A STRANGE LOOP On Broadway - Reviews & News Thread- Page 26

[Pashacar]

Posted: 6/15/22 at 2:24pm

EllieRose2 said: "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!"

I really loved this as well 😍

[YvanEhtNioj]

Posted: 6/15/22 at 4:21pm

Sold out Saturday evening. It’s.. beautiful 

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 6/15/22 at 4:55pm

Has anyone sat in the partial view orchestra seats? I picked up a pair in row G of the orchestra. I’ve seen it once before and I would think they’re fine, but was just curious if anyone has sat there.

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 6/16/22 at 8:25am

Finally saw the show tonight and really loved it. Funny, raw, touching, all the things you want from the theater. The full cast was in; the Thoughts are each so great in their own, specific ways. Spivey has such a beautiful vulnerability. 

 

Saw it from Row A of balcony and thank you to whomever suggested using a booster. 

[OffOnBwayHi]

Posted: 6/17/22 at 8:59am

Lot666 said: "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."

!!!!!

Thank you! So annoying. smh

[Jimbo2]

Posted: 6/18/22 at 12:33pm

If anyone is going to the matinee today Edwin Bates is going on for Usher according to Jaquels Instagram story. Can you post afterwards if you are going? ✌️☮️

[kmissa]

Posted: 6/19/22 at 9:29pm

I was in left Orch d 11 and didn’t miss much. I thought it was a great seat. 

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 6/19/22 at 10:00pm

I understand the part is difficult but why does it seem Jaquels is out what feels like every other show recently?

[pagereynolds]

Posted: 6/19/22 at 10:04pm

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "I understand the part is difficult but why does it seem Jaquels is out what feels like every other show recently?"

He isn't out that often. He isn't doing matinees right now because of his health.

[binau]

Posted: 6/20/22 at 8:32am

I kind of understand why not everyone should know - not everyone follows the actors on social media. Has the show released any statements about this or posted it on their website? 

[BMcGregor]

Posted: 6/21/22 at 12:46pm

I saw the Sunday 6/19 performance and Edwin Bates was announced to be going on as Usher right before the performance. They had to hold the curtain to get the new Usher ready.

 

Edwin was spectacular beyond belief. I was absolutely stunned. Also I believe this was their Broadway debut that day. 

[pagereynolds]

Posted: 6/21/22 at 12:47pm

BMcGregor said: "I saw the Sunday 6/19 performance and Edwin Bates was announced to be going on as Usher right before the performance. They had to hold the curtain to get the new Usher ready.



Edwin was spectacular beyond belief. I was absolutely stunned. Also I believe this was their Broadway debut that day."

I don't think that's the reason they were holding. Edwin went on Saturday as well, and Jacquel had posted that morning Edwin was going on.

 

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 6/21/22 at 4:32pm

So is he just not doing matinees period now?

[yourheartcansing]

Posted: 6/21/22 at 4:50pm

pagereynolds said: "BMcGregor said: "I saw the Sunday 6/19 performance and Edwin Bates was announced to be going on as Usher right before the performance. They had to hold the curtain to get the new Usher ready.



Edwin was spectacular beyond belief. I was absolutely stunned. Also I believe this was their Broadway debut that day."

I don't think that's the reason they were holding. Edwin went on Saturday as well, and Jacquel had posted that morning Edwin was going on.

"

I was there Sunday as well, and Edwin going on definitely didn’t seemed planned. There was a slip in the playbills about Kyle playing Thought 4, but nothing about Edwin. The announcement they’d be on came like a couple minutes after 3 and actually mentioned needing to get their Usher ready. The show didn’t start until about 3:20. I hope Jaquel is alright, but Edwin was fantastic.

[Georgeanddot2]

Posted: 6/21/22 at 8:25pm

Honestly the role of Usher looks EXHAUSTING.  He never leaves the stage, he sings practically the whole score, it's a tough score, and a hugely emotionally draining role.  They probably should have an alternate step in for the matinees.

It's also the kind of role that can take a serious toll on your mental health tbh.

[quizking101]

Posted: 6/21/22 at 9:24pm

Georgeanddot2 said: "Honestly the role of Usher looks EXHAUSTING. He never leaves the stage, he sings practically the whole score, it's a tough score, and a hugely emotionally draining role. They probably should have an alternate step in for the matinees.

It's also the kind of role that can take a serious toll on your mental health tbh."

I think someone a few pages back called this the "black Evan Hansen", but I think the emotional trauma that the character has to contend with makes this a much harder role by a mile since it can be very personal for the actor playing the role. I know Jaquel has mentioned in interviews that he's had to work to leave the character at the theatre and I honestly can't think of any other musical theatre roles that cut this deep.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 6/21/22 at 10:30pm

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "So is he just not doing matinees period now?"

That is not what Jaquel said weeks ago. He basically said for right now. I would imagine that would be short term until he fully heals. Unless you've seen it you can't really understand how much of a beast the role of Usher truly is. 

 

[wicked4l]

Posted: 6/21/22 at 11:54pm

I'll also add that Edwin is SPECTACULAR as Usher, having seen Jaquel too. If you get to see them go on, you're in for a huge treat! Their vocals soar through this score!

[Sebby150]

Posted: 6/22/22 at 7:56pm

Kyle is on for Usher at tonight’s performance. I cannot lie I am feeling a bit disappointed. This is my second time at the show and Jaquel has been out both times. I hope he is feeling ok but I wish there would’ve been some notice if he wasn’t going to be at tonight’s show as well. 

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 6/23/22 at 3:13am

Kyle also went on Tuesday, rather enjoyed him 

[quizking101]

Posted: 6/23/22 at 6:34pm

Bates is on as Usher tonight, so I will now have seen all three actors! (A first for me)

Will report back

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 6/23/22 at 9:48pm

So that WAS Edwin Bates.

My friend had an extra ticket last minute, so I finally got to see this. Didnt love it, but understand the appeal, and certainly appreciate the creativity. 

What a cast! My playbill had a slip in it saying L Morgan Lee was out and that Mars Rucker was on for her. I was front row balcony (could see everything perfectly but the seats are pretty horrible, you sink back and really have to lean fwd to see over the balcony- and Im over 6 feet). It was only towards the end that it became clear that I wasnt seeing Jacquel Spivey but I wasnt entirely sure. Really crummy that they'd be handing out the wrong playbills with the wrong info.

BATES WAS PHENOMENAL. I genuinely cant remember that last time I heard a voice like that. I'd love to hear him sing anything. After bows, Michael R. Jackson ran up to the stage to applaud him, and the audience was adoring him. Great to see an u/s slay like this.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 6/23/22 at 10:00pm

Kyle, Edwin and Mars are the best understudies on Broadway right now. Full stop. 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 6/23/22 at 10:07pm

Im still not entirely sure whether Mars was on tonight, btw. Sure looked alot like L Morgan Lee? 

[quizking101]

Posted: 6/23/22 at 10:09pm

You might have been in the same row as me lol.

On his own, Bates doesn’t have the full lived-in quality of the role *just* yet, but that is entirely due to the fact he just started performing for the first time this week. Damn, he was just fantastic and brought the house down boots! Now having seen this five times, the nuances between the Ushers are quite clear and yet somehow each performance is so remarkably different with the energy between the performers and the audience.

Overall, Bates is the dance winner for me. His movements were so crisp and clean during Intermission Song and it was just delicious.

Kyle Ramar Freeman wins the vocals and comedy of the character down pat. He is the sarcastic Care Bear you don’t want to cross and will sing your face off when you do.

Spivey, however, has the most lived-in portrayal of the role. In watching him, you could very easily see the line between Usher and Jaquel blur and it made the dramatic book scenes in the latter half of the show really land and hit you right in the tear ducts. There is no artifice with his Usher - it is pure, unadulterated, and raw.

No matter who you see as Usher, you will never lose. And if you are as blessed as I have been, you should seize the opportunity to see all three of them.

Side Bar: I would love to see all three of the Ushers do the “Writing A Gospel Play” scene together because I’m pretty sure I would pee my pants laughing.