William H. Macy, Raul Esparza, and Elisabeth Moss star in the Broadway revival of David Mamet's Speed-the-Plow. Neil Pepe directs.
In the play, Hollywood producers Bobby Gould and Charlie Fox engage in a verbal boxing match about the eternal debate of art versus money. Should Gould go for another bad blockbuster that will make his fortune or put himself on the line for an adaptation of a spiritual, apocalyptic novel offered to him by his beautiful secretary Karen.
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Having not seen the production with Jeremy Piven, I can not make a comparison, but I would imagine that the replacement with William H. Macy added a maturity and stark contrast between the two male characters in this play. His years of experience coupled with his age must have added depth not otherwise possible by such a young actor, although another favorite of mine.
But the real star in this production was Raul Esparza whose timing and range allowed for an exemplary performance. My boyfriend and I thoroughly enjoyed the show and would recommend it before it speeds to a close!
I bought my ticket 20 minutes before the show.Nowhere was it posted, nor was I informed until I sat down for the play that Jeremy Piven was no longer starring and Butz was and would be reading lines during the play. In all fairness to Butz he did a commendable job, and when he gets his lines memorized i am sure that he will be better. His reading of lines was distracting and ruined the flow for me.Why did I have to pay $116.58 to see a "rehearsal"????? Hello! Why wasnt I informed at the theater box office when i purchased the ticket....and why is there no notice at the theater?
When i complained to a theater attendee, I was dismissed and told "Well we assumed everyone would know since Jeremy Piven just walked out on the show and Butz is better anyway." Perhaps but he was READING THE LINES!!!!!!!!!! And sorry that I am not so savy....and the theater was pretty empty... I had almost a whole row to myself...... Seriously tickets should be discounted while the star learns his lines!!!
Jeremy Piven and Raul Esparza give top-notch performances and fans of Mamets staccato style dialogue delivered in even-tempered tones will love this production.
Three acts Bobby shines in I, Karen in II and Charlie in III, no intermission and tight typical theater seats made me wish theyd speed a little faster. But for those looking for fine performances and great dialogue, speed to Speed the Plow.
The new Broadway season begins with Burn the Floor, featuring Dancing With the Stars' Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Karina Smirnoff. Off-Broadway sees the new musical Vanities, Buck Henry and Holland Taylor in Mother, Lucy Thurber's Monstrosity, and Ariane Mnouchkine and Declan Donnellan-helmed works at the Lincoln Center Festival. Full Story New York Theater Listings, Tickets, News, Reviews, and more
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