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The Best Man Reviews
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| 1 |
Great Play! Review by: nicky9, Aug 21, 2012 |
Seeing such a talented (and famous!) group of actors on one stage is quite an experience. They were perfectly cast.. The wonderful James Earl Jones and John Larroquette were great. the show also features Cybill Shepherd, John Stamos and Kristin Davis.
The acting, the set, the music - all make you feel like you are actually at election day, with all the action, politics and excitement. I am not too involved in politics and I still ... read more really liked this show! highly recommended
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
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Recommended for:
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| 2 |
Ultimately, I enjoyed the evening .but probably because I was in a generous mood Review by: Tom Bestor, Jun 10, 2012 |
I so wanted to like "The Best Man," I really did. Ultimately, I enjoyed the evening (2 hours, 40 minutes, two intermissions), but probably because I was in a generous mood and willing to forgive its clunkiness -- which was enough to make Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers squirm in agony.
It's true, as many reviewers have pointed out, that much of the play still resonates in today's political climate -- the venality, the sucking up to ... read more power (with the non-stop nature of a Dyson vacuum), the sham marriages, the chattering class always at the door... Plus, the cast is as star-packed as anything I've seen on Broadway: James Earl Jones, Angela Lansbury, Candice Bergen, John Laroquette, Eric McCormack and Michael McKean. The problem is, only Laroquette really found a true character. Which is fitting, since he plays William Russell, the only truly principled character in the drama. Laroquette stands as a solid pole supporting a very big tent.
Unfortunately, the other major players don't seem to really be engaged with their roles. Candice Bergen is too casually chilly in her role as the good candidate's wife, and Eric McCormack's southern accent wanders in and out to the point that you can't tell whether he's supposed to be from Mississippi or South Carolina or just auditioning for every role in "Steel Magnolias." Angela Lansbury, lovable and adored as she is, simply doesn't have the power to seize the stage the way she once did. (The fact that she is the only cast member who had to be mic'd is one good sign of that.)
"The West Wing" this is not. Today's politics is about speed and volume and continuous news cycles. "The Best Man" is much more linear and old-fashioned. It's of the day when there were three networks and a handful of major papers. Which is delightful if you're in a nostalgic mood. But given the stakes in our current political battles, we don't need a creaky, stuffy period piece. Battling intolerance and ignorance requires a much sharper saber than Vidal's 1960 play. As one character says "I'd like to think intelligence is contagious -- but I'm afraid it isn't." As the kids say, true that.
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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| 3 |
All Hail King James!!! Review by: Bill from Long Beach, Jun 1, 2012 |
| Enjoyed this play and its all-star case. I got moved up to center of the 2nd row...what a thrill it was to see James Earl Jones command the stage...simply amazing!!! The whole cast was excellent, but Mr. Jones was a cut above. To be so close to such talent was such a thrill for this hick from Long Beach, California. I was in theatre heaven. What a privilege to see James Earl Jones act his ass off in his 80s!! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
Business Assoc., Seniors, Tourists
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| 4 |
Review by: CM, May 29, 2012 |
| The acting was very good, but the play is a bit dated. The director could have helped more. I preffered the 1964 film. If there weren't any famous actors in it i would tell you to skip it. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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Alone
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Recommended for:
Seniors, Adults
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| 5 |
The BEST Show Review by: , May 21, 2012 |
| I admit that the draw towards this play was the incredible cast. I was a little leary of the political theme. Nearly a week later, I can't stop thinking about it. It draws you in and you don't come up for air until the ending. And what a surprise ending it is!! The script and the acting is absolutely brilliant. Unforgettable, magic. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 6 |
The Best Man is the Best Play! Review by: Chatty Cathie, Apr 27, 2012 |
| This revival is outstanding, and though set in 1960 is still very relevant today. The cast is not only extremely famous, they are also incredibly talented. Each one exceeded my expectations. If you get a chance to see this play, you will count yourself lucky! The theater is decorated like you are at the convention itself; the sets rotate in a clever way to change locales. It reflects politics, then and now, in a very realistic way. This show ... read more is a class act. The Best Man is the best play! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 7 |
The Best Show Review by: Mr. C, Apr 23, 2012 |
Do I hear Tony nominations? It was that good. John Larroquette and Eric McCormack were outstanding in their roles. Although it is a revival, it definitely is not outdated.
This show is well worth the money. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Anyone
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| 8 |
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! Review by: , Apr 23, 2012 |
| It was the experience of a lifetime to see such a cast of great actors perform. A tour de force. There was not a weak link in the cast. It was witty, provocative, thought provoking and entirely relevant. Not to be missed. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Large Group
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Anyone
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| 9 |
Review by: grandma, Apr 5, 2012 |
| This show is a must see. To see this cast on the same stage is a treat. The actors were great and you leave the theater thinking about what really goes on in politics. What an enjoyable experience. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
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Recommended for:
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| 10 |
Great cast but a weak story line Review by: Rosie's Review, Apr 3, 2012 |
| With a cast this good, The Best Man is actually a bit of a let down. John Larroquette and Eric McCormack shine as two politicians seeking their parties nomination for the 1960 Presidential race, and, the mud-slinging -- while somewhat predictable -- does bring some good laughs. The rest of the cast is wonderful as well, but, the storyline... Honestly? It's weak, however, I do feel like I got a lot of entertainment for the money, and, I would ... read more still recommend seeing it. If, however, you are only seeing one show in NYC in 2012, then, you might find something else, but, for regular show goes such as myself -- yes, by all means -- go! |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
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Recommended for:
Seniors, Adults
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| 11 |
Wow, what a cast! Review by: Legs, Mar 23, 2012 |
| Get ready for the 2012 presidential race by going to this wonderful revival. The performances are excellent, staging is beautiful and the story is as current as ever. John Larroquette is perfect in the role of Russell and Eric McCormick is the smarmiest Joe. Jefferson Mays as Sheldon, Angela Lansbury and, of course, James Earl Jones are all terrific. Even if you're thinking that you've seen this play before, do not miss this revival. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Recommended for:
Anyone
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| 12 |
Don't Miss This Show! Review by: Goodbuddy, Mar 22, 2012 |
| This is a great show! Although the play is over 50 years old, it is still relevant to today's political scene. Vidal's writing is perceptive and funny. Add to that a dream cast and the result is a wonderful experience in the theatre. Each member of the cast is at the top of his or her game. Don't miss this show. It will surely be nominated for many Tony Awards. |
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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:
Business Assoc., Seniors, Tourists
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| 13 |
Brilliant! Review by: Carol, Mar 14, 2012 |
Gore Vidal’s cynical political drama The Best Man, set in 1960, ran on Broadway that same year, and was made into a film in 1964. In the fall of 2000, during the presidential election, Vidal's political play had its last Broadway revival. More than half a century later, beginning during a presidential election year, the play returns with an all-star cast. Secretary of State William Russell (John Larroquette) is pitted against Senator ... read more Joseph Cantwell (Eric McCormack). The writing is brilliant as is its delivery by the principle actors. Vidal juxtaposes a liberal, arrogant candidate against a ruthless, ambitious man. The sparks fly as the two engage in machinations in their respective hotel suites in Philadelphia.
Supporting actors headed by James Earl Jones, cast as former president Arthur Hockstader, may well have been an anachronism for the setting; however, the irony of its revival this year was certainly not lost on the audience. Angela Lansbury debuted on Broadway three years before the production was set. As Mrs. Sue-Ellen Gamadge she sparkles representing women's interests. One only wonders how she would play on the campaign trail today against ultraconservative Rick Santorum.
The show is definitely on the fast track to a Tony award for best revival. It is an evening of scintillating drama with funny, incisive comments about basic human values and the political scene. Don't miss it.
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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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| 14 |
Awesome, even for a preview performance! Review by: shida_girl, Mar 12, 2012 |
| I will first preface this review with the fact that I saw it the 3rd night of preview week. There were some fumbles and mistakes but that being said, this is worth seeing, if not just to see that many talented folks on one stage! This is what seasoned stage actors look like. Kerry Butler and Eric McCormack held their own against these veterans of the stage and the result was a wonderfully entertaining play that is just as relevant today and ... read more when it was written. Bravo! |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Large Group
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Recommended for:
The Entire Family, Tourists, 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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