Rainy Day for Julia

I've been waiting for the Reviews of Julia Roberts in Three Days of Rain. The results are in, mostly cool, some chilly reviews of her performance. If you check out the Video on Broadway.com, you'll see why. The clip certainly highlights what most of the reviews complain about - hesitancy and lack of chemistry.

From the NYTimes Ben Brantley: "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."

From Rob Kendt for Broadway.com: "Here, as in the first act, Roberts underplays and Rudd overcompensates, but this contrast at least resembles the light friction of romantic comedy. And the appropriately rainy climax of this fraught triangle comes off with unexpected force. Ultimately, though, the weather report on this uneven Three Days of Rain is lightly cloudy, zero chance of thunder."

NYDaily News - Howard Kissel states "A major problem in this production is that there's no chemistry between Roberts and the men. At the end of the first act, for example, she kisses Cooper. Given that Nan and Pip were once lovers, this should be a powerful moment, not just a peck on the forehead. Even if it ends that way the prelude to this kiss should suggest far more.

Similarly, in the second act, when Lina decides to betray Ned with Theo, it ought to be more startling than it is here.

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. "

USA Today's Elysa Gardner: "In the end, Roberts makes both women credible, compelling and sweetly funny. And she manages a tender chemistry with each of her co-stars; Lina's scenes with Rudd's heartbreakingly awkward Ned are especially endearing."

CBS Jess Cagle "As a stage actress, Roberts is unseasoned, but she is an irresistible force. When she lets loose, offering up that globally recognizable smile, she's the brightest light on Broadway."

Broadway World has photo coverage of opening night. (Yesterday, April 19th)

If you want to read what other bloggers have to say on Julia & Three Days of Rain. You can read more here:
The Playgoer
Broadway Pulse (a smattering of quotes from various reviews)
The Wicked Stage
Foma (a post on getting autographs from the stars of the show & more pictures)

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