SOB's Favorite Shows Of The Noughties: #11 - Theater Of The New Ear (2005, Royce Hall, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA)
Introduction: Hard as it is to comprehend that we're already 119 months into this "new" millennium, we are fast approaching the end of its first decade. While we have yet to agree on what exactly we should call the '00s, I'll take a cue from the fine folks at The Times of London and the BBC and henceforth refer to them at the Noughties. With that small introduction, I'm pleased to present my list of plays and musicals that wowed me the most during that time. Out of the hundreds and hundreds of shows I've seen over the last ten years, I give you my countdown of my 25 personal favorite shows of the Noughties. Any filmgoer who has watched in awe (or for the less fortunate, in exasperation) as one of gifted screenwriter
Charlie Kaufman’s twisted movies unfolds -- usually inside-out, upside-down and liberally sprinkled with the surreal -- knows that his captivating storytelling is never dull.
Theater Of The New Ear was all that and more.
With a radio-like production quality, its cast members sat on an unadorned stage reading scripts of two “sound” plays as a Foley artist magically transported the audience beyond the limits of their imaginations. But with a stellar cast that included
Jennifer Jason Leigh and
David Thewlis (together in "Anomalisa"), as well as
Peter Dinklage,
Hope Davis and
Meryl Streep (together in "Hope Leaves The Theater"), it was foolhardy to even attempt diverting one’s eyes from the stage.
Part of the fun is seeing these immensely gifted actors also playing members of the audience, including Davis’ hilarious and self-obsessed Louise, whose ringing cell phone serves as the catalyst for Streep -- as Streep -- to go ballistic in a fashion that would make any regular theatregoer proud. This dizzying, frenetic play left me downright giddy and more than sufficiently underscores why Streep remains the preeminent actress of our times.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
In keeping with the new 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. I paid my own way for this performance.Labels: Charlie Kaufman, Hope Davis, Los Angeles, Meryl Streep, Peter Dinklage, Play, SOB's Favorite Shows Of The Noughties, Theater Of The New Ear
God Of Carnage (The SOB Revisit) - Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, New York, New York
*** (out of ****)Consider this my visceral tribute to
Yasmina Reza's exceptionally brilliant writing that I must now look back on my
SOB Review of the 2008 London mounting of her
God Of Carnage and revise my overall rating to three and a half stars. Credit the absolute, blissful perfection in the performances from its four stars,
Ralph Fiennes,
Tamsin Greig,
Janet McTeer and
Ken Stott.
By finally taking in the Broadway mounting of
God Of Carnage with a New York-centric translation from
Christopher Hampton, I suffered from the inevitable affliction of comparisons. Yes, the Broadway cast --
Jeff Daniels,
Hope Davis,
James Gandolfini and
Marcia Gay Harden -- is certainly top drawer, but with the sole exception of the magnificent Davis, none of these actors come close to the far superior West End performances that singed themselves into my memory well over a year ago.
Harden may have won the Tony for Best Actress, but she's no McTeer, whose earlier, breathtaking portrayal of Véronique (now Veronica) seemed so much more genuine -- particularly from the start. Daniels is fine, but nothing could be finer than Fiennes' slow steely burn as Alain (now Alan). Gandolfini never quite finds the nuances of Michel (now Michael) quite the way Stott did.
Hope Davis, on the other hand, manages to upstage everyone else, and it's not merely because she literally erupts. It's because she plumbs the depths of Annette's pathos with such natural ease, and yes, grace, that she delivers one of the year's most exciting performances period. Ironically, for the one sole character whose name has not changed in translation, Davis provides a vibrant and exciting new take.
And coming full circle, aside from Davis, the real star of
God Of Carnage is Reza's razorsharp wit and ingeniously constructed story, making this a recommended show nonetheless.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Broadway, Christopher Hampton, God Of Carnage, Hope Davis, James Gandolfini, Janet McTeer, Jeff Daniels, Ken Stott, Marcia Gay Harden, Play, Ralph Fiennes, Tamsin Greig, Yasmina Reza
What Hath God Wrought?Yesterday, the Broadway incarnation of
God Of Carnage opened to a slew of
pretty decent reviews, including the
one that seems to matter most.
Helmed by
Matthew Warchus , the Great White Way staging of
Yasmina Reza's latest work (with translation from
Christopher Hampton) stars
Jeff Daniels,
Hope Davis,
James Gandolfini and
Marcia Gay Harden.
After having thoroughly enjoyed last year's brilliant London production with
Ralph Fiennes and absolutely mesmerizing
Janet McTeer -- click here for that
SOB Review -- I find this morning's favorable critiques to be very tempting for a revisit to this visceral comedy. Oh, and if you'd like to see McTeer, your opportunity comes later this month as the London-cum-Broadway revival of
Mary Stuart begins previews.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Broadway, Christopher Hampton, Critics' Capsule, God Of Carnage, Hope Davis, James Gandolfini, Janet McTeer, Jeff Daniels, Marcia Gay Harden, Mary Stuart, Play, Yasmina Reza
Get Ready For Carnage On BroadwayNo, I'm not talking about all hell breaking loose once all the myriad shows have closed on the Great White Way over the next week and a half.
Instead, I'm talking about the upcoming Broadway berth of
Yasmina Reza's wickedly funny and downright, um, visceral
God Of Carnage descending upon a Rialto stage later this spring.
According to
Baz Bamigboye of London's Daily Mail, the Main Stem incarnation will star
Jeff Daniels,
Hope Davis,
Marcia Gay Harden and
James Gandolfini.
After having enjoyed the West End mounting (which included what the West End Whingers have graciously named the "
year's best vomiting scene"), I'll be anxiously awaiting the new staging.
And with this cast, so should you.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Broadway, First Word On New Show, God Of Carnage, Hope Davis, James Gandolfini, Jeff Daniels, London, Marcia Gay Harden, Yasmina Reza
