Bob Odenkirk was a damn revelation. I think this is his first major stage performance? I think? Fuck it, whatever, he should do more. The Playbill interview said that he wanted to play Levene more for laughs than other portrayals (made me a bit wary, to be honest), and… he was funny, sure – Bob is fucking hilarious – but I felt more of a menace? Is that the word? Or a kind of unhinged energy almost? I know I laughed at him less than everyone else did, and not because I thought he did a poor job. Quite the opposite. There was this awesome “funny but not THAT funny” thing to his performance that immediately drew me in.
Just in general, he looked effortlessly comfortable up there, and I want more from him on the stage. A lot more. And I am so so “ungh” about tv actors who suddenly decide to want to do stage. Don’t know if that exactly applies to him or not, but look: Most folks know him for Better Call Saul (I purposely mention this ahead of Breaking Bad because BCS did way more for me than BB ever did).
Now Bill. Billllllllllll. Bill Burr gave such an enjoyable sliminess to his portrayal of Moss; about as close as Glengarry Glen Ross has to having an actual antagonist. Now to me, this was the funniest character in the play. Not the best; Bob owned that shit. But he definitely made me stifle out loud laughter, once or twice. (come on people… we’re at the theater… no “emoting”…)
Where Ed Harris’s portrayal was toxic and infuriating, Burr’s is… I don’t know. I simply didn’t hate him by the time he leaves for Wisconsin and leaves the story. Some folks might call that a miss, but not for me. Maybe it’s Bill Burr’s ability to never make you fully hate him? Who knows? Ed Harris’s Moss was shitty and you were frankly relieved to see the back of him. Bill Burr’s Moss… you kinda expect this from him. You’ll be laughing about this over beers someday, but you WILL see him again.
Anyway: Bill? Get your ass back up on stage soon. This is an order.