Had the pleasure of seeing Tom Hanks on stage tonight on Broadway in Nora Ephron's new play LUCKY GUY.
Ephron (Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail, When Harry Met Sally) seems a strange choice to write a comedy/real life based glimpse of the all-boys club that was the New York City press in the 80's and 90's.
For the most part, she nails it with a play that's much more profane, funny and dramatic than I had anticipated.
Hanks plays real life reporter Mike McAlary, who rises from sports reporter to Pulitzer winning news coverage with more than a few bumps along the way.
Hanks is so good on stage that you know immediately you're in the presence of a big star; he OWNS the stage from the minute he walks out. His quietest moments are some of his best and he raises the game of an amazing supporting cast including Maura Tierney (ER, Rescue Me) as his wife and the hilarious Courtney B. Vance as Hap, his editor and friend.
It's also nice to see Bosom Buddies co-star Peter Scolari in the play as well. In a very nice moment after a rousing, standing ovation curtain call, Hanks and Scolari walk straight off the back of the stage, arms around each other. Hanks must really be as nice and genuine as he seems to be in the press!
The only thing I can say with certainty is that he is a terrific actor.
He elevates this good material to something much more with his talent and I'm really glad I got to see him perform on stage. He's one of my favorite actors and did NOT disappoint! The play's very lucky indeed to have Hanks in the lead and gets a solid B.
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