Yes, I chatted with a few people after the show. No one seemed to know much about Levant.
I see your point about Hayes. He's immersed himself in the role, but again, in a way that some people will dislike. He'll be accused of being too broad, too on the nose imitative, etc.. Others will say he's brilliant.
The other aspect of the show that will cause conflicting opinions is whether the viewer experiences it as a comedy or a drama. To me, it was very much a drama with comedy, all in the form of Levnat's repartee. I'm guessing some real and some invented.
From post-show chatter, I could tell some found it to be a comedy. I heard a few "that was fun." That would not be the way I would describe the show.
It got a standing ovation, which is more rare in Chicago than on Broadway, so I attach some meaning to that. |
