Sweet Bird of Youth

[+ Lucky]

One pleasant surprise in seeing Death of A Salesman in New York this spring was Finn Witrock, playing the younger brother, Happy. Finn is a hunk, and soon Chicago theater-goers can see for themselves as he stars with Diane lane in Sweet Bird of Youth, opening at the Goodman Theater September 15th and running through October 25th. In director David Cromer is the director. Everything about this production screams Broadway, but we shall see:

http://www.goodmantheatre.org/Upcoming-Season/Sweet-Bird-of-Youth/?utm_source=mail2&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Measure%2FCastingSTBS

 

A photo of Finn from All My Children:

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ABl6on44Qx8/S-uhaUk4grI/AAAAAAAAK4w/xq_HS7DRYnc/s800/iiFinnWittrock_AllMyChildren_20100511_018.jpg

 

And with Spiderman in Death of A Salesman:

 

http://d3rm69wky8vagu.cloudfront.net/photos/large/5.171594.jpeg

[+ WilliamM]

Sweet Bird--T. Williams

 

Both Finn Witrock and Andrew Garfield got my undivided attention in "Death of a Salesman." I believe there were plans to bring "Sweet Bird of Youth" to Broadway with Nicole Kidman & James Franco and David Cromer directing the production.

 

Now that Cromer is directing the Chicago version, it is a good bet that this revival will eventually transfer to New York.

[+ Lucky]

Does anyone know what else might be playing in Chicago during the run of Sweet Bird of Youth? Maybe one could make a theater trip out of it.

[+ Lucky]

Ben Brantley of the NY Times gives Sweet Bird a rave review: http://theater.nytimes.com/2012/09/25/theater/reviews/sweet-bird-of-youth-revived-by-goodman-theater.html?hpw

And, they include yet another nice pic of Finn, with Diane Lane:

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And yes, there are other shows in Chicago to see: Hamlet at the Writer's Theater, which is also getting great reviews, and Kinky Boots, of which there is a thread in this forum.

[+ Cash4Trash]

A review of Good People in Chicago.

 

http://www.talkinbroadway.com/regional/chicago/ch411.html

[+ Lucky]

I saw Good people in New York and am probably the only one who saw it who did not like it. I hated Frances McDormand and thought the plot ludicrous. Maybe I should see it in Chicago with another actress. But that wouldn't solve my problem with the plot...

[operalover21]

I saw the opening and I agree with Brantley. It was terrific. Lane and Finn have marvelous chemistry. Let's hope it transfers to Broadway. Egads. Not Franco. He has all the stage presence of an unripe avocado.

 

Lucky ... Good People. The play isn't any better with a different actress (and I liked McDormand). It's just a bad play.

[+ Lucky]

Well, sorry to say, I don't think Sweet Bird of Youth is particularly good either- as a play. The acting and staging were all fine, but it seemed patched together, and I understand that Act One was originally a separate play. Not what I expected fro Williams. Finn Witrock, however, delivered. his chiseled torso made the first act a sizzler.

[leeper]

Saw "Sweet Bird of Youth" this past weekend, enjoyed the production although I agree that the play itself isn't that compelling. And yes, seeing Finn Wittrock walk around the stage in only pajama bottoms during the first act made it worth the price of admission. Also saw the "Metamorphoses" revival at Lookingglass as well. It was a good as I remembered it from the first time I saw it 10 years ago.

[Diverdan]

Theater scene in Chicago is fabulous... many smaller theaters with productions that often end up on Boardway... just more fun to see them in smaller theaters with appreciative audiences.

[operalover21]

Well, sorry to say, I don't think Sweet Bird of Youth is particularly good either- as a play. The acting and staging were all fine, but it seemed patched together, and I understand that Act One was originally a separate play. Not what I expected fro Williams. Finn Witrock, however, delivered. his chiseled torso made the first act a sizzler.

 

I'll have to disagree. I don't think Sweet Bird of Youth is a bad play. It has its moments. Not especially top draw Williams and I'll admit it makes a far better movie. Still far better than most of what passes for drama on the boards today.

 

Finn is wonderful, however, and it is the kind of play that rewards fine actors who can really make the thing sing.

[skynyc]

I completely concur with Lucky on this one. Fine performances and a well directed and designed production of a lacking later-Williams play. The supporting cast are classically one-dimensional: the blowsy maiden aunt, the corrupt Huey-Long-esque Southern politician, and his idiotic, thuggish son. But the two main characters are certainly interesting enough to keep one engaged...Princess Kosmonopolis, classically self-doubting and narcissistic, and Chance Wayne the drifter/grifter who is dumb enough to be almost naive. Diane Lane is beautiful in person, and it was my first time seeing her on stage, and she was pretty great. Finn Wintrock who acquitted himself so well at the Signature two seasons ago in a seldom-done Kushner play, and then last season in ...Salesman, is definitely someone I plan to keep an eye on. Very handsome, and very talented. The lighting designer gets special kudos for the perfect lighting scheme to show off Finn's pecs and abs in Act I.