 |
 |
Race Reviews
|
|
|
|
|
| What to Expect: |
| Acting: |
 |
| Music: |
 |
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
|
|
|
| Recommended For: |
|
Adults: |
 |
|
Anyone: |
 |
|
Tourists: |
|
|
Business Assoc.: |
 |
|
|
|
|
| 16 |
Go see for something different Review by: frob, Feb 1, 2010 |
| Very good and well done about such a controversial subject. James Spader gives an amazing performance and this play showcases his true acting ability. |
|
|
My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
|
| Acting: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
|
Recommended for:
Adults
|
|
|
|
|
| 17 |
Somewhat disappointing Review by: boogaloodownbroadway, Jan 27, 2010 |
| We saw it for Spader who muffed several lines.That was not so bad because he is so good, but the overall play seemed a little flat rather than provacative. Grier was good, Wahington was mediocre, and Thomas was an interesting and odd character that left me puzzled.Mamet is not my favorite, and at least it was better than Oleanna, which I could not recommend at all. This play could be more thought provoking, like Doubt was, as it is quite a ... read more controversial topic.Something was missing fo my money... |
|
|
My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
|
| Acting: |
|
| Production: |
 |
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
|
Recommended for:
Adults
|
|
|
|
|
| 18 |
Spader and Grier are just that good! Review by: jbf211, Jan 9, 2010 |
| WOW...I wasn't sure how good of an actor James Spader would be doing live theater but I was blown away by his stage presence. He is brilliant and David Alan Grier is excellent as the two attorneys who are forced by circumstance to take the case of a white man accused of raping a young black woman. This does not sound like the storyline for a funny (albeit dark humor) and entertaining play, but in the hands of David Mamet the show is just that. ... read more Plus the two before mentioned actors raise this Mamet play to a must see level in my book...Spader and Grier are just that good! |
|
|
My recommendation:
must see!
|
| Acting: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Alone
|
Recommended for:
Adults
|
|
|
|
|
| 19 |
Run to It! Review by: jgdc, Dec 28, 2009 |
I loved the show. Spader, Grier, and Thomas were terrific. Their timing was perfect and they kept you engaged the full time. Kerry Washington, that was another story. Her theater acting was much to be desired and I was almost uncomfortable for her during the entire show. With that said, the rest of the cast makes the show all worth it. |
|
|
My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
|
| Acting: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
|
Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Adults
|
|
|
|
|
| 20 |
I loved it! Review by: PGraham, Dec 22, 2009 |
| I really found this play to be much more entertaining and stimulating than the critics have been giving it credit. If you enjoy words and ideas this show is for you. The acting courtesy of James Spader and David Alan Grier was excellent. If you want to hear Mamet spoken as it should be by two fine stage actors go see RACE! I loved it! |
|
|
My recommendation:
must see!
|
| Acting: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Alone
|
Recommended for:
Adults
|
|
|
|
|
| 21 |
Something to think about Review by: lovashow, Dec 14, 2009 |
| I went to see this play because I am a fan of both Mamet and James Spader. Neither was a disappointment. The story line was very compelling. The dialogue was what you would expect from Mamet. The big surprise was David Alan Grier. He was a pleasure to watch. He seemed very at ease and comfortable in his role. The audience around me was buzzing about the play's content as we left the theater. The only negative was that I wished it was a ... read more little longer, but then maybe the impact would have been lost. |
|
|
My recommendation:
must see!
|
| Acting: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
|
Recommended for:
Adults
|
|
|
|
|
| 22 |
Definitely Worth Seeing Review by: coastlover, Dec 13, 2009 |
| I saw the opening performance of Mamet's Race and was very impressed by the cast, particularly by James Spader who did a wonderful job delivering the Mametian dialog. David Alan Grier also was great in his role. Mamet created a play that caused my group to discuss the many facets of racism for several hours after the show. It also provided us with many laughs during the play. He put out in the open many thoughts that we ourselves have either ... read more thought or suspect that others are thinking and gave them full voice. We all agreed it was an interesting play, with good performances (two of which were excellent), and definitely worth seeing. |
|
|
My recommendation:
must see!
|
| Acting: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
Recommended for:
Adults
|
|
|
|
|
| 23 |
An Amazing RACE! Review by: pathouser, Dec 8, 2009 |
With several shows currently on Broadway, playwright David Mamet is a man on fire and his new show RACE is hot! I was intrigued by this show since the buzz hit the wires, and as a fan of legal dramas, thought-provoking dialogue and all matters concerning race, I was interested in seeing this show from the start. Race is such a complicated issue so when my theater group and I made our way to the theater on a rainy Saturday afternoon, we weren't ... read more quite sure what to expect. Thankfully, David Mamet succeeds in tackling this matter head on with his thought provoking, engaging, controversial new play. Filled with Mamet's trademark fast paced dialogue and snappy one-liners, the banter between the characters was at times surprisingly humorous and totally affecting and I was engaged from the start. David Alan Grier was in his glory on the stage and delivered his material with pitch perfect timing. I simply adored him in this role and I am not a huge fan of Grier. James Spader, who I love, was wonderfully smug in his supposed knowledge of black people and racial situations; so smug that he misjudged his star legal assistant, Kerry Washington, and underestimated her intentions. Great work! This wonderful play is marvelously complex, examining racism, elitism, classism and the like and leaves one thinking about their own biases and misconceptions. I recommend it quite highly!
|
|
|
My recommendation:
must see!
|
| Acting: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Large Group
|
Recommended for:
Adults
|
|
|
|
|
| 24 |
See it for Spader Review by: happylawyer, Dec 1, 2009 |
Unlike the prior lawyer-reviewer, I enjoyed the production tremendously -- but I also didn't expect a perfect rendering of the law, because Mamet is no lawyer, and because law in theater/tv/movies is rarely accurate. On the other hand, there are a few lines that I fully intend to memorize (I will be seeing this again) because I can actually use them on clients.
If you do work in any area of law, remember this phrase: "willing suspension ... read more of disbelief." It's always required in theater, moreso when you live in the environment that's portrayed on stage. It's not accurate, no, but it's well-written, and that's what one expects from Mamet (along with some dicey language that wasn't nearly as bad as I'd anticipated given the author).
The acting was excellent; I expected nothing less from Spader or Grier, and got nothing less. The only truly false note is Kerry Washington, who simply hasn't got the chops for this part. It's not that she can't act at all, as I've seen her do so on television, but in a part that's a bit weak to begin with, but nonetheless pivotal, she simply seems unable to portray the guts or the conviction needed to be even slightly convincing. Ignore her as much as you can and be dazzled by Spader's and Grier's chops instead, because they've got them.
Richard Thomas is Richard Thomas, not John-Boy Walton. He's been doing stage for years. I had hoped he'd be as outstanding as Spader -- who hasn't done stage in 25 years -- but though he's really a proficient actor, it's simply Spader's play. He owns it, lock, stock, and barrel. It's worth seeing just to be that close to Spader and Grier. |
|
|
My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
|
| Acting: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
|
Recommended for:
Adults
|
|
|
|
|
| 25 |
James Spader at his best Review by: The average voice, Nov 30, 2009 |
If you are a James Spader fan you will greatly enjoy him doing what he does. Thats playing lawyers who are comfortable and believable with any topic. A very nice surprise was the preformance by David Allan Grier also a very convincing lawyer. The two remaining actors simply did not pull of there characters. And I don't blame them because I know they both can act, simply bad casting. Mr. Thomas just can not go from a "John Boy Walton" persona to ... read more spoiled rich bastard rapist. And the beautiful, sweet as sugar, Ms Washington just is not a sneaky back stabbing lawyer.
In terms of the the subject manner of "race" which is race. The show does expose very well both sides of the coin and how we are all effected by it socially and legally.
My advice is to go see it at only a discounted price.
|
|
|
My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
|
| Acting: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
|
Recommended for:
Business Assoc., Tourists, Adults
|
|
|
|
|
| 26 |
Must See Review by: fp4040, Nov 29, 2009 |
| Play was typical Mamet talk fest – which is great. Three lawyers (1 white, 2 black) deciding whether to take the case of a white man accused of raping a black woman. James Spader was outstanding as one of the lawyers – he’s got the part nailed after 5 years of Boston Legal. Only minor weak link, as mentioned, was Kerry Washington’s performance. Overall, great Mamet dramatics performed by a very talented quartet. Must See. |
|
|
My recommendation:
must see!
|
| Acting: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
|
Recommended for:
Seniors, Tourists, Adults
|
|
|
|
|
| 27 |
Poorly constructed legal drama and really bad acting sink interesting discourse on race. Review by: Baltasar D. Cruz, Nov 29, 2009 |
This play by David Mamet succeeds as a provocative discourse on race but fails as a legal drama because it appears that David Mamet has no understanding of what lawyers actually do or how people behave in a law practice or a professional work environment! As a practicing attorney, this was a very frustrating play for me to watch.
As the play begins, an exceedingly wealthy potential new client (played by Richard Thomas) who ... read more is white and has been accused of raping a black woman, has just walked in to a criminal defense law firm seeking representation and, instead of asking him about the facts of his case, the lawyers (portrayed by James Spader and David Alan Grier) proceed to lecture him (apparently based solely upon what they have read about the case in newspapers) and then send him out into their waiting room to "write down everything he has ever done" while they discuss whether or not to represent him! Apparently, Mr. Mamet does not know that the first thing a lawyer does is interview a potential client in detail about the facts of their case, which the lawyers in this play, amazingly, never do -- other than to merely ask Mr. Thomas's character if he is guilty of the rape of which he has been accused! (This interview could have been done in a very interesting and entertaining manner but was not done at all.) There was no discussion of the defendant's version of the facts, how the law firm would be compensated were they to take the case, the proceedings that would take place, or the possible or likely outcomes for the defendant. It is also very strange that neither Mr. Spader's nor Mr. Grier's characters ever ask their young associate (or law clerk?; played by Ms. Kerry Washington) the amount of an unsolicited retainer check which she reveals Mr. Thomas's character has given her. (In any real criminal defense law firm, a prospective client's ability to pay the firm's fees and deposit a significant retainer would be a primary concern.) The nature of a legal retainer (which remains the client's money until portions of it are dispersed, unless otherwise expressly agreed) and the legal effect of delivering an unsolicited retainer check which has not been deposited (i.e., none whatsoever)are also bizarrely misconstrued by characters who are supposed to be experienced lawyers in this play. Mr. Mamet also naively imagines that the mere making of a telephone call to an opposing attorney by a new lawyer during an ongoing case constitutes the "making of an appearance in court" and has the same effect as the filing of a motion for substitution of counsel with a court and the granting of same by the judge. That simply is not the case. There are also bizarrely erroneous assertions by characters portraying lawyers about what constitutes unlawful discrimination under federal civil statutes! Finally, a lawyer is revealed to have acted so unethically that they would be virtually certain to lose their job and likely their law license in any state!
Aside from the profound absurdity of the characters' conduct in this play (which goes beyond the examples discussed above) this play suffers from other staggering flaws. Richard Thomas is little more than a seemingly disinterested prop, who woodenly recites surprisingly few lines and, at one point, when pressed to answer a question he says he is reluctant to answer in front of David Alan Grier's character, ultimately agrees to do so and then, suddenly and unexpectedly walks off the stage with Mr. Grier to, presumably, answer the question outside of the presence of the other two characters! (This was very bizarre.) For his part, David Alan Grier is bombastic and grandiose in a manner reminiscent of Jon Lovitz's "Master Thespian" on SNL and Kerry Washington's character agressively confronts her boss and behaves in a manner which it is unimaginable any young lawyer would ever do. (Indeed, it is hard to imagine that any young professional would ever behave in such a manner in any office setting.) At one point, when the title of Ms. Washington's character's college thesis is revealed, this play even seems to unintentionally trancend into a parody of itself.
Only James Spader seems at ease in his role and on the stage in this play.
It is unfortunate that Mr. Mamet has staged his play in a law firm setting in the context of a prospective legal defense to a criminal case without apparently having any understading of what lawyers do or how criminal cases are handled (or seemingly having consulted any lawyers regarding same) because his characters' dialogue is entertaining and their comments on race are provocative. Perhaps the points he wanted to make could have more convincingly been discussed in the context of a legal consultation with jury consultants (which Mr. Thomas's character could have afforded), an editorial board meeting in a news room, a conversation in a barber shop, or a college class discussion.
Finally, the rows are too close together in the Ethel Barrymore Theater, which makes sitting uncomfortable for any tall person, although the view from the front mezzanine where I sat was excellent and the dialogue could be heard very clearly.
Although I found the legal drama frustratingly misconstructed, nonlawyers may not notice or care about many of the shortcomings I have identified and the dialogue is entertaining and provocative, but the acting (except by Mr. Spader) was notably subpar for a Broadway or "Off Broadway" production. As a result, I cannot recommend this show. |
|
|
My recommendation:
Don't go
|
| Acting: |
 |
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Alone
|
|
|
|
|
| 28 |
take an acting class, kerry Review by: themar, Nov 28, 2009 |
| Overall, the play met my expectations. Would have exceeded my expectations if not for the stilted and clumsy acting by Ms. Washington. |
|
|
My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
|
| Acting: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Family
|
Recommended for:
Anyone
|
|
|
|
|
| 29 |
THOUGHTFUL, TERRIFIC PERFORMANCE Review by: ilasik, Nov 19, 2009 |
| I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this play - did not want it to end. I saw on the third day so it definitely was a little rough, actors speaking simultaneously and not on purpose but overall a terrific performance. What a treat - to see this shortly after "A STeady rain", both wonderful performances! |
|
|
My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
|
| Acting: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Alone
|
Recommended for:
Anyone
|
|
|
|
|
| 30 |
Grier and Spader Shine Review by: PAEM, Nov 19, 2009 |
| Exceptional Spader and Grier. Another Mamet talkfest, but more accessible than most of his work. Taughtly directed and gripping, though a clearer resolution might help. However, I know that will never happen in a Mamet play. Treat yourself to some inspired acting. |
|
|
My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
|
| Acting: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Family
|
Recommended for:
Adults
|
|
|
|
|
|
| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
|
