Actors: They're Real People, Too

I kinda like this photo of Fred Armisen and friends, backstage at the Barrymore where his girlfriend is currently employed. They're playing Rock Band. They're having fun. Stars! They're just like us!

On the other hand, is it really news that Lizzie Moss and her boyfriend do regular stuff like play video games while enjoying a nice glass of wine? Okay, it's news because they're famous and all, but this is the Times, not PageSix Magazine, and reading about her hushed whispers in his ear to "hang out in my dressing room" makes me feel creepy.

Class Act: Elizabeth Moss

Lizzie Moss did a nice interview with Playbill for their "Brief Encounters". What a classy gal.

Playbill.com: Has this experience in Speed-the-Plow scared you off Broadway, or would you return?
EM: I would absolutely return. If I could do a season of "Mad Men" and do a play every year in between for the next 20 years, I'd be very happy.

It's such a shame she's a Scientologist.

Speed-the-Plow

Things I liked about Speed-the-Plow, in preferential order:

1. Raul Esparza's fiery and funny performance. He is far and away the best part of the show. Somebody give this man a Tony for chrissake. This is worth seeing just for him.
2. Elizabeth Moss and Jeremy Piven, who are both also phenomenal, if not as absolutely pitch-perfect as Esparza. Piven is strong as always. Moss completely demonstrates her talent as a first-rate actress, but suffers from a character who is the least compassionately - or skillfully - drawn in the play.
3. The direction, which maximizes the biting energy of the play and creates a thrill ride for the audience.
4. The play itself. The above elements make for fun theater, but ultimately, the play is a little anemic and spends far too long indulging in (and mocking) hippie-dippy philosophy. Also, David Mamet's distaste for women reads a little too loudly in the script. Nevertheless, it's fun theater that's very well acted.