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| re: Not surprising | |
| Posted by: Michael_Portantiere 06:27 pm EDT 04/02/21 | |
| In reply to: Not surprising - dramedy 06:13 pm EDT 04/02/21 | |
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| Gosh, I'm glad I saw what may well turn out to be his only Broadway show that officially opened. Actually, let me rephrase that -- I shouldn't say I'm glad I saw it, because it was an extremely unpleasant experience in several respects. But, from a historical standpoint, at least I can say I saw him perform live on Broadway, for whatever that is or is not worth. |
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| re: "It was an extremely unpleasant experience in several respects" | |
| Posted by: Dale 01:14 pm EDT 04/03/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Not surprising - Michael_Portantiere 06:27 pm EDT 04/02/21 | |
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| A lame play that got worse as it plowed along... | |
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| re: "It was an extremely unpleasant experience in several respects" | |
| Last Edit: Michael_Portantiere 01:22 pm EDT 04/03/21 | |
| Posted by: Michael_Portantiere 01:20 pm EDT 04/03/21 | |
| In reply to: re: "It was an extremely unpleasant experience in several respects" - Dale 01:14 pm EDT 04/03/21 | |
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| "A lame play that got worse as it plowed along..." Agreed, but the good news was that it didn't plow (or plod) for very long -- even with the addition of that RIDICULOUS prologue. And I hope it's clear that I'm talking about STRAIGHT WHITE MEN. I did not get to see THE MINUTES. |
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| re: "It was an extremely unpleasant experience in several respects" | |
| Posted by: barna99 04:57 pm EDT 04/03/21 | |
| In reply to: re: "It was an extremely unpleasant experience in several respects" - Michael_Portantiere 01:20 pm EDT 04/03/21 | |
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| I did not see it on Broadway, just at the Steppenwolf.....but they added a prologue? What was that about? | |
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| re: "It was an extremely unpleasant experience in several respects" | |
| Posted by: PlazaBoy 05:32 pm EDT 04/03/21 | |
| In reply to: re: "It was an extremely unpleasant experience in several respects" - barna99 04:57 pm EDT 04/03/21 | |
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| I saw it at Steppenwolf too. Strongly disliked it. I don't know if I would call it a prologue, but I remember a pre-show activity/framing device with genderfluid characters that popped up a few times. The blaring music put me on edge (as I imagine, it was supposed too) so it was not a happy experience for me. |
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| STRAIGHT WHITE MEN at Steppenwolf -- My Experience | |
| Last Edit: BroadwayTonyJ 12:35 pm EDT 04/05/21 | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 12:25 pm EDT 04/05/21 | |
| In reply to: re: "It was an extremely unpleasant experience in several respects" - PlazaBoy 05:32 pm EDT 04/03/21 | |
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| My partner and I saw Straight White Men at Steppenwolf on 2/11/17 at the small upstairs theatre. We paid $20 for our tickets and were seated in the 4th row center. The pre-show started at around 7:00 PM, the play proper at 7:30 PM. The pre-show featured loud, blaring music and two actors (listed as persons in charge named Elliott and Will) who interacted with the audience for 30 minutes. Both actors defined themselves as non-binary and used the pronoun "they" (at least for this play). Elliott Jenetopulos had originated the role at the Public Theater. We had seen Will Wilhelm previously as Zanna in Zanna, Don't! at the Music Theatre of Highland Park (Will's pronoun for that show was "he"). In the pre-show Elliott struck me as being rather butch, while Will was very flamboyant. For 30 minutes they chatted with various audience members, but particularly 20-something guys who were with girlfriends or wives. Will actually sat on the laps of these guys, played with their hair, and even kissed a couple of them. Elliott also flirted with a number of young guys, but in a more masculine, macho, somewhat aggressive way. I noticed him put his arm around some guys, there was some touching, but no lap sitting or kissing. To me, it was obvious what was going on. The pre-show was designed to make the straight guys in the audience feel a little uncomfortable (or possibly just expose them to a different sort of experience) in the presence of their female partners. I don't recall anyone being offended. Most of the audience seemed amused by what was going on. However, I did notice one or two older couples (probably over 60) walk out. I liked the play proper more than you. I thought it was interesting, although rather slight. Three days at Christmastime with a father getting together with his sons, all of whom on the surface seem very straight, yet there is an obvious gay subtext lurking beneath the surface at times. The play proper had 3 acts but no intermission. The two persons in charge between scenes moved furniture and helped the actors with costume changes, but had no dialogue or any other role in the play proper. The actors playing the father and sons were all well known performers from various theatre groups in Chicago. I thought the ensemble acting was quite good for a Steppenwolf production. I actually had no idea that the show was being considered for Broadway. Reviews were mostly good to rave, with a few mixed to mildly positive. |
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| re: "It was an extremely unpleasant experience in several respects" | |
| Posted by: Singapore/Fling 08:27 pm EDT 04/04/21 | |
| In reply to: re: "It was an extremely unpleasant experience in several respects" - PlazaBoy 05:32 pm EDT 04/03/21 | |
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| That prologue was the only thing that makes the play remotely interesting. Once we get to the main story, the play just doesn't go anywhere or do anything. You can tell the Young Jean Lee's heart really isn't in the play, but it did what she wanted it to do, it got her to Broadway. | |
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| re: "It was an extremely unpleasant experience in several respects" | |
| Posted by: Quicheo 10:08 pm EDT 04/04/21 | |
| In reply to: re: "It was an extremely unpleasant experience in several respects" - Singapore/Fling 08:27 pm EDT 04/04/21 | |
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| Just to be clear, we're talking about the framing device, yes? Where the characters speak to the audience largely as themselves and present the men like exhibits in a natural history museum? | |
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| re: "It was an extremely unpleasant experience in several respects" | |
| Posted by: Singapore/Fling 12:01 am EDT 04/05/21 | |
| In reply to: re: "It was an extremely unpleasant experience in several respects" - Quicheo 10:08 pm EDT 04/04/21 | |
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| Yes, that was added after the run at the Public, and really is just sort of awkwardly grafted on to what is otherwise a rather toothless... satire? bad family dramedy? I'm not really sure, but at least the opening sparked a conversation (or at least pissed a bunch of people off), which the play itself didn't do | |
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| re: "It was an extremely unpleasant experience in several respects" | |
| Posted by: Quicheo 12:02 pm EDT 04/05/21 | |
| In reply to: re: "It was an extremely unpleasant experience in several respects" - Singapore/Fling 12:01 am EDT 04/05/21 | |
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| The playwright has spoken a bit about her intentions. She really set out to capture the world of white male privilege and some of its toxicity. I'm not a fan of the play but I understand what she is trying to do. By her own admission, it's not from her own experience and it comes off, forgive the example, as some gay male erotica written by women does: All the details are there, and it's certainly clear who is getting screwed, but something feels off--the nuance and subtext are lacking. And ultimately, it's only interesting in fits. | |
| Link | An Interview with Young Jean Lee |
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| re: "It was an extremely unpleasant experience in several respects" | |
| Posted by: barna99 09:19 am EDT 04/05/21 | |
| In reply to: re: "It was an extremely unpleasant experience in several respects" - Singapore/Fling 12:01 am EDT 04/05/21 | |
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| I think you mean after the run at Steppenwolf instead of the Public. I do not remember seeing what Quicheo mentions about "Where the characters speak to the audience largely as themselves and present the men like exhibits in a natural history museum." Maybe I am wrong but I really do not remember anything like that. I only remember the very long play (even if it was the typical, approximately, 90 mn) and the WTF last 10 mn. or so. Now, I might go see it just to check it out since the "prologue" might really change what happens at the end. Only if I get a good discount, though. |
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| re: "It was an extremely unpleasant experience in several respects" | |
| Last Edit: Singapore/Fling 01:01 pm EDT 04/05/21 | |
| Posted by: Singapore/Fling 01:00 pm EDT 04/05/21 | |
| In reply to: re: "It was an extremely unpleasant experience in several respects" - barna99 09:19 am EDT 04/05/21 | |
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| "Straight White Men" was at the Public a couple of years before it then went to Steppenwolf and Second Stage. The prologue was not in the show at the Public; I had presumed it was in the show in Chicago, but sounds like it was only added only for Broadway. | |
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| STRAIGHT WHITE MEN -- Prologue versus Pre-Show | |
| Last Edit: BroadwayTonyJ 04:41 pm EDT 04/05/21 | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 04:39 pm EDT 04/05/21 | |
| In reply to: re: "It was an extremely unpleasant experience in several respects" - Singapore/Fling 01:00 pm EDT 04/05/21 | |
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| Is the prologue different than the pre-show which took place at Steppenwolf? | |
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| re: STRAIGHT WHITE MEN -- Prologue versus Pre-Show | |
| Posted by: Singapore/Fling 06:28 pm EDT 04/05/21 | |
| In reply to: STRAIGHT WHITE MEN -- Prologue versus Pre-Show - BroadwayTonyJ 04:39 pm EDT 04/05/21 | |
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| Yes - on Broadway, the people in charge give a proper pre-show speech which explains how "they" pronouns work, and the acknowledge that the loud music may have made some people uncomfortable (which is not why they go to the theater) while being very welcoming to other people who are generally not made to feel welcome at a theater (and congratulates them on their moment of privilege). And then there's the obligatory don't use your cellphone joke and the play proper begins. |
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| re: STRAIGHT WHITE MEN -- Prologue versus Pre-Show | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 08:16 pm EDT 04/05/21 | |
| In reply to: re: STRAIGHT WHITE MEN -- Prologue versus Pre-Show - Singapore/Fling 06:28 pm EDT 04/05/21 | |
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| OK, thanks very much for that explanation. At Steppenwolf after virtually every performance, there is a talkback generally led by a staff member with cast members occasionally participating. After the performance of Straight White Men that we attended, some of the cast remained onstage and with a moderator that exact speech was delivered to the audience members who chose to stay. The Upstairs Theatre has 299 seats. The show we attended was probably sold out. I would estimate 30 or 40 people stayed for the talkback that particular evening. I'm not 100% sure but I believe Elliott and Will did participate in that post-show speech and talkback discussion. Afterward the moderator and the participating performers made themselves available for anyone who wanted to engage with them one on one. For me and my partner, that whole package of the pre-show, the play proper, and the speech/explanation/talkback/discussion made the whole evening a worthwhile experience. The pre-show was a little head scratching (although I never felt uncomfortable) and the play was slight. However, the speech and talkback at the end gave us a good understanding of what we had just experienced. However, only 30 or 40 people out of 299 stayed for that final part of the show. |
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| re: STRAIGHT WHITE MEN -- Prologue versus Pre-Show | |
| Posted by: Singapore/Fling 12:04 am EDT 04/06/21 | |
| In reply to: re: STRAIGHT WHITE MEN -- Prologue versus Pre-Show - BroadwayTonyJ 08:16 pm EDT 04/05/21 | |
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| Oh, that's interesting. Thanks for sharing. | |
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| re: "It was an extremely unpleasant experience in several respects" | |
| Last Edit: FAIRBOY 11:43 am EDT 04/05/21 | |
| Posted by: FAIRBOY 11:41 am EDT 04/05/21 | |
| In reply to: re: "It was an extremely unpleasant experience in several respects" - barna99 09:19 am EDT 04/05/21 | |
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| I believe the prologue was added to Straight White Men, not The Minutes. WTF last 10 minutes. It could not be said any better! |
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| I saw a local production of Straight White Men | |
| Posted by: dramedy 10:18 pm EDT 04/02/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Not surprising - Michael_Portantiere 06:27 pm EDT 04/02/21 | |
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| And did not like it. I doubt the broadway production would have changed my opinion no matter who the actors are. | |
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| re: Not surprising | |
| Last Edit: FAIRBOY 08:57 pm EDT 04/02/21 | |
| Posted by: FAIRBOY 08:45 pm EDT 04/02/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Not surprising - Michael_Portantiere 06:27 pm EDT 04/02/21 | |
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| The Minutes was the last show I saw before the shutdown. Had I known, I would have seen a different show. | |
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| Why? | |
| Posted by: dramedy 10:17 pm EDT 04/02/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Not surprising - FAIRBOY 08:45 pm EDT 04/02/21 | |
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| Was the play not good or your dislike of hammer? | |
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| re: Why? | |
| Posted by: FAIRBOY 04:09 am EDT 04/03/21 | |
| In reply to: Why? - dramedy 10:17 pm EDT 04/02/21 | |
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| The cast was topnotch. For me the play went south in the last 10-15 minutes. I did not leave the theater satisfied. Hammer was the reason I chose to see it in New York along with Pendleton, Mueller and Letts. Chicago (the city) was more accessible to me pre-pandenic and I missed the play at Steppenwolf sans Hammer. I look forward to reading the thoughts of others when the play opens on Broadway. |
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| re: Not surprising | |
| Posted by: JAllenC3 07:24 pm EDT 04/02/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Not surprising - Michael_Portantiere 06:27 pm EDT 04/02/21 | |
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| Yeah, it’s always fun to say you saw a predator on stage (sarcasm intended). Weird thing to be happy about. | |
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| re: Not surprising | |
| Posted by: Michael_Portantiere 09:54 pm EDT 04/02/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Not surprising - JAllenC3 07:24 pm EDT 04/02/21 | |
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| "Yeah, it’s always fun to say you saw a predator on stage (sarcasm intended). Weird thing to be happy about." What I find incredibly weird is your reaction to what I wrote. I think I was perfectly clear that I meant I was glad to have seen that show ONLY from a historical curiosity perspective of having seen Hammer perform live on stage in a Broadway show, assuming that he may never do so again. |
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| More importantly, does his flame-out mean..... | |
| Posted by: Indavidzopinion 08:16 pm EDT 04/02/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Not surprising - JAllenC3 07:24 pm EDT 04/02/21 | |
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| ....that it is now highly unlikely that there will be a sequel to “Call Me ByYour Name?” | |
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