Before I talk about the play, you should note the performance I saw was a dress rehersal. So, if this website were an accredited news source, I'd be breakin' the rules.
Months ago, my friend at BAM sent me their schedule for the year and this play stuck out immediately. Angels in America had a profound impact on me and I wanted to see if one of Kushner's other works would have the same effect. In a nutshell, it didn't, but the play was still wonderful.
Although most aspects of the play were well done, it was the acting that stood out. Maggie Gyllenhaal had a strong performance, but it was really the supporting actors who made the play (I'd give you their names but I didn't get a program). One thing worth noting, that my lady pointed out, is that Maggie acts like a movie star, not a classically-trained actor. It didn't bother me, but if that bothers you then consider yourself warned.
I guess the true proof of its worth is that I didn't get sleepy once and the play lasted nearly four hours with intermissions. The minus next to the 'A' rating can be attributed to the lack of profound effect and the absence of concessions at the Harvey (you need something to nibble on during a four hour performance, even if this was a dress rehearsal).
In a nutshell, this is play is the retelling of the big stories in the Old and New Testament. So, if you're not interested, don't go. This was my problem, as I really didn't know what I was getting into when I was offered a free ticket for Mysteries. And I'll tell you now that the reason for the relatively low grade likely has something to do with my mindset going into the performance.
Mysteries had potential because it was partially based on the work of Mikhail Bulgakov, a Russian writer who penned my favorite novel, The Master and Margarita. Unfortunately, even that scene was disappointing. Mostly, the interpretations of these stories were not very original. I know these stories and the changes were not significant enough to keep me enthralled.
On the positive side, the set design was fantastic and the acting was very good. Oh, and there is full frontal nudity for at least five minutes, which should count for something.
One day, I broke down and bought the Thrills debut album, So Much For the City, solely because it was $7.99. I didn't know much about them, but it was obvious they were both a "the" band and an "-ills" band, which guaranteed awesomeness.* The record was good, but I wasn't completely blown away. Still, I listened to it two or three times before I went to the show.
When the band took the stage at the Bowery, the members were all teeming with excitement. It was easy to see that it was going to be an evening free of pretentiousness. I can't remember what they opened with, but I knew I was singing along. Then, when they played "Big Sur," I was bouncing around and shouting the words to everyone around me. To make the evening complete, they left the stage without much fanfare and came back for a quick, two-song encore, just the way I like it.
Over the last three days pretty much every song that has been stuck in my head has been by the Thrills. To me, that means it was a damn good show. Check out their record if you can't get to one of their shows.
*Note: Sarcasm.