Profile for FranklinShepardInc

I certainly didn’t mention anyone by name. It was directed generally based on a very common reason I’ve heard why people aren’t bothering to see the show, especially by New York theatergoing locals, on and off the board. I also concede that folks traveling in from out of town on a limited schedule naturally have to be more selective of shows, based on interest. But for New York based avid theatergoers and followers of the Broadway musical, I maintain lack of subject knowledge is no reason to ...

BK -- I have to agree with you, too, especially about leaving at intermission. Nothing should be judged without seeing the full work. I wanted to pull a Moritz on myself at the intermission of SPRING AWAKENING. I seriously loathed what I had seen. But as a fervent aficionado of musical theatre, it was important for me to stay through the 2nd Act to grasp the piece as a whole. It didn’t change my feelings on the show, but I’d have no right to comment on it having seen only half the work.

One of the most unfounded reasons on this board for not having interest in seeing PASSING STRANGE is "I don't know what it's about. The marketing tells me nothing." Is a complete show synopsis and full track list needed before seeing a new Broadway musical? Does everything have to be based on a pre-existing film or play so one can walk into the theatre with the warm security of knowing the story? Any true fan and follower of the Broadway musical would go see a new show regardless of familiari...

I also cheer that this show is one of the most refreshing new musicals this season. The songs perhaps aren't "classic" Broadway, but are catchy, vibrant, stay true to time, character and place, and are completely in the vernacular of the world it mirrors. I think it's the perfect antidote to the SPRING AWAKENING angsty blues.

My friends mock me because I'd often fall asleep for about 5 minutes in shows. My excuse that being in a warm Broadway theatre watching a show is like having a comfy, familiar blanket wrapped around you was starting to wear thin. So now I drink a triple espresso before everything.

Scaryclowns' one-line plot summary of each musical hardly seems fair. One could easily write: SPRING AWAKENING: "A rock musical about emo teens in puritanical 1890s Germany whining about sex, morosely posing, aborting babies, dressing drably and commiting suicide." PASSING STRANGE: "A rock musical about a young American boy's rollicking adventures through the wild sex and free-love drugs of '70s Amsterdam and '80s Berlin in search of the man he's destined to be." This is much more accurate.

bump... because this is very insightful

Something befuddles me. Why do so many people have no interest in seeing the youth-oriented rock musical PASSING STRANGE, yet these same people flocked to the youth-oriented rock musical SPRING AWAKENING? Yes, the shows are different, but I'm talking about initial interest before seeing the show, without full knowledge of what it was, yet. Both had extremely successful, critically acclaimed off- Broadway runs, and initial positive word-of-mouth before transferring. Both push the genre of musi...

Hello, Dolly! His Assistant His Yes Man His Interior Decorator

Carousel - 90s Revival ...tricky! Belle Noble Patrick (last names would give it away...)

Follies (tough one!) Norm Lewis Alice Ripley Sherie Rene Scott

Historically, Champion's original choreography to "Hello, Dolly" - the title song - is considered the most showstopping dance number ever. The entirety of A CHORUS LINE is so expertly staged, it's impossible to pull out a single number. My personal favorite staging that I've seen live -- since it comes immediately to mind -- is "The Tunnel of Love" from SIDE SHOW. Having the 4 leads levitating in that giant, flashily lit carnival ride heart against a black stage, while belting out that swelte...

Hi Mouses Magic -- I was in the house left front mezzanine. It was an invited dress, and the orchestra was empty. Thus, the audience was very very supportive. Can't wait to see it again in early december with a full paying audience.

The list of changes would be fascinating. Looking forward to it!

It's such a shame they didn't fix much. (although I wonder what the original much panned ending in Denver was. Anyone know? The ending on Broadway is extremely anticlimactic and unimpressive.) clarkstallings brings a great point. The eels do in fact suggest dinosaurs. Or perhaps green starfish. or Sea cucumbers. Or algae. But the only way you'd know they are eels is the by knowing the movie. And to comment on Mouses Magic's wish to not have everything spelled out -- I totally agree, when it w...

Perhaps there's spoilers here... but with this show it's like announcing spoilers for the ending to TITANIC. THE LITTLE MERMAID seems to be getting fairly good notices on this board. Perhaps it's improved in the span of 2 weeks, but based on the dress rehearsal I sat through, the show is a muddled wreck. I cherish the movie deeply blah blah blah like everyone else, but the only reason this show will run is off of deeply felt nostalgia for the film. The Ashmen/Menken songs, performed live, con...