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Theatre , Theatre , Video , Mike Bartlett , Off-Broadway Theater , Cock , Cock Off-
Broadway , Comedy , New York Theater , Off-Broadway , Culture NewsReact
Amazing Inspiring Funny Scary Hot Crazy Important WeirdTheater: New Play Cock Not as
Provocative as Title, Sad to Say
COCK ** 1/2 out of ****
THE DUKE ON 42ND STREET
Do you want to see Cock ? Did you like Cock ? Is Cock
worth paying for? If nothing else, the new play by Mike
Bartlett (the acclaimed Earthquakes in London )
provides some juvenile fun for theatergoers.
Unfortunately, the play is not nearly as provocative as its title, a title it never comes close to needing orearning.
The story is a flip on an old tale. Instead of a man leaving his wife for another man, it's about John (Cory
Michael Smith), a gay man in a long-term relationship who suddenly finds himself attracted to a womanfor the very first time. John can't decide who to choose (or even who he is, really -- gay, straight, bi,
committed, philandering?) and it all climaxes in a very awkward dinner party. John's boyfriend (Jason
Butler Harner) believes John is going to tell the woman that it's all over. Nonetheless, the boyfriendinvites his father (Cotter Smith) to join them for moral support. The woman (Amanda Quaid) naturally
believes John is going to end it with his partner and announce his love for her. John dithers and they
realize he has absolutely no idea what he wants or needs. Neither do we and, unfortunately, Bartlett's
play never makes us care very much either way
It's a smoothly entertaining piece nonetheless, with director James Macdonald handling the showdowns
between actors quite nicely. The scenic and costume design is by Miriam Buether, who has built a circular
boxing ring, with seating in the round on raised platforms that let the audience sit in judgement or
perhaps cheer on their favorite protagonist a la a sporting event. There are no props, with actors simplyoffering to take someone's coat or pour them a drink without actually bothering to do the deed. It keeps
the focus squarely on the real action, the battle for John to figure out exactly what he wants.MOST POPULAR ON HUFFPOST 1 of 2
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The constant squaring off works nicely, with a seduction scene being a real highlight. John and the
woman circle each other while verbally working their way towards coitus in a bit of gamesmanship that is
sexy and amusing at the same time. (It helps that Smith and Quaid have the best chemistry.)
So what goes wrong? First, Harner gives a mannered performance, with all his lines delivered in quotes.
He's always quoting "dialogue" instead of just speaking. That alone throws the play out of whack. If we
don't like the boyfriend, we can't feel a great amount of tension about whether or not they stay together.
Plus, it soon becomes clear that John is not happy in their relationship. He claims, at least, that his
boyfriend is patronizing and makes him feel small and not terribly bright. Maybe none of this is true;
maybe he's just besotted with the new. But John's indecisiveness is unappealing and he makes theirrelationship seem poor. So maybe he's not bisexual and maybe he's just using this woman as an excuse tofantasize about a happier life but if we don't think the boyfriend is worth being with we can't feel terribly
much is at stake.
Quaid gives the most convincing performance, though her big breakdown at the end doesn't quite deliver.
Smith is better than his character, a frustrating fellow that doesn't know what he wants. Insecurity can be
charming, at least that's what Albert Brooks wanted us to believe once upon a time. But indecision palls,
even in a brisk 90 minute play. Smith does able supporting work as the loving and accepting father. It all
deflates into a very unsatisfying resolution that leaves us pretty much where we started except for a
would-be haunting last line that instead just annoys.
Then there's the title. If you introduce a gun in act one, by golly you better fire it off in act three. And if
you call your play Cock , it better be a button-pushing bit of provocation that toys with gender and
sexuality in ways both funny and shocking. We keep waiting, not unreasonably, for Cock's big moment, a
soliloquy to sex, a panegyric to the penis, a colloquy on cock. And what do we get? Nothing. You walk outof the play without a clue as to why it's called what it's called.
I've heard good things about Bartlett and my discriminating guest says his play Earthquakes In London
was much better. This comedy is certainly well-constructed and thanks to a generally fine cast (even the
weakest performance isn't that bad) perfectly watchable. But when you show someone Cock , having them
say "not bad" isn't just faint praise; it's positively deflating.
THE THEATER SEASON 2012-2013 (on a four star scale)
Cock ** 1/2
Thanks for reading. Michael Giltz is the cohost of Showbiz Sandbox , a weekly pop culture podcast that
reveals the industry take on entertainment news of the day and features top journalists and opinion
makers as guests. It's available for free on iTunes. Visit Michael Giltz at his website and his daily blog.
Download his podcast of celebrity interviews and his radio show, also called Popsurfing and alsoavailable for free on iTunes. Link to him on Netflix and gain access to thousands of ratings and reviews.
Note : Michael Giltz is provided with free tickets to shows with the understanding that he will be
writing a review.
Follow Michael Giltz on Twitter: www.twitter.com/michaelgiltz
08:53 AM on 05/21/2012
There's one thing this reviewer failed to mention about this theatrical experience. You have to sit on
backless benches and cushions for the play which runs about 90 minutes with no intermission. Ifound that to be agony, given my bad back. People should be forewarned.
12:16 PM on 05/24/2012
That's a good useful point to make. The theater does make a point of saying if youneed/want a back to your seat that the "premium" seating is in the top row where peoplecan lean back against a wall. I'm used to bleachers at Yankee Stadium so didn't actuallythink about it. Thanks for letting people know.HOT ON FACEBOOK 1 of 2
HOT ON TWITTER 1 of 2
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08:17 AM on 05/21/2012
Cocky...
07:29 AM on 05/21/2012
Actually that word came about to mean penis a long, long time ago. Words become acceptable,
then non-acceptable thru the centuries. You cannot say that word now without someone blushing.People forget it's a rooster.
But leave it to broadway to find a way to titilate the play-going crowd.
09:07 AM on 05/20/2012
I was totally riveted. The actors verbally working their way towards coitus is something that has to
be seen and not heard.
02:40 PM on 05/19/2012
Not as good an article as I anticipated lol.. The play don't sound that great either.
09:09 AM on 05/20/2012
No it don't. Mayhaps you could find a gooder one yonder I reckon.
01:41 PM on 05/19/2012
According to HP, use this word and "you will be reported.". Hahahahahahagagagagaga
11:39 AM on 05/18/2012
What? No roosters? ;-)
11:02 AM on 05/18/2012
The play sounds like it sucks.
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Featuring fresh takes and real-time analysis from
HuffPost's signature lineup of contributors
Michael Giltz
Freelance writerGET UPDATES FROM MICHAEL GILTZ
Follow
Theatre , Theatre , Video , Mike Bartlett , Off-Broadway Theater , Cock , Cock Off-
Broadway , Comedy , New York Theater , Off-Broadway , Culture NewsReact
Amazing Inspiring Funny Scary Hot Crazy Important WeirdTheater: New Play Cock Not as
Provocative as Title, Sad to Say
COCK ** 1/2 out of ****
THE DUKE ON 42ND STREET
Do you want to see Cock ? Did you like Cock ? Is Cock
worth paying for? If nothing else, the new play by Mike
Bartlett (the acclaimed Earthquakes in London )
provides some juvenile fun for theatergoers.
Unfortunately, the play is not nearly as provocative as its title, a title it never comes close to needing orearning.
The story is a flip on an old tale. Instead of a man leaving his wife for another man, it's about John (Cory
Michael Smith), a gay man in a long-term relationship who suddenly finds himself attracted to a womanfor the very first time. John can't decide who to choose (or even who he is, really -- gay, straight, bi,
committed, philandering?) and it all climaxes in a very awkward dinner party. John's boyfriend (Jason
Butler Harner) believes John is going to tell the woman that it's all over. Nonetheless, the boyfriendinvites his father (Cotter Smith) to join them for moral support. The woman (Amanda Quaid) naturally
believes John is going to end it with his partner and announce his love for her. John dithers and they
realize he has absolutely no idea what he wants or needs. Neither do we and, unfortunately, Bartlett's
play never makes us care very much either way
It's a smoothly entertaining piece nonetheless, with director James Macdonald handling the showdowns
between actors quite nicely. The scenic and costume design is by Miriam Buether, who has built a circular
boxing ring, with seating in the round on raised platforms that let the audience sit in judgement or
perhaps cheer on their favorite protagonist a la a sporting event. There are no props, with actors simplyoffering to take someone's coat or pour them a drink without actually bothering to do the deed. It keeps
the focus squarely on the real action, the battle for John to figure out exactly what he wants.MOST POPULAR ON HUFFPOST 1 of 2
Chipotle Busted For Cheating
Customers Out Of Pennies
Republican Attendees Thrown
Out After Racist Attack On
CNN Worker
PHOTO: The Queen Rolls In A
Range Rover Wearing A
Hoodie
RPatz Agrees To Meet KStew
But Is Selling Their Home
Deaf Boy Asked To Make
Controversial Change (VIDEO)
MAP: Hurricane Isaac's Path
Aims For Gulf Coast
GOP Approves Abortion Ban
Slash Caught Fellow Rocker
Naked With His Mom
The Most Awkward Wedding
Photobombs
DON'T MISS HUFFPOST BLOGGERS 1 of 5
Bill Moyers
WATCH: Both Parties Give
Invisible Americans the Silent
Treatment
Dean Baker
Poverty: The New Growth Industry
in AmericaFOLLOW USArts Books Film Architecture Music TV
August 29, 2012
Edition: U.S.
FRONT PAGE POLITICS ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA ARTS TV BLACK VOICES LATINO VOICES RELIGION COMEDY LIVE ALL SECTIONS
Bill Moyers Dean Baker
John Hillcoat Bobby BowdenHOT ON THE BLOG
HuffPost Social Reading
Like 102
Posted: 05/17/2012 11:06 pm
SHARE THIS STORY
Submit this storyLike 1k
Like 13k
Like 1k
Like 101
Like 4k
Recommend 293
Recommend 9k
Like 244
Like 1kMore Log in Create Account
FOLLOW CULTURE
The constant squaring off works nicely, with a seduction scene being a real highlight. John and the
woman circle each other while verbally working their way towards coitus in a bit of gamesmanship that is
sexy and amusing at the same time. (It helps that Smith and Quaid have the best chemistry.)
So what goes wrong? First, Harner gives a mannered performance, with all his lines delivered in quotes.
He's always quoting "dialogue" instead of just speaking. That alone throws the play out of whack. If we
don't like the boyfriend, we can't feel a great amount of tension about whether or not they stay together.
Plus, it soon becomes clear that John is not happy in their relationship. He claims, at least, that his
boyfriend is patronizing and makes him feel small and not terribly bright. Maybe none of this is true;
maybe he's just besotted with the new. But John's indecisiveness is unappealing and he makes theirrelationship seem poor. So maybe he's not bisexual and maybe he's just using this woman as an excuse tofantasize about a happier life but if we don't think the boyfriend is worth being with we can't feel terribly
much is at stake.
Quaid gives the most convincing performance, though her big breakdown at the end doesn't quite deliver.
Smith is better than his character, a frustrating fellow that doesn't know what he wants. Insecurity can be
charming, at least that's what Albert Brooks wanted us to believe once upon a time. But indecision palls,
even in a brisk 90 minute play. Smith does able supporting work as the loving and accepting father. It all
deflates into a very unsatisfying resolution that leaves us pretty much where we started except for a
would-be haunting last line that instead just annoys.
Then there's the title. If you introduce a gun in act one, by golly you better fire it off in act three. And if
you call your play Cock , it better be a button-pushing bit of provocation that toys with gender and
sexuality in ways both funny and shocking. We keep waiting, not unreasonably, for Cock's big moment, a
soliloquy to sex, a panegyric to the penis, a colloquy on cock. And what do we get? Nothing. You walk outof the play without a clue as to why it's called what it's called.
I've heard good things about Bartlett and my discriminating guest says his play Earthquakes In London
was much better. This comedy is certainly well-constructed and thanks to a generally fine cast (even the
weakest performance isn't that bad) perfectly watchable. But when you show someone Cock , having them
say "not bad" isn't just faint praise; it's positively deflating.
THE THEATER SEASON 2012-2013 (on a four star scale)
Cock ** 1/2
Thanks for reading. Michael Giltz is the cohost of Showbiz Sandbox , a weekly pop culture podcast that
reveals the industry take on entertainment news of the day and features top journalists and opinion
makers as guests. It's available for free on iTunes. Visit Michael Giltz at his website and his daily blog.
Download his podcast of celebrity interviews and his radio show, also called Popsurfing and alsoavailable for free on iTunes. Link to him on Netflix and gain access to thousands of ratings and reviews.
Note : Michael Giltz is provided with free tickets to shows with the understanding that he will be
writing a review.
Follow Michael Giltz on Twitter: www.twitter.com/michaelgiltz
08:53 AM on 05/21/2012
There's one thing this reviewer failed to mention about this theatrical experience. You have to sit on
backless benches and cushions for the play which runs about 90 minutes with no intermission. Ifound that to be agony, given my bad back. People should be forewarned.
12:16 PM on 05/24/2012
That's a good useful point to make. The theater does make a point of saying if youneed/want a back to your seat that the "premium" seating is in the top row where peoplecan lean back against a wall. I'm used to bleachers at Yankee Stadium so didn't actuallythink about it. Thanks for letting people know.HOT ON FACEBOOK 1 of 2
HOT ON TWITTER 1 of 2
HUFFPOST'S BIG NEWS PAGES
Celebrity
babies
Social Media
Mitch
McConnell
Paul Ryan
Oasis 2012
Net Neutrality
Anatomical
Wonders
Barack Obama
Natural
Disasters
MORE BIG NEWS PAGES »
Recency | Popularity
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
fdavidm
Permalink | Share it
HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Michael Giltz
freelance writer
Slate Articles »
Like 15k GET ALERTS
Comments 10 Pending Comments 0 View FAQ
Comments are closed for this entry
View All Favorites
140 Fans
127 FansWhat Would will.i.am
Sound Like On
Mars?
Tunnel Vision:
Kubrick’s Favorite
Composition Gets ItsOwn Supercut
You’re Doing It
Wrong: Fish Tacos
10 Plays That Protest
Power
Azealia Banks Smokes A
Condom, Gets Banned
ricky_martin
RetweetMake Room for (the New) Daddy
http://t.co/Q6eIDokm via
@huffingtonpost
feliciaday
RetweetThink on it: Cambridge scientistssay all mammals, birds, many
others including octopi, havehuman-like consciousness.
http://t.co/aF6W2ZQh
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
08:17 AM on 05/21/2012
Cocky...
07:29 AM on 05/21/2012
Actually that word came about to mean penis a long, long time ago. Words become acceptable,
then non-acceptable thru the centuries. You cannot say that word now without someone blushing.People forget it's a rooster.
But leave it to broadway to find a way to titilate the play-going crowd.
09:07 AM on 05/20/2012
I was totally riveted. The actors verbally working their way towards coitus is something that has to
be seen and not heard.
02:40 PM on 05/19/2012
Not as good an article as I anticipated lol.. The play don't sound that great either.
09:09 AM on 05/20/2012
No it don't. Mayhaps you could find a gooder one yonder I reckon.
01:41 PM on 05/19/2012
According to HP, use this word and "you will be reported.". Hahahahahahagagagagaga
11:39 AM on 05/18/2012
What? No roosters? ;-)
11:02 AM on 05/18/2012
The play sounds like it sucks.
Advertise | Make HuffPost your Home Page | RSS | Careers | FAQ
User Agreement | Privacy | Comment Policy | About Us | About Our Ads | Contact Us
Copyright © 2012 TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc. | "The Huffington Post" is a registered trademark of TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
Part of AOL LifestylePermalink | Share it
Francois G
Permalink | Share it
viciousvirago
Veritatum Dilexi
Permalink | Share it
george martini
I’m an engineer, cut me a break.
Permalink | Share it
daringsugar
Permalink | Share it
george martini
I’m an engineer, cut me a break.
Permalink | Share it
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
kinogod
word farmer
Permalink | Share it
Montcalms Revenge
Plaines d' Abraham
Permalink | Share it
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Dan Slander
Permalink | Share it81 Fans
325 Fans
172 Fans
201 Fans
172 Fans
560 Fans
421 Fans
123 Fans