A STRANGE LOOP On Broadway - Reviews & News Thread- Page 17

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 1:53pm

JSquared2 said: "Jeffrey Karasarides said:Since there are 13 musical productions in contention this season, there will automatically be 5 nominees for Best Direction of a Musical this year. I currently think the lineup will include...

Jamie Armitage & Lucy Moss-Six
Stephen Brackett-A Strange Loop
Marianne Elliott-Company
Michael Longhurst-Caroline, or Change
Conor McPherson-Girl From the North Country"



There's no way that both Christopher Wheeldon (MJ) and Jerry Zaks (MUSIC MAN) don't get in here -- probably in lieu of STRANGE LOOP and GIRL FROM NORTH COUNTRY."

Wheeldon sneaks in for Choreography, and Zaks gets snubbed. The above seems correct for Direction of a Musical. 

[Lot666]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 2:36pm

akhoya87 said: "Adam Feldman from TimeOut also commented about the sound issues:"

Ugh. Is anyone in a position to comment on whether it has improved at all since the first previews, or is the show pretending this isn't a problem?

 

[inception]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 2:44pm

Jordan Catalano said: "lololol

As someone who worked on the original SPRING AWAKENING, I remember the “adult themes” being something that was discussed A LOT. Looking back now, they seem rather tame. Ah, how times change."

When I was thinking about a show with "adult themes" to compare it too Hedwig & the Angry Inch is what came to mind for me.  I was in my mid 20's & loved it.  It can be a crass & deals with themes some might find offensive as well. Yet it became an event people had to see.  At it center it had a heart.

What's at the center of A Strange Loop?  A prolapsed a-hole?  

I'm reminded of the line a local drag queen uses: "If we were meant to fist f*@k, God would have given us balls on our elbows."

 

[Navin Johnson]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 3:07pm

Saw the show first week of previews and again final preview before opening — sound had become clear as a bell, many of the jokes that depend on your ability to make out the lyrics landed perfectly. Jackson’s post-curtain call speech is up on YouTube and he expresses gratitude in it to the sound designer specifically in view of the fact that the COVID surge at the beginning of the month severely truncated their tech process.

What a gift it is to have a modern musical with lyrics that merit hearing.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 3:17pm

I didn't notice any major sound issues from the front mezz.

I don't think Michael Longhurst is a guarantee for CAROLINE. That's not flashy direction, and even though he deserves credit for this revival, sometimes those things get overlooked. I think Brackett might actually have a better chance than him (and I agree about Wheeldon being nominated in both D & C, but not Zaks).

[Kad]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 5:12pm

inception said: "Jordan Catalano said: "lololol

As someone who worked on the original SPRING AWAKENING, I remember the “adult themes” being something that was discussed A LOT. Looking back now, they seem rather tame. Ah, how times change."

When I was thinking about a show with "adult themes" to compare it tooHedwig & the Angry Inchis what came to mind for me. I was in my mid 20's & loved it. It can be a crass & deals with themes some might find offensive as well. Yet it became an event people had to see. At it center it had a heart.

What's at the center ofA Strange Loop? A prolapsed a-hole?"

And a naysayer would argue that at the center of Hedwig is simply mutilated genitalia. And it's interesting you bring up Hedwig to put down Strange Loop, when, at their core, they are both about queer identity and finding wholeness in oneself, and both use some heady philosophical points to get there. 

I don't think the language or content of Strange Loop is put in for shock value- or if it was, it did not shock me. One only need to open Grindr or peruse the sleazy side of Twitter to know it all is a part of gay culture. One only need to spend time with Black folks, or gay folks, or gay Black folks to hear all you hear in Strange Loop and more. I don't find it shocking because it is a truthful depiction.

 

[BwayinVan]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 8:55pm

Does anyone know when they will put out the next block of tickets. Right now it’s only on sale till labour day. Interested in seeing this when I’m in town at the end of September 

[InTheBathroom1]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 9:04pm

BwayinVan said: "Does anyone know when they will put out the next block of tickets. Right now it’s only on sale till labour day. Interested in seeing this when I’m in town at the end of September"

My guess is after the Tony nominations or the Best Musical win. 

[InTheBathroom1]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 9:04pm

BwayinVan said: "Does anyone know when they will put out the next block of tickets. Right now it’s only on sale till labour day. Interested in seeing this when I’m in town at the end of September"

My guess is after the Tony nominations or the Best Musical win. 

[Falsettolands]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 11:26pm

Every musical I’ve seen in the Lyceum (five) including Loop have had terrible sound issues. This isn’t an excuse for it being so unbearable, nor am I trying to give the designer an excuse. But this is a bad house for musicals in regards to sound. I’m sure this was something they knew going in…but if the last few production teams have had issues pushing through…you get what you get with that theatre

Updated On: 4/27/22 at 11:26 PM

[Lot666]

Posted: 4/28/22 at 8:03am

Falsettolands said: "Every musical I’ve seen in the Lyceum (five) including Loop have had terrible sound issues. This isn’t an excuse for it being so unbearable, nor am I trying to give the designer an excuse. But this is a bad house for musicals in regards to sound. I’m sure this was something they knew going in…but if the last few production teams have had issues pushing through…you get what you get with that theatre"

I saw Be More Chill twice at the Lyceum and had no issues with sound.

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/28/22 at 11:29pm

I have been waiting for the red carpet photos from the opening. Did I miss them? 

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 4/28/22 at 11:45pm

Photos: A STRANGE LOOP Company Hits the Purple Carpet on Opening Night

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/29/22 at 12:04am

MemorableUserName said: "Photos: A STRANGE LOOP Company Hits the Purple Carpet on Opening Night"

 

Yes, I saw those. I was waiting for the pictures of the guests' arrivals. 

 

[OffOnBwayHi]

Posted: 4/29/22 at 1:22am

uncageg said: "MemorableUserName said: "Photos: A STRANGE LOOP Company Hits the Purple Carpet on Opening Night"



Yes, I saw those. I was waiting for the pictures of the guests' arrivals.

"

SAME!

Broadway World is dope cause no one else seems to cover the red carpet as extensively. They are fun to look at and also historic time capsules.

I personally loooooooove seeing what Jordan Roth wears to every opening. He goes there every time. lol No one is better than him at a Broadway opening. lol

[bwayobsessed]

Posted: 4/29/22 at 6:59am

I saw the show last night and my biggest complaint is the sound issues (at least in the rear balcony). I definitely missed moments. I honestly wish I’d done what I don’t like doing and listened to the cast recording first so I wouldn’t miss lyrics. I thought the script was brilliant and the quieter songs I could hear fine but the louder songs, it was often hard to make out the lyrics. This gave me the opposite feelings I have about most new musicals where the book is better than the songs. 

[OhHiii]

Posted: 4/29/22 at 7:06am

Lot666 said: "i saw Be More Chill twice at the Lyceum and had no issues with sound."

yeah the problems with THAT one certainly weren’t limited to the sound mixing…

 

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 4/29/22 at 8:44am

uncageg said: "MemorableUserName said: "Photos: A STRANGE LOOP Company Hits the Purple Carpet on Opening Night"

Yes, I saw those. I was waiting for the pictures of the guests' arrivals."

 

https://www.gettyimages.com/search/2/image?events=775804275

 

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 4/29/22 at 9:15am

Does anyone know if there’s a lottery loser discount? 

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 4/29/22 at 9:57am

I think that's usually just a TodayTix thing, but I'm not sure. 

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/29/22 at 12:16pm

MemorableUserName said: "uncageg said: "MemorableUserName said: "Photos: A STRANGE LOOP Company Hits the Purple Carpet on Opening Night"

Yes, I saw those. I was waiting for the pictures of the guests' arrivals."



https://www.gettyimages.com/search/2/image?events=775804275

 

Thank you for that link! Wow, Graham Norton was there.
"

 

[joshdog2014]

Posted: 4/29/22 at 12:55pm

I have a ticket for the rear balcony, and with all the sound and sight line issues reported here + how excited I am for this show I’m starting to regret choosing that seat. My ticket is for May so the exchange policies have ended, but has anyone tried to pay to upgrade their ticket at the box office (whether in person or by calling)? Is that something that can be done?

[OffOnBwayHi]

Posted: 4/29/22 at 12:57pm

bwayobsessed said: "I saw the show last night and my biggest complaint is the sound issues (at least in the rear balcony). I definitely missed moments. I honestly wish I’d done what I don’t like doing and listened to the cast recording first so I wouldn’t miss lyrics. I thought the script was brilliant and the quieter songs I could hear fine but the louder songs, it was often hard to make out the lyrics. This gave me the opposite feelings I have about most new musicals where the book is better than the songs."

I hate to hear that there are STILL sound issues. smh

I was sitting in the orch, maybe the 5th or 6th row, and had the issue. So it's not uniquely a mezzo or balcony problem, FYI.

I listened to a talk the creative team did at the Gugg, and Michael was detailing how the beginning of the show is kind of wild, crazy, loud and sloppy because that's how our thoughts are — all over the place. BUT the sound issue is more of a problem with the mix. The vocals should sit above the instrumentation, and they do not. And when everyone is singing together, it's a jumbled mess. It doesn't feel like a creative choice.

I'm thinking the creatives/cast are so used to the lyrics that to them it probably sounds fine... I think someone from outside the production should say something...

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 12:27am

Here's Tyler Perry congratulating MRJ on the success of the show.

Wondered what Perry would think of all this...glad he's a good sport :)

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 11:42am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Here's Tyler Perry congratulating MRJ on the success of the show.

Wondered what Perry would think of all this...glad he's a good sport :)"

 

Of course I don't know, but I would suspect Perry has been aware of this show since his name is an integral part of it. And the show has been around for a while. I do believe he will "sneak" in and see it as promised.