"Detroit"

[+ WilliamM]

The Off-Broadway show "Detroit" with Amy Ryan, David Schwimmer and John Cullum opens in a few days. I saw the show on Labor Day weekend, so there may be some changes since then. The plot is straight forward: Ryan and Schwimmer are a solidly middle class couple suddenly faced with Schwimmer's unemployment bacause of downsizing at the bank where he worked for years. He has decided to start a computer-based credit counseling service, but his heart does not seem into it. Ryan is still working. Yet, the couple find time to become very friendly with the couple who have just moved in next door. To write more would spoil the story.

 

I saw the play because I met David Schwimmer when he was filming a movie near Atlantic City about eight years ago. I liked David and felt bad that he could not seem to graduate from "Friends" despite much theater work, especially in Chicago (and a memorable story arc on "Curb Your Enthusiasm"). Schwimmer and Ryan are both good in "Detroit." After a few minutes, you can guess were the play is going, but I was still quite surprised at the ending. So I would give "Detroit" 3 stars out of 4. If you go, say hi to David Schwimmer, a very nice guy.

[+ Lucky]

WilliamM, I was hoping to see this, but it looks like it closes before I arrive.

[+ WilliamM]

Now that "Detroit" has received such excellent reviews, perhaps it will be around longer.

 

 

http://theater.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/theater/reviews/detroit-with-amy-ryan-and-david-schwimmer.html?hpw

[+ WilliamM]

Good news. "Detroit" has been extended to Oct. 28.

[edjames]

With glowing reviews, I say this will transition to Broadway sometime in the future. Playwrights Horizon usually hits the mark for producing shows that become quite successful. I have a ticket in about 3 weeks and look forward to seeing it. As previously mentioned, it's been extened till Oct 28, but given the recent great press, I'd book a ticket today!

 

ED

[+ WilliamM]

Yes, I am surprised that the reviews are so good. I know the play was eagerly anticipated before previews, but even so I assume the director made small, but important, changes since I saw "Detroit" on Sept. 1. So this may be a case where a long preview period helped the production a lot.

[+ Lucky]

The current run ends on October 7th, yet the "extension" is for the 16th to the 28th, so they will be taking a week or so off in between. Also, the notice advises that understudies may perform during the extension. so not sure what one would be getting, at the same price. And speaking of price, the discount has not so far been extended. Only full price tickets are available for the extension at this time.

The savings is only $15, but it is the use of understudies that makes me hesitate.

[+ Lucky]

But I didn't hesitate for long. However, now I see that the show is receiving some rather vicious comments on the NY Times reader reviews: http://theater.nytimes.com/show/67765/Detroit/overview

[+ Lucky]

It could take me days to summarize my reactions to Detroit. The name alone is a cheat as it is nothing to do with that city. It's a very crazy story about relationships.some of it was painful

to watch, but it is certainly unique, especially the surprise ending.

Can't say that Schwimmer's acting will win him any prizes, especially as the other male in the story out did him.

[edjames]

Oh Lucky, Lucky, Lucky. What am I to so with you? LOL

 

You are I are always posting links to theater reviews and I thought the reviewers made it quite clear that this play's title did not necessarily refer to the city.

Charles Isherwood in the NY Times review said: "

Ms. Ryan (an Oscar nominee for “Gone Baby Gone”) and Mr. Schwimmer (formerly known as Ross on “Friends”) play Mary and Ben, a couple living in a ****nameless suburb outside a midsize American city. ****(The play’s title is more metaphoric than literal.)**** Mary works as a paralegal, but Ben has recently been laid off from his job as a loan officer at a bank. His Plan B is to start a Web site for people seeking advice about getting out of debt, and he’s stocking up on self-help books promising that “if you follow your passions, you’re halfway there.”

 

And, NYPost said:

And they’re really middle class, too, not the lawyers or doctors who are so often labeled that way. Mary’s a high-strung paralegal, and Ben just lost his job as a loan officer. Their house — set in **** “a ‘first ring’ suburb outside of a midsize American city” ****— is cozy but modest, with a sticky sliding door and rickety patio furniture.

 

I cannot comment whether the location is a key plot element but I will after I see it on Sunday.

 

And, Lucky, you posted that several NY Times readers didn't give it a " thumbs up ". How come you went?

 

I wish you better luck and enjoyment with your other theater choices on this visit to NYC...

 

ED

[+ Cash4Trash]

Ed -

 

I'll be there tomorrow as well. I sent my seat number in a private message.

[+ Lucky]

Oh Lucky, Lucky, Lucky. What am I to so with you? LOL

 

You are I are always posting links to theater reviews and I thought the reviewers made it quite clear that this play's title did not necessarily refer to the city.

Charles Isherwood in the NY Times review said: "

Ms. Ryan (an Oscar nominee for “Gone Baby Gone”) and Mr. Schwimmer (formerly known as Ross on “Friends”) play Mary and Ben, a couple living in a ****nameless suburb outside a midsize American city. ****(The play’s title is more metaphoric than literal.)**** Mary works as a paralegal, but Ben has recently been laid off from his job as a loan officer at a bank. His Plan B is to start a Web site for people seeking advice about getting out of debt, and he’s stocking up on self-help books promising that “if you follow your passions, you’re halfway there.”

 

And, NYPost said:

And they’re really middle class, too, not the lawyers or doctors who are so often labeled that way. Mary’s a high-strung paralegal, and Ben just lost his job as a loan officer. Their house — set in **** “a ‘first ring’ suburb outside of a midsize American city” ****— is cozy but modest, with a sticky sliding door and rickety patio furniture.

 

I cannot comment whether the location is a key plot element but I will after I see it on Sunday.

 

And, Lucky, you posted that several NY Times readers didn't give it a " thumbs up ". How come you went?

 

I wish you better luck and enjoyment with your other theater choices on this visit to NYC...

 

ED

It is so nice when we can get a discussion going! Detroit, unlike some plays, has stuck with me. That's good when a playwright can do that, right?

[edjames]

In the spirit of the Halloween season, I'll definitely let you know if the play "haunts" me after the show ends....

 

LOL

 

ED

[+ Cash4Trash]

Ed -

 

Didn't know my own seat #. It's B18

[+ Lucky]

Now I am haunted by the fact that Ed is feeling haunted!

[edjames]

Now I am haunted by the fact that Ed is feeling haunted!

 

Well, Lucky, you may have been haunted but I was bored to tears. This is a perplexing and sad production that I cannot for the life of me figure out what the critics saw that I didn't. I hated this production! To back me up the audience gave it a polite and constrainted applause. No standing O's and no repeat curtain calls. Nothing about it impressed me. I was totally disappointed!

 

That said, there was a moment of sheer and utter joy that occured as I left the theater. I decided to go to the men's room and got on the elevator to head downstairs. An older man and his handsome escort(!!) got on the elevator with me. I looked up and there was Broadway legend...STEPHEN SONDHEIM!!! I thought I had died and was on the elevator to Broadway musical heaven, although, in the wrong direction!!! I looked at him and said "I want you to know I already bought a ticket for Symphonic Sondheim at the NY Phil in January." He chucked, and I said, " I am honored to share this elevator with you." He smiled again and the elevator stopped and he got off. My dreams of being invited to the Turtle Bay townhouse were dashed, but still, I felt honored and elated by this chance meeting!!! A true "Bucket List" list item crossed off...

 

ED

[+ Lucky]

Now, Ed, "haunted" is your choice of words. I think. Did I say that?

Anyway, note that I did say parts of the performance were painful to sit through. But it was different!

I give the writer credit for that. And the acting was good.

[+ Cash4Trash]

SPOILER alert - don't read if you plan on seeing Detroit.

 

I liked this play a great deal and completely agree with the Times. Detroit is emblematic of the destruction of the American middle class and it's spiraling downward into poverty. The protagonists choose to deal with their deteriorating situation by retreating in either an outdoor survivalist or online game fantasy world, not their new reality. It addresses all of us who'd rather talk about the relative size of escorts dicks and ignore the destruction of democracy by the oligarchy, the militarization of our local police, the criminalization of large numbers of minorities for the profit of the few, etc. etc.

 

We are partying our asses off while the house is burning down.

[+ WilliamM]

That said, there was a moment of sheer and utter joy that occured as I left the theater. I decided to go to the men's room and got on the elevator to head downstairs. An older man and his handsome escort(!!) got on the elevator with me. I looked up and there was Broadway legend...STEPHEN SONDHEIM!!! I thought I had died and was on the elevator to Broadway musical heaven, although, in the wrong direction!!! I looked at him and said "I want you to know I already bought a ticket for Symphonic Sondheim at the NY Phil in January." He chucked, and I said, " I am honored to share this elevator with you." He smiled again and the elevator stopped and he got off. My dreams of being invited to the Turtle Bay townhouse were dashed, but still, I felt honored and elated by this chance meeting!!! A true "Bucket List" list item crossed off...

 

ED

 

What a great story. It is interesting what changes time can bring. When I saw the original "Gypsy" in 1960, I would have very much enjoyed sharing an elevator with Jerome Robbins, Leland Hayward, David Merrick, Ethel Merman, Jack Klugman, Julie Styne, Arthur Laurents et al. Back then I would have been almost disappointed if Stephen Sondheim, the junior member of the group, walked into the elevator. Now I would be thrilled. Thanks for the post, and sharing the experience.

[+ Lucky]

Well I saw Kathie Lee Gifford and Frank at Scandalous. They sat 4 rows in front of me, at least for the time I was there!

[operalover21]

I'm not sure what it would take to drag me to see David Schwimmer in anything. My god, he's a bore.