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A Behanding in Spokane Reviews
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Review by: Stacy, May 14, 2010 |
| I also didn't expect to enjoy this play as much as I did, but honestly, it was hilarious. Yes, the F word is in it--constantly. I don't think I've heard it that much since Pulp Fiction, but the writer and the actors make it funny. It is just a word after all (maybe a bit overused, but it works for this show). I guess it can come across also as a little racist, so just be prepared for that. Everything out of Christopher Walken's mouth was ... read more just side splitting, even little looks could get a laugh with no lines at all. He has quite a great charisma that is worth seeing in person. Sam Rockwell has a fantastic character, very bizarre and an actors dream. I liked the other two actors, but not nearly as much, still we enjoyed it and find ourselves still quoting the play. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
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Recommended for:
Tourists, Adults
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Actors deserve SO MUCH better!!!!!!!!!!!! Review by: LuLu, May 9, 2010 |
A prolonged sketch that drags and drags and drags.....
Ugh! |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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Tourists
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Don't miss this one Review by: adoll, Apr 19, 2010 |
| I saw the "Pillow Man" years back when it was on Broadway and loved it. I went to see "Behanding" in hopes I would feel the same...and I did! Martin McDonagh's plays are not for everyone. They can be dark and disturbing. You find yourself laughing at things you wouldn't normally even crack a smile about, but in between McDonagh's writing and the cast's delivery, you are in stitches the whole time. If you want to see something different,... read more, something original, something that is well written and makes you think, and, of course, some great actors, see this one! The only thing that I did not find to be great about this show, were the two young actors Mr. Mackie and Miss Kazan. They played the funny way too much in the show rather than playing a character that has a lot to lose and the stakes are high, trusting the fact that that in itself will be funny...maybe it was the director's choice but when you share the stage with Christopher Walken and Sam Rockwell, they should have been living out this situation more truthfully than they did. Despite that little bump, I would not miss this show! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Would be great Off-Broadway; didn't quite seem like Broadway caliber Review by: FrisbieCat, Apr 14, 2010 |
I guess I'm in the minority here offering a slightly negative review. This seems exactly like the kind of play you would see Off-Broadway: interesting but not amazing, with decent but not great performances, a so-so set and production values, etc. Yes, Christopher Walken was good, but I thought the other cast members were just okay. The plot was kind of silly--it didn't really evolve much, or give much back-story, or includes big ... read more twists and turns. I don't mean to suggest it's a bad play; I had good time and I'm glad I went. But, again, it felt like an Off-Broadway kind of experience and I wouldn't rate this as high as some of the current musicals (like Memphis) or some of the great plays on Broadway now or recently (God of Carnage, The Norman Conquests, etc.).
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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Too offensive for me!! Review by: dgi, Apr 11, 2010 |
| The premise of the play is bizarre, but we thought wed give it a try anyway. Poor choice. If the "F" word were removed, there would be nothing to laugh at, at all. And how many times can you laugh at the use of the "F" word?? I guess it might appeal to adolescents, but its rather expensive for that group. Save your money or make another choice is my suggestion. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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Enjoyable theater Review by: brooklyn lady, Apr 10, 2010 |
| Did not expect to enjoy this play as much as I did. It was totally entertaining. Story line is out of the ordinary (man looking for his severed hand)but it was fun and engrossing. The performances are great and I so enjoyed Christopher Walken. Even though it takes place in America it has elements of an Irish play. We have the loser son carrying around his emotional baggage in a suitcase, his critical mother and his love, hate relationship ... read more with her and the village idiot who hits upon the truth. Enjoyable theater. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Seniors, Adults
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hearing impaired folks beware Review by: sue, Apr 8, 2010 |
| i am somewhat hearing impaired, but in the last few weeks i have enjoyed opera, symphony and in the past two of martin mcdonagh's plays, cripple of innishmaan and lt of innishmore as well as lonesome west in 2 different theatres, 1 in derry and 1 in nutley, nj. the performance yesterday, wed matinee, 04/07/10 was almost incomprehensible. the actors spoke often facing the back of the stage and that included christopher walken, who should know ... read more better. i should have requested an infra red listening device, but have not had problems for so long i didn't think of it. i suggest that anyone with moderate hearing loss should prophylactically borrow the device; all theters have them and u just leave a licence or some sort of id as security. what i heard of the play i enjoyed somewhat, but it is not close to the 3 of mcdonagh's i saw and if dance queen of leenane comes back, i'll go see it as well. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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Great Show! Review by: jycm, Mar 31, 2010 |
| Great show. Hilarious. Christopher Walken was wonderful as always. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Review by: tophat143, Mar 24, 2010 |
| I was looking forward to this new Martin McDonagh play and frankly, i was a bit disappointed with Behanding in Spokane. The only saving grace of this production is Christopher Walken and Sam Rockwell. Storywise, it's clever: A man searching for his left hand for 47 years and only encounters two drug dealers (Mackie and Kazan) who may or may not have the hand in question. You soon found out that they stole this "hand" from a museum so ... read more they can get the 500 dollars promised to them by Walken's character, Carmichael. Then there's a receptionist, played by Sam Rockwell with gusto. though he has a monologue that would make him as the play's narrator. I guess i was expecting more in the same vain like Inishmore and Pillowman, but i was disappointed with it. I guess America is not as lyrical or mysterious as Ireland. but to see the play is to see Walken what he does best and that's being Walken. Post note: this play is laden with f-bombs and racial, homophobic epithets that kids should not be allowed to see this play. Granted I saw kids that night i saw the play and they were covering their ears and just felt bored. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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| 10 |
Review by: toomanyoptions, Mar 20, 2010 |
As one reviewer said "Theater does not always have to be a profoundly moving experience." To see Christopher Walken perform was worth every penny. I was actually laughing out loud at times. Christopher is Christopher. I'm glad I got a chance to see him on stage. The other actors were good..the story line was interesting. Loved the set design. I walked away feeling satisfied.
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
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Walken.Mackie and Riockwell..Not Just a Law Firm Name..This cast is GREAT !! Review by: Javy, Mar 13, 2010 |
Went To See this Awesome Play. The Cast Fully Complimented Each other as well as Excelled in their Performances. I would have said that Christopher Walken would be excellent, but to my amazement, Sam Rockwell, and
Anthony Mackie Gave exceptional Performances when given the opportunity. The production was very complimentary as it fit with the Storyline.
If I had to fault anything, There were at times that The Lead Actor spoke very Low ... read more or Softly, so it made it difficult to listen to him.
Other than that I would Have to say, " See It and Enjoy " |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Seniors, Tourists
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Incredinly funny show! Review by: stu mc, Mar 13, 2010 |
I saw this show in previews and thought it was hilarious. Although the script didnt give the supporting actors Zoe Kazan and Anthony Mackie much to do, Sam Rockwell and Christopher Walken had more depth to their characters and were great.
The show had some of the funniest, non PC, humour Ive heard in a long time.
Highly recommended! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
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| 13 |
"The Sound of One Hand Clapping" (Zen Koan) Review by: Beth M, Mar 12, 2010 |
I am a great fan of the work on Martin McDonagh, but came away feeling that A Behanding in Spokane was not of the quality of other plays that I have seen by him. However, the author has certainly put his very special personal stamp on it. It is a dark, dark comedy, filled with those wonderful and unmistakable McDonagh touches of the delightfully gruesome, creepy, grizzly and the macabre. It has a wild and zany over-the-top plot,in which there ... read more are lots of laughs and lots of cussing. For those not familiar with Mr. McDonagh’s works, there may well be some fun shock value as well. It is an extremely curious and unusual play and definitely not to everyone’s liking. It helps if you have a stomach for detached body parts!
The play is set entirely in a bleak and dreary hotel room in Washington State, near Spokane. The story line, which seems totally beyond the believable, is part of the play’s charm. The dialogue and action, often clever, moves fast and furiously. To me, the limitations of the play have to do with the fact that it tends to say on the surface rather than probing deeply into the lives, motivations and genuine feelings of the 4 characters. It often seemed to be too full of strings of quick gags. It also doesn’t delve very much into the kind of meaning and message so often found in McDonagh’s work, though it does touch upon issues of loss, anger, revenge, and, as so powerfully and better stated in The Lieutenant of Inishmore, the meaningless of violence.
The Behanding is extremely lucky to have 4 excellent actors, lead by the absolutely amazing Christopher Walken, whose performance may well be the price of a ticket (but do use a discount!).
I wonder if Mr. McDonagh was aware of the mysterious feet in running shoes that washed ashore in Washington State and southwestern Canada a year or two ago?
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skip it unless you can get 30.00 tkts. Review by: GothProf, Mar 10, 2010 |
| Though oddly fun, this play is a one-trick pony. Walken is wonderful (but he's simply doing 'Walken"... not a standout performance by any means, BUT his shtick is perfect in this play) The other three DO NOT belong on a broadway stage. Dinner theater, sure, but not NYC at 100.00 TKT prices. Truly the worst performances I have seen... simply amazing that they were cast. so- It's a quirky night, but NOT at full price. ...ever. It's a small ... read more theater, so the cheap seats in the back are fine. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Business Assoc.
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| 15 |
Just Great Review by: wwallis, Mar 9, 2010 |
| I loved this play. Walken is a standout, although all performances are terrific. I'm a huge McDonagh fan and this did not disappoint. The play is not for everyone; it's darkly funny. You must be a bit (or more) of a cynic to enjoy it. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
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Recommended for:
Adults
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| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
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