It is not often that you are able to say you don’t mind having dirt kicked on you, but when it’s being kicked by Kevin Spacey and Eve Best, it’s a little different. Let it never be said that you can’t find a good discount in New York, as this weekend I went to see Talk Radio and A Moon for the Misbegotten both as part of the theatres’ student rush ticket programs. For “Moon” we ended up in row AA, the row that was added on IN FRONT of the front row, specifically for student rush tickets. To give you an idea of how close we were, the stage was sitting over my legs like a desk. It was quiet an experience.
We saw Talk Radio on Friday night, and it lived up to all of its hype. I am very skeptical about “movie stars” moving onto the Broadway stage, and this was no exception, in spite the fact that Liev Schreiber (The Manchurian Candidate, The Omen) had some notable stage credentials. He of course got entrance applause when he entered onstage for the first time, which always irks me. I would prefer not to applaud an actor on his previous accomplishments and disrupt his current labors, but give them a hearty ovation once I have seen the work.The play is about a talk radio host, and is virtually a one man show, with other actors stepping in momentarily for brief witty retorts, or to give information about their relationship with the central character, for really no other reason that to build the dynamic protagonist. All of these things lead to the fact that the “hero”, or “anti-hero” in this case, must be a very strong performer. I would not rank it amongst the best productions I have ever seen, but it was well worth the time and meager price.
A Moon for the Misbegotten on the other hand trumps virtually ever other play I have seen, in the realm of artistic merit. Taking on a Eugene O’Neill opus is a hearty task, but through their intensive energy, and conscious effort to not make it melancholy to the point of gloom, the cast and director developed a fantastic product.The play was staged by the Old Vic Theatre, based in London, and then transported to Broadway after a great run in its home theatre. Kevin Spacey is not only one of the stars of the play, but also the Artistic Director of the theatre. He put on a fantastic performance, as would be expected, but was outshined remarkably by the shows heroin Eve Best.
Looking through Eve Best’s credits in the playbill looks more like a theatre history reading list, than a career. She has played some of the toughest roles for a modern actor, and this experience was evident in performance. Her ability to take the tough bull like qualities of Josie, which are apparent in the script, and intertwine them with humor and light heartedness is what made her such a lovable character capable of so much pathos. She moved the audience with her, from giddy child-like love, to the deep anguishes of a wasted life, without a single misstep.
Both shows, and the trip as a whole were fantastic. A Moon for the Misbegotten only has an eight-week run, so if you are in New York soon and have a chance to see it, do not pass it up at any cost. It will give you a love for O’Neill you never thought possible.
Brad Tuggle
Assistant to the Managing Director
Barksdale Theatre / Theatre IV
**Here is a great interview with Kevin Spacey about A Moon for the Misbegotten. In the interview he also talks about what an amazing experience live theatre is-not only for the actor but for the audience as well.
Kevin Spacey Interview
