RIP Harold Pinter (1930 - 2008)
After a long battle with cancer, British playwright and director
Harold Pinter died yesterday.
Nominated four times for the Tony Award and winning for 1967's searing, enigmatic
The Homecoming , Pinter also was named a Nobel Prize Laureate in 2005 for his body of work and his mastery of the pause. Seven of his plays were produced on Broadway, beginning with 1961's
The Caretaker -- a show that's since been revived twice on the Main Stem.
While I was completely repulsed by
The Homecoming, I admit to being shaken to my core by the play when
I finally caught the Great White Way revival earlier this year.
The Homecoming essentially haunted my thoughts and dreams for over two weeks, burrowing deep into my soul. Perhaps that's the mark of an excellent playwright.
My personal favorite Pinter work is the non-linear
Betrayal. In fact,
I thoroughly enjoyed the recent 2007
Steppenwolf revival starring an absolutely brilliant, slow-burning
Tracy Letts (yes,
that Pulitzer Prize-winning Tracy Letts) opposite a pitch-perfect
Amy Morton as married couple Robert and Emma, whose relationship is come undone thanks to her affair with his best friend Jerry (a sharp
Ian Barford).
Will there be renewed interest in resurrecting other Pinter works now that he's gone? Given the spate of recent mountings to reexamine his genius in his native United Kingdom, expect more of the same stateside. Not only will Pinter's works live on, but so will his name, which was forever immortalized in
Stephen Sondheim's lyrics to "Ladies Who Lunch" from 1970's
Company.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Amy Morton, Betrayal, Harold Pinter, Ian Barford, In Memoriam, Play, Steppenwolf, The Homecoming, Tracy Letts
SOB's 7 Singular Sensations Of '07 - #3: Amy MortonIntroduction: While others use the end of the year to provide their lists of the top shows of the past year, here at Steve On Broadway (SOB), I wait until the conclusion of the entire Theatrical Season to provide my official tally.
Instead, I'm once again devoting the waning days of the calendar year to celebrate SOB's Singular Sensations -- those magical live performances that have stayed with me throughout the year. During 2007, I have enjoyed, been wowed and ultimately inspired by a dazzling display of excellent performances from some of the theatre world's best actors, singers and dancers of our time.Ever since first seeing
Steppenwolf ensemble member
Amy Morton in the Chicago theatre company's
last Broadway transfer -- as a most diabolical Nurse Ratched in the 2001 Tony-winning revival of
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest -- I realized I was watching an incredible talent, one of those rare actors I'd actively seek out in the future.
While it's taken Broadway audiences six more years to truly appreciate Chicago’s best-kept secret, I've now been enjoying Morton regularly during each memorable turn she delivers in the Windy City. In fact, she earned an "Honorable Mention" on my 2006 list of Singular Sensations for two of her wonderfully versatile characterizations.
This year, Amy Morton has turned in two stellar performances. There’s nothing this woman can’t do. Her range is simply astounding.
In my well-timed August review of
August: Osage County,
I cheered:
Amy Morton at her most deliciously high-strung.
But as
my February review of
Steppenwolf's
Betrayal more adequately demonstrates, Morton has a real ear for providing the appropriate voice to every role she takes on:
Morton, of course, is once again about as close to genuine perfection as one can hope to see on the stage. Without missing a beat, she effortlessly slides from the despondent to the giddy....and all with an impressive English accent.
Here's toasting that Toddlin' Town's Amy Morton!
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Related Stories:SOB's 7 Singular Sensations Of '07 - #4: Elena Roger (December 28, 2007)
SOB's 7 Singular Sensations Of '07 - #5: Raúl Esparza (December 28, 2007)
SOB's 7 Singular Sensations Of '07 - #6: John Gallagher, Jr. (December 28, 2007)
SOB's 7 Singular Sensations Of '07 - #7: Jennifer Holliday (December 27, 2007)
SOB's 6 Singular Sensations Of '06 - #1: Patti LuPone (December 30, 2006)
Honorable Mentions: SOB's Singular Sensations Of '06 (December 30, 2006)
SOB's 6 Singular Sensations Of '06 - #2: Cate Blanchett (December 30, 2006)
SOB's 6 Singular Sensations Of '06 - #3: Chita Rivera (December 29, 2006)
SOB's 6 Singular Sensations Of '06 - #4: Barry Humphries (December 28, 2006)
SOB's 6 Singular Sensations Of '06 - #5: Kitty Carlisle Hart (December 28, 2006)
SOB's 6 Singular Sensations Of '06 - #6: Meryl Streep (December 26, 2006)
Labels: Amy Morton, August Osage County, Betrayal, Broadway, Chicago, SOB's 6 Singular Sensations Of '06, SOB's 7 Singular Sensations of '07
The Hits From Coast To Coast
Ever since finally installing a statcounter on Steve On Broadway (SOB) last month, I've been intrigued by which stories are being read the most. In a bit of shameless self-promotion, here's the top ten according to you and other readers, along with some thoughts as to why these stories struck a chord (and for your added convenience, I've provided links to each of the original postings):
10. Were Critics Faithful To Betrayal? - Through May 27, Chicago's Steppenwolf is the place to see the company's incarnation of the Harold Pinter classic. This posting captures the reviews by the
Chicago Tribune's Chris Jones and
Chicago Sun-Times' Hedy Weiss.
8. (tie) Is It Just Me, Or...(Part II) - I learned with this story that if you load up an item with all kinds of varied information, ranging from a sequel to
The Phantom Of The Opera to discussions of Daniel Radcliffe's on-stage nudity to
Xanadu's casting (minus, Jane Krakowski, of course), you're bound to get readers. But I also took an unnecessary shot at John Doyle and indicated that Kristen Bell would replace Krakowski; I was wrong on both counts. So sorry!
8. (tie) Curtains (The SOB Review) - With this tuner from Kander & Ebb
and Holmes now in previews (with an opening set for March 22), is it any wonder that buzzomaniacs are wondering what others are saying about the show? I took in the tuner way back last summer in LA and loved it, as evidenced in my four-star SOB Review! Can't wait to see it again on Broadway, either.
7. Curtains Meets The Critics - Just as folks are searching for buzz on the aforementioned show, apparently they also want to know what the Left Coast critics have said. You can get it all via my Critics' Capsule on the show.
6. Holliday: You're Gonna Love Me...Again! - Apparently the fan base of
Dreamgirls just can't get enough of all things Jennifer Hudson
or Holliday. Just as hopes for a new Broadway revival with Miss Hudson are running high, suddenly Miss Holliday snaps us back to reality with the announcement that
she's gonna play Effie Melody White
again...in Atlanta this summer.
5. Priscilla Queen Of The Desert - The Musical (The SOB Review) - Welcome to all my Aussie cobbers who have visited this Yank's site to learn just how good the musical version of one of your fave pictures is! Well, what was initially going to be a limited run show at Sydney's Star City Casino through last October has continually expanded its run thanks to its fair dinkum popularity. I saw it in December as a Chrissie prezzie, and the performance was chock! Tickets are now selling through June 10. Good onya!
4. The Glass Menagerie (The SOB Review) - Welcome back to all you Randy Harrison fans worldwide who flocked to see how supposedly "not very positive" I was in my review of your favorite from "Queer As Folk." Well, while I may have quibbled with his meandering accent, I thought he comported himself "reasonably well, particularly in going toe-to-toe with Amanda (Harriet Harris)." You still have until March 25 to fly into Minneapolis to see this production that I awarded 3 1/2 stars out of 4 -- a great show in my book.
3. Dye Is Cast For Legally Blonde Reviews - With Left Coast critics singing this new tuner's praises and with Broadway previews less than a month away (April 3), it's no wonder that Google searches for any tidbit on
Legally Blonde are more common than split ends.
2. Betrayal (The SOB Review) - I was considerably more enthusiastic about the aforementioned Harold Pinter play at Steppenwolf than the critics. Maybe that's why so much traffic came my way. Just for the record, I gave this good, solid production 3 out of 4 stars.
1. The Pirate Queen (The SOB Review) - Two nights ago, this new musical began preview performances on Broadway...less than three months after taking a pretty severe beating from the Chicago critics. I was there on its Windy City opening night and could only muster up a two-star review. While I had hoped the production would have improved, I'm already reading comments from others (like Mike at
The Lunar Gemini), who aren't very impressed. Is there still hope of a salvage operation prior to its April 5 opening night? My bet at this point is it's going to sink.
Thanks to you, dear reader, for checking out
Steve On Broadway. And whether you agree wholeheartedly or think I'm full of it, you're always welcome to leave comments and join the discussion!
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for Betrayal tickets.Click here for Curtains tickets.Click here for Dreamgirls (Atlanta) ticket information.Click here for Equus tickets.Click here for Legally Blonde tickets.Click here for Priscilla Queen Of The Desert tickets.Click here for The Glass Menagerie tickets.Click here for The Pirate Queen tickets. Labels: Betrayal, Broadway, Curtains, Daniel Radcliffe, Dreamgirls, Equus, Jennifer Holliday, Jennifer Hudson, Legally Blonde, Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, The Glass Menagerie, The Pirate Queen, Xanadu
Were Critics Faithful To Betrayal?
Last Sunday, immediately before Chicago football fans felt betrayed by their beloved Bears in Super Bowl XLI,
Steppenwolf Theatre aficianados had their own taste of
Betrayal as the classic
Harold Pinter play opened that afternoon. Chicago's two leading critics were mixed in their reviews.
In recommending the production,
Chicago Sun Times'
Hedy Weiss notes: "[I]n a sharply etched revival by Steppenwolf Theatre,
Betrayal unspools in reverse time with various crucial stops along the way as events between the years 1968 and 1977 come into sharp focus...The story...lacks nothing in specificity or in the web of emotions it conjures....
Rick Snyder, a most sensitive director, has cast a trio of actors whose maturity easily feeds the past lives of these Pinter characters. (
Tracy) Letts...brings a gravitas and terrific sharklike bite to every line; (
Ian) Barford...suggests Jerry's mix of charm, weakness and all-around tentativeness. And actress-director (
Amy) Morton...expertly suggests the many thoughts that remain suppressed in Emma, whether she is in the company of her husband or her lover."
Chris Jones of the
Chicago Tribune is not quite as kind: "Snyder's new version has so much anger and pain simmering below every upper-middle-class line that you half-expect someone to take a bite out of someone's throat. Letts and Morton, the noir Hepburn and Tracy of the Steppenwolf stage, have dangerous, razor-sharp, don't-mess-with-me edges. They're skilled actors of self-evident complexity, and they know every strength and weak spot of each other. This greatly enlivens the play, and at times undermines it....Pinter at least leaves open the chance that a betrayal can make us happy. A chance. Not here."
You may also click
here to view my review of
Betrayal, which is set to grace Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre stage through May 27.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Betrayal, Chicago, Critics' Capsule, Play, Steppenwolf
Betrayal (The SOB Review) - Steppenwolf Upstairs Theatre, Chicago, IL
*** (out of ****)
Despite its relatively short, 75-minute running time, a great deal is woven into the complex web of deceit that is
Betrayal, which opened Sunday at
Steppenwolf Theatre Company's Upstairs Theatre.
Nobel Laureate
Harold Pinter's wonderfully written non-linear play about an extramarital affair slides back in time from the late seventies to late sixties to reveal who knew what when over six distinct years.
The drama begins with former lovers Jerry (
Ian Barford, above right) and Emma (
Amy Morton) coming together for a hastily arranged meeting after not seeing each other for a couple years. Emma informs Jerry that she has just learned that her husband Robert (
Tracy Letts, above left) -- Jerry's onetime best friend -- was also having an affair.
Much to Jerry's dismay, Emma divulges that she finally felt it necessary to come clean with Robert about her former relationship with Jerry. Deciding to face the music with his old friend, Jerry meets with Robert only to learn that Emma had broken the news of her affair much earlier. Seems the lover was actually the last to know.
From there, Pinter expertly transports his audience back in time to spin Robert's web that catches his spouse and her amour in their lies. In a stunning performance, Letts offers up a deliciously deceptive slow burn -- so deceptive that clueless Jerry never grasps that his best friend is on to his own deceit. What I admire about Letts is that he completely loses himself into every role he takes on, and Betrayal's Robert is further proof of his versatility.
Morton, of course, is once again about as close to genuine perfection as one can hope to see on the stage. Without missing a beat, she effortlessly slides from the despondent to the giddy....and all with an impressive English accent.
As one of the Steppenwolf's latest ensemble additions -- just last week, in fact -- Barford provides more than sufficient proof for why he was selected. He's sharp in making his Jerry foolish and hopelessly bewildered, never reading into the nuances of his conversations with either Robert or Emma (it's also quite possible he doesn't even comprehend that his wife has likely known the truth about Emma and him throughout most of the relationship).
Unfortunately, despite the exceptional acting and ingenious plot, this was not a perfect show. Inexplicably, when the curtain call came, there were several other "castmembers" who came out for a bow. They were each listed in the program as "ensemble," yet they were never to be seen earlier in the show (I later learned that their roles had been excised from the production). So why were they brought out at the end? That's a question for director
Rick Snyder, whose sometimes inert staging made this 75-minute show seem as though it were full-length.
Still, if you want to see some of Chicago's best actors perform in a show designed to challenge your mind and make you think, then I recommend visiting the Steppenwolf now through May to see Betrayal.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Related Stories:
Labels: Betrayal, Chicago, Play, Steppenwolf, The SOB Review
Steppenwolf's Betrayal Opens Today
Thanks to the
Chicago Bears'
Super Bowl berth (Go Bears!),
Steppenwolf has accelerated its opening of
Harold Pinter's semi-autobiographical play
Betrayal to this afternoon. Previously, it had been scheduled for this evening, but wiser heads prevailed, foreseeing that the city's focus would largely be on Miami tonight.
Although this marks the first time in fifteen years that Pinter has seen one of his plays staged at Steppenwolf, the company has a long history of producing his works over its own 31 years. The timing seems appropriate given that the celebrated English playwright was awarded the
Nobel Prize for Literature just two years ago.
Look for my critics' capsule, as well as my own review of this production, in the days ahead.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Betrayal, Chicago, Harold Pinter, Opening Night, Play, Steppenwolf
