Could anybody who sees Year of Magical Thinking please post...- Page 2
Could anybody who sees Year of Magical Thinking please post...
#25re: Could anybody who sees Year of Magical Thinking please post...
Posted: 3/26/07 at 11:25pm
A master class in acting indeed! Wow. Vanessa Redgrave had me (along with the entire audience) completely captivated the entire 90 minutes. This was the first time I had ever seen Redgrave on stage and it was truly an experience to remember. Her facial expressions, her intonation, her emotion...it was all perfect.
As for the play itself, I found I was really drawn into the material. It may have helped though that I had just finished reading Didion's book last week so it was still fresh in my mind. I like how although the story is about the death of Didion's husband and daughter, there were still a few light, funny moments. I especially liked the moment when Redgrave discussed finishing the crossword puzzle. "Sometime you feel like ....." The correct answer is "a nut," but Didion's initial thought was "a motherless child." I also remember reading this part in the book and I'm glad it was included in the play. It was one of those moments that allowed the audience to enter Didion's head and realize that since her husband's death, her world was completely turned upside down, so much that her method of thinking was so unlike most people at that time. It's a good thing she didn't go on Family Feud during that time...
I also enjoyed how the play dealt with Quintana's death in addition to John's death. I felt that Didion did a good job pairing down the "important" parts of her memoir.
The sets were simple...a chair in the center with a bunch of tasteful backdrops, which were pulled underneath the stage after each "chapter." The lighting was also excellent.
From listening to people as we were leaving the theater, everyone seemed to love it, and yes, Redgrave got an immediate standing ovation.
This show is worth seeing, especially for Redgrave's brilliant performance, and I hope that she gets positive reviews. The show opens this Thursday.
VeuveClicquot
Broadway Star Joined: 11/2/04
#26re: Could anybody who sees Year of Magical Thinking please post...
Posted: 3/27/07 at 8:59am
Oh, there are theatrics. There are these drops behind her that keep falling down.
Which still doesn't make it a play.
I LOVE Vanessa Redgrave. I like and respect both David Hare and Joan Didion.
But this play is crap.
#27re: Could anybody who sees Year of Magical Thinking please post...
Posted: 3/27/07 at 9:30amwow. we must have seen two completely different shows...
VeuveClicquot
Broadway Star Joined: 11/2/04
#28re: Could anybody who sees Year of Magical Thinking please post...
Posted: 3/27/07 at 9:47am
WOT, that's what makes theatre great.
You liked this show.
I did not. However, I did myself a disservice. I didn't say why I disliked this show.
So here it is.
I felt like it was Joan Didion masturbating on stage.
All of the references. Prada. Doctor's Hospital. Whatnot.
Vanessa opens the show TELLING the audience that she knows better.
I've never lost a child. It must be a horrible thing.
HOWEVER. It's terribly presumptious.
And as a piece of theatre, it didn't work for me.
Updated On: 3/27/07 at 09:47 AM
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