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With that caveat, I got to go see The Heiress yesterday at the a matinee. It is an old (and olde time) play about a young woman who is courted maybe / maybe not for her money. Since she has a decent income (from her deceased mother) and a promise of an even greater income from her father's fortune - her father is worried that she is being swindled for her money.
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| Judith Ivy, Dan Stevens, David Strathairn and Jessica Chastain |
Despite this rather thin idea, it is well thought out piece. The father actually quite dislikes his daughter, blaming her for his wife's death (she died in childbirth). Nothing Cathy does can ever please him and he is constantly and reflexively so passive / agressive towards her that she had become a insecure mess whenever he is near. When he is not around, she is freer to be herself, so much so that her aunt and then the beau (and the audience) find her fun and attractive.
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Jessica Chastain (who just won the Best Actress Golden Globe for Zero Dark Thirty) plays the heiress (Catherine). Having seen Julianne Moore on Broadway, I expected rather a lousy performance from Ms. Chastain (film actress is lousy "live" and all). But she was great. A little one-note in the first act, but that is the show. She was spot on through-out the play.
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It is a limited run - but pulling in great crowds since Ms. Chastain not only won the Globe, but is nominated for Best Actress Oscar and plays opposite Dan Stevens (from Downton Abby), David Strathairn and Judith Ivy. They were all great. Even Mr. Stevens American accent was excellent (actually he has 2 because he has returned at one point after 2 years "out west" - and he has acquired a slight twang - all quite well done).
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I got very lucky because the "Premium Tickets" didn't sell and I got 6th row center for regular price the night before the show (one of the true perks of living in New York and being able to check the day of).
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To see Cathy's transformation towards both her father and her suitor (hell, even her aunt) played out so well was great. I got to see, honestly, at her first romantic kiss ever, Jessica Chastain - as Cathy, actually had a tear roll down her cheek. Honest to goodness, that is committing to a role and believing it (at the matinee!). She turned herself into an unattractive spinster with her bearing and manner. I was impressed. (I, of course, loved her in "the help" - but it is hard to believe it was the same person.)
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| Jessica in The Help |