The Graduate is a hoot. Kathleen Turner's star turn is in the best Bankhead mode, and her impeccable timing brings a heartfelt laugh to every punchline in this fun-from-start-to-finish comedy. We know what's going to happen in this tale of seduction and first love, and this play's success is all in the telling. Adapted and directed by Terry Johnson, with a brilliant sense of what real comedy is, and long knowledge of whom to cast in the leads, the show totally succeeds.
Jason Biggs and Alicia Silverstone, both movie stars, bring major comedy talent to Broadway. Let's hope they stay, and come again. The paneled set by Rob Howell is a bold original departure from the ordinary that works perfectly for this fast-moving play, as do his costumes and Hugh Vanstone's lighting. The supporting cast are all excellent, but the three stars carry the night -- and beautifully - extending themselves into comic portraits that are both exaggerated and real.
Previews:
March 15, 2002
Opened:
April 4, 2002
Ended:
March 2003
Country:
USA
State:
New York
City:
New York
Company/Producers:
John Reid & Sacha Brooks. Assoc Prod: Clear Channel Entertainment & StudioCanal; GM: EGS.
Theater Type:
Broadway
Theater:
Plymouth Theater
Theater Address:
236 West 45th Street
Running Time:
2 hrs, 15 min
Genre:
Comedy
Director:
Terry Johnson
Review:
Parental:
nudity, adult & sexual themes, mild violence
Cast:
Kathleen Turner (Mrs. Robinson), Jason Biggs, Alicia Silverstone (Elaine), Murphy Guyer, Kate Skinner, Victor Slezak, Larry Cahn, Susan Cella, John Hillner, Jurian Hughes, Robert Emmet Lunney, Judson Pearce Morgan, Kelly Overton
Technical:
Sound: Christopher Cronin; Hair/Makeup: Naomi Donne; Casting: Howard/Schecter/Meltzer; Prod Sup: Peter Lawrence; Tech Sup: O'Donovan & Bradford; GM: EGS; Company Mgr: Susan Sampliner; PR: Barlow-Hartman.
Other Critics:
PERFORMING ARTS INSIDER David Lefkowitz ? / TOTALTHEATER Jason Clark ?
Critic:
Richmond Shepard
Date Reviewed:
April 2002
