tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post2547565002546557549..comments2023-12-27T05:20:26.800-05:00Comments on BAM blog: In Context: The Iceman ComethUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-65774702442095075612015-03-16T13:25:10.693-04:002015-03-16T13:25:10.693-04:00Nathan Lane was wonderful as the lead in this play...Nathan Lane was wonderful as the lead in this play. It is an exhausting role and he had the same high level of energy from start to finish. He became Hickey on stage. Brian Dennehy wasn't as good. He played Larry but without any great enthusiasm and I did not feel that Larry was really there as a person. The female roles were also disappointing. The females actors were unable to play their roles so that each of the three females had a different personae. They were all the same streetwalker. Chuck was well played when he was in his wedding suit but otherwise not too interesting. Parritt was well done since his character is meant to be annoying and he was that. Harry Hope was also well played as a complex and very troubled character. The other actors were uneven.<br />The acoustics were bad. I was in row "T" and I could not hear Parritt half the time and Larry didn't project well either especially when he was slouching and had his head pointed down. I agree with one of the other contributors that the theatre looks like a dump. It has been in operation long enough with market rate tickets that it's current look is no longer chic nor appropriate. Fix the place up to look like a proper theatre.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-58603641621977155082015-03-16T11:44:52.839-04:002015-03-16T11:44:52.839-04:00We love Nathan Lane and Brian Dennehy and, probabl...We love Nathan Lane and Brian Dennehy and, probably, would have enjoyed the play had we been able to hear the characters other than, perhaps, every other sentence making it impossible to really absorb the full thrust of the performances. We were sitting in the "upper orchestra" - however, I've heard that people in rows 1 - 10 in the lower orchestra could not hear, either. To our great disappointment, we had to leave after the first act and feel we threw out hard-earned money. BTW: we are not hearing impaired and do not typically need hearing devices for other plays and in our general activities. How in the world did the people above us make out? P.S. this isn't all about acoustics. The seats could use some help, too. We are not heavy people, but someone who is overweight would have a problem and the leg room - well thank the Lord my husband who is 6 feet had an aisle seat otherwise he would have been incredibly cramped. It's one thing to maintain the character of a venerable theater - it's another to charge high prices so people can be uncomfortable. Between the seats and the horrible overhead ceilings that look like hanging dust and asbestos, this is offensive to customers. Will probably never return to this theater.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-5324927582452880692015-03-15T23:58:04.527-04:002015-03-15T23:58:04.527-04:00Loved the production, Lane was remarkable, a diffe...Loved the production, Lane was remarkable, a different take then Kevin Spacey's Broadway production some 15 years back, but there is room for both interpretations. Overall, the cast was superb. <br />But it was a terrible venue for such a drama. I was so far back, I could barely see the production, the stairs were miserable, the seats uncomfortable. The food unwrapping was so noisy!~ There was not enough room in the lobby for the 3 intermissions, which were only 15 minutes, so by the time I climbed down from my seat to the lobby, it was time to go back up! <br />Since my seat was so lousy, my friend offered me HER seat for the last act. Well, someone else grabbed the seat left vacant for me, and refused to move when I tried to take this seat, and my friend had already found a better seat, and had no idea this was happening, she thought she was doing me a favor! The usher did nothing, despite my explanations that the seat was intended for ME and since the last act was about to start, and this stubborn young woman refused to budge, I was back in my lousy last row seat where I could barely see. All this cost me over $100 (recall there are service charges tacked on) so I was disappointed in such a large venue for an intense drama which clearly calls for more intimacy. <br />How rude the young are, I still cannot get past this young woman who simply would not budge no matter how many times I explained that the seat was left open for me to utilize, and indeed the tickets were paid for on MY credit card! And no assistance from the usher, whatsoever. Very upsetting. Joanne Theodorouhttp://usedyorkcity.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-66099351422059926062015-03-15T19:12:11.635-04:002015-03-15T19:12:11.635-04:00An excellent play, of which we missed much because...An excellent play, of which we missed much because the acoustics were poor were we were sitting. I feel that I will have to read the play now, to get the benefit of what could have been a terrific evening. Only Nathan Lane's diction and voice projection were clear enough to get to us. What a shame. Jean-Pierre Berlietnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-44353444703594356132015-03-15T16:54:15.018-04:002015-03-15T16:54:15.018-04:00I had a free ticket but passed as O'Neill remi...I had a free ticket but passed as O'Neill reminds me of my college lit courses. If it were Pinter i would've sat on the bed-of-nails chairs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-56821516805449550382015-03-14T18:30:47.066-04:002015-03-14T18:30:47.066-04:00That's 5 hours of my life I won't get back...That's 5 hours of my life I won't get back. Dennehy's performance - lackluster. Lane's performance - over-acted, forced over-emotional, not believable. The incessant use of the word "pipe dreams" a bore. Many of the actors were Inaudible at times (not, we're not hearing impaired). This was our first and last performance at BAM. The seats in the gallery were wooden bar stools with a thin sheath of 1970's fabric. Disappointing performances, terrible audio, the most physically uncomfortable theater experience ever. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-65033388780665654372015-03-14T13:54:17.963-04:002015-03-14T13:54:17.963-04:00Agreed. we were front row mezz--admittedly on the ...Agreed. we were front row mezz--admittedly on the far right in the box. Comfortable seating (partial view which only was a real problem in Act III) but the sound was terrible. We have no problems with hearing but given this is an O'Neill play, one needs to be able to follow the extensive dialogue clearly. A major problem in my view and truly limited our experience.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-76243922241223877492015-03-13T18:57:58.638-04:002015-03-13T18:57:58.638-04:00A well acted, well directed production with a grea...A well acted, well directed production with a great set. The problem was that it was too long - Wednesday night it ran almost five hours - which diminished the work's impact. I was worn out by the end, and had the play been edited by an hour or more the effect would have been stronger.<br />That being said I am glad that I attended as how often does one get an opportunity to see any production of an Eugene O'Neill play let alone Iceman. The actors gave many first rate performances as referenced by many positive comments made in the earlier postings on this site. However, the revelation for me was Salvatore Inzerillo's Rocky. I liked his work best as he took a part that I had always thought of as a cartoon character speaking a weird dialect and made it real. His play by play commentary on Harry Hope outside the saloon trying to take his walk around the ward was priceless.<br /><br />For me it was a night well spent and I am hoping that this director revisits Long Day's Journey Into Night. And if he does, I fervently wish that he edits the work as it too is too long. I do not think that O'Neill's work is so sacrosanct that the text is untouchable.<br />Derek H. Jones Atlantanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-48323495754058327572015-03-13T12:10:26.035-04:002015-03-13T12:10:26.035-04:00A powerful, memorable production. Superb lighting ...A powerful, memorable production. Superb lighting and directorial effects. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-18897331982963008062015-03-13T12:02:21.264-04:002015-03-13T12:02:21.264-04:00We had the same problem on March 10. Apart from L...We had the same problem on March 10. Apart from Lane, Grapey, Hoogenakker, and the understudy Jonathan Earl Peck, everyone in the show was either inaudible, incomprehensible, or both, for much or all of this very long evening. We could make out perhaps three words of Kate Arrington's performance. Brian Dennehy came through clearly only in his single extended speech, in Act Three, and then lapsed back in mumble the minute he had to interact with others. Even the great Stephen Ouimette, for whose sake alone we had bought tickets the minute they went on sale, was intelligible only intermittently until Act Four, and by then it was too late to have any real sense of what he was doing with his character. The only one who may have had an excuse was John Douglas Thomas, who seemed under the weather in Act One and was replaced by Peck for the rest of the evening. Like the anonymous poster to whose comment I am replying, I have no hearing impairment whatsoever--in fact, we were in the fourth row of the Gallery, and I was keenly aware of iPhone "Message" pings going off all over the orchestra all night--so I can't see this as anything other than low energy or poor diction. A real disappointment.Christopher Johnsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-58379799665173667052015-03-13T01:48:23.539-04:002015-03-13T01:48:23.539-04:00I just saw this magnificent production tonight. I...I just saw this magnificent production tonight. I have not seen a professional play in many years, so it was doubly sweet this one. I got to see a superb production, and a production of one of my favorite plays by one of my favorite playwrights. <br /><br />Nathan Lane and Brian Dennehy were astounding. The whole cast was fabulous. The play is a deeply sad, profound, amazing work, and this production really brought it out. <br /><br />One small quip. The seats in the upper gallery are very uncomfortable, especially for a 4 hour play. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-8287578104307200982015-03-09T14:48:36.661-04:002015-03-09T14:48:36.661-04:00Anonymous March 10th 2015
Sunday's performance...Anonymous March 10th 2015<br />Sunday's performance was just wonderful. What a privilege to experience superb acting, and the directing and lighting was first rate, for sure.<br />I have a suggestion concerning the hearing devices. The theater I believe is wired for advance hearing reception for those that do not hear well. The person giving out the hearing devices does not ask if one is wearing hearing aids. He needs to tell people about the device one can wear around their necks which relates to theater wiring. Also be clear about how to adjust ones own hearing aids to relate to the theater's hearing set up.<br />I do not wear a hearing aid, but used a regular device, and still had some difficulty hearing. When one is under the balcony, I think the sound is somewhat blocked. <br />To sum up, please have the person that distributes your hearing devices, much more informed!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-57077686352948100482015-03-09T13:15:43.478-04:002015-03-09T13:15:43.478-04:00I thought that the production and the cast were ex...I thought that the production and the cast were excellent. I've seen the play a couple of times, plus the film, so I wasn't sure that I'd be drawn in as I had been before. I was and I thank everyone for a great afternoon. Now, what follows may seem like carping: the lobby was jammed and too many chairs at the tables were filled with coats, purses, bags, etc. How could people be so selfish; chairs are for sitting, damn it. Can't someone in the lobby staff take care of this problem? And, don't, for one minute, think that just because winter is leaving that with warmer weather this problem will go away. Wrong!! The performance was great; the lobby, a mess.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-80141328285804309712015-03-09T10:35:24.250-04:002015-03-09T10:35:24.250-04:00First let me say, All the actors were great, but N...First let me say, All the actors were great, but Nathan Lane and Brian Dennehy were amazing! One problem with this theater are the seats in the Gallery, they are like bar stools and for a 4.5 hour show they can become very uncomfortable after the first 2 hours. Please get new seats!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-4764895276998130512015-03-09T07:39:24.708-04:002015-03-09T07:39:24.708-04:00I'm not a theater expert, but when I recognize...I'm not a theater expert, but when I recognize a part of me in the actors in a production, I'm moved and changed to some extent. That was my experience at the March 8 show (and I was sitting in the last row in the balcony). Thanks to every actor and all others involved. After the show, I took the 2 train to Greenwich Village, and had two beers in a "divey" place near where the "Hell Hole" once stood. Harry, Larry and Hickey weren't there, but there were other dreamers, including me. Thanks.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07564107809273265457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-53791190985962216452015-03-09T07:22:55.398-04:002015-03-09T07:22:55.398-04:00March 8th matinee performance. although i looked f...March 8th matinee performance. although i looked forward to this and was well aware it was a 4:45 min play we only lasted until the 2nd intermission. Balcony seating is horrendous, nothing more than wooden bar stools with a thin piece of fabric covering. It is a pretty steep angle but that didn't have as much of an impact as the seats themselves. As far as the performance what we saw was fantastic but in those balcony seats there was no way we could have lasted another 2 hours, unfortunate for sure. If i am to visit BAM again I will pay the extra to be downstairs. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-67367516966787256102015-03-09T00:29:42.796-04:002015-03-09T00:29:42.796-04:00I had a real problem with the March 6 performance ...I had a real problem with the March 6 performance and am very disappointed. I was sitting in row G, center and had a very difficult time hearing the performers. Brian Dennehy's opening monologue was completely lost to me. One of my friends who accompanied me had the same problem. It got so bad, that we had to request assisted hearing devices, although there is nothing wrong with our hearing. Needless to say, this greatly affected our appreciation of the production. The sound was awful - dead. Many people in the audience left during the 1st intermission. Many more left during the second and third intermissions. The common complaint was the inability to hear. What a waste!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-55937205741032504242015-03-08T21:39:16.108-04:002015-03-08T21:39:16.108-04:00Saw the March 7th show. Wasn't bored for a min...Saw the March 7th show. Wasn't bored for a minute. The time flew, and every word Dennehy said was crystal clear: in last row balcony ! That's a theater artist ! It was a privilege to see this classic right in my own hometown. OK, the seats are hell, and so is the climb, but that's better than making this classic old theater a parking lot ! Looking forward to "Ghosts" !Frank Guerrasionoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-27432117525626659162015-03-08T20:40:14.602-04:002015-03-08T20:40:14.602-04:00It really was an amazing evening of theater and on...It really was an amazing evening of theater and one I will long remember. <br /><br />Not to diminish the thespian accolades but I must comment on the issue of food. Although sustenance was required during the 4.5 hours, it should not have been permitted in the theater and more seats/tables should have been arranged for the lobby. People are not considerate of others in this regard--eating smelly food, leaving trash on the floor despite the flight-attendant-like ushers trolling the aisles with garbage bags, etc. <br /><br />That aside, it was a real treat to be a member of the audience! . Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-48906182552420962412015-03-08T19:07:01.037-04:002015-03-08T19:07:01.037-04:00First off, my seat was not cushioned and I had to ...First off, my seat was not cushioned and I had to walk all the way to it from the entrance. I don't ever have those kinds of problems with Netflix and Hulu. To make matters worse, this so-called play ran over four hours long! It really was closer to five hours. Didn't anyone think of doing the abridged version? We should have been warned.<br /><br />No, really, this was fabulous. When we first read the reviews of the Chicago production we almost flew there to see it, so we were thrilled that BAM brought it east. We'd seen Dennehy in LDJIN, and Lane in Godot (among other performances), and they did not disappoint us. Sure, the play has its moments that ring odd to today's audiences, but it's power and the wonderful ensemble performance were really compelling. <br />We had seen Robards in the Hickey role in the 1980s, and in that performance the show was all his. In this performance, not to take anything away from Lane's wonderful work, the heart of the show was Larry, and Harry Hope. <br />If you can see it, you should. You won't regret it.<br />P.S. We agree with the comment about managing the women's bathroom. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-47093127079278251062015-03-07T10:11:43.035-05:002015-03-07T10:11:43.035-05:00I saw the production last night, March 6, and was ...I saw the production last night, March 6, and was front row last seat right in front of Dennehy. Well, I'm now sure that the twin crowns for greatest playwright (American) go to Williams and Miller. I kept comparing Ouimette to the (ostensibly) leads and found his Harry Hope really the performance to be cherished. Something tells me that Lane and Dennehy both know that theirs is not the best acting in the production. Lane was forcing his voice unattractively to levels of volume for which he lacked the innate power. His speech seemed unlived and manufactured to some degree. The second Ouimette opens his mouth in Act 1, you hear the contrast with Dennehy--bam, a living character. Trust me, the bouquets here should go to Stephen Ouimette and a some others of the supporting cast, and Lane surely knows it.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-52028958070189547282015-03-05T16:26:26.045-05:002015-03-05T16:26:26.045-05:00This was a magnificent, unforgettable evening of t...This was a magnificent, unforgettable evening of theater. It's the best thing I've seen Nathan Lane do, and I've seen him in an incredible variety of roles. It would have been a perfect night of theater had two people across the aisle not spent an inordinate amount of time crackling their food wrappers and bags. Please don't sell food in cellophane bags. Please discourage people from bringing food into the theater. Please. And please continue to bring such fabulous productions to this wonderful theater.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-88297872375864612602015-03-05T11:15:53.138-05:002015-03-05T11:15:53.138-05:00Thought you might like to know that at March 4th&#...Thought you might like to know that at March 4th's evening performance John Douglas Thompson did get exit applause. What an amazing performance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-15611796431031065532015-03-04T15:54:17.639-05:002015-03-04T15:54:17.639-05:00I saw the play on March 3 and it was phenomenal. I...I saw the play on March 3 and it was phenomenal. I went to see Brian Dennehy and he did not disappoint, but then, he is a seasoned actor of O'Neill plays. But, it was Nathan Lane who surprised me the most. He was extraordinary as Hickey. He must be so proud to know that he can portray this depth of emotion so magnificently. Every actor in the ensemble was perfectly attuned to his or her role, too. <br /><br />This is what theater should be. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to see this, and in Brooklyn, no less. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658202452707400073.post-47217347511673393132015-03-04T11:55:32.502-05:002015-03-04T11:55:32.502-05:00Wow! This was my first time seeing the show. Alt...Wow! This was my first time seeing the show. Although I had heard of The Iceman Cometh and of Eugene O'Neill, I was unfamiliar with the story. It is is basically about people using pipe dreams - what they plan to do tomorrow - as a way to tranquilize themselves today, and the consequences of this. As such, it is a universal message, which touches the soul. <br />The actors really blended in to their characters, becoming them; and who knew that Nathan Lane could so convincingly act such a part? During the first two thirds, I, too, wanted to buy in to what he was selling. Later, his face flushed red with the emotion he was evoking. This was not acting; this was living the part. <br />Brian Dennehy, too, was excellent in his role as a "cynic" watching the show. I would love to go to a bar where such profound questions about life were asked. My only question at the end: could a new show of this type possibly be brought to Broadway today? This is surely a classic.joseph hananiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15792307138063556969noreply@blogger.com