tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524728.post5629195437089486044..comments2023-09-29T04:00:21.951-07:00Comments on followspot: Vanyafollowspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05390128032621439981noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524728.post-5715290575154102382007-03-15T03:53:00.000-07:002007-03-15T03:53:00.000-07:00I can see Hurt affecting some of the moments I men...I can see Hurt affecting some of the moments I mentioned, but beyond those moments the overall shape of the play was confused and haphazard, a problem compounded by the shallowness of the various actors' internal life. It wasn't that people were in different worlds, or in their own world; it was that everyone was in a bland shared world, occasionally popping out from it into emotions or desires. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524728.post-11596790235899434962007-03-08T19:09:00.000-08:002007-03-08T19:09:00.000-08:00JoAnn Johnson, the director, had an impossible tas...JoAnn Johnson, the director, had an impossible task directing William Hurt. One day he would demand blocking, the next he would rail against it... I'm not saying he's not a forceful presence onstage, but he made rehearsals more dramatic, chaotic and unbearably tense than the production. He also made Elena a sobbing mess on more than one occasion. Johnson's an excellent director -- when she's Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524728.post-10275639805787104492007-03-05T09:36:00.000-08:002007-03-05T09:36:00.000-08:00Saw it last night; awful. Some parts (Vanya’s spra...Saw it last night; awful. Some parts (Vanya’s sprawling, ridiculous third-act denouement: gesture, screech at Astrov, gesture, run to Sonia, gesture, screech, repeat) might originally have had power, but in general directorial hand where present incompetent. Strange stylized world where people sit in chairs and stare at whoever is talking, waiting for what? “Don’t leave me with him” Act II Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524728.post-29015995974958313242007-03-02T23:49:00.000-08:002007-03-02T23:49:00.000-08:00Posted by Followspot March 2, 2007; closes March 4...Posted by Followspot March 2, 2007; closes March 4, 2007<BR/><BR/>Who knew 1928 Canadian Chekhov could be so fresh, inviting? Score one for Tom Wood’s script adaptation. William Hurt naturally outstanding. Remaining cast all over map – not unlike distracting accents: from trying hard, to trying too hard, to hardly-trying to simply trying. Well-toned technical elements, especially Gordon followspothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05390128032621439981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524728.post-55943353736615468832007-03-01T09:42:00.000-08:002007-03-01T09:42:00.000-08:00Saw Vanya last nite (2/28 ushering) - really good ...Saw Vanya last nite (2/28 ushering) - really good but left me feeling unmoved somehow. Hurt made some interesting choices that I don't necessarily agree with but they were brave choices and I respect that. Aside from the rather annoying accent (think Australian/British/Harvard hybrid) I thought Hurt's girlfriend wasn't as bad as the reviews said - I actually rather liked her. I had no problems Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524728.post-25003849721402303392007-02-06T12:54:00.000-08:002007-02-06T12:54:00.000-08:00FYI: This show has been extended through March 4.FYI: This show has been extended through March 4.followspothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05390128032621439981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524728.post-60129423566816819572007-02-03T11:56:00.000-08:002007-02-03T11:56:00.000-08:00PS - On a technical note, I should explain that fo...PS - On a technical note, I should explain that for better or worse Blogger (the site that hosts the Followspot blog) doesn't allow me to selectively edit comments -- it's basically all or nothing, unless I take the time to manually cut-and-paste-and-edit-and-repost. Otherwise, it's all or nothing. So you see why it would be time-consuming to edit out one snarky, off-topic sentence from a much followspothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05390128032621439981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524728.post-31387544737263261962007-02-03T11:23:00.000-08:002007-02-03T11:23:00.000-08:00I have to say Mr. True has a point relative to bot...I have to say Mr. True has a point relative to both this thread and <i>Misalliance</i>. <br /><br />I'd really prefer not to moderate the comments because I do not think it's the best solution. I don't really have the time and it would cause a significant delay in getting your comments live, in effect suspending your comments until I have a few minutes to read them and, in my ultimate wisdom (followspothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05390128032621439981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524728.post-5194319883095020142007-02-03T10:46:00.000-08:002007-02-03T10:46:00.000-08:00That last post was me-Tim True...That last post was me-Tim True...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524728.post-1429218081423013152007-02-03T10:45:00.000-08:002007-02-03T10:45:00.000-08:00I find this personal skewering of an individual co...I find this personal skewering of an individual completely irresponsible, as well as cruel, and would ask Followspot to strongly consider editing comments that are not artistic but hurtful and in this case semi-slanderous. This Blog can be interesting to read, but when it goes down this sort of path, I find myself wondering if I should even engage in reading it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524728.post-14236407350014625372007-02-02T20:20:00.000-08:002007-02-02T20:20:00.000-08:00I agree -- back to the show -- since I haven't see...I agree -- back to the show -- since I haven't seen it yet, I'm curious to know more about the performances, the direction, the design ...followspothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05390128032621439981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524728.post-37375388140843886702007-02-02T17:06:00.000-08:002007-02-02T17:06:00.000-08:00So aside from all this, Mrs. Lincoln ... how did y...So aside from all this, Mrs. Lincoln ... how did you enjoy the show?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524728.post-46616140216181998852007-02-02T16:10:00.000-08:002007-02-02T16:10:00.000-08:00"Are casting motivations fair game for a critique ..."Are casting motivations fair game for a critique of a play?" <br /><br />I don't think so. IMHO, we don't see that motivation on stage. We see the actor. Is that person miscast? I'd go for that as a valid critique. <br /><br />I mean, if so-and-so's S.O. was universally praised in the role, would anyone care who they were sleeping with?<br /><br />Apart from the itchy gossip parts of us, Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524728.post-6129708053369535362007-02-02T16:02:00.000-08:002007-02-02T16:02:00.000-08:00Plus there are times when who-is-sleeping-with-who...Plus there are times when who-is-sleeping-with-whom <i>does</i> affect the show....<br /><br />Well, OK, that's unfair. <br /><br />To take a step back ...<br /><br />The artistic question, if there is one, is one of casting. <br /><br />So then: Are casting motivations fair game for a critique of a play?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524728.post-11977825992503361132007-02-02T15:48:00.000-08:002007-02-02T15:48:00.000-08:00Of course not. We're theatre folk. Where would we ...Of course not. We're theatre folk. Where would we be without gossip?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524728.post-14317085711074371662007-02-02T15:00:00.000-08:002007-02-02T15:00:00.000-08:00Boy, and I was worried when I let my subscription ...Boy, and I was worried when I let my subscription to People and US Weekly run out. Luckily I can still catch up on my gossip here.<br /><br />I'm down with talking about a show, but I don't really care who's sleeping with who, whether it got them the part or not.<br /><br />Can we please just talk about the show?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524728.post-25690930754355502922007-02-02T14:25:00.000-08:002007-02-02T14:25:00.000-08:00Rumor, schmumor. Vendy was Hurt's date to the Osca...Rumor, schmumor. Vendy was Hurt's date to the Oscars last year, and Aussie tabloids are full of all sorts of wild allegations about her sex life. I can't <i>know</i> that Vendy's sleeping with Hurt, but it's obvious that she wouldn't have been cast if it weren't for him.<br /><br />As for whether it was worth it? Financially, sure. But artistically, she was so bad that she drags the show under. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524728.post-79359460387241923962007-02-02T13:54:00.000-08:002007-02-02T13:54:00.000-08:00i don't know that i'm naive. maybe you're cynical....i don't know that i'm naive. maybe you're cynical. honestly, i'm sure i'd do it once, but after every single review of the show told me that i didn't belong in that show, i'd probably not feel comfortable getting another part that way. i mean, it can't feel good.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524728.post-69966314419982381872007-02-02T12:55:00.000-08:002007-02-02T12:55:00.000-08:00Yeah I'm sure A.R.T is in turmoil over the concess...Yeah I'm sure A.R.T is in turmoil over the concession they probably just cry all over the piles of money they made on that decision...and I'm sure that actress has her very high powered man open as many doors as he can for her...and you would too -anon 11:41- so would anyone here and if you say you wouldn't walk through a door "someone else" opened for you...well then you are either a liar or Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524728.post-31739143998344829102007-02-02T11:47:00.000-08:002007-02-02T11:47:00.000-08:00i, anonymous 11:41, wanted to add that i have not ...i, anonymous 11:41, wanted to add that i have not seen the show yet, but had been feeling sorry for the actress playing elena, since she was so universally panned, and only have now read the rumor right here and now that she is hurt's special lady friend.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524728.post-26795487041374459482007-02-02T11:41:00.000-08:002007-02-02T11:41:00.000-08:00how could you live with yourself as an actress if ...how could you live with yourself as an actress if you had to rely on your boyfriend's star power to get you roles, which you clearly are not ready for? and what kind of actor is willing to sacrifice the quality of his project to do his girlfriend a favor? some favor! i mean, sure she's collecting this paycheck, but would any actress in town trade places with her right now?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524728.post-78831276037187991662007-02-02T10:55:00.000-08:002007-02-02T10:55:00.000-08:00And there's always the possibility that a few EXTR...And there's always the possibility that a few EXTRA bodies will show just to enjoy watching the newbie fall flat on her face.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524728.post-26768439887484674982007-02-02T10:34:00.000-08:002007-02-02T10:34:00.000-08:00Of course you make the decision...you make MAJOR b...Of course you make the decision...you make MAJOR bank on a show that helps strengthen the financial life of your company...we would all make the same choice if given the option the show might be really good instead of "Mind blowing" but on the practical side you'd be a fool not to do it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524728.post-32785576702063360852007-02-02T10:26:00.000-08:002007-02-02T10:26:00.000-08:00Yes, I think it was clearly worth it.Yes, I think it was clearly worth it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524728.post-81561939689594882112007-02-02T09:23:00.000-08:002007-02-02T09:23:00.000-08:00Which begs the casting question: Was it worth putt...Which begs the casting question: Was it worth putting up with the girl in order to get the guy? She seems as obviously un-qualified as he is over-qualified ... Would I have made the same casting concession in order to book a "star"? hmmm.... a rock and a hard place ....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com