Profile for ChiDoc

ACL2006 said: "Just 29 performances played. When was the last time a show only played that few performances?"

 

Diana played 33 performances, and 12 years ago Leap of Faith only ran for 19.

ETA: As mentioned below, I forgot about K-POP, which only lasted for 17 official performances, though with previews it technically lasted longer than either of the musicals I named.

luvbrdway said: "Those who have seen it, what rating would you give this show in terms of language, innuendo? PG, PG13, R?"

In Chicago, the innuendo was very strong (the "come" joke legitimately caused a school group to walk out).  It would be a hard PG-13 at minimum, and of course it's always up to the individual, but I'd guess the MPAA would rate this one at an R with the language and sexual jokes.

I don't actually know if they have completed rewrites, but I know there were changes they had actively worked on in Chicago that never got implemented in the show's run then.  I expect they continued working on it during this break, and I hope to see it again in a new and improved form!

broadwaybabywannabe2 said: "Sondheim's ROADSHOW"

My kingdom for an anthology recording of the various evolutions of the show, including the two workshop versions of when it was Wise Guys.

In addition to the Smile answers above, even though neither of my following choices technically fits the prompt: I really enjoy both the novel and film Giant, so even though I've only ever heard one song from the score, it's a show I would be very interested in.  And I would love a full-fledged Golden Apple revival, because that score!

It is indeed now just 2:50.  It moves in hyperspeed, especially at the beginning of the show.  An article in the Tribune seemed to indicate that this is going to be the official version of the one-part show moving forward, which is a... choice.

MezzoDiva47 said: "ok

maybe take a break

put down the keyboard

take a nice relaxing walk outside

its just musicaltheatre ppl

no need to declare war or make enemies

the public will vote with their wallets

"

I was engaging in hyperbole for silliness, but I’ll bite anyway!

It is just musical theatre, but when engaging with it on its terms, I ultimately want to see a good show.  It doesn’t have to be great art or even aspire to great art, but for me, it does have to aspire to be a musical and not just a cash grab lightly-filtered screenplay adaptation with forgettable music thrown in haphazardly.  Did it frustrate me wildly as a fan of musicals?  Yes.  Did I regret that I saw it?  Honestly, I think I would have preferred doing something else with my time.  I found the longer and equally frustrating Lord of the Rings musical at Chicago Shakes to be a better experience because at least it was trying something even if it barely worked.

Is it actually my enemy?  No.  But is this a sign of a troubling trend?  I don’t want to catastrophize, but it worries me!  So now I shall take a walk and put the key board down! 

Per Chris Jones (behind a paywall here: Goodman Theatre cancels weekend 'Midnight' shows at the last minute (chicagotribune.com)), the Sunday cancellation was an unexpected last minute shortage in the wardrobe crew.

MatthewS1 said: "Call_me_jorge said: "Hopefully she sticks around for year two of the tour. Would love to see her in this when it comes to Chicago."

Chicago could definitely be June 10-22. That’s the only slot left in year 1, between Columbus and Memphis."

Why, wouldn't you know it, you were absolutely correct!  Kimberly will play at the CIBC Theatre for those two weeks.

Sure, the book of Forum is dated in its casual sexism, but it's not like the male characters are contrastingly any better.  Hero is as dopey as Philia, Senex is a dirty old man, and so on.  A production also doesn't need the women of the House of Marcus Lycus in completely skimpy clothing, either.  So I think Forum absolutely still works in a good production, even if its 60s sensibilities are apparent.

First preview is tomorrow night.  I'm looking forward to hearing others' reactions to this one!

TylerJia said: "Listened twice this morning already (I'm UK-based), music is very reminiscent of JRB's solo material (especially the first album) and I have no qualms with that at all. This will be getting MANY rotations on my Spotify for the foreseeable..."

Not only is very stylistically JRB, but man does Ben Levi Ross' voice remind me of the composer's.  I'm definitely digging the album, because it is so very Brown.

Laurents made some smart decisions over the years regarding the book (some cutting of the hotel room scene, the added dialogue during the strip), but overall, as people have said above, this is not a musical that needs revising by anyone else.  If you want to use different versions of the libretto, sure.  But I don't want anybody touching this perfectly crafted book!