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 Hardly Stands Still For Alicia SilverstoneAlicia Silverstone, the Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated actress known primarily for her film work ("
Clueless"), recently concluded her much-praised sophomore effort on Broadway as part of the acclaimed production of
Time Stands Still. It was such a marked departure from her 2002 performance in
The Graduate -- which, for the record, I actually enjoyed -- that there's even talk in some circles about Ms. Silverstone's chances for a Tony nomination, although we never broached that possibility with her.
Last Friday, I joined with fellow theatre bloggers Patrick Lee (
Just Shows To Go You) and Kevin Daly (
Theatre Aficionado At Large) by way of the
Independent Theater Bloggers Association (ITBA) in a half hour telephone conversation with Ms. Silverstone. I asked her, "What did you take away from your Broadway debut that has informed your stage work since?"
Alicia Silverstone replied:
I had only done one play before that (Carol's Eve, 1993).
(In The Graduate) I learned a lot from Kathleen Turner, who is awesome. She came to see me in Time Stands Still and was so proud of me.
She took me under her wing and treated me with so much respect from the moment we started working on The Graduate. I remember when we were in Baltimore, before we came to Broadway, and after the first night she said to me, “That was really good, darling, but tomorrow maybe you will have your voice down about four notches.” I was screaming. I guess I was so excited and nervous that my voice got very high.
After originating the role of
Time Stands Still's Mandy Bloom last year at Los Angeles'
Geffen Playhouse, Ms. Silverstone was the only prinicipal to stay with the play through Broadway. Nevertheless, she said of the latter experience, "I came humbly to the rehearsal room. It was so electrifying that I didn't want to leave (even) to go to the bathroom.
Laura Linney became like a big sister to me."
Telling us, "Theatre people are the best," it's no wonder this actress with an infectiously sunny disposition is already contemplating her next stage outing. Although currently filming "
Butter" with
Hugh Jackman,
Rob Corddry and
Jennifer Garner, Ms. Silverstone somewhat wistfully told us her dream would be to do a production of
Romeo And Juliet. But she said that after seeing
Janet McTeer perform in
A Doll's House, she'd really love a chance to tackle the role of Norma Helmer.
Just don't expect her to do a musical any time soon; she says, "I'm not a trained singer. I'm interested in it but I've never practiced singing."
To read another take on our interview, please visit
Just Shows To Go You.
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: A Doll's House, Alicia Silverstone, Broadway, Hugh Jackman, Interview, Janet McTeer, Kathleen Turner, Laura Linney, Play, The Graduate, 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
Things I Learned At The Tonys...As noted a couple days ago, I had the enormous pleasure of taking in the
American Theatre Wing's 62nd Annual
Tony Awards hosted by
Whoopi Goldberg on Sunday evening. And may I just state for the record that I thought Whoopi made an excellent host.
I learned so much, not only about all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into this production, but also just how much
more fun actually being there can be. It's not just seeing the nominees and presenters in person, but the chance to see those amazing performances live one more time. It's also the nonstop buzz you feel from the moment you step onto the red carpet right up until you receive your Tony
swag bag upon departure from the Gala.
But there are other things I learned along the way, either from personal experience or overheard from others...
...Tonys weigh more than I thought they would ... Don't bother asking Harry Potter-cum-Broadway star
Daniel Radcliffe for an autograph ... It's perfectly fine to congratulate
S. Epatha Merkerson on her Tony nod (she was beaming as she escorted her mother around), just please
don't even think about approaching her in the ladies' room (and please don't approach me in the men's room, either) ...
John Waters was really
just kidding last year when he suggested he was working on a script called "Last Stall To The Left" about
Senator Larry Craig ... The restrooms
are "the great equalizers" at the Tonys (as I learned from my new friends Daniel and Donna from Lexington, Kentucky)...
...Not only does
Gypsy director
Arthur Laurents know a thing or two about pacing a show, he's pretty fast on his feet for a man of 90 years ...The orchestra is nowhere to be seen during the Tonys, prompting the justifiable wrath of
Patti LuPone during the dress rehearsals when she could not hear the music as she tried singing "Everything's Coming Up Roses" ... Speaking of dress rehearsals, only a few of the presenters were no-shows, including
Alec Baldwin,
Harry Connick, Jr.,
Laurence Fishburne and
Marisa Tomei ... Could be that last star's no-show that prompted
Lily Tomlin to mimic her actual appearance ... The morning rehearsals were just a tad too early for
Stew, who made his feelings known as the
Passing Strange troupe concluded rehearsing "Keys"...
...The ever gracious
David Pittu has written a show he's getting ready to premiere at the Atlantic ... across the Atlantic,
August: Osage County will make its West End debut this fall ... English actor
Mark Rylance lived in my hometown of
Mequon - Thiensville, Wisconsin during his formative years (since we're about the same age, I can't help but wonder if we ever met way back when) ... speaking of formative years,
Keith Carradine is
very proud of his progeny
Martha Plimpton (he served as her Tony Awards escort, appropriate given it was Father's Day)...
...The technical Tonys were skillfully hosted by the witty, dynamic duo of
Julie White and
Michael Cerveris ... even Tony winning stars like White can get excited about the chance to see other stars like Connick ... thanks to Cerveris, I finally learned how to properly pronounce
Les Liaisons Dangereuses ...
Laura Linney was gracious when at least one person told her they thought she was terrific in that play they can't pronounce ... "
Project Runway" winner
Christian Siriano's name was on the lips of countless young fans who were thrilled to meet him, while big stars like
Glenn Close walked right on by unbothered...
...Awards do occasionally get bent, just ask
Catherine Zuber ... As this year's winner for Best Costume Design for a Musical, Zuber was overheard telling someone complimenting her on her apparel choices (or lack thereof) for
Matthew Morrison, "I'm no dummy" ... In person,
In The Heights'
Olga Merediz looks to be about half the age of Abuela Claudia, the role for which she earned her Tony nod for Best Featured Actress in a Musical ... Speaking of
In The Heights, creator and lead actor
Lin-Manuel Miranda looks substantially younger without his trademark ivy style cap, and he was practically floating through the Gala crowd while on Cloud 9 all evening.
Here's toasting all the nominees and winners. I'd like to thank them for a truly spectacular year on Broadway. It's one that I'll never forget.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Related Stories:Tony Awards: Win Place Show (June 16, 2008)
Tony Time (June 15, 2008)
Strange: Passing In The Heights For Best Musical? (June 13, 2008)
SOB's 2008 Tony Picks - Who Will Win (June 10, 2008)
SOB's 2008 Tony Picks - Part III (June 6, 2008)
SOB's 2008 Tony Picks - Part II (June 5, 2008)
SOB's 2008 Tony Picks - Part I (June 4, 2008)
And The Tony Nominees Go To... (May 12, 2008)
Labels: August Osage County, Catherine Zuber, Daniel Radcliffe, David Pittu, John Waters, Laura Linney, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Rylance, Martha Plimpton, Patti LuPone, S. Epatha Merkerson, Stew, Tony Awards
Les Liaisons Dangereuses (The SOB Review) – American Airlines Theatre, Roundabout Theatre Company, New York, NY
**1/2 (out of ****)As if to underscore the obvious fact that
double entendre is at its deepest etymological roots a very French term, director
Rufus Norris’ dazzling-
looking revival of
Christopher Hampton’s
Les Liaisons Dangereuses rarely goes for the merely
sensuales when downright
risqué can do. How else to explain the flatulence episode?
Mind you, it’s easy to be completely swept away by
Scott Pask’s sumptuous set design, which -- complemented by
Katrina Lindsay’s exquisite 18th Century costumes,
Donald Holder’s sparkling lighting and
Paul Arditti’s haunting sound design -- is mesmerizingly evocative of Parisian prestige worthy of
Marie Antoinette herself. This is one gorgeous feast for the eyes.
So it’s too bad that the chief players in this double-crossing, double-dealing double entendre-packed play somehow get double-parked, somehow forgetting that sophisticated sensuality at its essence is what ultimately begets sexuality. After all, didn't the French practically invent romance?
As much as I adore the versatility (no pun intended) of
Laura Linney’s body of work -- and her frigid take as La Marquise de Merteuil is ice solid to be sure -- in order for her characterization here to be truly believable, she needs to exhibit more of a temptress seeking release, or at least one completely capable of luring would-be suitors into the dangerous web she's weaving.
Sparring with
Ben Daniels’ silly Le Vicomte de Valmont, her once and potentially future lover, strains credulity. Rather than presenting himself as a lethal lothario extraordinaire, Daniels instead comes across as a personification of
Lippy the Lion. I was half expecting this unexpectedly tri-sexual character (who might try anything) to announce at various junctures, "Exit, stage left.”
While the heavy lifting is left to
Les Liaisons Dangereuses' supporting players, they quite fortunately are up to the task.
Celebrated Welsh actress
Siân Phillips commands the stage as Valmont's aunt Madame de Rosemonde.
Jessica Collins provides a heartbreaking turn as La Présidente de Tourvel as she's caught in the crossfire between La Marquises and Valmont.
Kristine Nielsen offers a clear-eyed innocence as Madame de Volanges. And best of all is the invigorating
Mamie Gummer in her memorable comedic Broadway debut; Gummer steals the show in every scene as the young virgin Cécile Volanges, who turns from initial repulsion toward sexual activity to an eager beaver in every sense of the word.
Nevertheless, the preeminent star of this revival is not a performer, but the magnificent, beautiful design elements. In fact, the actors in the final scene where La Marquises' treachery has been discovered are literally overshadowed by Pask’s brilliant use of the production's knotted curtain chords turned into a web that ultimately hangs entangled over her head.
It's one less than debauched double entendre that points to how potentially dangerous and captivating this revival could have been.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for tickets.Related Stories:How Safe Did Critics Feel Dangereuses Revival Played It? (May 2, 2008)
Les Liaisons Dangereuses' Latest Broadway Affair Opens (May 1, 2008)
The 1,400 Steps(March 17, 2008)
Labels: Ben Daniels, Broadway, Christopher Hampton, Jessica Collins, Laura Linney, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Mamie Gummer, Play, Revival, Rufus Norris, Scott Pask, Sian Phillips, The SOB Review
How Safe Did Critics Feel Dangereuses Revival Played It?Last evening, the first Broadway revival of
Christopher Hampton's
Les Liaisons Dangereuses opened at the
Roundabout Theatre Company's
American Airlines Theatre.
Headlined by
Laura Linney and
Ben Daniels, the play is helmed by British director
Rufus Norris. Other cast members include
Jessica Collins,
Mamie Gummer and
Siân Phillips.
Critical reaction was mixed. All seemed to enjoy Daniels' Rialto debut.
Concluding that "the game remains eminently well worth watching,"
New York Post's
Clive Barnes awards this production three out of four stars: "As revived last night by the Roundabout, Christopher Hampton's play is sensual, oddly naughty and totally, impassively immoral. That sensuality is neatly caught by Rufus Norris' elegantly paced staging and the leads: the couthly chilly Laura Linney, as La Marquise de Merteuil, and a splendiferous Ben Daniels, enjoyably snakelike as the urbane Le Vicomte de Valmont.... [T]he sheer joyous relish he takes in a wickedness he can't stop, even when his happiness and life depend on it, is horrifically convincing. Rather less convincing is Linney's unbroken hauteur as the vengeful, conniving Marquise."
Calling the revival "naughty, provocative fun,"
Elysa Gardner of
USA Today also offers a three star review: "The stars of this revival ... are worthy inheritors. Linney portrays the impervious elegance of a certain type of society woman as ably as (Glenn) Close did. But Linney also transmits an inescapable warmth, making the Marquise's ability to disarm her victims completely convincing, while giving us scrupulously subtle glimpses of her enduring ardor for Valmont. The witty Daniels, in contrast, seems impenetrable, at least until we grasp the full extent of Valmont's feelings for the virtuous Madame de Tourvel, whose honor he intends to destroy for reasons more complicated than he realizes. When forced to confront his love for this married woman, and how he has hurt her, Daniels powerfully evokes his ravaging guilt and regret."
Hailing this as a "sturdy and stylish revival,"
Joe Dziemianowicz of New York's
Daily News gives the production three out of five stars: "Laura Linney steps into the role and delivers a mesmerizing performance as she all but disappears into pre-revolutionary France of the 1780s.... British actor Ben Daniels is bold and lusty ... as the ravenous Valmont.... Director Rufus Norris ... keeps the intricate plot lines flowing, and his smart use of music (servants double as singers) adds texture and commentary."
Noting how "this delicious tournament of sex and power never gets old,"
Variety's
David Rooney says the production "proves resilient -- despite some heavy-handed directorial choices and one crucial piece of miscasting.... Norris initially appears to put a starchy stamp on the material, allowing dead air to punctuate the dialogue. But this is soon revealed to be a choice tailored in particular around Linney's approach to Merteuil.... At first it seems she's not having enough fun with the role's lip-smacking villainy, but her attitude makes sense for a woman who has parlayed her impenetrable detachment and knack for listening into a supreme art.... The big problem in the drama's central triumvirate is the object of that love. Collins is sorely inadequate and unaffecting as Madame de Tourvel.... Grace, piety and vulnerability -- all are lacking in Collins' work here...."
Lauding a "sensational Broadway debut,"
Ben Brantley of
The New York Times is charmed by at least one of the leads: "Mr. Daniels provides both the silliest and most serious rendering I’ve seen of Valmont.... His warm, fluid performance reflects what would appear to be Mr. Norris’s intention: to turn up the temperature in a work of famously icy cynicism. Unfortunately no one else in this revival approaches Mr. Daniels’s level of complexity, including Ms. Linney, a wonderful actress who has been shoehorned into a part out of her natural range and is perceptibly pinched.... Here she is required to wear a mask of hypocrisy, and it doesn’t fit."
Lamenting that the show "eventually proves numbing,"
Eric Grode of
The New York Sun takes aim at the icey chill be saw in the production : "It's as if Ms. Linney worked so hard to squelch her innate warmth, with the British import Mr. Daniels following suit, that the brittle badinage and machinations are all that remain.... Mr. Norris ... emphasizes the endless connivings between this pair to the exclusion of any of the rawer, less epigrammatic emotions that accompany Valmont's ostensible upheaval. These two have become so numbed to the possibility of actual romantic love that their increasingly fraught rendezvous are reduced to mere pique. No matter how alluring Mr. Daniels's cocktail of preening vanity and disingenuous sensitivity becomes, this unwillingness to honor at least the possibility of emotional transcendence robs this
Liaisons of a crucial layer of humanity."
I'll be taking in the production myself over the next few days and will offer my own SOB Review shortly thereafter. This limited run production is scheduled through June 29.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for tickets.Related Stories:Les Liaisons Dangereuses' Latest Broadway Affair Opens (May 1, 2008)
The 1,400 Steps (March 17, 2008)
Labels: Ben Daniels, Broadway, Christopher Hampton, Critics' Capsule, Laura Linney, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Play, Revival, Roundabout Theatre, Rufus Norris
Les Liaisons Dangereuses' Latest Broadway Affair OpensThis evening, the first Great White Way revival of
Christopher Hampton's
Les Liaisons Dangereuses opens at the
Roundabout Theatre Company's
American Airlines Theatre.
Under
Rufus Norris' guiding hand, this incarnation stars
Laura Linney as La Marquise de Merteuil opposite
Ben Daniels as Le Vicomte de Valmont. This marks Linney's first Rialto turn since 2004's
Sight Unseen for which she received a Tony nomination.
Other notable cast members in
Les Liaisons Dangereuses include
Mamie Gummer (daughter of
Meryl Streep) as Cécile Volanges,
Siân Phillips as Madame de Rosemonde, and
Jessica Collins as La Présidente de Tourvel.
Les Liaisons Dangereuses originally appeared on Broadway's
Music Box Theatre 21 years ago, when the
Howard Davies-helmed production enjoyed a 149 performance run along with 7 Tony nominations, including for Best Play. That incarnation starred Tony nominees
Lindsay Duncan and
Alan Rickman.
Subsequently, the play was turned into the highly acclaimed 1988 film "
Dangerous Liaisons," boasting what would now have to be deemed as nothing less than an all-star cast with
Glenn Close,
John Malkovich,
Michelle Pfeiffer,
Swoosie Kurtz,
Keanu Reeves,
Mildred Natwick and
Uma Thurman. Christopher Hampton earned an Academy Award for his screen adaptation.
So with all the previous success of Hampton's material, will this revival safely glide to critical praise? Find out tomorrow as I provide my critics' capsule.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for tickets.Related Stories:The 1,400 Steps (March 17, 2008)
Labels: Ben Daniels, Broadway, Christopher Hampton, Laura Linney, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Opening Night, Play, Revival, Roundabout Theatre, Rufus Norris
