For me, it doesn't 'cause I had expected there to be (at least) a Dolly pre-show announcement. The way it is staged in the finale where they are waving to Dolly doesn't seem right though. I am still excited for the show nonetheless.
Thanks for sharing that video. I absolutely love the bits of the set they showed. It looks a lot better than I thought it would. I have to agree with jacobsnchz14 about the pre-show announcement. I think it's fine considering it is Dolly's show, but I definitely am not too fond of her singing along on the screen during the finale.
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
Yes, but Dolly is a huge selling factor in the show. While I don't love the idea, it probably gives the audience a little thrill and incorporates something for her fanbase. I mean, Dolly's photo was in a lot of the promos outside the Marquis with the actresses and alot of people (especially international tourists) were expecting Dolly in the show.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
But the people are already there. It's the same thing with Jordin Sparks being the focus of the new In The Heights playbill. You already have your audience, you can quit exploiting them now.
I'm not sure how I feel about it personally, but it's a great idea by the creative team and producers. As was stated before, many tourists went into the Marquis Theatre expecting to see Dolly on that stage, and it's likely to be the same on the road. Her video persona will help to alleviate that disappointment, and help to alleviate those people from walking out and telling their friends not to bother seeing the show because Dolly isn't actually in it.
Playbill.com revealed today that Dolly now apparently "narrates" the show. She must pop-up on that LCD screen throughout the show to comment on the action and fill in some story gaps. I'm not sure how I feel about that... it all depends on how it's done I suppose. I'll wait to see it before I pass judgement
Hopefully it will fix some of the story issues that I felt existed on Broadway. I saw the show on Broadway, and although I enjoyed it thoroughly, there were some definite issues with the book & staging (The best part of the movie - the hospital scene - became the worst part of the stage show IMO.)
Also confirmed by the Playbill article... Mr Hart's "Always a Woman" song is cut... and Roz's "Heart to Hart" was relocated in the story. I have to say... I will definitely not miss "Always a Woman."
None-the-less, break-a-leg to the entire cast. What I loved about the original staging was it had a "heart." It wasn't the best show I'd ever seen, but the joy from those involved transferred to the audience. I wish that very same thing for this new staging.
I seriously doubt she narrates the entire show. From the sound of things, she sets the scene and introduces the characters at the beginning of Act 1. I would imagine she might introduce Act 2, as well, although there's no confirmation of that. It's not like I'm crazy about the idea, but I'm reserving judgment until I see it. There's no way of knowing if it works until then.
Was hoping to see some feedback here... I'm not seeing it 'til closing night, Sunday. Some fellow Nashville friends on Facebook saw it last night and loved it, but that might be partially because most of them had their pix taken with Dolly and were still all "star-fuc*ed up."
The twitters and Facebook fans said they loved it. Gotta wait till it comes my way to go. Diana Degarmo I hear was outstanding.I've heard no bad things so I'm very positive about this production.