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· 576 ratings · 49 reviews
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Sep 03, 2013 Nicki rated it did not like it
It was completely unforgettable as I read it that it is a man writing the conversations of five women. Trite, superficial dialogue, petty obstacles and one-dimensional characters: I guess "stick to what you know" need not apply to Alan Ball.It was completely unforgettable as I read it that it is a man writing the conversations of five women. Trite, superficial dialogue, petty obstacles and one-dimensional characters: I guess "stick to what you know" need not apply to Alan Ball. ...more
Sep 04, 2015 Kyle rated it liked it
This was a an okay script, a little dated. In the early 90's I could see some of the themes as being relevant, but nowadays, not so much. The edition that I read contained a few word choices that I would want to change if I was producing this play: 1) referring to gay men as "f-gs" just isn't acceptable anymore, and 2) We don't really talk about "catching AIDS" anymore... when we talk about this virus today, we are smart enough to at least refer to it as HIV. I guess this play could be produced This was a an okay script, a little dated. In the early 90's I could see some of the themes as being relevant, but nowadays, not so much. The edition that I read contained a few word choices that I would want to change if I was producing this play: 1) referring to gay men as "f-gs" just isn't acceptable anymore, and 2) We don't really talk about "catching AIDS" anymore... when we talk about this virus today, we are smart enough to at least refer to it as HIV. I guess this play could be produced set in the 90's, but I don't think that was the author's intention. It was meant to be timeless, which it is not. And so I think that is the biggest obstacle for this script. The jokes, the situations, they feel a little stale.
On the "pro" side, here is a comedy with a 90% female cast.
3/5
...more
What happens at the wedding, stays at the wedding. This play is a comedy about five disparate bridesmaids at a wedding. It looks at how they feel about the wedding and life in general. Not a bad play, but not a great play either. The dialogue is good, pacing is very good, I actually wanted this to be longer.
Aug 26, 2011 Kristin rated it really liked it
Recommends it for: actresses
Pretty good. Slightly dated, but I'd be interested in ironing those things out for a production. 5 women, 1 man & could be a fun opportunity to costume design & build 5 copies of The Dress (or a budget challenge to borrow them!) Interesting characters, a few good monologuesPretty good. Slightly dated, but I'd be interested in ironing those things out for a production. 5 women, 1 man & could be a fun opportunity to costume design & build 5 copies of The Dress (or a budget challenge to borrow them!) Interesting characters, a few good monologues ...more
Jun 24, 2013 Sheri rated it it was amazing
This is a great contemporary play. There are five nice sized female roles, all slightly stereotypical, but weirdly balanced. The play is easy to design set and discusses lots of interesting topics well.
Feb 12, 2014 Sydney Young rated it really liked it
Enjoyable, true, intense, funny and ultimately unresolved, just like life.
Crass, funny, and poignant. Just finished performing this show to great reviews. Love it!
Jan 17, 2016 Hope rated it liked it
A fun, witty play, an early work by the screenwriter of American Beauty and Six Feet Under. Five bridesmaids trying to escape the wedding reception meet in the room of the sister of the bride. Perhaps it's because all of them secretly can't stand bride, or because their old high school flame Tommy Valentine is there flirting left and right, but whatever it is they pour out their hearts with the sensitivity and self-derision typical of Ball's writing. Very enjoyable.A fun, witty play, an early work by the screenwriter of American Beauty and Six Feet Under. Five bridesmaids trying to escape the wedding reception meet in the room of the sister of the bride. Perhaps it's because all of them secretly can't stand bride, or because their old high school flame Tommy Valentine is there flirting left and right, but whatever it is they pour out their hearts with the sensitivity and self-derision typical of Ball's writing. Very enjoyable. ...more
Jul 06, 2011 Cheryl rated it it was ok
Eh, mediocre. Some of the dialogue was humourous in that "hanging out with the gals" kind of way though much of it droned on. Nothing really special to further elaborate on since "Sex & the City" seems to sum it up in a snappier fashion. Eh, mediocre. Some of the dialogue was humourous in that "hanging out with the gals" kind of way though much of it droned on. Nothing really special to further elaborate on since "Sex & the City" seems to sum it up in a snappier fashion. ...more
May 16, 2014 Tiffany Day rated it really liked it
I liked this. While it's a little dated and it goes to some weird places it never fully explores, (and I really didn't care much for the end), it's an interesting character study with a good balance of laughs and seriousness. 3.5 starsI liked this. While it's a little dated and it goes to some weird places it never fully explores, (and I really didn't care much for the end), it's an interesting character study with a good balance of laughs and seriousness. 3.5 stars ...more
This was a fun play. I was looking for a cutting for my HS speech team, and unfortunately I don't think I will find anything appropriate, but I really enjoyed it anyway. The women have a sharp wit, an the dialogue feels natural. It had it's dark moments, but it was handled well. This was a fun play. I was looking for a cutting for my HS speech team, and unfortunately I don't think I will find anything appropriate, but I really enjoyed it anyway. The women have a sharp wit, an the dialogue feels natural. It had it's dark moments, but it was handled well. ...more
Aug 23, 2007 Jill rated it liked it
it's been a while, but how can you go wrong with Alan Ball?it's been a while, but how can you go wrong with Alan Ball? ...more
Oct 13, 2008 Amy rated it liked it
The next show I am designing. Therefore I reserve my opinion until after I am told what the vision of the show is.
May 22, 2012 Emily rated it it was amazing
I like this book cause I played Frances and I was amazing!!! lol I probably would have liked it less if it didn't make me a star.I like this book cause I played Frances and I was amazing!!! lol I probably would have liked it less if it didn't make me a star. ...more
Disappointing compared to his one-act plays.
This play, which we'll read this month for Readers' Theatre, was amusing and fun, but I wouldn't give it a rave.This play, which we'll read this month for Readers' Theatre, was amusing and fun, but I wouldn't give it a rave. ...more
Feb 01, 2015 Cassie rated it it was amazing
Recommended to Cassie by: Looten
One of my favorite plays and the best experience I've had on stage in a long time. One of my favorite plays and the best experience I've had on stage in a long time. ...more
Feb 05, 2015 Michael rated it really liked it
Another variation on The Big Chill/Fifth of July. It should be its own genre in contemporary theatre. Funny and interesting but not substantive.
Feb 10, 2015 Jennifer rated it it was ok
GBCT: Too much language, sex, drug use, religion to be appropriate.
Not my cup of tea at all.
Jun 09, 2015 Leonard rated it liked it
Not nearly as trite or cliche as the title makes it sound. Not entirely sold on the neat and tidy ending, but again, better than I thought it would be.
Jul 01, 2015 Misti rated it liked it
Some funny moments, but with the language, drug usage, adultery, homosexuality, and negative religious views, it would push our very conservative community theatre audience over the edge.
Jul 20, 2015 Jenn rated it liked it
Some excellent moments, but rather forgettable as a script. It's likely a live performance would be much better. Still, I prefer it when a play is just as a good of a read as it is a performance. Some excellent moments, but rather forgettable as a script. It's likely a live performance would be much better. Still, I prefer it when a play is just as a good of a read as it is a performance. ...more
Jul 30, 2015 J.N. Lewis rated it really liked it
This play had me laughing the whole way through... can't wait to audition for it in the fall! This play had me laughing the whole way through... can't wait to audition for it in the fall! ...more
Sep 26, 2021 Jeanne rated it really liked it
A very enjoyable comic play with some seriously serious themes running throughout. I COULD have seen the first production, in NYC, at Manhattan Class Company (Robert LuPone's company. He is EVITA's Patti LuPone's brother) because I lived in NYC at that time, and I saw other excellent productions there...but, sadly, I did NOT see this one. And I also did not see a local community theatre production because I had not even heard of the company at the time it was staged (Hard Bargain Players in AccoA very enjoyable comic play with some seriously serious themes running throughout. I COULD have seen the first production, in NYC, at Manhattan Class Company (Robert LuPone's company. He is EVITA's Patti LuPone's brother) because I lived in NYC at that time, and I saw other excellent productions there...but, sadly, I did NOT see this one. And I also did not see a local community theatre production because I had not even heard of the company at the time it was staged (Hard Bargain Players in Accokeek, MD), but I HAVE seen the photos on the company website, and I know three of the five woman from since having worked at that theatre. Glad I read this piece, it made me laugh, and entertained me. ...more
Mar 14, 2018 Steve rated it really liked it
I had only heard of this play as a poster for it sits upon the door at ACT. Very good play where five different woman (or so you think) are all bridesmaids for the unseen Tracy. Alan successfully balances unique personalities in a single room. You can picture these characters as you read the script and I would love to see it done. I feel it would be a challenge for any director to keep the pace fresh and flowing.
Jul 14, 2018 Neil rated it liked it
I have to agree with those who find this forgettable. It reads like a mediocre television script. Five women of different types hide out in a bedroom during a reception for different reasons, mostly relating to the fact that they don't like the bride or are disappointed by a man. It's not terribly profound, and not funny enough to overcome that. The search for strong plays that emphasize women and will draw audiences continues...I have to agree with those who find this forgettable. It reads like a mediocre television script. Five women of different types hide out in a bedroom during a reception for different reasons, mostly relating to the fact that they don't like the bride or are disappointed by a man. It's not terribly profound, and not funny enough to overcome that. The search for strong plays that emphasize women and will draw audiences continues... ...more
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Alan Ball is an Academy Award-winning screenwriter, director, producer and occasional actor, who is best known for writing the screenplay for the Oscar-winning film American Beauty, and for creating the HBO original drama series Six Feet Under.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Alan Ball is an Academy Award-winning screenwriter, director, producer and occasional actor, who is best known for writing the screenplay for the Oscar-winning film American Beauty, and for creating the HBO original drama series Six Feet Under.
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