Review: A Steady Rain

[lagilman]

So. A Steady Rain. New play from Keith Huff. Hugh Jackman. Daniel Craig. Opened for previews tonight on Broadway.

There were a lot of people waiting on line to get into the theater who had no idea what the play was about -- all they knew was "hey, Jackman! Craig! Yum!"

I'm very curious to know how they felt, coming out of the play afterward.

"A Steady Rain" is the story of two Chicago cops, partners and best friends, who retell the events of a single summer. Two men, stripped down set, 90 minutes. To tell more would be to lessen the impact of the play, I feel, and you don't need to know more other than this is a dark, unflinching play, and there isn't a happy ending, as such -- but the resolution is, IMO, painfully satisfying.

As is often the case in previews, both men were slightly shaky -- Craig flubbed several lines, although in a way that merged into the character rather than being glaring, and Jackman missed one and blew at least one mark that I noticed (unusual for him). For all that? Amazing evening, from the opening second (literally) to the very end. Mr. Huff's work impressed the hell out of me, as a writer. The play is tight, extremely layered and nuanced, and the words all rang true, even when they weren't (there's a lot of unreliable narrative in this play). The actors...

I will give them the highest compliment I can give 'celebrity' actors: I forgot who they were while they were on stage. There was no "Jackman" and "Craig," just the two cops, telling their story.

[although I will say that it should be illegal for either one of them to roll up their sleeves while they're on stage, because, okay, guh. I was prepared for Jackman's famous backside but I'd forgotten about Craig's forearms. Although Craig's backside and Jackman's forearms are something to write home about, too. Okay, GUH moment over, moving on now]

The voices were just right, the body language was near-perfect, the staging was impeccable.... once they have this baby polished, it's going to be gut-wrenchingly beautiful. I really hope they tape a performance, because I'd watch it again on PBS, without hesitation. Not an easy play, not a gentle play. But a damn good one.

Bravo, Mr. Jackman. Bravo, Mr. Craig. Bravo, Mr. Huff



Note: the language would make Mamet nod approvingly. Entirely story-approppriate, but not for the delicate of ears.

Comments

[difrancis.livejournal.com]

I have play envy. Promise that if I ever make it to NY again, you'll take me to a good play. This one would be perfect. Sigh. I miss culture.

[lagilman]

Deal.

[handlebar605.livejournal.com]

Just think, if you come now, you could come during the hotels off season and/or see if some upstanding author with a new kitchen could use a houseguest for a couple of days (or the weeekend?)