Thank you for explaining the differences between the West End & Broadway productions of Hills of California. I loved it on Broadway & was very curious on what the differences were.
Me too, I thought it was clear though at the end (Broadway version) that Joan was walking out and leaving? I don't remember thinking she might stay in Blackpool.
me too but as someone who saw the UK version I have to say I'd have been very disappointed by the ending if it was the same as the Broadway one. All the impact and drama would have gone for me
I'm sorry that you by passed Our Town. I saw it (never having seen another production, even at my age!) and I found it beautiful and moving. It was as if Wilder had written the words to be spoken by Jim Parsons. I was dismayed at its lukewarm reception by the critics. It's originality has help up over the years, I believe. I'm also glad you got to see O Mary a second time. Rarely have I had such a good time at a play. I'm going to try to see it again on my next visit now that it's been extended..
I like to think that Our Town is kind of immortal as a play. It's so ordinary and the characters are so unremarkable (on paper) and honest with each other that the work transcends all else. It doesn't just speak truths, it depicts reality.
The ones you skipped: Left onTenth was (mostly) cute and there were dogs. It was very reminiscent of 90s rom coms. Peter Gallagher partially sings. Actually had a fine time with that one. McNeal was -ok- and certainly not the worst play. I mostly saw it for RDJ and I got my money's worth lmao Ruthie Ann Miles and Andrea Martin were underutilised. There was some neat usage of screen projections esp one scene when he gets sick. Story overall was mixed and parts did feel like it was written by AI (intentionally maybe!) The staging for it was incredible tho [[But totally get why you skipped these two esp when you're travelling overseas and limited time
I had a few thoughts about The Hills of California that I haven’t heard talked about, so maybe it’s just me, but I came away from it thinking it was also about the wider state of British culture, the pernicious influence of America, and also about the way Britain has fetishized WW1 & WW2. Agreed about Oh, Mary, which I thoroughly enjoyed but is not all that new within the LGBTQ community, but lots of fun nonetheless.
Streaming on February 20 2025. I have tickets for the showing in Brookline Mass at the Coolidge Corner Theater. I think it will be shown at many theaters around the US. The National Theatre website must list them.
I love plays but have only seen Doubt on Broadway. I’m going to be seeing Oh Mary next year and I don’t know if there are two plays more opposed in tone and content 😂
Thank you! I have seen Yellow Face, The Roommate, and Oh, Mary. Not sure I will be able to get to Hills of California. Looking forward to your off-Broadway reviews. Is Sh*t. Meet. Fan. one of them? Did you see Vladimir?
Oh, Mary! was just as much fun the second time I saw it. (Do most straight people realize that the title itself is an old gay cliché expression?) I also saw The Roommate as a matinee performance and I think you hit it on the head that it's a good time spent at an afternoon show. I went specifically to see both of these actors live and they do not disappoint. The costume choice for Robin was giving a 'Stockard Channing in Grease' vibe, while Mia's wig reminded me of Louise Lasser in 'Mary Hartman Mary Hartman'. There were a couple of things in the script that bothered me. Why were Robin's boxes left on the porch for weeks? For no other reason than to give an easy way for Sharon to find the many ID's. Why would Robin use the landline when it's already been established that she has a cell phone (she played music on it)? The landline is more theatrical but less logical. And lastly, given how much emphasis is given to establishing how NON tech savvy Sharon is, it seems unlikely that she would know how to navigate online rental listings. Since Robin was in NY and so is Sharon's son, some kind of mutual connection between those two leading Robin to Sharon seems more plausible. Going back this month to see Stereophonic for the second time before it closes
TodayTix usually lists performances that the leads will not be performing, for all shows it is selling. I was just looking for tickets for Oh Mary! today. This is the note: "Cole Escola will not appear in the January 21 - March 16 performances. The role of Mary Todd Lincoln, normally played by Cole Escola, will be played by Betty Gilpin." This suggests that Cole Escola is coming back, no?
Interesting, I really did not like Oh Mary, maybe I just didn’t get it, but I found the humour brash, classless and not particularly clever, plus I hated some of the comic acting. It felt like a handful of half baked ideas that I didn’t feel worked cohesively, and honestly I don’t think I laughed once.
Thank you for explaining the differences between the West End & Broadway productions of Hills of California. I loved it on Broadway & was very curious on what the differences were.
Me too, I thought it was clear though at the end (Broadway version) that Joan was walking out and leaving? I don't remember thinking she might stay in Blackpool.
me too but as someone who saw the UK version I have to say I'd have been very disappointed by the ending if it was the same as the Broadway one. All the impact and drama would have gone for me
What a great video thank you!! The mentioned new staircase line in the hills of California sounds spine chilling
For most of the people I've spoken to, it's the key moment of the play - they're shocked when I tell them it's entirely new!
I’ve already seen Hills of California on bway once, but you’ve convinced me that I might need to see it again before the limited run is over!
I'm sorry that you by passed Our Town. I saw it (never having seen another production, even at my age!) and I found it beautiful and moving. It was as if Wilder had written the words to be spoken by Jim Parsons. I was dismayed at its lukewarm reception by the critics. It's originality has help up over the years, I believe.
I'm also glad you got to see O Mary a second time. Rarely have I had such a good time at a play. I'm going to try to see it again on my next visit now that it's been extended..
I like to think that Our Town is kind of immortal as a play. It's so ordinary and the characters are so unremarkable (on paper) and honest with each other that the work transcends all else. It doesn't just speak truths, it depicts reality.
PLAYS PLAYS PLAYS HURRAY 🎉 (love how frequently I’m first)
The ones you skipped: Left onTenth was (mostly) cute and there were dogs. It was very reminiscent of 90s rom coms. Peter Gallagher partially sings. Actually had a fine time with that one. McNeal was -ok- and certainly not the worst play. I mostly saw it for RDJ and I got my money's worth lmao Ruthie Ann Miles and Andrea Martin were underutilised. There was some neat usage of screen projections esp one scene when he gets sick. Story overall was mixed and parts did feel like it was written by AI (intentionally maybe!) The staging for it was incredible tho [[But totally get why you skipped these two esp when you're travelling overseas and limited time
I had a few thoughts about The Hills of California that I haven’t heard talked about, so maybe it’s just me, but I came away from it thinking it was also about the wider state of British culture, the pernicious influence of America, and also about the way Britain has fetishized WW1 & WW2. Agreed about Oh, Mary, which I thoroughly enjoyed but is not all that new within the LGBTQ community, but lots of fun nonetheless.
By any chance, did you see _Dirty Rotten Scoundrels_ with Ramin Karimloo and Hadley Fraser last week?
Are you or have you seen The Importance of Being Earnest at the National? Im hoping the National streams it
Not seen it yet, hoping to catch it!
I don’t know about streaming yet, but they’re doing some proshot screenings around the world this spring.
@gemmamoon5998 thanks
@@susanpolastaples9688 I hope you can find one near you! I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s added to the NTLive catalogue after screenings.
Streaming on February 20 2025. I have tickets for the showing in Brookline Mass at the Coolidge Corner Theater. I think it will be shown at many theaters around the US. The National Theatre website must list them.
Would definitely be interested in more play coverage. Especially London plays.
I love plays but have only seen Doubt on Broadway. I’m going to be seeing Oh Mary next year and I don’t know if there are two plays more opposed in tone and content 😂
Thank you
Thank you! I have seen Yellow Face, The Roommate, and Oh, Mary. Not sure I will be able to get to Hills of California.
Looking forward to your off-Broadway reviews. Is Sh*t. Meet. Fan. one of them? Did you see Vladimir?
Oh, Mary! was just as much fun the second time I saw it. (Do most straight people realize that the title itself is an old gay cliché expression?)
I also saw The Roommate as a matinee performance and I think you hit it on the head that it's a good time spent at an afternoon show. I went specifically to see both of these actors live and they do not disappoint. The costume choice for Robin was giving a 'Stockard Channing in Grease' vibe, while Mia's wig reminded me of Louise Lasser in 'Mary Hartman Mary Hartman'. There were a couple of things in the script that bothered me. Why were Robin's boxes left on the porch for weeks? For no other reason than to give an easy way for Sharon to find the many ID's. Why would Robin use the landline when it's already been established that she has a cell phone (she played music on it)? The landline is more theatrical but less logical. And lastly, given how much emphasis is given to establishing how NON tech savvy Sharon is, it seems unlikely that she would know how to navigate online rental listings. Since Robin was in NY and so is Sharon's son, some kind of mutual connection between those two leading Robin to Sharon seems more plausible.
Going back this month to see Stereophonic for the second time before it closes
I haven't started it yet, but GUTTED at the 3 Stars for The Roommate. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on why!
Actually, I should have just waited. I completely understand your thoughts heavily! :)
#TonyForConrad
TodayTix usually lists performances that the leads will not be performing, for all shows it is selling. I was just looking for tickets for Oh Mary! today. This is the note: "Cole Escola will not appear in the January 21 - March 16 performances. The role of Mary Todd Lincoln, normally played by Cole Escola, will be played by Betty Gilpin."
This suggests that Cole Escola is coming back, no?
high chance since Cole will probably do additional performances in the run-up for the Tony awards
As always, clever and informed reviews. But did you really mean the terrific word play of “the arc of Joan”?
OH! A happy accident 😅
I hope Shit. Meet. Fan. made your off-Broadway cut, would love to hear your thoughts
Interesting, I really did not like Oh Mary, maybe I just didn’t get it, but I found the humour brash, classless and not particularly clever, plus I hated some of the comic acting. It felt like a handful of half baked ideas that I didn’t feel worked cohesively, and honestly I don’t think I laughed once.