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Festen Reviews
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| 1 |
A Waste of Time Review by: Trevor, May 15, 2006 |
| Horrible! The script was minimal, the direction questionable, and the acting spotty at best. MacGraw should have stayed in retirement and Margulies should have chosen a better play to showcase her TV skills. The entire show was so amateurish I was tempted to walk out mid-act. When one character remarks "The party that never ends!"-I was thinking "The show that never ends!" Don't bother going to this party. |
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Don't go
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I saw this show with:
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| 2 |
A must NOT see! Review by: , May 15, 2006 |
| This play was empty for me. I did not connect with any of the characters and was seated in the front row! I still felt no connection. There was definitately something missing. I do not recommend this play. |
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Don't go
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| 3 |
Don't bother Review by: Micki, May 4, 2006 |
| The "shocking secret" is so old hat. Just watch dr. Phil. And the language was pretty junior high-school-ish. Every other words was--well, you know what. At the end of Act I, I said to myself, "It can't end this way, there's got to be a twist," but alas, I was wrong. Don't waste your money. As somebody else said, if you want provocative thought, see Doubt. |
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| 4 |
FESTEN is a very thought provoking show! Review by: Ginger, Apr 30, 2006 |
| FUNNY! FUNNY! FUNNY! (and shocking!) Oh! Does this show rock the boat! Very entertaining and GREAT acting. Last nights show (April 29) Ali MacGraw gave an excellent performance as it looked to me as though she had real tears. Michael Hayden - GREAT! Julianna Margulies, WONDERFUL! David Patrick Kelly!!!!! SOOOO FUNNY! The little girl, Ryan Simpkins, BEAUTIFUL and TALENTED! Such an amazing cast for her to be in company with. She was very strong ... read more with the strong content of the show. The whole cast was just right on the money! FESTEN is a very thought provoking show! A Must see! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Large Group
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| 5 |
Review by: Pat, Apr 27, 2006 |
Very different, very dramatic, hold your breath on the edge of the seat. Disappointed in ALi McGraw, thought Michael Hayden (Christian) was fabulous! Strong, sincere, withdrawn, moody, all within a strong character base. Enjoyed Juliana and Michael S. Larry (father) came off as not real.
Not sure if I'd see it again, but enjoyed the dramatic changes. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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| 6 |
Review by: debbie, Apr 24, 2006 |
| I have seen Festen 3 times. Once in in London at the Almeida Theatre and twice in New York. This is a show that should not be missed! Contrary to Ben Brantley's opinion, I think the New York cast is suberb. Julianna Margulies and Larry Bryggman give stellar performances. Festen is a work of theatrical art! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 7 |
Something different Review by: theatreluvr, Apr 23, 2006 |
| I enjoyed this play. It was different. Very good acting from a great cast. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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| 8 |
Worst play ever Review by: , Apr 19, 2006 |
| Festen was absolutely, without a doubt, the WORST play I have ever seen. I felt no connection to the story or the characters and the language was ridiculously foul. I was embarrassed that one of the actors was a little girl of about 7 or 8. She should not have been subjected to the story or the language. Do not see this play. |
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| 9 |
Would see it again! Review by: ckm, Apr 17, 2006 |
| Great change of pace from the usual nonsensical Broadway fairy tales and musicals. Definetly for thinking adults. I would go see it again. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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| 10 |
Not a sour show Review by: Carmen, Apr 14, 2006 |
| A different kind of show! Not your typical Broadway. I saw this with my cousin last night and while I understood the show – not everyone will. Ali MacGraw was your typical mother who likes to protect her family life and lives totally in denial. Can relate (I am 72 years of age). Her struggle in the end with her hand gestures and heart wrenching expressions show her struggle to do the right thing. She plays a wife and mother from old school times ... read more where you don’t step out of line...not until the end she finds her children most important. Larry Bryggman played a dislikable character, which made him a very good villain. Michael Hayden plays a confused and yet strong character, he was excellent. It’s a healing show and almost like drama therapy. The topics are harsh and shocking...unexpected gasps from the audience throughout. Jeremy Sisto was fantastic, somewhat out of control, while in the end his character comes together and goes through the most change from the fiascos that take place as he becomes a man and protects his own small child. The little girl (Ryan Simpkins) was adorable and haunting. A good fit for the ghost like part, as we understand that she resembles the dead sister. Shocking that a child so small is in such a powerful play. She looked to be 6 years of age and intrigued us very much. The servants were excellent as Stephen Kunken stood out. He was very funny and odd. The show had great punch lines and dark humor throughout. David Patrick Kelly made me laugh so hard. I must say it was good drama - and a show that has us still talking and thinking about it today. The make up of the family and friends all together were quite entertaining. Go see it and make up your own mind. It is not for everyone, but for any old lady like me…very entertaining as I feel I have seen very much in my life. This did not sour my mind. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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| 11 |
Dysfunctional Families Review by: Theatre Lover , Apr 11, 2006 |
What a disappointing production! Ali McGraw's is quite brief and unconvincing. What a waste of talent! This show should be off,ff-broadway, rather than on the broadway stage...... The dysfunctional family does raise a strong issue but it leaves one very dissatisfied. It was certainly not an entertaining evening for my spouse and myself. And, I love theatre, particularly the unusual. This show should have stayed in Piccadily Circus.......... read more.
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 12 |
GOTTA SEE IT TWICE! Review by: SAX, Apr 11, 2006 |
| I have seen the show 2 times now. Early in the previews stage and critics night (Sat. night.) Saturday night it was perfect in my eyes…strong shocking and funny, such a strong show with strong content. This show is an unexpected change of theatre for my wife and I. I enjoyed the show more the second time as I paid attention to the reactions of more of the cast. I viewed it differently the second time. I highly recommend seeing it again as there ... read more are so many excellent cast members and to see them all and take it all in at the same time is difficult. we enjoyed the performances by the entire cast as they really took you to places people dare not speak about. I feel show should do very well. Stay throughout the whole performance as the crazy party unfolds. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 13 |
Review by: lady, Apr 11, 2006 |
| The worst thing I've seen in a long time. I did not see the movie on which it is based, but my friend did and she also disliked it and felt the translation from film to stage did not work. The cast did the best (except for Ali MacGraw) they could with thankless roles. |
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| 14 |
Why does a script like this rise to the top Review by: edge, Apr 11, 2006 |
| Although we saw the show on a night when the set didn't work and an audience member taunted the cast, it was still hard to imagine the play being good. Character development was confusing and never reached any point of revelation after the first birthday announcement. The final breakfast scene with the perpetrator back to give a little speech to his family was an unsuccessful and unbelievable completion to the play. At intermission there was ... read more hope but all of that was quickly lost. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Business Associate
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| 15 |
Review by: tube a rock, Apr 8, 2006 |
| I loved it. So bizarre and unsettling. Unlike anythng I've ever seen before. I thought the cast was awesome. Julianna Margules looks amazing and Jeremy Sisto from Six feet Under was phenomenol. I thought it was one of the more powerful nights I had spent in the theater. |
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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:
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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