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| Allocated print edition space aside, a "rave?" | |
| Last Edit: Delvino 05:38 pm EDT 07/13/18 | |
| Posted by: Delvino 05:29 pm EDT 07/13/18 | |
| In reply to: Anyone else surprised about the NY Time's RAVE on Mary Page Marlowe? - NJGUY 03:07 pm EDT 07/13/18 | |
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| I've already shared my affection for the play, first read in December 2016, and the production, seen last week. But I didn't find this review anywhere close to "a rave." He basically rejects the most potent (and moving, at least to me) symbolism in the play as corny, and finds several scenes superfluous or seriously wanting. He admires the production but even there feels the direction doesn't camouflage the script's flaws. I'm glad it's a critic's pick, but this is not exactly a full endorsement. For the record, I found some of his analysis odd. I'm not sure I agree with the last paragraph, which characterizes Mary -- rather too reductively -- as a narcissist. An argument can be made, based on a feminist reading of an American woman's life during those eras -- and an understanding of genetically predisposed addiction -- that her story is more complex, based on opportunities/options and societal influences. But Letts' small canvas exploration doesn't in any way preach, so I certainly won't. | |
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| re: Allocated print edition space aside, a "rave?" | |
| Posted by: AC126748 09:00 am EDT 07/14/18 | |
| In reply to: Allocated print edition space aside, a "rave?" - Delvino 05:29 pm EDT 07/13/18 | |
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| Having read Green's review, I would not call it a rave. I thought he was positive, with reservations, about the play and production, while highlighting the strength of several different performances. I don't take length into account when I am judging Times reviews, as I have noticed that most reviews by the chief critics regularly exceed 1000 words. I saw MPM in Chicago two years ago and was not taken with it, but it also received very strong reviews there. Chris Jones of the Trib gave it 4 stars. |
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| re: Allocated print edition space aside, a "rave?" | |
| Posted by: gothamplaygoer 06:26 pm EDT 07/13/18 | |
| In reply to: Allocated print edition space aside, a "rave?" - Delvino 05:29 pm EDT 07/13/18 | |
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| It looks like Letts has become Teflon Tracy. I was underwhelmed at the preview I attended. Granting that performances probably improved by opening night, some aspects of the play seem inherently problematic. | |
| Link | Mary Page Marlowe |
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