Breakfast At Tiffany’s

WOW, it didn’t last long did it?! Closed ⁴⁄₂₁.
«Emilia Clarke’s Broadway play Breakfast At Tiffany’s is set to close just one month after opening due to poor ticket sales… However, the play was panned by critics, with reviewers branding the show «dull» and «disappointing»

Breakfast at Tiffany’s has been and will be a household name for generations to come. Weather you are partial to the book or the movie adaptation, there are high chances that you came here with a preconception of what this play should be like. I know I did but I consciously tried to remind myself to have no expectations. Also, I was curious to see the book to movie to Broadway play transition. With Cort Theater as this play’s home base, I found it appropriate because it is the perfect place for smaller, more intimate productions such as Breakfast At Tiffany’s.
I’ll admit that I am an avid Audrey fan, and that she leaves large shoes to fill for whatever roles she made famous. To be fair and completely honest, the cast was good. Emilia Clarke (Khaleesi!!!) as Holly Golightly was simply charming as was George Wendt’s bartender. The rest of the cast also worked well with what they were given. I have never read the book, but certainly plan to and I obviously simply adored the movie, as most young girls who grew up in New York and on Tiffany’s famed fine goods.
The reason why this play wasn’t all I had hoped it to be was that the material just did not flow smoothly. Throughout the first and second act, it was hard to follow some of the lines which left me, and many others dazed and confused. The pace was excruciatingly slow, and while there were times where they tried to add comic relief, it wasn’t enough to save me from wondering how much longer until intermission started. I’ve seen my share of plays, (The Best Man, Grace, Steady Rain, Hamlet, etc.) and this was by far the hardest to sit through, even though Breakfast at Tiffany’s had the most lighthearted theme to it. This would be really hard show to take anyone with a short attention span or anyone with young children because of the slow momentum and also because of the unnecessary brief male and female nudity scene (which added nothing to the show).
While I really wanted to like this show, there just weren’t enough redeeming qualities. The acting was decent, the set was good for the space they were working with, but unfortunately, the overall play was mediocre at best. I couldn’t have said it better than Miss Golightly herself. «Promise me one thing: don’t take me home until I’m drunk — very drunk indeed.» — Holly Golightly After seeing this play, I certainly felt like I needed a drink or two. or five.

Precursor: I have never seen or read «Breakfast at Tiffany’s,» so I had no preconceived notions (I have no idea what «Moonriver» is that people keep talking about).
I didn’t think the play or acting was bad, but there was so much smoking, my eyes were burning. I thought the set was good with what they had to work with. And I agree with everyone else — nudity not necessary!!!

April 6,2013 8 P.M. Showing. This is by far the worst play I have seen in years. The settings are boring, as well as the cast. That includes the cat. Expected more out of Norm. Don’ t think the audience was pleased either. No standing ovation .
Save your Money! They don’t even play Moon River!

I don’t want to be a critic, but I do want to share things that I think may be of interest to someone. If you are expecting this to mirror the movie, it doesn’t. So if you go with that in mind you won’t be disappointed. The nudity in this play was completely useless and unnecessary. Even if only for a minute, I did not need to see Corey Michael Scott from the angle that I did! And trust me, if he were to sit in my seat, he would ask for that scene to be removed!
They smoke a ton of clove cigarettes and an occasional cigar, so if you are up close you will smell it and if you don’t like it it is awful!
And I want to mention that the bathroom lines are ridiculous. If you go during intermission, you will miss part of the second act as there are only 4 stalls in the ladies room.
It’s a tiny claustrophobic theater, so be prepared.

I went to see the Saturday matinée on 3÷23÷13 (still in previews). This is an adaptation by Richard Greenberg of the Truman Capote novella of the same name. It’s truer to the text than the movie was. The acting was decent, but it felt very slow and lugubrious. There’s no momentum or push. Even the cat wanted to run out of the theater. There are far better shows to see than this one. This is not a kid-​friendly show either. They will be bored to tears for show. Also there is brief nudity in this show (male and female). I vote to skip it.
(FYI: No «Moon River» in this show)

The show is now open and professional reviews are out and all agree this show is a stinker :(

Came here with my girlfriends excited to see the Broadway version of one of our favorite classics. We came during their preview weeks. Not sure if I was disappointed because it wasn’t a full on musical and more of a play or if the story line & plot left me confused. They did change the plot from the movie.
Very disappointed that they didn’t play Moonriver… :(
Although Emilia Clarke (From Game of Thrones) as Holly Golightly did a good job, it’s hard to fill Hepburn’s shoes and maybe adding too much pressure and leading to disappointment.

I visited NYC to see this last Monday, having seen an ad for it when last in NYC in February. While not blown away, I found it worth seeing. Early press releases noted that this production stays true to the Capote novella, and that needs to be remembered if attending. Those expecting «Moon River» and the rom-​com interpretation of the 1961 film, will be surprised. I agree with earlier reviewers, this is not a musical, nor is it a rom-​com, it requires an adult viewing, to sit still and listen to the dialogue for a little over two hours. Take it at this, and you won’t be dissapointed. Better yet, if you are a fan of the movie, read the book. The two are not the same. It was nice to see Capote’s work done in the same manner as it was originally written.
I almost never watch TV, rarely go to current movies, and thus, had no idea who Amelia Clarke, or Corey Michael Scott were. Not seeing much chemistry between them, (not sure if there is supposed to be), but both seemed capable in their roles. Comparing Clarke’s «Holly» to Audrey Hepburn’s wouldn’t be fair as Holly is a less likeable character in the novel, and she was portrayed as such in this production. She was vivacious, vamped about nicely, and looked stunning in the different costumes. Her «continental» accent seems over-​the-​top at first, but seemed suitable for a farm girl re-​inventing herself as a New York call girl.
As «Fred,» Scott was likeable, and as in the book, loyal to a fault. His Southern accent was difficult to locate geographically, but not objectionable. Overall I’d say give them a little time to hone in their characters.
Supporting cast rounded this out nicely. What a treat to see George Wendt as the bartender, and I really enjoyed John Rothman as Sid Arbuck. Mag Wildwood, and the roller skating Madame Spanella provided lively comic relief, as did Yunioshi. Vito the cat was cute, and stayed calm despite being handed around perpetually.
1940’s images and music used as preamble evoked the era nicely. «Floating panel» scenery takes you in/​out of the different settings well, almost like you were about to see a film noir. Interlude music a little noir-​ish, but works for the period and mood. This definitely played as a 1940’s drama. Costuming seemed a little drab, but it was wartime, and that was the norm then. The bathtub scene seemed a little gratuitous, but wasn’t entirely unbelievable.
Last Monday it started promptly at 8 PM, and we left the theater at 10:40. First act seemed a bit long, but hopefully it will tighten up for opening night. The Cort theater is a sweet, historic, cozy-​feeling venue, and the low-​hanging mezzanine seats have good views.
This production may not (yet) be up-​to-​snuff for Broadway connoisseurs, but for us philistines who like coming to NYC for a show and want something more serious than Spiderman, or yet another jukebox musical, it was just fine. While I can’t envision this raising dramatic standards or sweep the Tonys it provides a nice night out at the theater.

MOON RIVER was not incorporated. :(
DISCLAIMER: I went on the VERY FIRST NIGHT that previews began, which meant the show was still in one of its rawest states. During previews, the creative direction of the show still has ample room for change and molding based on critical/​audience response. The closer to the Opening Date that you attend the show, the closer to the final product it will be.
PREVIEWS BEGAN: March 4, 2013
OPENING NIGHT: March 20, 2013
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TIME/​DATE: March 4, 2013 @ 8:00pm
ACTUAL STARTING TIME: 8:20pm
SEATS: 2 Tickets, Left Orchestra Row J, Seats 5 – 7
PRICE: $ 188.75
AMBIANCE: The Cort Theatre is one of the poorly maintained theaters on Broadway. It’s small and is in dire need of some renovation.
THINGS OF NOTE:
* They opened the doors late, so at 7:45 on a rather cold 30-​something degree night, the lines were still curving around the block.
* My tickets were Will-​Call and they asked everyone who had Will Call tickets to enter the theater, pick up their tickets, then return to the back of the line.
* At 7:55pm, the line for the Ladies’ Room (basement) had curved around the four walls of the powder room, gone up the stairs to the main floor, and extended about 6 feet along the wall by the stairs. Counted 28ppl ahead of me, 3 stalls (1 w/​broken flush) in the tiny bathroom with no mirror.
* We occasionally get our Playbills signed & since I was 31 weeks pregnant, I was sitting down while pacifist Luis V waited 45mins. When Emilia finally appeared, she only signed Playbills on the opposite side of the crowd that congregated later, so people around Luis grew restless that they had waited longer but weren’t getting any attention & began shoving. He held his Playbills up to avoid crumpling and NYPD knocked his hand away. In the end, zero autographs.
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: THE ACTORS: ³⁄₅ :
* CORY MICHAEL SMITH (Fred): He was extremely quiet at the beginning of the show. Initially, George Wendt had a better stage voice than Cory. Cory’s character was a bit awkward, which seems fitting for the play’s role but was a surprise to me as I had associated ‘Fred’ of «Breakfast at Tiffany’s» as being more charming, much like George Peppard. (The play was based on the book — not the movie.) It was actually rather hard for me to sympathize with Cory at all. There were also awkward breaks from the story that were more due to first-​performance hiccups such as Cory having to jump in to help move an improperly positioned stage prop.
* EMILIA CLARKE (Miss Holly Golightly): Popularly known as Khaleesi on «Game of Thrones.» She was rather charming. I felt she had more command of the stage than Cory did and (as fitting to the story line) displayed a lot more confidence than Cory. She did a pretty good job.
* GEORGE WENDT (Joe Bell the Barman): Popularly known for his role as Norm on «Cheers.» He had a great stage voice, and played his character extremely well.
* SUZANNE BERTISH (Madame Spanella): She was great at playing the wacky neighbor and provided a substantial amount of much-​needed comic relief, without her role being exaggerated so.
* SUPPORTING ACTORS: Good at playing their respective roles (especially Kate Cullen Roberts), though some struggled with moving props on/​off the stage. One person’s stomps were incredibly loud during the first prop-​change.
: THE PRODUCTION: ⁴⁄₅:
* COSTUMES: Good, except there were two scenes where Emilia fixed her buttons on stage. With such little time between costume changes, maybe consider velcro? (I want the nightgown.)
* LIGHTING: Extremely fitting. Appropriately set the tone
* STAGE: Creative!
: THE STORY: ³⁄₅ :
* Not based on the movie, rather the book — which I haven’t read.
* This is a proper play, NOT a musical. You have to be the type to be able to sit still and pay attention to the dialogue for 2.5 hours. (Not many of the other members of the audience were, since they were audibly restless by intermission.)
* There were very few funny quips in the script, such as one line directed at members of the audience sitting in the balcony that mentioned the «cheap seats» of an opera house,
* There was a nude scene that, while entertaining for much of the audience, felt like it was done more for sensation vs story. Especially considering the kind of attention Emilia was drawing. (I hadn’t really seen so many NYPD around a theatre before then.) Cory stripped down completely on the right-​most side of the stage with his back facing the audience, eliciting many oohs and aahs from the elderly women in the audience. There was also a scene where Emilia removed her robe prior to getting into a bathtub, when she could’ve gotten into the tub off-​stage & had it moved.