The idea is to work and to experiment. Some things will be creatively successful, some things will succeed at the box office, and some things will only - which is the biggest only - teach you things that see the future. And they're probably as valuable as any of your successes. -Harold Prince
Trying to put myself in the position of someone who hasn’t seen any of these shows, W4E was the first performance that made me think I wanted to see it.
PipingHotPiccolo said: "thoughts from the first hour:
* what insane hex has Ariana DeBose put on the producers of awards shows? when does it run out? Just dreadful. Shes not funny. No ones writing funny for her. The Hells Kitchen performance *was* the opener.
* camera work, yikes. I knew Jay Z and Alicia were at a grand staircase in Linc Center but without ever panning OUT, it looked like she had to go find him because he got lost in a random stairwell.
* Jeremy Strong and Kara Young-- just too much rambling. This is why people dont watch awards shows! And Townsend was just riffing whatever popped into his head? The hubris.
* Taymor win is great and THIS is a tight, concise speech, ironically from the one true surprise tonight!
* I know, i know, im not supposed to say this but: is Lindsay Mendez just performing the role of a pregnant Mary? I had not realized how far along she is and, i mean, talk about something not making sense in a role. How confusing for the audience? Am I nuts? I find this shocking.
Dan6 said: "Trying to put myself in the position of someone who hasn’t seen any of these shows, W4E was the first performance that made me think I wanted to see it."
I'm someone who hasn't seen any of these shows, and that's exactly how I feel.
PipingHotPiccolo said: "i know, im not supposed to say this but: is Lindsay Mendez just performing the role of a pregnant Mary? I had not realized how far along she is and, i mean, talk about something not making sense in a role. How confusing for the audience? Am I nuts? I find this shocking."
I actually didn’t notice and I knew she was pregnant, so it might not read from the stage
Dan6 said: "Trying to put myself in the position of someone who hasn’t seen any of these shows, W4E was the first performance that made me think I wanted to see it."
As someone in this exact position, If I were in NYC, I would prioritize a ticket for Water For Elephants. Aside from some of the terrible camera work (obvs not performers fault) I was enthralled!
Dan6 said: "Trying to put myself in the position of someone who hasn’t seen any of these shows, W4E was the first performance that made me think I wanted to see it."
I agree. This was the only performance that had a sense of theater. The rest were variety show segments.
Wick3 said: "Were Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, and Lindsay Mendez good friends before they worked together on Merrily at NYTW late 2022?"
Groff and Mendez, yes. Neither knew Radcliffe.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
I'm in the minority, but I still cannot even construe what W4E is about. Is it an acrobatic spectacle? A heartbreaking romance? I still have no clue and I didn't really like the performance enough to put this on a "to watch in June" shortlist.
dearalanaaaa said: "I'm in the minority, but I still cannot even construe what W4E is about. Is it an acrobatic spectacle? A heartbreaking romance? I still have no clue and I didn't really like the performance enough to put this on a "to watch in June" shortlist."
It's both, a romantic story and an acrobatic spectacle. I delayed seeing this show for months and after I saw it, I wondered why did it take me so long. It should definitely be on your list, it's a fantastic show.