Noel Coward's Waiting in the Wings, Starring Betty Garrett, at Theatre West
Theatre West (Hollywood, CA)
Rated 3.2 by 46 members who went.
Noel Coward's affectionate tribute to theater is set in a retirement home for actresses, all former stars. Jealousies abound, especially between Lotta and May who once both loved the same man. A tragedy brings them to their senses and a new solarium brings out everyone's good nature. The production stars Betty Garrett, best known to audiences from her long-running roles on All in the Family and Laverne and Shirley.
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The last event was Sunday November 23, 2008 / 2:00pm. (view all dates)
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38 Member Reviews
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- Sharon S.
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Sharon S.
Member since 2004
8 Reviews
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It's a lovely story, with great performers. Although it runs long, clocking in at just under three hours, it was worth staying the course. A couple of tears were wrung out, along with the expected chuckles at Cowardly wit.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
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- David L.
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David L.
Member since 2005
35 Reviews
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An interesting Noel Coward play............a comedy, but very touching and hits very close to home for people who are older or who have older parents.
The cast was excellent.
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- Carol
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Carol
Member since 2008
6 Reviews
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Best show we've seen in years! Great writing--Noel Coward. Great directing--great tech (lighting, costumes, sound). And some of the best acting I've ever seen--and I'm in the business and see a LOT of acting. All young acting students should see this production. The fact that it includes Betty Garrett in the cast is a plus also. I'm spreading the word as far as I can get it to go.!!!
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- Linda Quinn
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Linda Quinn
Member since 2004
3 Reviews
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Wonderful cast of aging actresses in a retirement home, making the best of their various situations with love, laughter, and tears. Each actress give you a hint of the talent that once brought the house down in their prime, and continues to wow you even now. Betty Garrett is a wonder and a joy to watch. Don't miss this show!
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- Gadabout
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Gadabout
Member since 2003
72 Reviews
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While it is just wonderful to see so many ladies "of a certain age" onstage together, the play is far too long at over 3 hours, the pacing sluggish, British accents non-existent and many witty Coward lines missed because of delivery. That said, Betty Garrett is delightful and worth the price of admission, Katherine Henryk comes closest to the style and mood of the piece and Sandra Tucker is a wicked Irish lass!
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- Eric G.
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Eric G.
Member since 2005
23 Reviews
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A fairly aware theatergoer, I admit I had never heard of this play by Noel Coward until now. It's a loving Valentine to the theater, especially the women who played big and small roles all their lives and now just want a bit of dignity and comfort in their old age. The actresses themselves are just such ladies (except they're not retired yet) and play their roles to the nines! Thank you, Theatre West, for staging this wonderful, wistful, late afternoon of a play. Betty Garrett at 89, wow! It's a treat! Don't miss it!
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- Lea P.
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Lea P.
Member since 2005
7 Reviews
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A great vehicle that gives an opportunity to an ensemble of older players to shine. Betty Garrett is delightful, as always. It's a long evening--three hours with two intermissions--but enjoyable.
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- Al C.
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Al C.
Member since 2007
16 Reviews
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While Ms Garrett was a disappointment, the rest of the cast was excellent; you knew you were watching experienced, veteran actors. I was especially impressed by the diction and projection of the actors voices. And the "English" accents were "American" enough to be easily understood. Since I am a fan of Noel Coward (playwright), I would have enjoyed a more crisp, "clipped" British style of dialogue delivery and a little more exaggerated character "affectation". Staging, lighting, set, sound, costumes were well concieved and executed. Script needed some judicious cutting; at 3 hours, this production was a little too long for U.S. audiences.
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- Clive R.
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Clive R.
Member since 2006
11 Reviews
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It is a priceless show, with great performances from a sensational ensemble cast. I wanted to take them all home with me! Go see this show at once and savor the wealth of talent before you.
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- Barnett L.
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Barnett L.
Member since 2007
3 Reviews
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A little long but well-acted and the costumes captured the period.
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- Guy B.
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Guy B.
Member since 2007
2 Reviews
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A great opportunity to see a Noel Coward play that is relatively obscure. This is a very good play and the production was excellent.
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- Anonymous
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Anonymous
Member since 2005
2 Reviews
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If you love good theatre and the actors who make good theatre possible, don't miss this play. Noel Coward and a stageful of actresses of a certain age remind us to live our lives fully, with humor and compassion, wit and wisdom. Betty Garrett, who is almost 90, is worth your attention. She has lost none of her verve. She plays her character spot on - even the little hesitations can be understood in the context of the character she plays. And unlike her character, she still has all the marbles she was born with. This is a theatrical treat!
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- anne marie valdivia
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anne marie valdivia
Member since 2007
2 Reviews
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I loved all those ladies together and the theater is very comfortable. good job.
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- Anonymous Member
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Anonymous Member
Member since 2005
3 Reviews
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good but too long..over 3 hours!!
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- Fern S.
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Fern S.
Member since 2006
12 Reviews
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- Marie
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Marie
Member since 2007
3 Reviews
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Wonderful show. And delicious dinner afterwards at the California Canteen a few doors down with 10% off with our play program. My third successful experience with Goldstar.
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- carmelo the writer
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carmelo the writer
Member since 2008
3 Reviews
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This play was wonderfully done. If you are a fan of Sunset Blvd, or any story about Old Hollywood/Old London stage nostalgia then this sweet not so little story is for you.
Betty Garrett is amazing, and at age 89, and on top of her game. The entire cast did a fantastic job. I'm too busy to list out a real and lengthy reveiw but everyone was stellar.
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- Patty
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Patty
Member since 2003
29 Reviews
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Wonderful performances... Betty Garrett is delightful in the show and it is always a treat to see her on stage...
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- andrew
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andrew
Member since 2004
1 Reviews
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nice theatre and the cast was terriffic
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- charles Belenky
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charles Belenky
Member since 2002
23 Reviews
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Excellent production of a first rate Noel Coward play.
Moreover, nearly everyone was playing their own ages-Fantastic since the play takes place in a home for retired women stage stars outside of London.
Highly recommend it if you appreciate language and performance.
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More Details
A great company of actresses, including Betty Garrett and Bridget Hanley, have been assembled at Theatre West to present Noel Coward's loving tribute to the ladies of the stage — "Waiting in the Wings". Produced under Theatre West's "Chestnuts" banner, and directed by Charlie Mount. The play also features Walter Beery, Phyllis Franklin, Layla Galloway, Magda Harout, David P. Johnson, Arden Lewis, Don Moore, Erin Moore, Catherine Natale, Corinne Shor, Dianne Travis, Sandra Tucker, and Seemah Wilder.
