A STRANGE LOOP On Broadway - Reviews & News Thread- Page 25

[BdwyFan]

Posted: 6/6/22 at 9:52am

Something to consider - the League and Theater Wing should ask the auditing firm to compare the number of votes Jacques receives to the number of Voters who actually saw him perform.   An easy reconciliation given the production (GM) has a record of each voter attending and which specific performance each attended.   Imagine if he won with, say, 300 votes yet only 200 actually saw him?  Oh my.  Only the auditing firm can do this! 
And I do hope he gets better!  This post has nothing to do with that.  Just about keeping it all ethical.  

[EllieRose2]

Posted: 6/6/22 at 10:44am

Okay but his name is Jaquel not "Jacques". 

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 6/6/22 at 11:00am

All I'm gonna say is that Sara Ramirez was out a ton that Tony voting season due to (assuming) similar health issues, and she's turned out perfectly fine, from the Tony win onward.

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/6/22 at 3:29pm

BWayBabe said: "I am one of the people who thinks Usher was at its best with LARRY OWENS. Larry Owens is an actor and comedian, not just a musical theater singer. I thought his Usher was very special. I think it's IRONIC that the creative team went out of their way to replace Larry (even rerecord the cast album) because of rumored disagreements and labeling him a diva. Only for them to hire Spivey who can't do 8 shows a week? But then everyone on these boards is so forgiving of him because he's fresh out of school? Maybe Larry knew this role was challenging and because he's older less willing to say yes to every single thing. But the show was better with Larry. IMO"

 

You evidently have no clue how the human body works and, as mentioned, the control we sometimes don't have over it. So you honestly think he wants to be out of the show?

 

[OhHiii]

Posted: 6/6/22 at 5:19pm

MichelleCraig said: "This is a Tony nominee for sound. Wow. With all the complaints about the show’s sound design, it will be pretty interesting if it wins.."

The Sound Design categories only recently came back after a brief period without. With their return also came new voting rules governing Sound Design and Orchestration. Only a subset of the Tony voting population are able to vote for those based on their professional affiliation/experience. While the nominators surely had zero clue what Sound Design was given this got a nomination in the category, at least they've made efforts to have voting be somewhat expertise-driven. 

Also, doesn't matter if a large amount of voters miss Jaquel as only those who did see him will be able to vote in the Leading Actor category. Often productions will reach out to booked voters to let them know someone is out and encourage re-booking. Trouble this year is voter calendars are already strapped with so much to see, so changing plans is likely a tougher sell, especially the number of perfs he's missed. Voters can still see the show without him, but can't vote in that category. So the voting population in his category will be representative of folks who did see him. That said, when there are fewer voters able to vote in a category, it makes every vote more crucial. Jaquel certainly deserves this Award over his competition. 

[ashley0139]

Posted: 6/6/22 at 7:01pm

OhHiii said: "MichelleCraig said: "This is a Tony nominee for sound. Wow. With all the complaints about the show’s sound design, it will be pretty interesting if it wins.."

The Sound Design categories only recently came back after a brief period without. With their return also came new voting rules governing Sound Design and Orchestration. Only a subset of the Tony voting population are able to vote for those based on their professional affiliation/experience. While the nominators surely had zero clue what Sound Design was given this got a nomination in the category, at least they've made efforts to have voting be somewhat expertise-driven.

Also, doesn't matter if a large amount of voters miss Jaquel as only those who did see him will be able to vote in the Leading Actor category. Often productions will reach out to booked voters to let them know someone is out and encourage re-booking. Trouble this year is voter calendars are already strapped with so much to see, so changing plans is likely a tougher sell, especially the number of perfs he's missed. Voters canstill see the show without him, but can't vote in that category. So the voting population in his category will be representative of folks who did see him. That said, when there are fewer voters able to vote in a category, it makes every vote more crucial. Jaquel certainly deserves this Award over his competition."

Is this true for closed shows as well? So those who missed either Carmen Cusack or Sharon D. Clarke will not be able to vote in that category, even though the shows already closed?

[OhHiii]

Posted: 6/6/22 at 7:13pm

ashley0139 said: "Is this true for closed shows as well? So those who missed either Carmen Cusack or Sharon D. Clarke will not be able to vote in that category, even though the shows already closed?"

It is indeed. I think to some extent it’s on an honor system and can’t speak to how it’s monitored, but that’s how it’s meant to work. 

[Kimbo]

Posted: 6/6/22 at 7:29pm

ashley0139 said: "Is this true for closed shows as well? So those who missed either Carmen Cusack or Sharon D. Clarke will not be able to vote in that category, even though the shows already closed?"

It’s genuinely not as cut-and-dried as all that. Tony voters have to attest that they’ve seen all the nominees in each category they vote for, but while there is some policing going on, there’s not a strict enforcement. For example, I know in many cases several voters in the industry will have legitimately already seen a show earlier in the season, or possibly at a press preview or even opening night, in which case all they’ve typically had to do is tell the reps for a given show that they’ve already been.  So unless the practices have changed this year, I think there’s still a bit of the honor system at play. 

Given that Spivey missed the entire week the out-of-town voters were here for the Broadway League conference, I believe, and by the end of voting cutoff will have only been back for 10 or 12 performances since… Given that Billy Crystal’s show shut down for 2 weeks in the final stretch of voting… and given that Mrs Doubtfire closed more than two weeks before the deadline – If they really were to insist that you’re not eligible to vote unless you can absolutely prove you’ve seen all the performances, I’m guesstimating that of the roughly 800 Tony voters, the Best Actor category would be decided by only 250-300 people. 

I have no idea who this benefits (logic might suggest Myles Frost, whose happened to get over his second bout with Covid shortly after the nominations were announced and who has hardly missed since, and who I know has his champions).  But considering even people on the other board who caught Spivey this weekend were underwhelmed by him and said he was clearly struggling to get through the show, I’m not certain, as so many seem to think, that this is Spivey’s award to lose (or that it would be even if he had a better attendance record).  Personally I have a feeling that the awards are gonna spread the wealth around a bit; Strange Loop deserved every one of the 11 nominations it got, but if I were a gambler I’d bet it goes home with 5 or 6. 

Updated On: 6/6/22 at 07:29 PM

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 6/6/22 at 7:34pm

Kimbo said: "ashley0139 said: "OhHiii said: "MichelleCraig said: "This is a Tony nominee for sound. Wow. With all the complaints about the show’s sound design, it will be pretty interesting if it wins.."

The Sound Design categories only recently came back after a brief period without. With their return also came new voting rules governing Sound Design and Orchestration. Only a subset of the Tony voting population are able to vote for those based on their professional affiliation/experience. While the nominators surely had zero clue what Sound Design was given this got a nomination in the category, at least they've made efforts to have voting be somewhat expertise-driven.

Also, doesn't matter if a large amount of voters miss Jaquel as only those who did see him will be able to vote in the Leading Actor category. Often productions will reach out to booked voters to let them know someone is out and encourage re-booking. Trouble this year is voter calendars are already strapped with so much to see, so changing plans is likely a tougher sell, especially the number of perfs he's missed. Voters canstill see the show without him, but can't vote in that category. So the voting population in his category will be representative of folks who did see him. That said, when there are fewer voters able to vote in a category, it makes every vote more crucial. Jaquel certainly deserves this Award over his competition."

Is this true for closed shows as well? So those who missed either Carmen Cusack or Sharon D. Clarke will not be able to vote in that category, even though the shows already closed?"

I genuinely don’t think it’s as cut-and-dried as all that. Tony voters have to attest that they’ve seen all the nominees in each category they vote for, but while there is some policing going on, there’s not a strict enforcement. For example, I know in many cases several voters in the industry have legitimately already seen a show earlier in the season, or possibly at a press preview or even opening night, in which case all they’ve typically had to do is tell the reps for a given show that they’ve already seen it. So unless the practices have changed this year, I think there’s still a bit of the honor system at play.

Given that Spivey missed the entire week the out-of-town voters were here for the Broadway League conference, I believe, and by the end of voting cutoff will have only been back for 10 or 12 performances since… given that Billy Crystal’s show shut down for 2 weeks in the final stretch of voting… and given that Mrs Doubtfire closed more than two weeks before the deadline – If they really were to insist that you’re not eligible to vote unless you can prove you’ve seen all the performances, I’m guesstimating that of the roughly 800 Tony voters, the Best Actor category would be decided by only 250-300 people.

I have no idea who this benefits (logic might suggest Myles Frost, whose happened to get over his second bout with Covid shortly after the nominations were announced and who has hardly missed since, and who I know has his champions). But considering even people on the other board who caught Spivey this weekend were underwhelmed by him and said he was clearly struggling to get through the show, I’m not certain, as so many seem to think, that this is Spivey’s award to lose (or that it would be even if he had a better attendance record). Personally I have a feeling that the awards are gonna spread the wealth around a bit; Strange Loop deserved every one of the 11 nominations it got, but if I were a gambler I’d bet it goes home with 5 or 6."

Bingo - in my perfect world Loop wins 5 Tonys: the Triple Crown, Leading Actor, and Orchestrations. It will tie with The Lehman Trilogy (Play, Direction of a Play, Lighting, Set, Sound), and only Company will win more awards than the two aforementioned shows.

[quizking101]

Posted: 6/8/22 at 5:18pm

Today’s matinee of A STRANGE LOOP stopped right toward the end of “Exile In Gayville” and the God Mic came on and they had all cast leave the stage. The right side wall doors, I’m guessing, fell out of their track and had to be moved manually for the rest of the show - but the show restarted within 5 minutes.

They ended up modifying the ending so that the Thoughts don’t stand in their doorways, and instead just in a line upstage with the doors remaining split to the sides.

[theblackumbrella]

Posted: 6/9/22 at 10:03am

If anyone was interested in seeing more of the set beyond the initial thought boxes, here's images from the off-broadway run: https://arnulfomaldonado.com/portfolio/a-strange-loop-set-design

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 6/9/22 at 2:59pm

How's the view from row A of the balcony? It's the only ticket in at an affordable price point for me. it was listed as partial view. I know that balcony feels like it's on a roof, across the street, but i was curious how much I should expect to miss. Thanks!

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 6/9/22 at 3:14pm

TheQuibbler said: "How's the view from row A of the balcony? It's the only ticket in at an affordable price point for me. it was listed as partial view. I know that balcony feels like it's on a roof, across the street, but i was curious how much I should expect to miss. Thanks!"

 

I would do anything to NOT sit in the balcony for this show. There are similarly prices seats in the side orchestra (I think $85) - but I would hop on it before it wins the Tony.

 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 6/9/22 at 3:22pm

The full cast was on last night and the show was sold out. The energy was electric. It’s gotten even better since when I saw it in the last week of previews. Best musical of the season by far, I hope it sweeps the Tonys.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 6/9/22 at 3:40pm

theblackumbrella said: "If anyone was interested in seeing more of the set beyond the initial thought boxes, here's images from the off-broadway run:https://arnulfomaldonado.com/portfolio/a-strange-loop-set-design"

Thanks for this! This has me so excited to see this. I thought it was just the door frames. Glad to see it's more. Gorgeous, interesting design. 

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 6/9/22 at 9:55pm

n2nbaby said: "I would do anything to NOT sit in the balcony for this show. There are similarly prices seats in the side orchestra (I think $85) - but I would hop on it before it wins the Tony."

But say one already has a ticket for the balcony. Asking for a friend. 😉

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 6/9/22 at 9:55pm

n2nbaby said: "I would do anything to NOT sit in the balcony for this show. There are similarly prices seats in the side orchestra (I think $85) - but I would hop on it before it wins the Tony."

But say one already has a ticket for the balcony. Asking for a friend. 😉

[EllieRose2]

Posted: 6/9/22 at 10:36pm

It's a terrible view and the sound is atrocious. Exchange for a seat literally anywhere else in the mezz or orch. 

[hollebolle]

Posted: 6/9/22 at 10:52pm

TheQuibbler said: "But say one alreadyhasa ticket for the balcony. Asking for a friend. ?"

I sat in row b of the balcony and it was…fine. As many have mentioned, sound was an issue, but that’s not limited to the balcony. There was one number where the lighting was at the worst angle, shining right in my eyes.

Overall, not the best experience, but I’ve had worse. For the current price-point, I think it’s fine (I paid $20 more than current face value; prices were lowered the day after I bought them).

[ShowBro]

Posted: 6/15/22 at 7:47am

Was there last night for their sold out first post-Tony win performance and I just wanted to leave a few comments:

The sound issue seems to be fixed. We were in orchestra D (again) and the orchestrations seemed much more balanced. The lyrics sounded crisp and clear, and the band did not drown out the ensemble numbers. 

Saw this the first weekend of previews back in April, and was impressed by Jaquel’s performance, but not blown away. I can now say he has totally grown into his Usher and it is completely next level. His voice was so strong, and he commanded and owned the stage while still giving your complete vulnerability. It was like seeing a boy that has grown into a man, and it was so beautiful to observe. He is hilarious (the comedic delivery is spot-on), heartbreaking, adorable, devastating, inspirational and the vocals are now pure fire. If you saw this earlier in the run, I urge you to go back and see what he is doing on stage, it is just spectacular and completely leveled-up. 

I, like many of you, was very much underwhelmed by the MJ performance at the Tonys. It is hard to imagine a world where a role is celebrated / receives a best actor award for an accused child molester, but I guess welcome to 2022. The best actor award belonged to Spivey, and that’s on period! 
 

[Georgeanddot2]

Posted: 6/15/22 at 8:21am

Also saw this last night and this show is just so special.  A really incredible musical.  Spivey is phenomenal and I can't imagine that there's a better lead actor performance in a musical on Broadway right now.  The whole ensemble is phenomenal. The sets, the lighting, the staging, the book, the score. All excellent.  The sound is still a little muddled, but hardly show-ruining.  This is one of the best and most creative and game-changing musicals to be on Broadway in a long time.  It's angry, confrontational, vulnerable, funny, radical, and beautiful.  It's somehow grown and gotten richer since off-broadway.

*Slight SPOILER*

Really surreal watching a lot of the crowd clap along to the Aids is God's punishment gospel number lol.

[Jimbo2]

Posted: 6/15/22 at 8:52am

I was there as well. It was my 5th time and loved every minute of it. The cast was on fire and the crowd was so enthusiastic. I agree, Jaquel has grown into the role as well. I love how Kyle came out and handed the Tony to him. I've seen Kyle and think he is terrific!

Maybe I'll revisit the show in the Fall, but it's time to move on and enjoy the summer for me.

[Lot666]

Posted: 6/15/22 at 11:41am

ShowBro said: "It is hard to imagine a world where a role is celebrated / receives a best actor award for an accused child molester, but I guess welcome to 2022."

Your perception of a *character* in a show as unsavory is irrelevant to whether the *actor* who played the role deserved an award.

 

Updated On: 6/15/22 at 11:41 AM

[quizking101]

Posted: 6/15/22 at 12:04pm

*Slight SPOILER*
Really surreal watching a lot of the crowd clap along to the Aids is God's punishment gospel number lol."
 

I actually enjoy this part solely because I see it as a social experiment where I can observe people get into the rhythm and the mood of the clapping, and then they pause and stop when they realize what they are clapping for. (Which is usually the moment Thoughts 3 and 6 amp up their efforts to hype the crowd).

 

[EllieRose2]

Posted: 6/15/22 at 12:23pm

Your perception of a *character* in a show as unsavory is irrelevant to whether the *actor* who played the role deserved an award.

Brilliant comment. Those who are saying Jaquel deserved the award over Myles: Did ya see MJ? Of course not. However, I did and Myles becomes Michael Jackson when he was performing. His dancing, voice, mannerisms, etc. There are two men who completely embody MJ when he was on stage, and they are both in MJ: The Musical. The Tonys love a great impersonation and Myles delivered. Hard. 

Also, the way Jaquel LEAPT to his feet to scoop Myles up in a hug? That's called being happy for someone and their gorgeous artistry. Two men of color who were completely unknown a year ago were both nominated for Tonys. One won. How incredible! If you can't be happy for someone's work, sacrifice, and talent? That says everything about you and nothing about them. And THAT'S on period! 

 

Updated On: 6/15/22 at 12:23 PM