"As it turned out, I didn't miss anything... because nothing happens."
That pretty much sums it up. Honestly, I was simply bored through most of it. I hope to see Jake on stage again with a script better suited to his talents.
To be serious for one moment (this thread is a blast), I take issue with people saying his part is supporting and why is he doing it?
Maybe because he is new to the stage and respects the medium. Maybe he wanted to cut his teeth on a smaller role. Had he taken a leading man role and tanked he'd be criticised for biting off more than he can chew. Maybe he wants to learn and doesn't want a production carried on his shoulders.
People on here bitch about stunt/star casting lead roles and then bitch that a star takes a supporting part. Guess some folks just like to bitch.
I repect him more for doing what felt right even if the play isn't appealing to audiences so far.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
I quite liked that he had the play's most supporting part, but I did notice that my attention had flagged significantly when he disappeared for much of the final third. At least his character brings some life into the room.
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"To be serious for one moment (this thread is a blast),"
Well, I guess torpedoing intelligent discussion is a sort of a blast.
" I take issue with people saying his part is supporting and why is he doing it? "
I take issue with your issue. Look, the same thing happened with Alice Ripley and her nothing part in that dreadful off-Broadway play last year. When a big star signs to do a play, then certain expectations come with the territory. And one of those is that the star will be the star of the play. And if he/she is not, the audience has every right to feel let down, even deceived.
Even more so when the theatre company is capitalizing on the star's name to sell tickets, and at higher ticket prices as well. They're charging $100 for an off-Broadway play solely on Gyllenhaal's name.
And if he isn't up to doing a leading part in a play- and I'm sure he is-- then he should stick to movies.
BettyBoy- When I said I didn't know why Jake would take this role I wasn't really complaining that the part is too small, but rather that the part (and play) stink.
I totally understand a star making his or her debut in supporting role, like Katie Holmes in "All My Sons." Jake just should have chosen his play much more carefully.
You what supporting role he would have been recently great for? The Tom Sadowski role in "Other Desert Cities." He would have been surrounded by excellent actors, had a few nice scenes with Stockard and then one showy monologue in act two. He definitely wouldn't have had to carry the show and his level of stardom wouldn't have seemed out of balance with the rest of the cast.
It's always disappointing when a film actor you've been excited to see on stage finally makes a debut only to find him or her in a bad role/play.
Growl- I totally agree with you with this being reminiscent of "Wild Animals You Should Know." You said everything perfectly- the dramatic scenes near the end were not earned and felt empty.
Jake's biggest mistake? Saddling himself with Roundabout. If he ever bumps into Mary Louise Parker at a party maybe they can trade war stories.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!