Time To Stand Still AgainOne month from today, the Tony-nominated play
Time Stands Still begins performances for its second time this year on Broadway, this time at the
Cort Theatre.
As regular readers will recall, I was among those who
offered thumbs up to Donald Margulies' superb and gut-wrenching new play during its acclaimed
run at the not-for-profit
Manhattan Theatre Club's
Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Since MTC's season still had one more
play left in its Broadway season for subscribers,
Time Stands Still came and went much too quickly.
But the play's indelible mark left by its excellent cast was so profound that one of those rarest of rare announcements would be made about an already closed Broadway show. On May 12,
it was announced that the entire production would get a second lease on life through a return engagement at the mid-sized commercial Cort Theatre. (For those curious, the return engagement is
not Tony eligible.)
Three of the four original Broadway principals --
Laura Linney,
Brian d'Arcy James and
Eric Begosian -- are returning to the production. However, since
Alicia Silverstone's schedule does not permit, she will be replaced by film actress
Christina Ricci, making her Broadway debut.
The
Time Stands Still Web site
describes the show as follows:
Time Stands Still follows Sarah and James, a photojournalist and a foreign correspondent trying to find happiness in a world that seems to have gone crazy. Theirs is a partnership based on telling the toughest stories and together, making a difference. But when their own story takes a sudden turn, the adventurous couple confronts the prospect of a more conventional life...and everything changes -- in a flash.
Don't miss this rare second chance to see one of the most exceptional American plays in years!
Indeed, if you missed your opportunity to see this show earlier this year, now's a second chance that doesn't occur very often. I
highly recommend seeing
Time Stands Still. Its first act will leave you speechless.
Time Stands Still resumes performances at the Cort on September 23 with a second opening night slated for October 7. The limited engagement is currently scheduled through January 23, 2011.
This is
Steve On Broadway (SOB).
In keeping with the new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post.Labels: Brian d'Arcy James, Broadway, Christina Ricci, Daniel Sullivan, Donald Margulies, Eric Begosian, Laura Linney, Play, Return Engagement, Time Stands Still
Time Stands Still (The SOB Review) - Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, New York City, New York
***1/2 (out of ****)
All is fair in love and war, so the saying goes. And when the two converge, it’s a common assumption that the bonds forged are for life. They may be among the most impenetrable.
In
Donald Margulies' superb and gut-wrenching new play
Time Stands Still, the playwright thoughtfully examines the ravages of conflict and the impact of finding love among the ruins.
Sarah (
Laura Linney in a remarkably shattering performance) is an injured photojournalist returning home from the war in Iraq to a life and boyfriend James (an excellent
Brian d'Arcy James) that have become utterly disconnected. She even has difficulty reconnecting with her editor Richard (a fantastic
Eric Begosian), especially now that he's seeing Mandy (
Alicia Silverstone, a stunning revelation here), a blonde beauty half his age, and at first glance with an IQ to match.
But it's Mandy who challenges Sarah's ethics for not stepping in and helping those dying subjects of her war photography, placing our photojournalist on the defensive. Sarah soon finds the need to defend herself on yet another front, which threatens to completely undermine her relationship with James.
Margulies' first act is beyond extraordinary. It's particularly brilliant for its seamless blend of how life goes on in the United States in spite of our wars abroad along with the realities and cost of those military endeavors. The ultimate impact on Sarah and James is both harrowing and heartbreaking.
If the second act isn't quite the equal of the first, it's because Margulies initiates it by trying to infuse self-deprecating humor at his very own work, essentially telling the audience with a big wink and inappropriate smile that we shouldn't take plays like this too seriously. While it weakens the overall impact of the play,
Time Stands Still thankfully marches on with director
Daniel Sullivan ensuring it regains its powerful foothold yet again.
With exceptional cast, timely themes and thoughtful balance of love in time of war,
Time Stands Still ranks as one of Broadway's best new plays this season.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
In keeping with the new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post.Labels: Alicia Silverstone, Brian d'Arcy James, Broadway, Donald Margulies, Eric Begosian, Laura Linney, Play, The SOB Review, Time Stands Still
Time Marches On BroadwayTalk about not standing still in efforts toward gaining a Broadway berth.
Not even a year after its
world premiere at Los Angeles'
Geffen Playhouse,
Donald Margulies'
Time Stands Still opens Thursday evening at
Manhattan Theatre Club's
Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.
As on the Left Coast, this
Time Stands Still is once again helmed by Tony Award-winning director
Daniel Sullivan and features
Alicia Silverstone. But this incarnation of Margulies' play replaces
Anna Gunn,
David Harbour and
Robin Thomas with
Laura Linney,
Brian d'Arcy James and
Eric Bogosian, respectively.
Manhattan Theatre Club describes
Time Stands Still as follows:
James and Sarah, a journalist and a photographer, have been together for nine years and share a passion for documenting the realities of war. But when injuries force them to return home to New York, the adventurous couple confronts the prospect of a more conventional life. This timely and intelligent play marks the fourth collaboration for Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies and Tony Award-winning director Daniel Sullivan.
The play enjoyed some raves during its earlier California engagement. Will
Time Stands Still stand tall among Broadway critics? I'll be providing my own SOB Review shortly.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
In keeping with the new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post.Labels: Alicia Silverstone, Brian d'Arcy James, Broadway, Donald Margulies, Eric Begosian, Laura Linney, Play, Time Stands Still
