Great Comet - Shotgun Players (Berkeley)- Page 2

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 11/11/22 at 3:36am

Got back from this and really enjoyed it!  I had good familiarity with both cast albums but never seen the production live, but something about that really brought the show into focus for me.  I can sympathize with the characters a lot more, particularly Natasha, Sonya, Mary, and Pierre, and in general I feel like I just "get it" a lot more now.  I knew Balaga was a fun song but I had never anticipated just _how_ fun it is, and while I always thought Sonya Alone was lovely, there's something about the way everything stops besides her and a guitar that really brings out the poignancy of the song.

Steven Hess was on for Pierre today, and I thought he did a fantastic job.  Jacqueline Dennis I don't think is a true soprano in the way that Phillipa Soo and Denee Benton are, so a lot of the register is more mixed/belted, but I found her quite moving, especially for Pierre & Natasha.  Natasha Lost was also retained (has that been done for other regional productions?)

The sound design can be a bit rough at times (understandable, given the seating arrangement, but not ideal), which mic levels a little inconsistent.  In particular I wished Anatole's mic was turned up a bit, and all the electronic synths/sound effects (which I assume were pre-recorded?) could also have been louder.  My friend knew nothing about the show and admitted to being a bit confused about all the specific events that happened, but did end up enjoying himself quite a bit.

I think the ideal place to sit for this would probably be the joint between the round part of the stage and the runway, but each seat would probably have its own advantages.  They have a little ledge if you're at one of the stage seats where it's convenient to put down your program/a drink (contrary to the email they send out, they do allow drinks into the theater, and there are no specialty cocktails).

[schubox]

Posted: 11/14/22 at 10:33am

Kitsune said: "I do think there's a lot of magic in seeing Great Comet in person, especially with how it's staged.

That being said, if livestream is your only option in the immediate future, then IMO you should take it. I don't think it'll ruin your experience of the show forever, and hopefully you can see a local production someday."

Have you livestreamed from them before? How legit is the "you must be in California to stream"? I am not in CA but would like to stream it, but don't want to spend the money if it won't work

[LushyBear]

Posted: 11/15/22 at 2:19pm

I saw this show last Friday and had a good time.

I wasn't super familiar with the music/plot of this before I went in. I guess my critique is fundamentally in the internal monolgue stuff that's carried through the lyrics, but that's not the fault of this production.

The actors are doing a fantastic job. I sat between the stage and the walkway stage left and had some interactions/connections with the actors. It was nice to hear the voices right behind me.

Sound was a bit bizarre, as the music came from behind me of sorts (they have speakers pointed back to the stage about halfway back in the auditorium).

The set is serviceable, costumes are okay, acting is good.

I loved Weston Scott, he's adorable.

 

All in all, I am still contemplating if I want to go back to see the show. I found the music dragging in parts. I think the performances are all fine, but it's lacking something on the book/music end of things.

[bear88]

Posted: 11/17/22 at 2:54am

The production got rave reviews from San Francisco Bay Area critics. About the only minor critiques are of some of the vocals, an issue I didn't really have. (Was everyone in this non-Equity production as good vocally as their Broadway/NYC counterparts? No, but the musical has an immediacy and charm that I imagine people experienced at Ars Nova.) Jacqueline Dennis, as Natasha, gets plenty of deserved plaudits for her performance as Natasha, as does Angel Adedokun as Helene, as well as scenic designer Nina Ball.

San Francisco Chronicle: https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/theater/review-shotguns-great-comet-is-an-astronomical-phenomenon-while-its-here-you-must-see

San Jose Mercury News: https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/11/15/review-shotgun-players-musical-comet-dazzles-in-berkeley/

KQED (the local PBS affiliate): https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/11/15/review-shotgun-players-musical-comet-dazzles-in-berkeley/

Talkin' Broadway: https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/11/15/review-shotgun-players-musical-comet-dazzles-in-berkeley/

An interview in Berkeleyside with Dave Malloy and the show's co-director, Patrick Dooley, reveals that they got permission from Malloy to use "Natasha Lost" and what I assume was the original version of "The Private and Intimate Life of the House," the only song whose lyrics were noticeably different than the version I saw on Broadway.

https://www.berkeleyside.org/2022/11/11/natasha-pierre-the-great-comet-of-1812-from-broadway-to-berkeley

[Fan123]

Posted: 11/18/22 at 5:29pm

Trailer:

 

[avensis david]

Posted: 11/20/22 at 3:15pm

The show looks really great, unfortunately I haven't had the chance to see it yet.

Updated On: 7/18/23 at 03:15 PM

[SydneyBristow]

Posted: 11/24/22 at 2:23pm

Did anyone see the 11/17 Livestream?

I plan to Livestream on 12/01 (thanks for advice bear88 and Kitsune).  Just wanted to check if it's a good watch or if there were any tech issues.

[schubox]

Posted: 11/25/22 at 10:30am

Yeah I got it. I didn’t watch all of it from beginning to end since I’m seeing it in person in a few weeks. But I did watch bits and pieces and didn’t notice any problems. The audio was a little weird at the beginning of acts as they switched the mics, but was resolved quickly 

[JoeW4]

Posted: 11/26/22 at 3:41pm

Saw this yesterday and had a fantastic time. I'm a big fan of the material so I was glad to catch this on the only day I could!

Posted more thoughts here

[bear88]

Posted: 12/4/22 at 2:37am

The show was extended again and will now continue through Sunday, Feb. 5. That's a three-month run, which seems pretty impressive. It's pretty much sold out through December and into early January.

Snagged a couple of tickets for the last "masks required" show on Jan. 22. Prices have gone up since we saw the second preview in early November, but we enjoyed the production a lot the first time so will be making a return visit.

[bear88]

Posted: 1/18/23 at 2:51am

I ran into a conflict this weekend and checked to see if I could exchange tickets and saw it had extended for what they say is the last time. (I can believe it, as Shotgun Players does have other shows this season.) 

The last show is Saturday, Feb. 25 and my wife and I will be there to see it for the second time.

Small theater or not, this has been an impressive run.

[bear88]

Posted: 2/26/23 at 4:01am

Saw the second preview, saw closing night (on Saturday). It's become a looser, more confident production over its nearly four-month run, adding extra touches from the seven-piece orchestra and a few instrument-playing actors. The Ashby Stage is a very small venue, but the musical sounded surprisingly big.

One of actors who played an instrument was Angel Adedokun, who along with playing the drums in the second act (a new addition since previews) remains a scene-stealer as Helene (her "Charming" is one of many highlights). Jacqueline Dennis does a wonderful job as a sympathetic Natasha and Albert Hodge brings things home beautifully as Pierre. 

It's certainly been an impressive run. Shotgun Players raised prices, added a Wednesday show, and its entire last month -- after multiple extensions - was sold out. There were a fair number of people standing around outside hoping for a ticket for the final show. I don't know how many got in. 

Plus, our cushioned seats in Row G couldn't have been more comfortable, with perfect sightlines. I hope I do nearly as well on our planned New York City trip in a few weeks.