Downstate Premiering on Broadway this Fall? — Page 4

WiCkEDrOcKS said: "Very much looking forward to revisiting this - it was phenomenal off Broadway.

I thought MacKinnon’s direction was very strong, but intrigued as to why Mantello is now stepping in (besides the fact that he’s chummy with Rudin). Either way, interested to see his take. I trust him implicitly after DOAS."

MacKinnon had benefit of directing the same old (although usually good) Steppenwolf ensemble, once again. They were, of course, good as they work together often - but the direction allowed for one of the main suprises to be figured out from the beginning - something a stronger director wouldn't have allowed . The cast also gave some of this up due to the direction. The play was the the clear star of the Playwrights production.

Mantello, with a (mostly) fresh cast, could really make this something new by removing the Steppenwolf "club" repertory casting element and bringing a new air to the proceedings and focusing the play itself better with an equally strong, if not stronger, cast as a whole.

The Chicago Tribute reports that K. Todd Freeman and Francis Guinan are cast, but still... no actual announcement.

Wasn't there something odd about the way Rudin rolled out Bear Ridge Rd last season? This is reminding me of that.

Fred Mason said: "There is absolutely zero chance Mantello can improve upon what MacKinnon did with this play. She didn’t give away the “surprise” early on, there was a huge gasp when I saw this, it was genuinely shocking. I look forward to seeing your tail between your legs this fall, coffee"

IMO it’s a major flaw of the script that the “surprise” isn’t really a surprise (if we’re talking about the same one, with the character of Felix). I’ve only read the play, not seen it, and the writing really telegraphs it, I think.


Honestly, I have extremely mixed feeling about the play. On one hand, it sheds light on a group of people you would normally not ever learn about, and on the other, it asks us to feel sorry for people who frankly don’t deserve pity. Bruce Norris is really good at shocking his audience and making us reflect upon our society, but as the father of a young child I just couldn’t fully get on board with what he was trying to do.