Saturday, January 26, 2013

Clive [zero stars]


(Please click on the title to see the full review.)
Having enjoyed The New Group's production of Jonathan Marc Sherman's play "Things We Want" directed by Ethan Hawke about five years ago, I was looking forward to seeing "Clive," Sherman's adaptation of Brecht's "Baal," directed by and starring Hawke. To say I was disappointed would be a gross understatement. Although it's only January, this is my nomination for worst play of the year -- any year. The dissolute poet in Brecht's early play has been transposed to a rock-and-roll musician with a large capacity for booze, drugs and sex. Unfortunately, as told be Sherman, his tale is an incoherent, indulgent, boring mess! About the only good thing I can say about it is that I enjoyed seeing Vincent D'Onofrio onstage. Other cast members include Brooks Ashmanskas, Stephanie Janssen, Mahira Kakkar, Zoe Kazan, Aaron Krohn, Dana Lyn and the playwright. Derek McLane's high-concept set included seven doors that double as musical instruments. Catherine Zuber's costumes are clever, which is more than I can say about the play. I would rather undergo root canal surgery than sit through this play again. Running time: one hour, 40 minutes without intermission.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

You were too kind. I was hoping for the play would be longer so there would be an intermission and I could leave. From the audiance reaction if there had been an intermission the second act would play to an empty theater.

Steve Klapisch

Anonymous said...

Bob - Throughout the show I tried to find something interesting, historical, Brechtian. I couldn't. Your review and Mr. Klapisch's comment comfort me.
Judy

Anonymous said...

Another view:

http://vincentdonofrionews-nantz.blogspot.com/2013/01/photos-clive-play-with-vincent-donofrio.html