say but most of the characters were not really affecting. David Morse as Larry was quite good but was hard to understand and Colm Meany as Harry Hope was excellent. For me the stand out was Reg Rogers as Jimmy Tomorrow. His 3rd act monologue was a barn burner and really showed O’Neil’s sensitivity to the plight of the black man in early 20th century America. The rest of the cast either underplayed or were too broad i.e. Tammy Blanchard, Bill Irwin, Neal Huff and Clark Middleton. It also seemed that George C. Wolfe was trying to lighten up the play and pull out more comedic moments. I don’t know if that can be done but certainly it didn’t work here. Last but certainly not least is Denzel Washington as Hickey. I was very excited to see Denzel live and in person and I do think that Hickey is a great part for him. However I don’t think that he has the character or the lines under his belt yet. During what was supposed to be his final searing monologue, he had to call for a line which completely took me out of it as I anxiously waited for another dropped line (which didn’t happen). He seemed to be skimming the surface and thus what should be shattering winds up being just sad. That said, Denzel’s charisma and star power are on full display and he does bring a certain humanity to this very difficult role. I do think by opening night he will be up to speed, as might the rest of the cast. So if you're planning on paying anything more than $75 for a ticket, wait to see this. From where I sat, it’s not ready for prime time. |
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| re: Iceman Cometh last night | |
| Posted by: blue70 01:54 pm EDT 04/06/18 | |
| In reply to: Iceman Cometh last night - ianx73 01:42 pm EDT 04/05/18 | |
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| I saw the same performance. The first act was a real slog. I noticed a couple of seats were empty after the first intermission. I agree that Colm Meany was excellent. I don't think David Morse is there yet, but I think he has one of the hardest roles because the character is burdened with so much exposition. Denzel is incredibly dynamic, but it was obvious in the last act (even before he called for a line) that he doesn't yet have the lines under his control. I'm sure the production will gel with more time. I'm glad I saw it, but I'm glad I didn't spend a fortune on it. |
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| re: Iceman Cometh last night | |
| Posted by: aislestorm 12:53 am EDT 04/06/18 | |
| In reply to: Iceman Cometh last night - ianx73 01:42 pm EDT 04/05/18 | |
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| The problem seems to be George Wolfe is flummoxed over what to do with the rest of the cast when his attention is completely on Denzel. All these terrific character actors on stage and they move from place to place like zombies. And the kid playing Parrot-what a lousy, annoying performance, I wanted to jump up there and throw him off the fire escape myself. But the real problem is Denzel. He doesn't have a handle on Hickey and Wolfe probably doesn't either-a lethal combination. |
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| "...the plight of the black man in early 20th century America" | |
| Posted by: MFeingold 04:57 pm EDT 04/05/18 | |
| In reply to: Iceman Cometh last night - ianx73 01:42 pm EDT 04/05/18 | |
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| I haven't seen the show yet, but I assume you're talking about that excellent actor Michael Potts as Joe Mott. Jimmy Tomorrow isn't a black character, and as far as I know Reg Rogers isn't African-American. | |
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| re: "...the plight of the black man in early 20th century America" | |
| Last Edit: ianx73 05:50 pm EDT 04/05/18 | |
| Posted by: ianx73 05:48 pm EDT 04/05/18 | |
| In reply to: "...the plight of the black man in early 20th century America" - MFeingold 04:57 pm EDT 04/05/18 | |
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| Just wanted to see if you were paying attention | |
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| re: Iceman Cometh last night | |
| Posted by: drummergirl 02:48 pm EDT 04/05/18 | |
| In reply to: Iceman Cometh last night - ianx73 01:42 pm EDT 04/05/18 | |
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| I agree with much of what you've written, ianx. FYI, on Tuesday night, he had to call for "line" three times. So, there's improvement! | |
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