Play was electrifying...

Avatar for hope_bou
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Play was electrifying...
7
Wed, 05-21-2003 - 12:53am
We left for the theatre at 6:15pm. Usually we would just take the subway which is a 10 minute ride to Times Square, and walk to the Plymouth Theatre at 45th Street. But, I wanted to make sure I got there on time, so we took a taxicab. There was some congestion near Lincoln Center, but we did arrive at the theatre at 6:50pm. House was packed- sold out performance. Curtain went up at 7:05pm. Setting is a delapidated Adirondack- style summer home. The sparsley decorated living room has a few light rattan chairs and a oak mission style table with two large oak chairs. Vanessa Redgrave and Brian Dennehy walk out on stage arm in arm.She wears a long white linen dress and early 1900s white, laced up shoes: her gray/very light blonde hair is gathered in a bun. Soon they are joined by their two sons played by Philip Hoffman and Robert Sean Leanord. The performance begins and each scene is better than the other. Think of waves. A scene ends and another begins without interruption/ break. There are two brief intermissions, and almost everyone stayed near his/her seat.

The play ended at 11:15pm. With two 15minute intermissions, the actors were on stage at least 3.5 hours. Yet, they seemed as fresh in the third act as they did in the first. Extraordinary performances from all the cast. There seems to be more comic elements in this production.

In Act III, Vanessa R. comes out dressed in a turn of the century muslim dress with bustle ruffles in the back. She is wearing a light blue shawl, and carrying a wedding dress. The last scene where Mary Tyrone hallucinates about her desire to be a nun, and her marriage is one of the best I have ever experienced. When the curtain came down, everyone got up and applauded, shouting Bravo, Brava.

I walked out with DS who kept talking about the words since he had read the play , but never seen it on stage. I said very little. I knew I needed to "collect my thoughts in tranquility" as the poet said. In that scene, Vanessa R. was evoking every woman who has loved a man but only "for a time."

On another note: Patricia Neal was sitting two rows in front of us. You can recognize the face, but she walks with a cane and bent over. As I recall she had

a stroke. DS said to her, "Thank you for Fountainhead" as she walked passed us and she smiled.

I am going to have a cup of herb tea and relax a little before going to bed.

Exhausted

Hope



Hug Hope
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-24-2002
Wed, 05-21-2003 - 5:18am
Good Morning Hope...sounds like a wonderful evening...

I'm behind in reading posts, so I might have missed it in n earlier post but what was the name of the play?

Val

                                      

Avatar for marmoranana
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 05-21-2003 - 7:05am
How wonderful, Hope. Sounds like your day turned out just fine.

Lanie

Avatar for quite_contrary
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 05-21-2003 - 7:22am
Hope what a wonderful discription I almost feel I was there. I have never been to a play on Broadway. I have been in Time Square though, and on the subway, only in NY once. I have often wanted to tell you that I think it is wonderful you live in a place that most of us only hear about. I have always thought that NYC is a great place to visit but who would ever want to live there? Lots of people I guess. You always make it sound so interesting. Living on the 25th floor in New York city seems strange to me as everyone here has their acres of grass and dandelions to roam on. Have you always lived in NYC or did you ever live out in the subburbs? Did you grow up in NYC or near? Just funny questions I have everytime I see a post from you about your city. Have a relaxing day Hope. MM
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 05-21-2003 - 7:42am
Good morning, Hope. I saw Brian Dennehy and Vanessa Redgrave interviewed last week on TV, maybe the Today Show. It was obvious this production must be outstanding. Lucky you to be able to see it. I know you will enjoy going over and over it in your mind for a long time. Aren't the younger actors lucky to work with these fabulous older actors? Glad your day turned out so well. Seren
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-16-1999
Wed, 05-21-2003 - 7:47am
What a wonderful evening, Hope. Thank you for sharing it with us. Gosh, I felt like I was there.

Have a good day............BB

Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2003
Wed, 05-21-2003 - 7:57am
Hi Hope, sounds like youhad a wonderful time. So glad you enjoyed it. Have a nice day! Jackie
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-05-1999
Wed, 05-21-2003 - 8:13am
Thank you for your vivid description, Hope. I expected one of the characters to appear on the computer screen at any second. How I wish we got to Manhattan more than we're able!

Enjoy today!

Francine