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November Reviews
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SORRY IT'S CLOSING Review by: Beth M, Jul 13, 2008 |
NOVEMBER
A COMEDY ABOUT A TRAGEDY, THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY
By Beth Mandelbaum
I am so glad that I was able to catch November on its final weekend. I had no real expectations, but went because a friend, who occasionally accompanies me to theater, is extremely interested in politics and all of its many foibles. November turned out to be the absolutely perfect choice. I laughed so much and with so much physicality that my ... read more “laugh muscles” actually hurt by intermission! But laughter is such a healing force.
(I think that last time I laughed out loud to this extent was at a preview of Avenue Q.)
The combination of such a fine playwright as David Mamet (though November is not his very best play of those I have seen) and the ever amazing Nathan Lane, made for an intensely enjoyable afternoon. It would seem as if November was written for Nathan Lane as he was so ideal in his role as President Charles H. P. Smith, a potentially “lame duck” president whose ratings are “lower than Gandhi’s cholesterol” (could resist quoted that!). His brilliant comedic style was put to such excellent use and I believe that he is on the stage for the entire play. He makes such wonderful use of facial expression, especially his eyes, his body movement and his inimitable voice, with all that hilarious bellowing.
David Mamet insists that President Smith was not intended to be George Bush, and I would like to believe him. However, what it tricky is that the play involves mention of political issues and events that are so current that is it impossible not to think of our current presidency and judicial system. But in so many ways, Mamet has captured what I would say to be a “generic” corrupt, ever scheming, and sleazy president, who commits, or thinks of committing, nearly every politically incorrect action imaginable.
And, as all David Mamet aficionados and everyone who has seen November knows, President Smith (certainly a rather generic name) cannot finish a sentence or sometimes even a phrase without using the “F-word,” which becomes intrinsic to his persona. However, in spite of all of this, he somehow remains likeable, and even possibly pathetically adorable.
President Smith is viciously racist, homophobic, and greedy, is out for himself and cares not one iota for the American people. He also presents himself as stupid as he needs his lawyer (excellently played by Dylan Baker) to tell him what is going on in the world.
He’s not sure if he has invaded Iraq or Iran, or whether or now we are at war with China. He is a master at alienating almost everyone he speaks with, and his overall goal is to get and to receive. And if he has to leave office as his first term is almost over, he wants to ensure that he his given a Presidential Library, which he claims is for his wife. One of the most fun segments in November has to do with the president’s attempt to tamper with what is perhaps America’s most quintessential holiday, Thanksgiving, in an attempt to get a huge sum of money for a last ditch effort at winning a second term, and of course, for his Presidential Library. In the process he attempts to grandly scam the head of the National Association of Turkey and Turkey Products Manufactures, and also receives the deep indignation of the Chief of the Native American Micmac Nation, which has hilarious repercussions in the plays final scene.
Mamet is such a master of one liners, which go by all too fast, though there is time left for laughter. And I always appreciated those moments when Lane would say something totally outrageous, and then just stop, allowing the audience to have the time to “get it.”
I would like to sing the praises of Laurie Metcalf, who plays the President Smith’s desperately needed speech writer, who just happens, to his extreme discomfort, to be a lesbian. I always loved her on TV show “Roseanne,” and she was splendid in her role in November. She is a truly fine actress.
As soon as the lights went out at the play’s end, nearly the entire audience stood. And if November were not closing today, I would certainly recommend it!
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An Educated Farce Review by: BroadwayScott, Jun 20, 2008 |
| It is David Mamet--so you gotta expect the language to be its' Worst. I thought both Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf were great. The very short (30 Minutes) second half was a scream riot. Definitely not a show for everyone! |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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Family
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Recommended for:
Business Assoc., Adults
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| 3 |
Funny show, great cast. Lots of cursing. Loved it. Review by: Damoly, Jun 12, 2008 |
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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:
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| 4 |
November is a waste of your money and time!! Review by: Kish, May 12, 2008 |
| Don't even wast your money nor your time!! I heard more F words in two hours during this performance that I have in all of my 28 years in a public high school(I am a high school teacher). Nathan Lane should do something else with his time. Why would he choose such a degrading and vulgar play?? What could possibly be the reason for such vulgarity in the lines?? Lack of creativity and cleverness?? People, hear me out: there are ... read more such wonderful plays on Broadway. This is not one of them!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 5 |
Review by: lady di, May 4, 2008 |
| I was somewhat disappointed in this show. I expected more. The language was too much. Practically every other word was the F word. I did not think that was so necessary. This play is not a must. If you can get discount tickets, ok. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 6 |
Too loud and crass for my humble taste Review by: Young & Young, May 3, 2008 |
| Loud, bombastic and unfunny. Actors were good but the contrived storyline and constant and irritating use of "F" diminished what little joy I got out of this dud. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 7 |
The absolute worst. Review by: scootmandu, May 2, 2008 |
I know that David Mamet has a propensity for using the F-word, and vulgarity doesn't offend me.
However, I left November feeling I had been assaulted by a Nathan Lane baseball bat. As my companion for the evening astutely commented, "it was one long rant from beginning to end."
The most amazing thing I found was, at the end, the audience stood up. Were we watching the same show?
Sorry, but for me, this was lacking ... read more in any comedic nuance. It was loud, annoying and, for me, the worst Broadway show I have seen in years.
Sure there were some funny one-liners, but everything comes at you at the same decibel. No peaks or valleys, just shrill noise. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 8 |
A must see Review by: , May 1, 2008 |
| Saw this show April, 2008. The story & comedy was so appropo for our time and political situation. Would see this show over & over again. The whole cast was great. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 9 |
I would give it a B Plus..Co- Stars A minus.... Review by: Javy, Apr 21, 2008 |
Nathan lane is funny, but the suporting cast of
Laurie Metcalf really sealed the show. The show is very quick, and the dialogue is very fine. I truely feel that Nathan Lane, although the star of the show, is better when he is interacting and getting back from his co - stars. There in the second half of the show he was red hot. You will see alot of Jackie Gleason in his movement.
Nathan Lane, ( If you are reading this ) Take some ... read more pictures and sign some autographs from the people who paid to see you . Its the Little things that will bring people back to the show again. Try it , It cant hurt !! |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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Recommended for:
Seniors, Tourists
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| 10 |
Very funny Review by: AES, Apr 15, 2008 |
| Very funny and Nathan Lane is over the top - which is what is needed for his role as President. An outstanding piece of theater. Highly recommended for those who don't mind the f-word being used throughout. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Alone
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Recommended for:
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Awful Show Review by: Lauren, Mar 28, 2008 |
Nathan Lane's acting is good, the show is awful.
The profanity leaves you thinking what the F??
Nathan, you need to go back to musicals. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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NATHAN LANE IS GENIUS Review by: SM, Mar 27, 2008 |
| You can never go wrong with a production that stars Nathan Lane. His timing and delivery are sheer genius. My only criticism is the "F" word flowed too often and freely. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Business Assoc.
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Suspend your political correctness for an evening and enjoy. Review by: DoctorJoeE, Feb 25, 2008 |
| I'm surprised at the number of reviewers who were surprised by the number of "F" words in the show -- obviously these people have never seen a David Mamet play. Then again, Mamet aficionados have never seen anything like this from his pen. Okay, it's not "Glengarry Glen Ross" -- but it's very funny. And as the narrator of "The Drowsy Chaperone" says many times, you go to the theatre to be entertained. So relax, suspend your political ... read more correctness for an evening, and enjoy. |
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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:
Romantic Date, Tourists, Adults
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| 14 |
Read my Review Review by: Pianist718, Feb 18, 2008 |
Ok ... if you follow politics at least a bit and you like the jokes about Bush, politics and the administration ... you will love this show.
It seemed like people really enjoyed the play as there were a lot of laughs. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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| Acting: |
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Business Assoc., Seniors, Adults
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" GO " Review by: George, Feb 10, 2008 |
| Mamet and Lane are Brodway Tresures , do not miss this timely and hysterical night out . The evning was one of the most enjoyable my wife and I have experienced in years . If you want to laugh while "thinking"about our current election process GO . |
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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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