A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread- Page 2

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 11/12/19 at 12:15pm

I'm very excited to see this on Saturday. So glad I decided to buy a ticket.

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 11/12/19 at 12:34pm

Seeking seating advice from those who have attended: I’m looking at Orchestra L Row B Seat 3 (second row, second seat in)... Mezzanine L Row B Seat 1 (second row, first seat on aisle)... or Mezzanine Center Row D Seat 113 (fourth row center on aisle). From previous reports Mezzanine sounds like it’s the way to go but any reports appreciated!

[jpiedrafite]

Posted: 11/12/19 at 12:59pm

GreasedLightning said: "Seeking seating advice from those who have attended: I’m looking at Orchestra L Row B Seat 3 (second row, second seat in)... Mezzanine L Row B Seat 1 (second row, first seat on aisle)... or Mezzanine Center Row D Seat 113 (fourth row center on aisle). From previous reports Mezzanine sounds like it’s the way to go but any reports appreciated!"

Saw this on Friday night (11/08) from Mezzanine B1 and it was basically a perfect seat. Highly recommend front mezzanine over rear orchestra. Agree with what others have said - bought a ticket on a whim and it was a complete surprise. I loved it. Cast was uniformly excellent and the music/carols were a wonderful addition. I wish I could get back to the city again before Christmas to take my family to see it. Only quibble, I don't really think it needs an intermission - it was barely 2 hours with it.

Of the other shows I saw over the weekend (Christmas Carol, The Inheritance, Jagged Little Pill and The Irishman at the Belasco) this may have been the one I enjoyed the most - pure escapism.

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 11/12/19 at 10:56pm

Saw this tonight via TDF and was in the dreaded rear mezz, but honestly thought it was a great view! It’s a tiny theater and the way they’ve built lit the stage it feels so intimate.

Just a gorgeous show! I was smiling! I was crying! They do a great job of involving the audience and the whole thing was just pure theater magic.

Totally recommend.

I agree it didn’t need an intermission, but with kids in attendance I get it.

[JPeterman]

Posted: 11/12/19 at 11:50pm

It is funny, when this was first announced, I was not even thinking about going. I figured it would be a poorly done holiday money grab show like we see creep into Broadway this time of year.

But after the comments on here, and my many many fond memories of seeing this with family literally every December, I am very excited. Christmas Carol at Christmas time has been a family tradition in my family since I was a little kid. Now I take my own kids ... we are seeing it here locally in mid-December, like we do every year, and now I will have the chance to see it on Broadway. I have a big trip planned to New York City for New Years and this is one of the shows I am most excited to see!

Updated On: 11/12/19 at 11:50 PM

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 11/12/19 at 11:54pm

Totally! It’s a lot of fun and I think it’s something kids will enjoy, but also the parents will be kept entertained.

[cmstygar]

Posted: 11/13/19 at 8:51pm

Has anyone rushed for this yet? I am thinking of trying to rush for the matinee on Saturday before our flight out that evening. Just trying to gauge how early we should get in line.

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 11/13/19 at 9:17pm

I was in the rear orchestra and it looked pretty full but a few seats here and there. Didn’t go up to the Mezz or the Balcony! But given it hasn’t opened yet and the weather. I’d say you’d be fine waiting until the box office opens.

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 11/13/19 at 11:24pm

I agree with just about everything said by previous posters.  I'm one of those people that hates how Christmas has infiltrated November, but I was so utterly charmed and enchanted by this show that I basically felt like a Scrooge myself.  It's a fantastic piece of storytelling and I was definitely crying by the end while also smiling and laughing.  There were a couple of sound issues with mics cutting out at times, but I think it's definitely opening night ready, and I could definitely see this being in the running for best set/lighting.  And the playbill is gorgeous as well.

I picked up TDF tickets for side orchestra row H, which was a great view! @GreasedLightning mezzanine and orchestra will probably have slightly varying experiences but I guess you could say the orchestra is a tad more immersive while the mezzanine probably gives you a fuller picture of everything that's happening, but there's definitely no wrong way to go! 

[cmstygar]

Posted: 11/14/19 at 11:47am

SouthernCakes said: "I was in the rear orchestra and it looked pretty full but a few seats here and there. Didn’t go up to the Mezz or the Balcony! But given it hasn’t opened yet and the weather. I’d say you’d be fine waiting until the box office opens. "
 

Thanks - that’s what I was thinking/hoping! 

 

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 11/14/19 at 11:58am

Thank you, chrishuyen & jpiedrafite! I think I’ll go with Front Mezzanine

[tombomb31]

Posted: 11/15/19 at 2:16pm

How is Andrea Martin in this? I just love her and I’ve never had the chance to see her on stage before.

[PatrickDC]

Posted: 11/15/19 at 2:50pm

I just looked at the show's website. Surprised to see such a tiny cast for a limited 8-week run. Removing the kids and just counting adults, I'm curious how the ensemble scenes work, particularly Fezziwig's party. The stage must look pretty sparse at the party. Or is that scene reworked or eliminated? In most tellings it's where we first meet Belle and the joy they experience counters with the sadness later when Scrooge follows money and not the girl. 

[trpguyy]

Posted: 11/15/19 at 8:31pm

15 people in a play is tiny? And what bearing does the length of the run have on the size of the cast?

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 11/15/19 at 10:36pm

It’s very much an ensemble show and Scrooge. Andrea Martin is great but she doesn’t really have any huge moments.

And the cast size totally works for this. It’s a very minimalistic, artist production.

[ntrackbar]

Posted: 11/16/19 at 11:38am

I saw this on Wednesday and can't stop thinking about it. Like so many of said, I was skeptical going in, but with the cast and pictures I have seen on Instagram, I decided to get a discount ticket.  What a pure delight. Got me right in the Christmas spirit and I am still thinking about it all today. I told my family to book tickets ASAP.

Even if you aren't a fan of the story, go for the pure artistry. WOW.

[BarnabyTucker]

Posted: 11/16/19 at 8:26pm

Caught today's matinee and it was even better than I had expected.  Campbell Scott's approach is more downplayed than other actors who have played the famous miser, and the real star of the show is LaChanze as the Ghost of Christmas Present.  She brings a might force to the show that parallels the intensity in Dickens' writings. 

The staging/production design are a sight to behold and the musical arrangements are worth the price of admission alone.  I really cannot speak more highly of this production and urge you to catch it before January 5th. 

Two other things:

(1) Brantley was in the house today 

(2) I sat in the fourth row all the way to the side and missed all of the entrances/exits made center.  Most all of the action is played DS on the thrust though, so apart from catching a lot of backs, I had a really good view. 

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 11/17/19 at 1:48pm

Seeing the show this week, I bought a ticket for Row B on the aisle awhile, and seeing the set on Instagram recently, I wish I had chosen Front Mezzanine, I didn't realize the set came out into the audience so much. That said, it looks gorgeous, so otherwise I can't wait. 

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 11/17/19 at 5:16pm

I saw the matinee yesterday and I was Row D Center on the aisle. Really the 2nd row of the Center section. I had bought my ticket before I saw the Mezzanine comments in this thread. I had a fantastic view and don't feel like I missed anything at all. 

Lots of little kids around me who were fully immersed in the show. This is definitely family friendly but I could see a few moments where it may be considered scary.

The show itself was stunning and one of the most interactive productions I've seen on Broadway. Campbell Scott, LaChanze and Andrea Martin were all terrific as was the ensemble. Definitely see this if you have the chance. I'm already hoping it comes back next year.

 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 11/19/19 at 10:16pm

What a fun and joyous evening of theatre this was! If you’re looking for something to get you into the holiday spirit, this is definitely the show to do it! The direction and design are worth the price of admission alone. Matthew Warchus, Rob Howell, and Hugh Vanstone have worked their magic again. This is a very straightforward adaptation text wise. As much as I enjoyed this, I saw no reason whatsoever for this to be two acts with an intermission. The two hour run time felt long and padded. This should have been a quick 90 minutes. The story just does not warrant a two act play. All in all, though, this is a great night of theatre!

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 11/19/19 at 10:30pm

Looking forward to seeing this over the weekend!

Bwayphreak, is the run time closer to 2 hr WITH intermission, or is it more like 2:15? Hoping to catch a train at Grand Central afterwards.

[aw42]

Posted: 11/19/19 at 10:55pm

GreasedLightning said: "Looking forward to seeing this over the weekend!

Bwayphreak, is the run time closer to 2 hr WITH intermission, or is it more like 2:15? Hoping to catch a train at Grand Central afterwards."

It's ~2:05. I walked out of the theatre at ~10:05pm for an 8pm start

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 11/19/19 at 11:45pm

Saw the show tonight and I have to echo all the raves. I was totally engulfed in the joy and the theatricality of it all, I was second row on the aisle, house right, and while I missed how the used the stage to hold props, it was a great vantage point for how they used the theatre, especially for the interactive bits, and seeing able to see clearly to the balcony was awesome. (LaChanze told us during the pre-show we were in the best seats, and I have to say I agree.) 

I wasn't sure if I would like Campbell Scott, but I have to say he warmed me over very quickly, and the rest of the ensemble were so great as well. I really wanted more of Andrea and LaChanze though, they definitely were not on enough.

I've spent the last hour texting people to buy tickets, and I would totally love to see it again, or next year if it comes back. 

[lila12]

Posted: 11/20/19 at 1:27am

I was at tonight’s show too and I have to agree, it was fantastic. I didn’t have any expectations and loved it. The lights were amazing, I loved the effects, music and the Christmas dinner! Go see it for sure!

[Broadway Bob*]

Posted: 11/20/19 at 4:01am

Reading the comments on this thread are getting me more and more excited to see this Thursday evening. Christmas Carol has always been one of my favorite stories and have obsessively sought out not only the original book, but every film/TV version I could get my hands on. My favorite is the George C. Scott TV version from the 80's. 

I am sitting Right Orchestra, B 2. Can someone confirm if this is 1st or second row?!? IS this the seat taboo was referring to?!? Also, any updated word on merch? Thanks!!!