April 20, 2006

Julia Roberts takes Broadway in 'Three Days of Rain'

Reading the lackluster reviews of Julia Roberts' Broadway debut in Richard Greenberg's "Three Days of Rain," there is a sense that the critics really, really wanted to love the "Pretty Woman" star. The New York Times chief drama critic, Ben Brantley, belts out his crush with no shame: "And before we go any further, I feel a strong need to confess something: My name is Ben, and I am a Juliaholic."

While none of the critics appeared to love the play, they are mostly gentle in the criticism possibly in hopes of luring Roberts and her star-power back to the Great White Way for a second shot?

Bradely Cooper and Paul Rudd share the stage with Roberts in the Joe Mantello-directed drama about a brother and sister and long-time friend who find themselves reflecting their own parents' bouts with love and betrayal.

A sample of the reviews:

Variety - "What Roberts brings is irrefutable evidence of what makes her a star. Even in some unflattering costumes, onstage as much as onscreen, you can't take your eyes off her -- the infectious warmth, the radiant grin that erupts out of seriousness and goes on forever, the vulnerability, the disarming physical mix of awkwardness and poise. Those qualities are what most ticket buyers for the selloutsellout 12-week engagement are paying to see. But even the most blinding charisma can't quite substitute for texture. Ultimately, Roberts is unable to flesh out the indistinct contours of an unsatisfyingly written role."

Daily News - "Part of the problem is Joe Mantello's direction. He never seems to know what to do with Roberts. For much of the first act she simply stands, arms folded, in an admittedly fetching black raincoat. Midway through the act, for no apparent reason, she starts knitting. None of this tells us anything about Nan."

Washington Post - "For the time being, all that is radiating off the stage is her, um, natural radiance. A woman seated down the row from me, overheard summing up the impact for a friend, expressed it best: 'You go out humming her looks.'"

Post - "HATED the play. To be sadly honest, even hated her."

USA Today - "It's a credit to all three stars and director Joe Mantello that this Rain is a study in graceful, generous ensemble acting."

Hollywood Reporter - (On the Second Act:) "Roberts, here playing a more emotionally expressive and joyous character, is allowed to showcase more of her infectious personality, and you can feel both her and the audience loosening up with relief. While she doesn't quite approach the brilliance of her predecessor in the role, Patricia Clarkson, she delivers a relaxed and affecting turn, as does the similarly more animated Rudd."

Newsday - "Julia Roberts gives a lean, intelligent, altogether honorable performance in "Three Days of Rain," the lean, intelligent, entirely engrossing drama that opened Wednesday night at the Jacobs Theatre."

New York Times - "In Richard Greenberg's "Three Days of Rain," the existential enigmas and conundrums of faith that always pepper this playwright's work assume a tantalizingly dichotomous form that. ... Excuse me, I was talking. What? How is she? How's who? Oh, her. O.K., if you must know, she's stiff with self-consciousness (especially in the first act), only glancingly acquainted with the two characters she plays and so deeply, disturbingly beautiful that you don't want to let her out of your sight."

"Three Days of Rain" will play through June 18 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, located at 242 W. 45th St., map.

Earlier: 'Three Days of Rain' tix on sale, standing-room soon
$7 mln of Julia Roberts tickets grabbed up in presale

April 20, 2006 08:25 AM in Broadway

®Copyright 2006, All Rights Reserved