HERE LIES LOVE - Broadway Previews- Page 16

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 6:39pm

Man, somebody's getting fired.

[MBFan]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 6:43pm

Bettyboy72 said:

She was very calm and gracious in that video. I would have gone off. Maybe she was aware she was being taped and was purposeful in her demeanor. I hope someone's @#$ was handed to them after this. That had to be so scary.
 

I'd pay good money to see what her actual reaction would've been had they not been recording... 

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 7:25pm

I finally saw this thing and I have absolutely no idea how it is so critically acclaimed and why so many people are acting like it is the second coming. Glad I had a decent discount but I basically want my 90 minutes back. The songs are blah. The plot is like reading a flavorless cliff notes version of something much bigger. Just because they flash colored lights all over the place doesn’t make it a great musical. And a Broadway audience wildly applauding the Marcos couple is revolting in a thousand different ways. 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 7:29pm

Matt Rogers said: "I finally saw this thing and I have absolutely no idea how it is so critically acclaimed and why so many people are acting like it is the second coming. Glad I had a decent discount but I basically want my 90 minutes back. The songs are blah. The plot is like reading a flavorless cliff notes version of something much bigger. Just because they flash colored lights all over the place doesn’t make it a great musical. And a Broadway audience wildly applauding the Marcos couple is revolting in a thousand different ways."

To each their own-- I certainly disagree that the score is anything less than hummable and innovative, even though I agree its not The Moment or the dawn of a new kind of musical or anything like that. But I really dont think its fair to suggest that the show asks us to applaud the Marcos couple. You might mean to say that they go a little light on Imelda (though still treat her way harsher, and thus fairer, than ALW did Evita), but the show chronicles her downfall, corruption and unequivocally ends its narrative with a somber narrative re their most famous victim. Be fair.

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 7:37pm

PipingHotPiccolo said: "Matt Rogers said: "I finally saw this thing and I have absolutely no idea how it is so critically acclaimed and why so many people are acting like it is the second coming. Glad I had a decent discount but I basically want my 90 minutes back. The songs are blah. The plot is like reading a flavorless cliff notes version of something much bigger. Just because they flash colored lights all over the place doesn’t make it a great musical. And a Broadway audience wildly applauding the Marcos couple is revolting in a thousand different ways."

To each their own-- I certainly disagree that the score is anything less than hummable and innovative, even though I agree its not The Moment or the dawn of a new kind of musical or anything like that. But I really dont think its fair to suggest that the show asks us to applaud the Marcos couple. You might mean to say that they go a little light on Imelda (though still treat her way harsher, and thus fairer, than ALW did Evita), but the show chronicles her downfall, corruption and unequivocally ends its narrative with a somber narrative re their most famous victim. Be fair."

Yeah, I am well aware that my opinion on this thing will be unpopular and that the critics will swoon (again). I still think it sucked big time. I know that practically 100% of this board will disagree with me. Whatever. 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 7:47pm

As I said to each their own, and my post was not meant to challenge your distaste for the show (I liked the score, I liked Jacobs, I couldnt stand other aspects of it). Opinions are meant to be different.

I just dont think its fair--as a factual matter-- to accuse this show of celebrating, or applauding, or approving of, the Marcos family by any stretch. It just isnt the reality of what the show says/does---even if I agree that it could have very easily been way more direct/harsh in showing what selfish thieves they were. 

The better Q, which speaks to this point, is why the MARKETING makes no mention of the story here. 

[DrMonicaDeMoneco]

Posted: 7/17/23 at 9:10pm

Can u elaborate why u thought it sucked big time?
 

Matt Rogers said: "PipingHotPiccolo said: "Matt Rogers said: "I finally saw this thing and I have absolutely no idea how it is so critically acclaimed and why so many people are acting like it is the second coming. Glad I had a decent discount but I basically want my 90 minutes back. The songs are blah. The plot is like reading a flavorless cliff notes version of something much bigger. Just because they flash colored lights all over the place doesn’t make it a great musical. And a Broadway audience wildly applauding the Marcos couple is revolting in a thousand different ways."

To each their own-- I certainly disagree that the score is anything less than hummable and innovative, even though I agree its not The Moment or the dawn of a new kind of musical or anything like that. But I really dont think its fair to suggest that the show asks us to applaud the Marcos couple. You might mean to say that they go a little light on Imelda (though still treat her way harsher, and thus fairer, than ALW did Evita), but the show chronicles her downfall, corruption and unequivocally ends its narrative with a somber narrative re their most famous victim. Be fair."

Yeah, I am well aware that my opinion on this thing will be unpopular and that the critics will swoon (again). I still think it sucked big time. I know that practically 100% of this board will disagree with me. Whatever."

 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 7/18/23 at 7:05am

Some of her fans are obsessed with her. They'll either amp up security there or eliminate the stage door while she's in the show. Look at her Twitter and she's really let's loose on the situation.

 

Surprised this hasn't made the news anywhere. Or they're just not letting this hit the news.

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 7/18/23 at 8:04am

As an immersive piece, I suppose lines get murkier. But, people applaud for performers, not characters. Alex Joseph Grayson plays another truly despicable character based on a real person in Parade and gets some of the biggest applause every night because his songs are show stoppers and he performs them incredibly. They're not applauding the (likely) child rapist and murderer who got an innocent man hung. They're applauding Alex and his captivating performance. 

[Seb28]

Posted: 7/18/23 at 9:17am

jkcohen626 said: "Just saw this from Lea:

https://twitter.com/MsLeaSalonga/status/1680798937110675457?s=20

Apparently someone in their party had tried to rush her right after the show before she could get "offstage" and their party was escorted out of the building. Then they were somehow allowed back in the find her in her dressing room!?!?!"

Yes, the dressing room clip was the 2nd incident on that day from this group. Also, Lea has tweeted that the woman's story about being friends with the producers was a blatant lie. The producers in question have no idea who they were. I am glad that Lea stood her ground and didn't agree with a photo there and then, that she didn't fall for the lie/she didn't let that lie convince her but instead said they were still not on the list. I do not like the fact that they still got a photo indoors near the exit afterwards though.

It seems like those people were really out of touch with reality. All their remarks throughout the video "we have Lea", "but we want photo", "but we have been waiting", confirm this. They were not listening to what Lea said at all. They just kept standing there, discarding her arguments.

Also, who were those other 30 people wandering around indoors, that had to be escorted out by Lea herself? Where she had to repeat herself multiple times to show them the exit? To actually make place/room for a photo with the other intruders.

What on earth was happening?

Lea handled this with grace and professionalism. I am glad she is safe but the whole world knows where her dressing room is now. This clip should be taken offline too.

I wish people were a bit more mentally stable and raised with decency, but I'm not sure how we can achieve this in a world that behaves more and more like society is a zoo.



 

Updated On: 7/18/23 at 09:17 AM

[quizking101]

Posted: 7/18/23 at 10:44am

Lea further responding to OnstageBlog

”Hi, Chris! First off, thanks for your kindness as well as for your threads on this issue. Just know that this has reached the highest echelons of our producing team and has already been addressed with all relevant departments. There are now more stringent security regulations in place, and I for one will no longer be entertaining near those innermost spaces to ensure that security will have eyes on me at all times. It’s unfortunate that this had to happen at all. There has been so much support from online communities everywhere and for that I’m thankful! Folks need to be reminded that although we are public figures we need our private spaces, and will be guarding those sacred places with fervor.

And yes, I’m okay! That wasn’t the first time we’ve had to deal with that sort of thing, and I don’t think it’ll be the last.

My apologies that it’s taken a while, the theater’s been crazy busy with all of the things, and today’s the first moment we’ve been able to breathe!“

https://twitter.com/msleasalonga/status/1681045329582477320?s=46&t=0XG46rJiPEOy8dyIeDsimg

[gibsons2]

Posted: 7/18/23 at 11:10am

Matt Rogers said: "PipingHotPiccolo said: "Matt Rogers said: "I finally saw this thing and I have absolutely no idea how it is so critically acclaimed and why so many people are acting like it is the second coming. Glad I had a decent discount but I basically want my 90 minutes back. The songs are blah. The plot is like reading a flavorless cliff notes version of something much bigger. Just because they flash colored lights all over the place doesn’t make it a great musical. And a Broadway audience wildly applauding the Marcos couple is revolting in a thousand different ways."

To each their own-- I certainly disagree that the score is anything less than hummable and innovative, even though I agree its not The Moment or the dawn of a new kind of musical or anything like that. But I really dont think its fair to suggest that the show asks us to applaud the Marcos couple. You might mean to say that they go a little light on Imelda (though still treat her way harsher, and thus fairer, than ALW did Evita), but the show chronicles her downfall, corruption and unequivocally ends its narrative with a somber narrative re their most famous victim. Be fair."

Yeah, I am well aware that my opinion on this thing will be unpopular and that the critics will swoon (again). I still think it sucked big time. I know that practically 100% of this board will disagree with me. Whatever."

I'm sure many more people agree with you, but prefer to keep it to themselves. I wanted to leave almost immediately after the show started, had to really talk myself into not leaving the theater. The only redeeming quality for me is the score. Terribly weak book and really questionable "immersive" experience.

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 7/18/23 at 1:32pm

I also really disliked the show when I saw it a couple of weeks ago. I thought the concept was poorly executed, and the music is catchy enough but it all started to sound similar by the end (with the exception of the closing number which I actually quite liked). The performances were wonderful overall; I particularly liked Conrad Ricamora, but ultimately none of them are really given that much to work with so it all felt very one-dimensional and surface level. I really don't understand the acclaim for Alex Timbers as a director, because while there is certainly *a lot* of direction, none of it is in service of the piece and has more to do with achieving a specific visual aesthetic which I find to be a theme in his work. I remember hearing all the raves about it when it was at the Public 10 years ago, and maybe it worked better in an actual black box space, but in this venue and at this time it just didn't work for me at all. I'm curious what the reviews will be like this time around, especially since Brantley (who gave the off-Broadway production a rave) is no longer at the Times. 

[Owen22]

Posted: 7/18/23 at 4:04pm

perfectlymarvelous said: "I also really disliked the show when I saw it a couple of weeks ago. I thought the concept was poorly executed, and the music is catchy enough but it all started to sound similar by the end (with the exception of the closing number which I actually quite liked). The performances were wonderful overall; I particularly liked Conrad Ricamora, but ultimately none of them are really given that much to work with so it all felt very one-dimensional and surface level. I really don't understand the acclaim for Alex Timbers as a director, because while there is certainly *a lot* of direction, none of it is in service of the piece and has more to do with achieving a specific visual aesthetic which I find to be a theme in his work. I remember hearing all the raves about it when it was at the Public 10 years ago, and maybe it worked better in an actual black box space, but in this venue and at this time it just didn't work for me at all. I'm curious what the reviews will be like this time around, especially since Brantley (who gave the off-Broadway production a rave) is no longer at the Times."

Because I love, and have loved this show since it's inception, I feel I have to publicly say I disagree with every point you make.

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 7/18/23 at 4:21pm

I LOVED this show. It's incredible as an experience, I think the score is easily the best to hit Broadway since Hadestown, and the performances were fantastic. 

I do think they needed to bring an actual book writer and dramaturgist though. Despite the VERY VERY different tones, I think it falls into some of the same trappings of Parade. At the end of that show, you obviously know that what you've seen is a horrific murder carried out by evil white supremacists. However, the show spends a bit too much time with said white supremacists and not quite enough with the Jews. With this show, you know that the Marcoses were awful by the end. When the DJ mentions that Bongbong is president, everyone boos. It's not ambiguous at all. However, the show probably spends a bit too much of its runtime on Imelda before she goes full evil and not enough after. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 7/18/23 at 4:24pm

jkcohen626 said: "With this show, you know that the Marcoses were awful by the end. When the DJ mentions that Bongbong is president, everyone boos. It's not ambiguous at all."

At my performance, you could've heard a pin drop when the DJ made his remarks before "God Draws Straight."

[bwayjulia]

Posted: 7/18/23 at 5:05pm

I saw this at the Public and it was easily my top theater experience that year.  I saw it on Broadway and was very disappointed that it had not made the transition as well.  The person I was with liked it, but didn't love it, so maybe some of my impressions have to do with the comparison between the intimacy and immediacy of the space at the Public and the larger, more cavernous Broadway theater.

First, the score is fantastic but the sound was terrible the night I went. The lyrics were unintelligible and when you have a sung through musical, that's pretty important.  Not a problem for me, who saw it three times downtown but my friend had no idea what was going on.

The costumes looked cheap and badly constructed.  I could see things like the lining on the wedding dress and it was distracting.

Arielle Jacobs is no Ruthie Ann Miles. She's lovely to look at, a great singer (might be better than Ruthie) but doesn't compare at all. I felt she was mostly striking poses and trying to look sexy. Ruthie had a radiance and vulnerability from the start that made the transformation so shocking. They really should have made her whatever offer they needed to and get her to do the show. Having a Tony Award winner might have added some pedigree to the production and draw in traditional theater goers, which they are going to badly need if the show is going to succeed. 

Conrad Ricamore was fantastic and with a weaker leading lady, I feel like he absolutely shines and is the emotional center of the show, rather than Imelda. In the previous production, Ruthie was the star.  Jose Llana fades a bit without a strong partner. 

In the last production, the DJ, the excellent Kelvin Mooh Loh, was both the host and a real character that was commenting on the action without actually having a script. I would sometimes look at him and there was a bit of a gravitas in his demeanor. This DJ just seemed like a cheesy DJ from a bad wedding trying to force people to participate in line dances.  He also doesn't have the vocal chops that Kelvin brought to the last song.

I didn't feel that that the mother (the Lea Salonga part but I didn't see her) or the soloist who does "Men Will Do Anything" were as strong as the ones at the Public. I remember the soloist being a real rock star and this actress seemed a bit strained, like she was trying to stretch her voice to fit the song. 

The actors seems like they were working hard to run to the other platforms so there was a quality of franticness to the show. I guess that makes sense because they have to cover way more space than downtown but I think some of the emotion and character development suffers.

With more people on the floor, it felt very awkward being moved around. I remember it being more organic at the Public. 

Again, these thoughts might be a bit unfair because I'm comparing it to the past production, which I thought was just perfect.  I still enjoyed it but I was disappointed in the overall experience.  I wish them well since I know the effort that has been put into the show and developing an audience.  I do think that having Lea advertised as much as she is is a bit misleading.  She's on for five minutes and isn't even a featured part.  I think people who buy tickets just for her will be disappointed.

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 7/18/23 at 5:31pm

Beginning September 4, the seating designations change a bit, and Telecharge now has a separate page and seating chart for shows after that date. No distinction between front mezzanine and rear mezzanine anymore, with continuously lettered rows: A-F for the front, G-X for the rear. Also, the front mezzanine rows are still called left center and right center, but the rear are now just left, right, and center, as they should be, although it looks like the seat numbers will remain the same:

Updated On: 7/18/23 at 05:31 PM

[quizking101]

Posted: 7/18/23 at 5:35pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "jkcohen626 said: "With this show, you know that the Marcoses were awful by the end. When the DJ mentions that Bongbong is president, everyone boos. It's not ambiguous at all."

At my performance, you could've heard a pin drop when the DJ made his remarks before "God Draws Straight.""

And it was this moment where I felt my heart drop out and my eyes welled up. That was a beautiful moment and coda for this show.

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 7/18/23 at 5:38pm

I never saw this show at the Public so I only have the cast album for comparison, but I personally liked that the DJ wasn't as strong of a singer in the end.  It made it feel more authentic to me.

I'm wondering how the show will do for Lea's run.  Obviously she's a big draw now but she couldn't keep grosses up for Once on This Island through its run while having a larger part in that show.  Then again, this show is specifically a Filipino show, which would be her largest demographic of fans, so I guess we'll see.

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 7/18/23 at 5:52pm

Received an email today from Telecharge that my Sunday, October 29, 5:30 show has been changed to 7:00.

Full refund easily obtained.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 7/19/23 at 11:24am

Conrad Ricamora's 11-year journey with ''Here Lies Love''

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idGyTtqLpOA

Updated On: 7/19/23 at 11:24 AM

[bwaylyric]

Posted: 7/19/23 at 6:57pm

Anyone know the start time of tomorrow’s opening night show?

[BETTY22]

Posted: 7/19/23 at 7:01pm

Do you think it will be a NEW YORK TIMES critic pix on Broadway? NO

And who from the Times will be reviewing it? JESSE 

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 7/19/23 at 10:11pm

BETTY22 said: "Do you think it will be a NEW YORK TIMES critic pix on Broadway? NO

And who from the Times will be reviewing it? JESSE"

Is you true name Claire Voyent?  Asking for a friend.