PATRIOTS Previews- Page 2

[theaterdarling]

Posted: 4/2/24 at 1:22pm

Jonathan Cohen said: "PipingHotPiccolo said: "Jonathan Cohen said: "Without diminishing what could well be a very insightful play, asking people to spend money on a play about Putin, while we still can't escape him on the nightly news is kind of a hard sell for me."

to each their own, but isnt that what makes this play topical, relevant, etc?"

I was really sorry to hear about Michael Stuhlbarg getting attacked. It's a little surreal the suspect got apprehended outside the RussianConsulate.

Getting back to if the play is relevant, for sure the topic is relevant. But is itrevelatory? There's no way to know that without watching it. However, Putin has been running Russia for 25 years. We know exactly who he is. What makes him tick is wanting to gain and retain power, I don't think it's that complicated.

It's really hardfinding new things to say about an active political figure as scrutinized as Putin. Ifthe reviews say Patriots is brilliant and does say something new,I'll probably buy a ticket. But otherwise, I'm justspending a couple of hours with a very familiar,unpleasant character.

A few things:

"..There is no way to know without watching"   Well, yes always better not to pontificate on whether a play says something new or not without seeing it. Respectfully, might have been a good idea to heed that advice. That being said one could have easily read reviews of the UK productions that could have explained to you the play's unique vantage point on Putin and, some, do indeed say the play and/or the performances were brilliant.   

You do know that while Putin is of obvious significance to the play, albeit technically a supporting part, the play tells the story of Putin's rise through the eyes of Boris Berezovsky, and to a lesser extent, other oligarchs who enabled Putin and met various fates. So, unless you are up on your Russian oligarch history, you might indeed learn something new about Putin and his rise.  

I pretty much know the story of modern British monarchy inside and out and after a billion books/movies/plays regarding same I'm sure there is nothing new to say about it, but, as with "The Crown", "The Queen," "The Audience," when Peter Morgan has a go at a piece of history I know something about, I still listen.  Probably nothing new to know about Richard Nixon once "Frost/Nixon" was written - coupled with the ability to watch the real interview on which the play/movie was based, yet Peter Morgan made it something new.  I don't know if "Patriots" will tell me anything new about Putin and if the facts are 100% correct (love or hate Morgan for that), but he excels at telling an oft told historical tale singularly and in an incredibly smart, entertaining and impactful way, with great wit. You throw Rupert Goold into this and pretty much a no brainer no matter how much I might know about the subject matter.

"..asking people to spend money on a play about Putin, while we still can't escape him on the nightly news is kind of a hard sell for me."   Yes, for you perhaps, but theatergoers in the UK spoke loudly regarding this and were quite happy to have their money taken from them to spend time with Putin (again, let me repeat, a play more about or as much about the men who enabled Putin) - I believe "Patriots" was the fastest sell out in Almeida history and with the West End run the play recouped.  If plays were only written about historical figures we like and are happy to spend tie with, then (stating the obvious) serious theater going would be a much sadder place. Richard III, anyone - the list goes on.  

Thankfully Sonia Friedman was not at all shy about asking me to spend my money even though I can't escape Putin on the nightly news, and I couldn't have handed said money over to her fast enough for the April 20 matinee. 

And, if you were not aware of this, what also distinguishes Morgan's work is that he writes so smartly and vibrantly that the actors saying his words always are lauded and honored - substantial list. Keen won the BAFTA and, as I previously cried about in another thread, while I am profoundly disappointed that Tom Hollander (BAFTA nominated for Boris) will not be in this production I am sure Stuhlbarg will find similar acclaim in an incredibly juicy role and Keen will be similarly lauded on this side of the pond. Again, (stating the obvious) but brilliant performances are their own joy - and a reason itself to attend a play about a "familiar" and "unlikeable" subject matter.

Sorry, just needed to respectively address your dismissiveness of the play's subject matter, which, unfortunately, irked me to no end --especially when there are so many interesting elements to this production. Nothing personal. As a previous poster said, to each his own and many might feel similar - though my mind is majorly boggled by it. 

 

  

 

 

 

[Jonathan Cohen]

Posted: 4/2/24 at 5:14pm

theaterdarling said: "..There is no way to know without watching" Well, yes always better not to pontificate on whether a play says something new or notwithoutseeing it.Respectfully, might have been a good idea to heed that advice.That being said one could have easily read reviewsof the UK productions that could have explained to you the play's unique vantage point on Putinand, some, do indeed say the play and/or the performances were brilliant." 
 

I appreciate your efforts to keep the disagreement respectful, and I have no desire to change your opinion. I would just add this: 

I was explaining my hesitation to see show based on the general idea of the territory it's covering, and the challenges of the type of story it's telling.  You suggested I keep my opinions to myself because I haven't seen it yet. 

Then you explained all the reasons you want to see Patriots, which is awesome. I really hope you enjoy it when you see it in three weeks. But you're literally doing the same thing as me, talking about a show neither of us has seen. The main difference is you really want to see the show and I'm leaning towards the opposite conclusion.  

There's not even a different about looking at the reviews, other than you read the UK reviews and I'm going to wait until reading the reviews of the current production to make a decision. 

My larger point is we all make judgements in the consideration phase of deciding if we want to see a show or not. No one is claiming that's a review, and we're all coming from different perspectives. 

I'm also probably more lukewarm on Peter Morgan than you in general. I think I moderately liked Frost/Nixon, didn't have a strong opinion on The Queen, and other than those general impressions don't remember a second of those films. The Crown I could never motivate myself to sample, because I don't care about the British royalty family as an institution. 

[DoctorBob]

Posted: 4/2/24 at 11:31pm

I saw it on Tuesday, and it was easily one of the best plays I've seen in many years, by far. Crisp direction, multifaceted performances and thought-provoking writing that added depth to what I already knew about Russia's recent history, and made clear some unfortunate parallels to the very human forces that are driving events in other countries (including the US). The coming together of such strong writing, direction, and acting made for an evening that was as gripping as it was chilling. 2 hours and 40 minutes flew by. I hope to see it again.

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 4/2/24 at 11:41pm

Saw the 2nd preview tonight, God the first act is so deathly dull and boring. The woman next to me kept nodding off. The humor just did not work at all. There were so many lines that seemed like they were supposed to get a laugh that maybe a couple people lightly chuckled at.

Second act was better at least though Putin’s change from wanting liberalization to becoming a power-hungry murderous dictator is so sudden without any real explanation. I guess if that’s how it really was then there’s not much they can do but narratively it was a bit of whiplash.



I really have no idea how this play was so well received. I kept finding myself so bored during all the math tangents (with a professor who was about 50 in 1955 and still the same age in the mid-2000s) and then a whole finance trial scene!? Why is that there?! And why do they have cell phones in 1960 and discuss having high definition TVs in the 1980s?

Updated On: 4/2/24 at 11:41 PM

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 4/3/24 at 12:12am

DoctorBob said: "I saw it on Tuesday, and it was easily one of the best plays I've seen in many years, by far. Crisp direction, multifaceted performances andthought-provoking writing that added depth to what I already knew about Russia's recent history, and made clear some unfortunate parallels to the very humanforces that are driving eventsin other countries (including the US).The coming together of such strong writing, direction, and acting made for an evening thatwas as gripping as it was chilling. 2 hours and 40 minutes flew by. I hope to see it again."

thank you person who joined just to post this

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 4/3/24 at 12:25am

You joined to sing praises off a first preview, question how long have you worked on the production for? 

[DoctorBob]

Posted: 4/3/24 at 7:00am

rosscoe(au) said: "You joined to sing praises off a first preview, question how long have you worked on the production for?"

I just discovered this board, and I have no connection to the production. After seeing so many disappointing plays this past season (the latest being the meretricious Appropriate), I wanted to let others know this thoughtful and well-acted play is worth seeing. I'm sorry you didn't appreciate it. But thanks for the cheap shot just the same, what a great welcome to the message boards! 

Updated On: 4/3/24 at 07:00 AM

[quizking101]

Posted: 4/3/24 at 7:20am

I was also at the second preview last night. By my watch, it ran 2:33 (which is far less than the original projected 2:50 I heard about)

It’s certainly an odd play that tries to strike humor into what we know will be the inevitable rise of a dictator. It sometimes hits and sometimes misses. The Boris character does give an air of Roy Cohn/Angels In America in that he’s a rich kingmaker who ends up creating a monster that he cannot stop. I will say that the action between Act I and II is imbalanced and creates a pacing issue. Act I is brisk and moves at a clip while Act II tends to lose steam toward the end, especially during a final scene with Boris and his mathematics professor. However, taken as a whole, I would put it beside APPROPRIATE as one of my favorite new plays of the season.

Stuhlbarg and Keen are running the show with Thallon as a great supporting role. I definitely see Tony nods for the former two. Also, the set design was actually pretty cool with its use of projections, mirrors, and a bar-like setting that has a multi-functional use. 

Updated On: 4/3/24 at 07:20 AM

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 4/3/24 at 10:58am

Saw Patriots last night, and I think it does a good job of providing the 10,000-foot view of recent Russian history. Of course, since the play is written by the creator of "The Crown," one can assume that most of the scenes between heavy hitters like Putin and Boris have been heavily dramatized for the stage. I am a big fan of Rupert Goold's directing style, and he hits all the marks here. While the set, for the most part, is static, he does a fantastic job of keeping the plot and pace moving so I was never bored. The piece is definitely a warning for Western democracies about the dangers of business oligarchs installing their own puppet into power, and what happens when that puppet starts to take control. Do I think you should rush to see it? If you are a fan of "The Crown" style writing and very clever theatrical staging, with a dash of really solid performances, absolutely add it to your list. It's a really digestible way of learning about the events that have led to our current moment with Russia.

Point of ticket purchase: TDF Front Row of the Mezz

Show let out around 10:35PM 

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 4/8/24 at 11:54am

Are they even trying to sell this show?  I don’t see any marketing 

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 4/16/24 at 7:26am

Excellent evening of a theater and a must see.  One of my favorite shows in a while.  Found Peter Morgan's play highly entertaining.    Set and production design are top notch, vivid and bold (better than a few musicals I've seen this year).  Michael Stuhlbarg and Will Keen are giving exceptional performances.  Also Luke Thallon and Alex Hurt stand out in their roles as well.  

Rupert Gold's direction is top notch.

I envision a ton of Tony Noms (Best Play, Direction, Writing, Actor, Supporting Actor, Set Design, Lighting....)

Must see.

 

 

[Det95]

Posted: 4/16/24 at 7:48am

Cape Twirl of Doom said: "Saw the 2nd preview tonight, God the first act is so deathly dull and boring. The woman next to me kept nodding off. The humor just did not work at all. There were so many lines that seemed like they were supposed to get a laugh that maybe a couple people lightly chuckled at.

Second act was better at least though Putin’s change from wanting liberalization to becoming a power-hungry murderous dictator is so sudden without any real explanation. I guess if that’s how it really was then there’s not much they can do but narratively it was a bit of whiplash.



I really have no idea how this play was so well received. I kept finding myself so bored during all the math tangents (with a professor who was about 50 in 1955 and still the same age in the mid-2000s) and then a whole finance trial scene!? Why is that there?! And why do they have cell phones in 1960 and discuss having high definition TVs in the 1980s?"

This was exactly my experience seeing this during my trip into the city last week. Every minute of this play felt like two. 

[annang]

Posted: 4/18/24 at 11:30am

Is their opening "night" actually the Monday matinee?

[theatreguy]

Posted: 4/18/24 at 11:50am

Yes, the opening performance is a Monday matinee. Allows the press to also be present at the opening of The Heart of Rock and Roll that evening.

[theaterdarling]

Posted: 4/18/24 at 4:16pm

Frends due to join me at "Patriots" on Saturday April 20 at 1PM had to cancel their trip to NYC so I have available for sale three (3) tix purchased thru TDF. Since they are TDF, I can't pick up at box office until 12:30PM Saturday so would have to hand over to you at theater. You can buy 1, 2 or all 3. I paid $51 each all in and am asking $40 ea. Seats possibly? likely? better than Rush or Lottery - but of course won't know until tix are in hand.  PM me if interested.

[veronicamae]

Posted: 4/18/24 at 10:31pm

Saw this tonight - learned more about Russia in those 2.5 hours than I learned through all my [american] schooling, media, and documentaries.

I thought it might be a BORE but it was borderline delightful, largely due to its two leads and the "that's crazy; it'll never happen!" insinuations when we know exactly what has happened. An unexpected surprise for me.

[Kad]

Posted: 4/18/24 at 10:46pm

I saw this tonight and thought it was… fine? I wasn’t bored, but I also didn’t think it was particularly great. A perfectly adequate history play. In fact, I kind of think if you had no idea who Putin was, the play would make very little sense. He as a character is very thinly defined here- and as others noted, his switch from meek nobody to strongman authoritarian is very abrupt and not explored at all.

I appreciated the ambiguity in the central debate between Boris and Putin: Putin, despite everything, is absolutely correct in his assessment of Boris and his fellow oligarchs as self-interested crooks. But this sort of undermines the tragic tone Morgan takes with Boris, as well. 
 

Stuhlberg is reliably great and makes a lot of it work. I found Keen to be very affected and tic-driven, particularly in his first scene which has a lot of strange, wild-eyed physicality. 
 

But whoever signed off on putting Luke Thallon in those tight dress pants at the top of act 2… thank you.  

Updated On: 4/19/24 at 10:46 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/20/24 at 4:07pm

I saw the matinee today (love a 1pm matinee!) and thought it was very good, but not exactly great. I was upset I had to miss this in London so very excited for the transfer but I think this is a play where the performances may be better than the material, itself. Stuhlberg (who is rarely offstage) is such a brilliant actor and just watching him do what he does makes the time fly and kept me constantly engaged, but I’m not sure if I would have enjoyed this as I did had it not been for him. 

One thing I couldn’t stop thinking about though was why the entire cast had British accents yet were all playing Russians. Maybe on the west end it would make sense like it would make sense for the actors to just use American accents here in New York but it was a bit distracting, for some reason. 

I see that Netflix is a lead producer so odds are maybe it’ll get filmed for them. If so, I’s definitely love to watch it again at some point.

Updated On: 4/20/24 at 04:07 PM