JK's TheatreScene: Three Tall Women

Showing posts with label Three Tall Women. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Broadway 3-peats: The John Golden Theatre

I've had incredible luck with the shows I've seen at The John Golden Theatre. I've seen quite a variety of productions there, and, frankly, I've enjoyed each one that I've seen there. But there was a run of three plays in the 20-teens that really stood out to me - an amazing Broadway 3-peat.

Broadway 3-peats:

The John Golden Theatre

1. A Doll's House, Part 2 by Lucas Hnath (2017): A modern period play sequel that shows us what happens to Nora, the play was highly entertaining. But it was a true study of ensemble acting. True, Laurie Metcalf was the star of the show, and legitimately the leading performance, but the way she played give and take with the rest of the company really played up the group effort. Each person was just as important to the show as every other. With almost no scenery, but with a strikingly physical performance, here is the perfect example of what happens when the quality of the actors chosen trumps their impressive marquee value. All four actors - Chris Cooper, Jayne Houdyshell, Condola Rashad and Laurie Metcalf - were nominated for Tonys (Metcalf won).

2. Three Tall Women by Edward Albee (2018): Next up was another Tony-winning performance by Laurie Metcalf, along with a brilliant Tony-winning performance by the legendary Glenda Jackson. The third woman, a dazzling turn by Alison Pill, was egregiously overlooked. There was so much to love and take in from this amazing revival (though it was making its Broadway debut). I was so enthralled, think I held my breath the entire time. Joe Mantello's direction was brisk, sharp and fat free, and Miriam Buether's scenic design earned each gasp.

3. The Waverly Gallery by Kenneth Lonergan (2018): Another ensemble piece, another all-star company of actors, each bringing marquee names, but delivering bonafide Broadway quality to enraptured audiences, this revival (making its Broadway debut) starred the legendary Elaine May in, to date, the single best performance I have ever seen in decades of theater-going. As dementia took its toll on her character, May vanished completely in a brave, no holds barred tour de force star turn. If, when it was over, it was announced that the actress, in fact, had dementia, I'd have believed it without question. As amazing as she was, it says so much about the rest of the cast, including Joan Allen, Lucas Hedges, Michael Cera and David Cromer was just a brilliant as a family barely holding it together. Brilliant for start to finish; a privilege to have witnessed.

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

At This Theatre: The John Golden Theatre

I love the theaters on 45th Street. I've seen some of my favorite shows on that block. The Golden Theatre is probably the one of those that I have been in the fewest times, but those times have yielded some of the most truly magnificent performances I've ever seen. Even though I have ranked the six shows I've seen there, on any given day any one of them could be my number one pick. They were all that good.

At This Theater:

The John Golden

In the times Mike and I have been there, we have been able to sit in a variety of locations. We hope that our experiences will help you the next time you are At This Theatre.

# of Shows We Saw There: 6

Shows We Saw There: Avenue Q, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, The Normal Heart, The Waverly Gallery, A Doll's House, Part 2, Three Tall Women

How They Rate:

6. A Doll's House, Part 2: An embarrassment of acting riches, the entire cast was a thrill to watch. Condola Rashad and Jane Houdyshell were amazing in their supporting roles and offer a study in varying intensity, with the former mostly quiet and measured, and the latter more intense and razor sharp in her delivery. The star of the show, Laurie Metcalf, was simply stunning to watch, giving one of my favorite performances in nearly 40 years of Broadway theater-going.

WHERE WE SAT: Center front mezzanine about 5 rows back on the aisle: excellent view, if not a little bit cramped.

5. Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike: Here's a show Mike and I did not see together. He enjoyed it with Julie White. I enjoyed seeing one of my favorite actors, Sigourney Weaver, who showed me why she's such a highly regarded interpreter of Christopher Durang. David Hyde Pierce was a riot, with his monologue a true highlight, and Kristine Nielson was quirky fun, too. Even in smaller roles Billy Magnussen and Shalita Grant made lasting impressions.

WHERE WE SAT: Mike sat in the rear orchestra, with a great view of everything but the very top of the set. I sat up in the rear mezzanine, and had a terrific view - no one seemed far away at all.

4. Three Tall Women: I don't recall either of us moving an inch or even breathing throughout this mesmerizing play. Sure that set change was breathtaking, but that trio of performances was pure brilliance. Glenda Jackson stole the show in a lot of ways, but Laurie Metcalf was equally brilliant in different ways. And Alison Pill was no slouch, either - hers was a turn that snuck up on you! Absolutely one of my favorite plays.

WHERE WE SAT: Center front mezzanine about 5 rows back on the aisle: excellent view, if not a little bit cramped.

3. The Waverly Gallery: The two greatest performances I have ever witnessed happened at this theater. One of them, Elaine May as a woman sinking under the weight of her own dementia, was perhaps THE greatest. I've never so believed what I was seeing was actually real before or since then. Perhaps even better was the chance to see her co-stars rise to her challenge - particularly Joan Allen as her daughter and Lucas Hedges, one of the best the current generation has to offer, as her grandson.

WHERE WE SAT: Side left front mezz, about 4 rows back on the aisle: excellent view.

2. The Normal Heart: This may be the one time I wish we had been a little closer to fully take in the intimate performances of this first-rate ensemble. Not a weak link in the bunch, they were a thrill to watch. However, it was the performance of Tony-winner Ellen Barkin that was a privilege to witness. The two finest acting performances I have ever seen were both in this theater. What a blessing.

WHERE WE SAT: Side left front mezz, about 4 rows back on the aisle: excellent view.

1. Avenue Q: Over the many times we saw it, we got to see many of the original cast (with Ann Harada a particular standout). This show was consistently a well cast show, with replacements (and understudies) being as good, if not better than their predecessors. Among the great performers we got to see were Anika Larsen, Mary Faber, Haneefah Wood and Rob McLure. Perhaps the best were Barrett Foa who was replaced mid-performance by Howie Michael Smith. Always charming as it is, here's hoping future revivals don't srcub it too clean.

WHERE WE SAT: We saw this show several times; center orchestra was probably my favorite, as it allowed us to see the smallest of details and facial expressions. But being upstairs was great, too, allowing a better view everything at once, as well as some of the bigger things like "giant" Kate Monster.

Friday, June 15, 2018

The Friday 5: Jeff's 5 Favorite Things About the 2018 Tonys

Mike and I did very well with our Tony Awards pics this year - better with the "Should Win"s than the "Will Win"s, which makes us both very happy. And this year, my favorite show actually won Best Musical! That makes me happy, too! But those weren't my 5 favorite things about the 2018 Tonys...

THE FRIDAY 5:

Jeff's 5 Favorite Tony Awards Things

5. Laurie Metcalf winning for Three Tall Women

I don't think anyone was more surprised than Metcalf herself when her name was called. If it couldn't be Angels' Denise Gough, I'm glad it was Laurie Metcalf. Hers was an intense, in the moment, and yet unadorned performance, and worthy of a second statue in as many years.

4. Josh Groban and Sara Bareilles as Hosts

In a world coming undone with craziness, intensity and dumb-assery, it was nice for a change to have moments of quiet adoration of the art form being celebrated. And smart, funny songs. And self-deprecating humor. All of it was good for this viewer. (And the picture above... letting the costumes tell the joke. Good stuff!)

3. Glenda Jackson's Acceptance Speech

Classy. Smart. Pointed. Low key. Gracious. Like I said, classy.

2. Ari'el Stachel winning for The Band's Visit

I knew when I saw The Band's Visit the first time, that Ari'el Stachel's performance was special and Tony-worthy. The only real surprise, for me, was that the Tony voters got this one right. His tearful and poignant acceptance speech was the cherry on top of the sundae.

1. Once On This Island winning Best Revival of a Musical

I can't remember the last time I was so thrilled, shocked and happy over a show winning an award. It was the best revival by a mile, and it was both earned and deserved. Beautiful theater. Risk-taking theater. Genuinely creative and inspiring in its humanity. The world needs more of this.

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Ms. Broadway April 2018: Alison Pill

She's had success in television, on film, and on the stage. Her career spans comedy, drama, and even horror. And now she's co-starring with two of the greatest actresses in the business in one of the greatest revivals in recent memory, and she more than holds her own while doing so. that probably should be less of a surprise than it seems to be. After all, she got her first Tony nomination for her Broadway debut a dozen years ago. I have a feeling it won't be her last - if not for Three Tall Women, than perhaps the next time she visits. Of course, I'm talking about "C" herself, Alison Pill, now Ms. Broadway April 2018.

A FEW FUN FACTS:

Birthdate: November 27
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
IBDB Credits: 6 (My favorite: Three Tall Women!)
IMDB Credits: A whopping 89! Including HBO's The Newsroom, American Horror Story: Cult, and movies including Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen and Milk.
Family: Married Joshua Leonard; they have one daughter
On Twitter: @thatalipill