My Night with David Duchovny: The Sequel

Just a reminder, I am not a reviewer. I am barely a blogger. I write crap when i can't sleep because i bore myself to death. I start with this as I have been getting some weird comments. The web needs more idiots like me that just ramble and less haters. The world needs more creators and less destroyers. I am the first to admit I have WAY TOO MANY errors of grammar and spelling in most of my blogs. Quite lazy when it comes to proof reading. OK GOT THAT OFF MY CHEST.

So did you read the first blog http://waltfrasier.blogspot.com/2010/10/my-night-with-david-duckovny.html

I posted the above with in two hours of watching the first preview and David's first professional public live performance, not counting studio audience at the Bonnie Hunt show and similar venues. Some thought I was way too harsh - especially my wife and DD enthusiast.

TONIGHT I saw Break of Noon, by Neil Labute. for the second time (my wife's third). As to the performance, I over heard David say he was unhappy with his performance. To this I say, you are an artist, that is normal. As another actor watching the show, i would argue many of the things I saw as improvements form day one, might come off scary to a more novice live performer. I thought the play FLEW tonight. Fight nods of sleep on day one, I thought the comic elements were funnier and the dramatic elements were clearer. But overall the pace alone knock off ten minutes from day one. David at times seemed perhaps uncomfortable, but I would argue those on edge moments filled the character with so much life that I cared about the outcome ten fold. Beyond that, I think tonight I got the story i was meant to see. The first night, I thought David's character was getting away with murder. Partially as a theater goer you are always looking for that twist, even without M. Night at the helm. I personally love this cast. The show is OK. Not Labute's best. Not the worst show I have ever seen. Definite worthy of seeing for yourself. But every seen is really brought to life by amazing character performances. My favorite stand out tonight was Amanda Peet, show i perhaps unfairly slighted previously. Her scenes really jumped out the shell I thought were safely nestled in on day one.

The talk back after the show was fun. Laurice compared Labute to me, hogging the entire talk back for the most part. (I do this at the Improv show too often) I babble if you cannot tell by this blog.

It was very interesting. I always love to see performers out of character. This cast is as great off stage as on. Real people you want to get to know better. Humble. I just wish Neil maybe dressed for the occasion. It looked like George Lucas was home alone watching football. As a professional slob, i can attest to the comfort of the ensemble, but tuck in a shirt once in a while in public, eh? I guess it was causal. No red carpet OFF BROADWAY LMAO

The true fun for me tonight was meeting a number of DD fans before and getting drinks after.

It seems there are a ton of Xfiles / DD fan folks out there but unlike Trekkies and Rocky Horror Junkies, Xphilies seem to be more closeted. Perhaps this is due to most of the fan base organizing is online. Trekkies and Star Wars and similar cult followings began long before the internet and started a rich history of conventions, clubs and other public displays of proper sci fi geek dome. X Files FANDOME did not really start until the mid to late 90s. And there were a number of sites dedicated to everything FBI X. David versus Gillian. SHIPPERS. Skinner freaks. But except for the movie premier  being part of comic con i have never heard of any real public showing.

So I feel tonight was kind of like the first real FAN CLUB meeting. I kept wanting to go full out ROBERT;s RULES of ORDER - New Biz, Old Biz, Elect some officers etc.

I personally have never been to a convention or comic con, but I profess to be a geek fro TREK, STAR WARS, COMICS CHARACTERS and the like. I tape just about every super hero or sci fy TV show, even the ones for 4 yos (Super Hero Squad). IO tend to to watch these less and less finally realizing i have out grown most of them. You could say my maturity level for movies and TV is almost at 12yo.

We at the Frasier household have a long history with Mr. D and his works. I was an X-Files fan from Day ONE!!! But at some point, my wife switched from shying was scared to being obsessive. Around season four, Sundays on FOX became a fixture starting with Simpsons, X-Files and the rotating roster of other shows until David left the show in Season eight. I had seen most of the episodes, but Laurice felt the need to catch up. By the time the first movie came out, she had seen everyone by buying the videos or taping late nite reruns on FOX and FX.

THE THE FIRST MOVIE DEBUTS after season five. Laurice was working all day. I was off. We planned to go to the 7pm show in Astoria Queens. Due to a miscommunication, I was at the theater and she was at home. At the time I did not have a cell phone. Or perhaps it was dead WHATEVER.... I went to see the movie by myself and was blown away. When I got out, I called home; Laurice was furious. A brief verbal scuffle ensued but I agreed to see the movie again at 10pm. She ran over. With one minute to go (Maybe less) the film burns out. For fans of the movie they are already outside at the reflecting pool and about to cut to CSM in Tunisia. The ushers say they will have the movie up and running in a matter of minutes. 45 minutes later (around 2:30am) we see the end. The theater offered us free tickets to come back sometime. On the way out Laurice is asking me all sorts of questions. What did this and that mean? etc SO she asks, well can we just go see the last showing. There was a huge crowd to see the showing (now almost one hour late due to our burnout). The usher said sure. So at 1am, I go to see the show for a third time IN ONE DAY. I think this is the first time I ever fell asleep in the movies. Use to make fun of dad for this during STAR WARS.

We went to see David and Robin Williams talk for HOUSE OF D at the Tribeca Film Fest. We were third row house left, right in front of the podium, maybe 15 feet form Christopher Reeves. Laurice went back to see the movie twice when David was there at Lincoln Center for talk backs.

I think we saw X Files 2 twice on open day just to keep up the tradition. In past years we have seen just about every other movie, including the Secret, Playing God and The Rapture. I still have not seen Baby sitter....

So anyway, a fun night inspired another BLAB BLAB BLAB

No back to work on a busy holiday season of improv and HO HO HO

http://www.waltfrasier.com/

My Night with David Duchovny

http://www.mcctheater.org/shows/10-11_season/breakofnoon/index.html

MCC Theater

The Lucille Lortel Theatre

121 Christopher St

New York, NY 10014

https://admin.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/718535/prm/lmao20

NOTE: This is not meant to be a review. Just sharing my experience. Please go see thsi show and judge for yourself. I am actually a happy life and theater loving guy, unlike any reviewer I know.

Had a great time tonight! My wife dragged me to the show. I left in good spirit. Interesting work by Neil Labute. Not the best play I have ever scene on stage, but it was in very good hands and well served by its director and performers.

David is on stage for the full time. About 95 minutes with no intermission. Quite the marathon for a mostly TV/FILM actor. He carried the show well. The only issue I had? Duchovny had this character voice going. I suppose it worked for the character. But I am not sure it served the work. For the first 20 - minute monologue, I focused on the voice, perhaps missing vital information. But mostly it was great to see this TV/FILM star on stage - LIVE. Not bad. I think we can chalk up any short comings to being the first preview night.

I have to say my wife is a little nutty for the guy. Reminds me of the way my mother was for Charlton Heston growing up. (Now she likes Hugh from HOUSE - LMAO)

Amanda Peet gave the most realistic performances of the night. Even handed, Amanda served to highlight the real character David was portraying - the character loathed by those that really knew the old him -  not the NEW MAN that wants all trespasses to be forgiven because of a life changing experience and having been spoken to by GOD, or so he says. Playing both the ex-wife, and cousin of ex-wife / mistress, Peet brought out the best in David's work. The jerk that is trying to have his cake and eat it too from both characters, and also the repentant man trying to drive the NEW look on life. Like so many of her movies, I bet she is not going to be remembered (Because she is a talented actress, not a scene stealing star), but her performance gave the show an anchor in the real world.

John Earls Jelks' characters were a mixed bag of drama and comedy. In both scenes, John's and David's dialogue was very (David) Mametesque. Rhythmic in nature. First as the wheeling and dealing media mogul looking to make David's character big money from the sale of a Disaster Scene Photo taken when all else were being slaughtered. Then as the cop the believes the main character did the deed himself.

Finally in my opinion, the show is all worthwhile to non X-Files junkies because of the show stealing performances of Tracee Chimo. First as the talk show host that prefers the sound of her own voice and ability to wield control - with a smile - over the content of the story. She masterfully conquered and raised the bar in her use of the swivel chair set piece. It served as an extra appendage in her physical comedy, subtle but very precisely executed. You truly believed this character was no novice at putting guests in the hot seat. All of the Duchovny fans will be jealous of her hooker character getting to tease and perform a few brief tasks on stage with David. Very funny. The drama of this scene was a little forced, but that was the more due to the awkwardness of the script OR perhaps they just need a few more performances to nail those transitions.

The sets were minimal but worked and served the piece. Costumes were realistic. Its off-Broadway, no one was trying to WOW anyone with the technical aspects of this play. In fact, I think there was too much. The scaled down Les Miz rotating set and odd LIGHTING transition were more distracting, not supporting the action at all. And not sure what was supposed to happen at the end, but the bad Peter Pan moment was horrible. David ends up a preacher (I am guessing the one or two that actually read this will not be ruined. OTHERWISE SPOILER ALERT lmao), spreading HIS word and his survival story. The closing speech - actually a sermon - gets melodramatic with church music to boot. All of the sudden you realize he is about 3 inches of the step (Dressed to look like the steps to the Church altar). OBVIOUSLY something went wrong. OR at least I hope it did. YIKES> But I suppose that is why we have previews.

Of course the real comedy is being outside after the show. Fans lining up for autographs. Laurice got hers. Three soul sister drag queens walked by (This was Christopher Street) "OMG That's the X-Files guy." Three mature ladies waiting for his scribble remarked (Think LI Jewish Mother) "He really is quite a handsome man." And three girls from Brazil traveled 1000s of miles just to meet Mulder. Who knew he almost would be PLAYING GOD.

Next week I want to go back and get this one signed. Hey David, Can I get your John Hancock...

EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH's LMAO and IMPROV 4 KIDS this weekend.

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LMAO THE DIET – FULL RECOVERY

Week 2 Day 5 - Friday, April 23, 2010

Yesterday was the toughest diet day yet. I really regressed to old habits. Today I turned that around.

Laurice and I saw David Duckovknee’s (SP?) and Demi Moore’s THE JONESES. Expecting to sleep my way through, it held my attention. Gary Cole made the movie though with his portrayal of Upper Middle Class man spending beyond his limits and suffering the ultimate sacrifice. Sorry that when I first recounted the performance, I attributed Gary Coleman. (Short Note, Gary Cole was the guest for Jimini Glick when Laurice and I saw Martin Short's Broadway show - Who I also loved on Damages This Season - I digress....)

The show tonight was AWESOME!!! – Shout out to Belgium. A great mix of families and adult groups both loved performance. Charles, Erin, Laurice, and Spero joined me in a flirting on the edge but still maintaining a clean enough show. We never cursed but many double entendre graced the stage. As a genie I conjured up Erin to Handle Charles' Meat. In the same scene I said the meat handler was Chelsea's brother. Happy that one couple knew what i was saying. Chew on that CHEWIE. (SP?) We did video this one so hopefully we will get that up ASAP. www.lmao-nyc.com

Today’s Consumption Summary
BREAKFAST – Smart Start Cereal with skim Milk and Coffee-black

Lunch at Charlie O’s on Broadway at 49th
Pre-Fixe Menu included for me
Lentil Soup – Barely touched it
Salmon Putanesca with roasted potato and spinach
Cheese Cake
Diet Coke and Coffee

PS The Lunch Pre fixe is actually a good Deal. Four entrée choices with soup and dessert for $15.95. Most og their entrees run $20+

At the movie and while promoting – just more diet coke, coffee etc.

After the show, I made a bowl of Turkey Chili – low fat from FRESH DIRECT. Added a small bag of Doritos and some Horseradish NY Aged Cheddar. Tons of flavors and not to bad on the fat or calories. MAYBE 600 calories at the most.

Long story short – I AM BACK ON TRACK AND LOOSING!!!!