TORCH SONG (2018) Previews — Page 4

For those looking for a rush update, I got there at 12:00pm and got a ticket for the matinee. Left Orch-Q-1 (the aisle, which I was thrilled about, especially since I had the rest of the row to myself).

The orchestra was mostly full, with some people being moved down from the mezzanine to fill in some seats.

Will give thoughts on show later

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I saw the show this afternoon as well.

Michael Urie wasn’t as entirely endearing to me this time as he was off-Broadway. I feel like he was directed to play to a larger house (which, oddly, The Hayes isn’t much larger than the Kiser) and so his actions and affectations were unnecessarily broader, almost cartoonish. Off-Broadway, there was quite a bit more restraint in some moments. However, this was really only problem for International Stud. Everything fell into place for parts 2 and 3. His showdown with Mercedes Ruehl was still the biggest highlight. Ruehl commanded the second act just as well as before.

I thought Ward Horton was much more confident as Ed, Roxanna Hope Radja was much funnier as Laurel (she was low-key giving me Trina’s “I’m Breaking Down” from Falsettos), and even Michael Hsu Rosen was improved. Jack DiFalco, on the other hand, continues to be a misfire as the son. He’s too smart-assy for his own good and looks much older than 15. He also played to the seats in the theatre across the street. Though his final talk with Urie in Act II was much better, overall he’s the weakest of the links,

It’s still a solid production and everyone should see it. Maybe they’ll rein it in a bit when I go back in February.

Stage Door: For a matinee, I was shocked that everybody came out and took pictures. Horton, Radja, and Rosen were our first, then DiFalco (who popped out in vampire teeth), then Urie, and then Ruehl came out about 10 minutes after Urie. It was a total of 25 minutes.

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I just got back from this. I had no clue what to expect (I like to go in blind). I was taken aback at how moved I was but also how much I laughed. I got RUSH tickets at 6pm for a 7:30pm Friday show, Orch M10, great seat. The last two rows of orch center were empty that they filled somewhat at intermission.

I sat in the $25 seats. Buy it. Great view. Off to the side, but it's completely unobstructed. I was row C mezz all the way to the right.

This is a play that is very close to my heart and this production did not let me down. Urie is phenomenal. He's not the typical choice for the part, but his performance is brilliant and I think he's a serious Tony contender. This part just looks exhausting and yet he never seems to break a sweat. This is a marathon part and he really takes you on a journey. His performance lets you in, in such an intimate way that almost makes you feel like you're invading someone's privacy. He's just great and shows that this play will survive past Fierstein's brilliant performance.
Ruehl is also great and is perfectly paired with Urie. She's funny and heartbreaking. The whole cast is wonderful, except for Difalco who is very miscast. He's too old and waaay too over the top. Overall though it's a great evening of funny performances with a lot of heart.

Also, the design is beautiful and I loved the music before the show and at intermission. Some of the cuts don't really help the show and I did miss some moments, but it's a really great night of queer theatre.

I did the today tix $25. Got last row center mezzanine but honestly the view was perfect . Didn’t feel like I was in last row of a theatre. It’s as Sunday matinee and the mezzanine was full not sure of orchestra.
I actually overheard a tourist said that they were surprised that out of all shows that they saw on trip , this was first that was packed.
I never seen previous productions or the movie.
And thought this was very good. Right now I think Mercedes ruehl should be front runner for tony z Bc she was that great.
Everyone else was good.

Got to see the show tonight. Firstly, I was first row and was so disgusted by the women in the row with me. Firstly, more than half of them decided to use wall under stage as a foot rest with their Ugg boots, a bunch of them even in sock feet, one barefoot. And of course in the quiet moment after Arnold and David have their conversation, the women dead center's phone goes off, and poor Michael and Jack have to freeze, sitting right there at the foot of the stage, while she fumbles for her phone mumbling "Oh god" over and over. Bless them, after a beat, they finished the scene.

As for the show itself, it was a beautiful show, and such a joy to see and hear Harvey Fierstein's words on the stage, after teenage years watching late-night repeats on Channel 11. Michael Urie is just brilliance in every way, manage to tackle such a huge role and still fill it with those little moments that make him feel like a real person. Mercedes Ruehl is fabulous in such a rollercoaster of a role. The rest of the cast are great as well. (I do echo the sentiment on Jack DiFalco. He's very winning for the most part, but there are moments where you forget he's supposed to be 15, he can come off as too broad and too adult.) But overall, I'm so thrilled I got to see this on stage, and I can only hope Michael Urie finds his way to the Tony nominations, if not the stage to receive his award.

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Have any understudies gone on? I'd love to see different takes on these roles.