Seminar

The saying goes that you can't judge a book by it's cover, but in Theresa Rebeck's (SMASH) new play Seminar a world renowned writer turned private celebrity tutor attempts to mold a group of young students by reading just the first few lines of their manuscripts. The play is described as thus:  four aspiring young novelists sign up for private writing classes with Leonard (Alan Rickman), an international literary figure. Under his recklessly brilliant and unorthodox instruction, some thrive and others flounder, alliances are made and broken, sex is used as a weapon and hearts are unmoored. The wordplay is not the only thing that turns vicious as innocence collides with experience in this biting new comedy.

While I was watching Seminar I must say that I enjoyed it very much. It lasts a swift 99 minutes without an intermission. The play itself is quite good. It's about the creation, and subjectivity of art, as well as the honing of skills and the importance of developing a craft. Theresa Rebeck, who is one of the executive producers and head writers over at the new NBC desperate to be a hit show SMASH, has created fully formed characters where a lesser writer may have presented archetypes. Though the character of Leonard is somewhat of an archetype of the typical intellectual and liberal elitist, doused with the slightest touch of misogyny.

Alan Rickman, though he receives top billing, is not the leading male role. He is fantastic though, and possesses a complete magnetism whenever he is onstage. The role is, in my opinion, the weakest written but due to Rickmans wonderful presence and performance it becomes something better than it is on the page.

The two true stars of this piece are Hamish Linklater and Lilly Rabe as two aspiring writers who are students in this once weekly writing class. They both imbue their characters with an instant likability, vulnerability, and complexity that makes them interesting and entertaining to watch. They are joined by the equally excellent Jerry O'Connell and Hettienne Park.

The set design by David Zinn (who also did the costumes) is simple and effective. The direction by Sam Gold is smart and well paced. Overall I'd say this has a decent shot of being nominated for Tony Awards, specifically for Alan Rickman, Lilly Rabe, and Hamish Linklater. The best play category is going to be tough this year, so that might be a stretch.

Seminar continues to play at The John Golden Theater on Broadway however Alan Rickman, Hamish Linklater, and Lilly Rabe will be exiting the production in Early April. They will be replaced by Jeff Goldblum, Justin Long, and Zoe Lister Jones, receptively. I may or may not see the play again, just so I can swoon over Justin Long at the stage door, but that all depends on whether or not I can successfully lose 30 lbs, and convince him that he doesn't REALLY like women.