(Seen 10/10/09)
George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber were creatures of the theatre, and they stacked every aspect and element of it into this romp about a high-profile, beloved theatrical family in the 1920s.
Director Doug Hughes has turned up the speed and fury of this funny and witty excursion into an extended family's dedicated life in "the theatre", sometimes making it feel like a Marx Brothers farce. Aside from the delightful and totally nuanced performances of Rosemary Harris and Jan Maxwell, the large and excellent featured cast playfully labors to keep the action going non-stop.
One of the main audiences for the show will probably be everyone working in the theatre, who will recognize the references and situations in this dated comedy. But all audience will appreciate the humor and love portrayed by a very talented cast that seems to be thoroughly enjoying their roles.
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Theatre As Seen By Me
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Blog Archive
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2010
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August
(18)
- IN THE NEXT ROOM -- or -- the vibrator play -- ...
- RAGTIME at the Neil Simon Theatre
- NIGHTINGALE at MTC's City Center Stage I
- THE UNDERSTUDY at the Roundabout's Laura Pels Theatre
- IDIOT SAVANT at the Public Theater
- SUPERIOR DONUTS at the Music Box
- BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS at the Nederlander Theatre
- EMBRACEABLE ME at the Kirk Theatre
- AFTER MISS JULIE at Roundabout's AA Theatre
- MEMPHIS at the Shubert Theatre
- BYE-BYE BIRDIE at Roundabout's Henry Miller Theatre
- OLEANNA at the Golden Theatre
- THE ROYAL FAMILY at the MTC's Samuel J. Friedman T...
- HAMLET at the Broadhurst Theatre
- WISHFUL DRINKING at Roundabout Theatre's Studio 54
- A STEADY RAIN at the Schoenfeld Theatre
- ESTROGENIUS FESTIVAL at Manhattan Theatre Source
- BURN THE FLOOR at the Longacre Theatre
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August
(18)
Observations by Ira J. Bilowit
He has been writing about the theatre in numerous publications for over fifty years, and has been involved in producing and writing for the theatre during same period.
Professionally, he is a member of the DRAMA DESK (former Vice Pres.), the American Theatre Critics Association, the Dramatists Guild, and the International Association of Theatre Critics.
Former Managing Editor/Feature Writer/Reviewer for SHOW BUSINESS; Editor/Publisher of New York Theatre Review; Contributing Editor/Feature Writer for BACK STAGE.