This was filmed in the first week of previews at the Newhouse, and it just didn't gel in this filmed version, even though it had already run for a month at the McCarter in Princeton with the same cast. The difference between this version and the end of the Newhouse run is enormous. I saw the show about two months after this was filmed, and it was just so much better, although I think it's hard to articulate why specifically. I think, in general, emotions were heightened later. The Phone Call was much more emotional later in the run. I think Billy Magnussen was more goofy, which I think made the show a lot funnier since a lot of the laughs come from him and the reactions he causes.
Comedy is tough. I think this filming also highlights for me the potential issues with seeing a show in an early preview, before the cast has it down. I've seen several shows in early previews and then later in the run without noticing a lot of differences, but it seems like there was a big difference here. |
