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Race Reviews
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| 1 |
Disappointed Review by: p.fehl, Aug 13, 2010 |
I had seen the show several times with the original cast and enjoyed it immensely, so I decided to view it again and see what the new cast members did with this Mamet work. With the original cast the show had an intensity and drive that was lacking this time around. Mamet's words were spoken slowly and with great deliberation and consequently for me lost their energy and drive. The end of the second act that normally had me holding my breath ... read more passed without an ounce of tension. Eddie Izzard did OK as Jack Lawson but I felt his performance was one note and did not have the layers that James Spader's performance had. Eddie's characterization had no movement throughout the play; he was the same at the end as he was in the beginning and this just does not have to be and should not be so. Dennis Haysbert changed several words during his performance and just does not seem to be very comfortable with the dialogue, plus he did not project very well through the performance that I saw on August 7. He is a much better film/TV actor than a theatre actor. David Alan Grier was fun and dynamic in this role...to me Dennis was neither of these. Richard Thomas continues to be wonderful in the role of Charles Strickland (he really found the right performance for this role about two months into the run), and Afton C. Williamson is excellent in the difficult role of Susan. I liked Kerry Washington's performance by the end of her run, but Afton gives a more interesting performance.
All-in-all I was disappointed with 2/3 of the new cast. I had hoped to see another wonderful rendition of this Mamet work with a whole new spin on the characters. I saw a whole new spin, but to me it was much less than wonderful...I wish I could see the original cast one more time, but alas they are gone!
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Go see if you get a chance
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| 2 |
Review by: jbell, Jul 29, 2010 |
| I saw the play "Race" on July 24, with the new cast and really enjoyed it! I thought that all of the actors were credible and enjoyable. The show is interesting and amusing. Dennis Haysbert's performance was flawless! Visitors should wait 20-30 minutes after the show and the cast will come out and are willing to take pictures and sign autographs. |
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| 3 |
Great play...but quite upsetting Review by: , Jun 14, 2010 |
FABULOUS PLAY!!!!I am a HUGE Boston Legal/James Spader fan and he KILLED IT. I really enjoyed everything about the play, except it left me feeling like it wasn't finished. We were waiting for the next scene when it ended. We went on the last performance day for Kerry Washington and David Allen Grier which made it even more special.....or so I thought. Both times we went to the play, James Spader and Richard Thomas were AWESOME as they signed ... read more autographs and took pictures with fans after the show even in the rain. However, Kerry Washington never came out, and David Allen Grier "walked" (more like skipped) right past 4 of us (waiting in the rain)without so much as a Hello.
The play itself was good, the performances commendable, but the lack of love from David Allen Grier and Kerry Washington is sickening. We will not be supporting either one of them ever again.
David Mamet....he has my vote. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Family
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| 4 |
Review by: jdkCRITIC, Jun 1, 2010 |
| I saw RACE back in March. I have to say that was show was very doof and very interesting. The actors in the play were very talented, but I thought that David Alan Grier stole the show. This proves the reason he got the TONY NOMINATION for Best Featured Actor In A Play. I love the profanity of David Mamet's work. I was never a fan of Boston Legal which the show starred James Spader. I saw it because of David Mamet. Any body who likes David Mamt's ... read more work, I would take a chance and see it. The show was better than good, but not extrodinary. |
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| 5 |
Review by: oucha, May 25, 2010 |
| I'm an avid theatre goer and this play is up there with the best. It is so profound and quite provacative. The acting is phenominal and one can't help but appreciate the writing as it captures emotions so raw and illustrative of the struggles between and amongst people as they pertains to race and prejudice. Well Done! |
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must see!
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| 6 |
Would see again Review by: , May 17, 2010 |
| The more I kept reading the other reviews about Kerry Washington the more I thought she played her character the way it was meant to be played. Otherwise you would have guessed her intentions throughout the play. |
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| 7 |
Review by: Michie, May 15, 2010 |
Just saw the show!!!
It was excellent. The cast presents a good portrayal of Race. I was awaiting the next scene. I laughed was intrigued. This show hit the mark it was edgy yet you felt like you were in the scene and wondered what you would do if you were in the situation. what I loved best was the ending was not something you would guess. Don't you just hate when you guess the ending. Its like reading the ... read more ending and never hearing the story. Bravo!!! |
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
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| 8 |
JAMES CAN I KEEP YOU Review by: MINDY, May 2, 2010 |
James Spader is awesome with his acting in this live performance. I sat in the third row from the stage. It was a trip to New York I will never forget. I would love to take my mom with me to see it before it ends. All of the actors did a great job but of course James was my favorite. He is so talented with anything that he does. Keep up the good work.
M. C.
Louisiana
I saw the show April ... read more 28, 2010
P.S. My picture with James and his autograph made it even better!!! |
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must see!
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| 9 |
Dazed but not confused Review by: ybcritical, Apr 30, 2010 |
Saw the play last night and I am still milling it over in my head what actually took place! Its just that good. Its not a musical so don't even bother if you want to hear sounds of singing and instruments. Nor do you want to bring early teens or children. Even some adults may find this offensive with the dialog but that is what makes this play provocative in the 1st place. Be prepared for the foul language and the blunt, straight ... read more to the point content. I would even dare to say it has no real beginning or ending. They dont set the stage for you nor do they provide a typical climax or anti-climax. Its all about perception, lies, double standards and resentment/revenge. Its not so much about 2 lawyers wanting or not wanting to take a case as much as it is why they both either want to or not. Their is a true hidden story line that you need to dig deep into in order to see what the true feelings are of these characters. Stereo typing is a good way of expressing it.
As far as the actors....I would have to say Grier and Spader did a wonderful job. They were sharp, quick, witty and drew the audience in. Thomas and Washington seemed to have presented themselves more as high school actors than professional actors. I know a few others before me that provided reviews mentioned the same. Thomas seemed very stiff and his physical movements didnt seem to flow. It almost made the character seem a bit "odd" at times. Same for Washington. Her movements were kinda stand offish. Her character stood around in the background rather than performing work related tasks as would be the case in any office. I am trying to hold reservations against the accurancies (or inaccurancies) of the how laywers and clients behave. I didnt look to rate the play based upon that but to really base my review and rating upon the content and how well it was delivered and how well the audience accepted what they heard.
I would recommend this not only for individuals that want to have a constructive discussion about the topic, but even for groups that enjoy the challenge of debate as I am sure this would be a good subject for which to take sides and make your case. |
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Make an effort to see
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| 10 |
Wonderful performances! Review by: p.fehl, Apr 7, 2010 |
I saw the show several times and have enjoyed it on each occasion. Today's performance was the best I have seen. The actors are digging deeper into their characters and giving more dimension to them then earlier in the run. James Spader and David Alan Grier were excellent even in the first week and are now giving amazing performances. Kerry Washington and Richard Thomas have made great strides with their characters which are ... read more underwritten and enigmatic by design, making them a challenge to act. These two actors are now finding their way nicely and are very very good!
The matinee audience laughed often during the production catching all of Mamet's humorous lines delivered with great timing by the cast. This play is a drama about three lawyers (one white and two black)exploring the possibility of defending a white man accused of raping a young black woman. The playwright allows us to laugh often throughout most of the show while at the same time giving us thoughts to ponder regarding the characters' views about race and indirectly our own.
"Race" runs roughly 1 hour and 40 minutes with a 12 minute intermission and one pause during the second act. It is a short play, but much of the dialogue is delivered rather rapidly. They get a lot of words spoken in a short amount of time. If the pacing of a Mamet play was the same as most playwrights the show would probably last a good bit longer, but then...it just would not be Mamet! |
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must see!
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| 11 |
Very Short, But, Very Good Review by: Johnny Sez, Apr 4, 2010 |
| If you were a fan of Alan Shore closings from "The Practice" and "Boston Legal", take the oppertunity to see this show. The dialogue is extremely articulate, crystal clear and, while we had no problem with it, sometimes brutal, the "f" bomb is used more than the word "the", and while everyone is fully clothed at all times, the language is both sexually and racially explicit. This is definately a show for adults only. Our only ... read more slight disapointment was that the show was barely 60 minutes and went by so very fast. We could have listened to Spader's quip for hours. |
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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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| 12 |
See the Race on Broadway...Spader and Grier neck and neck Review by: Diract 66, Mar 29, 2010 |
| Race to the box office and see this play. The acting between James Spader and David Alan Grier is fantastic to watch on stage. The rapid fire dialogue is done best between them. Although Richard Thomas is very good in the play, his part is minimal comparerd to the others. His character's delivery actually slows down the play. Kerry Washington does a fine job and as the play progresses she becomes more intense. The producers have learned from ... read more Oleanna. Throw in the intermission and make this play seem longer and let the people think they got their monies worth. This play was 1 hr. 40 min. with a 15 min. intermission. The intermission actually slows down the play and takes away the intensity built up before it. A lot of good questions were put before you watching this play and you begin to take sides and then back away, just as the lawyers vasilate. Great beginning to this show. The curtain opens as the actors are speaking without any warning. Go see this show, especially on discounts. Why can't Mamet, or any of so many new playwrites find anything interesting enough to write for a whole two acts? Are we now down to doing a one act play on Broadway? This show ends as it begins, quickly and with many questions. |
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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:
Tourists, Anyone
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| 13 |
Enjoyable whether or not you're a lawyer Review by: sallyg, Mar 13, 2010 |
| Good Show - Spader is great!! Worth seeing even though the show is short and leaves you with questions. |
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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:
Tourists, Adults
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| 14 |
Better the Second Time Around Review by: timetraveler, Mar 2, 2010 |
I saw RACE during previews in November and had the opportunity to go again last week. It was interesting to see how a show grows and performances change over time. James Spader and David Alan Grier were excellent the first time I saw them and are even better now! Mr. Spader has added more layers to his characterization and a bit more humor...he is amazing. Mr. Grier has also added some humor to his character and reduced the angriness ... read more that was under the surface during my first viewing. I really enjoyed seeing these two actors work together...they fit each other perfectly. Both Richard Thomas and Kerry Washington have also made changes and I enjoyed their performances much more this time around. When first I saw them I thought they were definitely too "stagey" and stiff in their roles...both now have toned that down and are much more natural than before...a welcome change.
My only complaint, and this is to Mr. Mamet the director/playwright, is the intermission and the pause. Definitely the pause is ackward and totally unnecessary...just have Mr. Thomas enter the room as he did during previews...forget the "dumb" pause. And, while you are at it you could get rid of the intermission because it slows down the momentum of your work...unless Mr. Spader needs it to get a drink of water since he never leaves the stage...otherwise, totally not needed for artistic reasons! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
Adults
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| 15 |
Run to this Race Review by: Brenda, Feb 15, 2010 |
I (finally) saw David Mamet's Race this weekend at the fabulous Ethel Barrymore Theatre. Much has been written about Mamet's latest plays being "less than Mamet." I am not a huge proponent of holding artists to a rigid historical framework, yet went to this production with just a bit of apprehension. If the critics (professional and water cooler alike) find Mamet's more recent works to be less explosive and edgy, I would agree. If they are ... read more equating the fading of sizzle and the increase of substance to be an indication of talent slippage, I would disagree. Race is powerful in the way that Mamet is always powerful. The use of language is intoxicating, the rhythms hypnotic, and the respect for the audience palpable. We are made to question the questions posed. There is subtext that is presented, not pretentiously, but dramatically. There are elements in the storyline similar to Doubt, and clearly the audience left the theatre in a similar; "did he, didn't he?" manner. The cast (in classic Mamet style) is comprised of four characters. Also, classically Mamet, is the poor female character. Whether the cartoonishly drawn female has become his intentional hallmark or not, it is there, as predictable as a Hirschfeld "Nina."
The plot centers around a wealthy white man (Richard Thomas) accused of raping a black woman. The attorneys considering representing Mr. Thomas are played exquisitely by James Spader and David Alan Grier. Their assistant is a young woman of color (Kerry Washington.) Directed by Mr. Mamet, on an old fashioned slanted stage, creating great sight lines and interesting subtext. Mr. Thomas displays utterly convincing mannerism of the manner born. There was a moment, when Spader, Grier, and Thomas were on stage together, that I briefly thought of the different decades of pop-culture they represented (In Living Color, Brat Pack, Waltons) but that is entirely my own issue, and not that of the actors or the production!
Ms. Washington is not served by her part or direction. She is stilted and not believable as a person, let alone a neophyte or con-artist (we're never sure which.) Elizabeth Moss was recently able to break out of the Mamet female stranglehold in Speed the Plow. I would suggest, that Ms Moss is the exception. The only other distraction in the production is a strange pause between scenes in the second act. It is not needed dramatically or technically and is just kind of bizarre.
If you love language, if you have any interest in race, politics or sociology, or if you simply love seeing brilliant performances, this is the play for you. It was entirely refreshing to leave a play feeling intellectually challenged and respected. The cast could be perceived as interlopers (although all are stage actors) and this could be seen by some as a 'bold face' name production. It did not feel star studded in the least (even William H Macy and his wife, seated in front of me did not disturb the lack of glamorousness of the production.) Perhaps when all is said and done, I'll take multi-layered substance over sizzle any day. |
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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:
Anyone
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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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