DADDY previews (New Group/Vineyard co production at Signature)

[HBBrock]

Posted: 2/12/19 at 9:33pm

Previews begin tonight. Post your thoughts.

Updated On: 2/12/19 at 09:33 PM

[HBBrock]

Posted: 2/13/19 at 9:02pm

First preview got pushed back to tonight. Anyone there? How is the pool?

[Addendum]

Posted: 2/13/19 at 11:19pm

Curious too...I have tix for this Saturday's matinee.  It's almost sold out for its (short) run!

[JBroadway]

Posted: 2/13/19 at 11:23pm

Going this weekend! I'm very intrigues - will report back! 

[VotePeron]

Posted: 2/14/19 at 12:15am

I was there tonight! There's a lot to digest here.

For a first preview, it was excellent. The cast seemed very comfortable in their roles and everything went off without a hitch - remarkable, considering the show is 3 hours on the nose including two 10-minute intermissions.

Jeremy O. Harris' excellent reputation proceeds him, and he doesn't disappoint - there is indeed extended periods of full frontal nudity amongst Alan & Ronald, as well as explicit sexual moments. There is also a full size pool, and it's used very effectively. The staging as a whole is very provocative, and the play has a solid build through it's 3 acts. A gospel choir rounds out a wonderful ensemble and adds a lot of depth to the production.

Half greek tragedy, half melodrama, "Daddy" is the kind of work that I dream of seeing in NYC. It takes the subject matter by the...horn...and doesn't let go. I was never bored, and it was a very entertaining evening. 

My one critique would be that the ending (and the preceding 3 hours) present a lot for you to digest and piece together, and then it ends. It didn't provide an immediately fulfilling sensation, as say another 3 hour drama like The Ferryman does. Not every play needs to have that, but I'm hoping that I'm hoping that as the show evolves, maybe some clarity can be infused into the final 10 minutes. 

As for the running time, I think some transitions can be tightened, but I don't think it'll get very much lower than 3 hours unless they cut dialogue, which seems unnecessary. They can't cut the second intermission either, both for practical and dramaturgical reasons. It was actually great to have the 2 breaks.

If you can get a ticket - go, of course. If not, this is just the beginning of Jeremy O. Harris' career, and wow are we lucky to be alive for that. For what it's worth, I did hear some people leaving that say they preferred Slave Play, and as there was a solid 3 days that the Industry thought that was moving to Broadway, I'm sure we'll be seeing that again very soon.

Updated On: 2/14/19 at 12:15 AM

[smidge]

Posted: 2/14/19 at 2:16pm

3 hours!!!! I didn’t know the running time would be that long and I have a ticket for Andrea Bocelli at the Met at 5:00 after a 2:00 performance of Daddy. Does anyone know if the Met Opera has an issue with late seating?

[JSquared2]

Posted: 2/14/19 at 3:13pm

smidge said: "3 hours!!!! I didn’t know the running time would be that long and I have a ticket for Andrea Bocelli at the Met at 5:00 after a 2:00 performance of Daddy. Does anyone know if the Met Opera has an issue with late seating?"

Per their website:

What if I'm late to the performance?

Latecomers will not be admitted to the auditorium until intermission or on rare occasions when the Conductor has designated an appropriate interval for seating. Warning chimes are sounded pre-performance and intermission at 8 minutes and 4 minutes prior to curtain. Audience members who leave the auditorium during a performance will not be readmitted until intermission or at an appropriate interval, if one has been designated by the Conductor.  There are areas off the North and South sides of the Orchestra level and in List Hall where latecomers may watch the performance on color screens until an appropriate time of entry.

[smidge]

Posted: 2/14/19 at 3:40pm

JSquared2 said: "smidge said: "3 hours!!!! I didn’t know the running time would be that long and I have a ticket for Andrea Bocelli at the Met at 5:00 after a 2:00 performance of Daddy. Does anyone know if the Met Opera has an issue with late seating?"

Per their website:

What if I'm late to the performance?

Latecomers will not be admitted to the auditorium until intermission or on rare occasions when the Conductor has designated an appropriate interval for seating. Warning chimes are sounded pre-performance and intermission at 8 minutes and 4 minutes prior to curtain. Audience members who leave the auditorium during a performance will not be readmitted until intermission or at an appropriate interval, if one has been designated by the Conductor. There are areas off the North and South sides of the Orchestra level and in List Hall where latecomers may watch the performance on color screens until an appropriate time of entry."

Thank you so much! I hate being late for shows.

[haterobics]

Posted: 2/14/19 at 3:49pm

smidge said: "3 hours!!!! I didn’t know the running time would be that long and I have a ticket for Andrea Bocelli at the Met at 5:00 after a 2:00 performance of Daddy. Does anyone know if the Met Opera has an issue with late seating?"

One imagines the Vineyard may be accommodating on moving you into a different date, especially since they didn't mention the running time in advance?

[Huss417]

Posted: 2/14/19 at 4:02pm

Thanks for the write up VotePeron. I have been looking forward to seeing this.

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 2/14/19 at 5:02pm

was already looking forward to seeing this on Saturday night.  Now even more so.  We are upstairs, think there will be any problem with the view?

Posted: 2/14/19 at 11:23pm

Agreed - like Slave Play...there is a lot to digest. This play isn’t as darkly humorous as SP...but it has a couple of funny moments.

To me, both plays have a somewhat mystical (perhaps allegorical) nature to them..with characters overtaken by spells, spirits..often w musical undertones.

I found it to perhaps be more unsettling than SP...but also more satisfying.

As noted, it is almost 3 hours...but it doesn’t really drag...but as I’m still trying to “process” (which will mean something to those who saw SP) I can’t tell where it could be trimmed.

[Addendum]

Posted: 2/16/19 at 11:17pm

OK, sorry to be a downer here, but I caught the matinee today and I thought it was dreadful.  Judging from the moans and mumbling from those around me, I wasn’t alone in my disappointment.  Get in the pool, get out of the pool, get naked, get dressed, play with dolls.  Seriously this was the worst piece of theatre I’ve seen in a long time.  Charlayne Woodward’s performance was the one bright spot.  

Updated On: 2/17/19 at 11:17 PM

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 2/17/19 at 1:35pm

Caught the show Wednesday night. For a three hour play, the pacing is very swift, and I was left feeling like I could watch another two hours.

The three leads (Alan Cumming, Ronald Peet, and Charlayne Woodward) are well matched and delivering fierce, powerful work. Also loved the three ladies who made up the gospel choir. They sound incredible and maintain a solid presence throughout.

I loved how ambiguous the ending was and how I’m still turning over this play five days later. I believe it’s the full energence of Jeremy O. Harris’ voice and scooe. It’s ambitious and expansive while still tightly dramatic. And admirably theatrical-giving us a night of wild surprises.

[HunterK]

Posted: 2/17/19 at 11:27pm

I was at tonight's evening performance, got a last minute cancelation for a decent price, compared to the gentleman next to me (we both had a good laugh and he bought me a drink at the first intermission.) I will not reiterate what is already been said, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Yes, it was 3 hours, but it flew by. I never found myself wandering or getting antsy. The pacing was perfect. I have to say the entire cast was stellar, no weak links. Charlayne Woodard stole that stage anytime she stepped foot on it! It was amazing to see how strong she made her character and never budged. Alan Cumming did not disappoint. He played the first 2 acts with such ease and finesse, great to see him so easily make a role his own. Ronald Peet has the acting chops of a true star. He was able to go against some heavy hitters and he stood his ground. The gospel choir/Greek chorus was an amazing addition to the show and helped add to the comedy and help explain where the story was going. 

I do highly suggest this! A wonderful piece of theatre. Plus the set! My gosh the set. Huge! Just the pool itself is amazing, but everything around it looks better than anything I have seen on an off broadway set.

Seat Warning! People who bought the side mezzanine seats were complaining very vocally because from some points you can see less than 1/2 stage view. The house manager and another staff member were trying to accommodate seat changes between the first 2 acts. I walked up to the area in question and have to say I would be very upset if I paid that much to see 1/4 of the set. I heard someone from the production say this was an issue they are working on. So just a warning.

Also Cell Phone Ring strikes again! I have to say I have heard many cell phones go off during shows, but never had a story that went with it. About 30 minutes into Act 1 a cell phone goes off, volume all the way up, from mid orchestra. Lasted at least 25-30 seconds. From the time this started happening, Alan Cumming and Ronald Peet were naked in the pool. Mr. Cumming gets out of the pool and walks to mid stage, in full light, and crossed his arms and stood there starring. It was the longest 30 seconds. He was pissed! After it stopped he waited about 10 seconds to look around for any other "issues" and jumped right back in that pool. Make your own conclusions on why the entire house was silent and not yelling at cell phone lady!  

[annang]

Posted: 2/17/19 at 11:28pm

haterobics said: "smidge said: "3 hours!!!! I didn’t know the running time would be that long and I have a ticket for Andrea Bocelli at the Met at 5:00 after a 2:00 performance of Daddy. Does anyone know if the Met Opera has an issue with late seating?"

One imagines the Vineyard may be accommodating on moving you into a different date, especially since they didn't mention the running time in advance?"

That would be hard. The entire run is completely sold out, other than one weeknight show, as of right now. 

[CarmenA3]

Posted: 2/18/19 at 2:06am

Wee Thomas2 said: "was already looking forward to seeing this on Saturday night. Now even more so. We are upstairs, think there will be any problem with the view?"

How was your view upstairs? Mine are up there too, but now I'm concerned as it's on the sides.

 

HunterK: Do you know what seat numbers upstairs have the problems? By any chance, did you take a picture?

I don't go until mid March. Hoping the issues get resolved!

[JBroadway]

Posted: 2/18/19 at 2:18pm

I saw it this weekend.

It’s a very strange play, as others have said, and I think it explores complex themes in a layered and fascinating way. But I just don’t think this is a play that benefits from being as long as it is. They’ve trimmed it down but from 3 hours, luckily, but I hope they kweo going. For me, it didn’t achieve that “epic journey” quality that you hope to get in very long plays. This just seemed like a long play. The length felt especially unwelcome because I thought all 3 of the peripheral characters should have been cut altogether. To me, that would have made the play noticeably better, while also trimming down the length significantly.

There were also stylistic elements that I just found grating and irritating. And I think all of them were purposefully designed to make the audience uncomfortable, but it just didn’t gel with me.

Having said all that, I think it’s definitely worth seeing. There are lots of great moments, and overall it’s one of those theatre pieces that you really have to witness for yourself.

By the way, the punctuation stickler among us should take note that the play is not called Daddy, but rather, “Daddy” with the quotation marks as part of the title.

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 2/18/19 at 3:27pm

I'm tired of the New Group.

 

We liked the first two acts, but felt the third act dragged and the ending was very unsatisfying.  Make me angry, make me happy, but don't bore me and we were bored.


About the upstairs.  We had the furthest two seats on the left side (facing the stage) from the stage.  I had the last seat, and pulled it around so I was more in the center area so I could see.  My wife was content to miss parts of the show and to lean waaaay over the bar to see when she could.

 

After Clueless and now this, they can SELL a show but they can't PUT ON a show.  And going back a couple years, other than Sutton Foster in Sweet Charity the rest of the shows that year were meh (Talkhouse) or dreadful (All the Fine Boys, Whirlygig).  We try to do an off broadway subscription each year (not easy, coming from Boston) but next season it won't be New Group.

[HunterK]

Posted: 2/18/19 at 4:30pm

CarmenA3 said: "Wee Thomas2 said: "was already looking forward to seeing this on Saturday night. Now even more so. We are upstairs, think there will be any problem with the view?"

How was your view upstairs? Mine are up there too, but now I'm concerned as it's on the sides.



HunterK: Do you know what seat numbers upstairs have the problems? By any chance, did you take a picture?

I don't go until mid March. Hoping the issues get resolved!"

I'm sorry I didn't see any seat numbers. They are individual chairs. I noticed the people closer to the stage were more happy the the one on the rear sides. When I walked up to check the view I was looking from the far back (last 2 side mezzo seats) and that few was about 1/2 the stage. 

I am sorry I couldn't have been more helpful. If you are concerned please call the box office. The management were very helpful in reseating people.

[CarmenA3]

Posted: 2/18/19 at 4:42pm

No worries HunterK. I’m going on Sunday for Boesman, so I’ll ask if I can take a look upstairs.

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 2/19/19 at 11:16am

Left side was AA. I think I saw CC on middles but not sure.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 2/21/19 at 8:58pm

Vineyard opened up partial view for most every performance. They just posted. Any idea which are better?

[stranger411]

Posted: 2/21/19 at 9:45pm

Just grabbed a partial view for tomorrow (AA 27) and really just hoping for the best. I have no problem with a “partial view” but from the previous reports it seems like this may be stretching that term. I am a HUGE Alan Cumming fan and with the entire run sold out I figured a partial view was better than nothing. Fingers crossed!! Will make sure to give a full report!

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 2/22/19 at 12:05pm

Keep us posted stranger! Thanks.