A STRANGE LOOP On Broadway - Reviews & News Thread- Page 7

[InTheBathroom1]

Posted: 4/16/22 at 12:20pm

I saw the first preview on Thursday and also saw the first preview Off-Broadway almost 3 years ago now. 
 
The score remains largely unchanged, except for a few minor lyric changes. There wasn’t a major overhaul of the book or anything but the changes felt purposeful and definitely made the show stronger. 

The design elements felt scaled up for Broadway and the direction seemed stronger as well. So while the show didn’t change that much, it just felt more confident to me.

Jaquel is great, though at times I did miss Larry (especially during Writing A Gospel Play). I could tell he was nervous on Thursday, but who wouldn’t be?  I’m sure his performance will grow and settle in. Although, I think the thoughts really feel like the standouts. At Playwrights I thought, this is Larry’s show and here it felt like the thoughts. Either way, the show is great and the night was electric. 

I rushed and was row A in the Left Orchestra. The stage is very high but still didn’t miss much. 

Updated On: 4/16/22 at 12:20 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/16/22 at 12:23pm

BJR said: "I'm so so curious to see how this plays to a Bway house. I loved it Off-Bway but also was shocked to watch it in, well, mixed company. But at least there were no tourists or people who didn't already subscribe to a company that produces solely new, challenging work!"

What is your version of mixed company? Do you mean a diverse crowd? 

 

[dshnookie]

Posted: 4/16/22 at 1:28pm

InTheBathroom1 said: "I saw the first preview on Thursday and also saw the first preview Off-Broadway almost 3 years ago now.

The score remains largely unchanged, except for a few minor lyric changes. There wasn’t a major overhaul of the book or anything but the changes felt purposeful and definitely made the show stronger.

The design elements felt scaled up for Broadway and the direction seemed stronger as well. So while the show didn’t change that much, it just felt more confident to me.

Jaquel is great, though at times I did miss Larry (especially during Writing A Gospel Play). I could tell he was nervous on Thursday, but who wouldn’t be? I’m sure his performance will grow and settle in. Although, I think the thoughts really feel like the standouts. At Playwrights I thought, this is Larry’s show and here it felt like the thoughts. Either way, the show is great and the night was electric.

I rushed and was row A in the Left Orchestra. The stage is very high but still didn’t miss much.

“…I done made some tater salad! Come on now, I done put my foot in this!"” is one of my favorite lines in the entire thing. 

[ohjustjake]

Posted: 4/16/22 at 4:53pm

Saw the matinee today - really thought this was an interesting and exciting show. However, my TDF seats were last row, house left, mezzanine, and the sound mixing was quite poor. It took me awhile to get into this, not because I wasn’t liking the material, but because I think I only caught 50% of the words. I felt bad when Usher would be singing but all I could really hear was the band and the Thoughts. Another poster mentioned the sound mixing too, and I’m hoping it gets worked out - the songs are quite wordy and I really wanted to catch everything.

Again, I was in the mess, but definitely try to avoid the balcony if you can. They frame the stage quite low until the last 20 minutes, and I can only image how cut off everything would be up there for the majority of the show. 

[inception]

Posted: 4/16/22 at 5:35pm

I read this as meaning tourists who just are there because it is on TKTS.  Of course right now it looks like almost everything is on TKTS, so why any tourist looking to get cheap seats to a well known show would choose this over Moulin Rouge, Aladdin, Phantom, Chicago  DEH, Company, BOM, Come from Away etc I couldn't hazard a guess. 

Sutton Ross said: "BJR said: "I'm so so curious to see how this plays to a Bway house. I loved it Off-Bway but also was shocked to watch it in, well, mixed company. But at least there were no tourists or people who didn't already subscribe to a company that produces solely new, challenging work!"

What is your version of mixed company? Do you mean a diverse crowd?

"

 

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 4/16/22 at 5:54pm

Got side row F orchestra through TDF for tonight. Can’t wait!

[Laura_2222]

Posted: 4/16/22 at 5:58pm

I have to start with a pre emptive apology if this is not posted correctly as I haven't posted on here since my last trip to New York 4 years ago and it is very different. Lol

 

I just got here around 3:00 from Canada today and was thrilled that there were still tickets available at half price from TKTS when I made it to the booth around 3:30! Managed to snag Row J seats 1 and 3 which look like they'll be fantastic. I'm so looking forward to seeing the show tonight! 

Updated On: 4/16/22 at 05:58 PM

[brenway]

Posted: 4/16/22 at 6:53pm

Was at the matinee today as well and loved it.

My TDF seat was Orchestra Left Row D, 9. Was a fantastic view, only missed a bit of the very side of the stage but everything was visible for 99% of the time! Seats 11 and 13 in this row were rush seats. 

[YvanEhtNioj]

Posted: 4/16/22 at 7:09pm

Seeing it tonight as well. Balcony center row B

[YvanEhtNioj]

Posted: 4/16/22 at 7:47pm

Still 13 minutes before the start of the show, but the balcony is VERY empty. 

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 4/16/22 at 7:52pm

YvanEhtNioj said: "Still 13 minutes before the start of the show, but the balcony is VERY empty."

Honestly, the orchestra is too.

[YvanEhtNioj]

Posted: 4/16/22 at 8:02pm

It’s better now - probably 3/4 full. 
choosing Row B balcony was a mistake imo. Unless I sit all the way forward, my view is blocked by lights/railing. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/16/22 at 8:07pm

Yeah, the balcony is garbage for this particular show. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 4/16/22 at 8:21pm

n2nbaby said: "YvanEhtNioj said: "Still 13 minutes before the start of the show, but the balcony is VERY empty."

Honestly, the orchestra is too."

I will remember these two posts when the show wins Best Musical and sales start to pick up big-time. You gotta start somewhere, you know?

[YvanEhtNioj]

Posted: 4/16/22 at 10:07pm

As an atheist black gay man from Texas who now lives in NYC….I feel like I just watched my life on stage. 

The story was so beautiful and very real to what many black gays go through. It’s a perfect depiction of trying to balance loving your blackness while navigating a racist gay community that puts whiteness on a pedestal. 

There were A LOT of whites people sitting around me who were obviously VERY uncomfortable at the use of N throughout the show (though I think they got desensitized to it by the end)

Theres no set list in the playbill (unless I missed it) but this show is FULL of amazing songs. None of which will ever get sung at Marie’s Crisis because, again, N bombs galore. 

At the start of the show it was kinda hard to understand what they were singing over the music but it slowly got better. 

Jaquel IS 100% getting a best lead nomination. This and Six will definitely be fighting it out for Best Musical. 

While everyone may not be able to relate to the show, it’s a very true look at the queer black experience that many people might not have knowledge of. 

[smidge2]

Posted: 4/16/22 at 10:08pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "n2nbaby said: "YvanEhtNioj said: "Still 13 minutes before the start of the show, but the balcony is VERY empty."

Honestly, the orchestra is too."

I will remember these two posts when the show wins Best Musical and sales start to pick up big-time. You gotta start somewhere, you know?"

I don’t quite understand the meaning of your post. They’re just reporting what they saw. Did you think they were slamming the show in any way?

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 4/16/22 at 10:16pm

smidge2 said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "n2nbaby said: "YvanEhtNioj said: "Still 13 minutes before the start of the show, but the balcony is VERY empty."

Honestly, the orchestra is too."

I will remember these two posts when the show wins Best Musical and sales start to pick up big-time. You gotta start somewhere, you know?"

I don’t quite understand the meaning of your post. They’re just reporting what they saw. Did you think they were slamming the show in any way?"

No, I'm not slamming the show in any way. I'm just reminding myself that when the show wins big at the Tonys, empty seats at the Lyceum will be a rarity.

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 4/16/22 at 10:19pm

I’m overwhelmed by how incredible this is. Honestly the best new musical I’ve seen since at least Fun Home. RUN and get tickets before you can’t find any.

[Laura_2222]

Posted: 4/16/22 at 11:06pm

Add me to the group who absolutely loved it. I really hope this show runs for a long time and carves out a space for more musicals like it on broadway. It felt so honest but was never cheesy or too on the nose.

From the promo pictures I did not expect the production level to be as high as it was either. It was a really enjoyable show to watch even just from a technical perspective.

Also super impressed with the acting. Not a single weak link. What a show!

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 4/16/22 at 11:31pm

Didn’t care for it. I went in totally blind and felt like I was watching an overlong therapy session. Got so bored at one point, I had to put my head on my hand and shut my eyes. I completely failed to connect with it, but happy to hear so many others did.

[broadfan327]

Posted: 4/17/22 at 1:59am

I went in tonight totally blind as well, and I loved it.  I had very low expectations, glad I was wrong.  The crowd was energetic throughout.  My TDF seat was left mezz second row, a great seat.

[blaxx]

Posted: 4/17/22 at 3:56am

ColorTheHours048 said: "Didn’t care for it. I went in totally blind and felt like I was watching an overlong therapy session. Got so bored at one point, I had to put my head on my hand and shut my eyes. I completely failed to connect with it, but happy to hear so many others did."

Don't know much about the show yet, but it's giving me major Passing Strange vibes.

[binau]

Posted: 4/17/22 at 6:17am

There is a bit of a vicious discussion about the show taking place on ATC. I’m surprised that some people seem to have such negative reactions. I also find it comical that the show has kind of addressed this. 
 

“If you can't please the Caucasians
You will never get the dough!
'Cause critics clinically deny us
Then deny implicit bias
With their vanity supported
By a system that's distorted
Watch them write you off as lazy
Not to mention, navel-gazey
Lacking both in craft and rigor”

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 4/17/22 at 6:50am

Shocked I have an early preview review in this pandemic era. 
 

cousin saw first preview. Her bf saw it off broadway and she did not. 
 

Saw both of them last night, they are in SUCH a great mood!!! They can’t stop raving about it. I’m sure I’ll hear more today. 

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 4/17/22 at 8:30am

Listening to the cast recording this morning, I can definitely appreciate some of Michael R. Jackson’s score, but I think my primary issue with the show last night (aside from the book, which I maintain I found to be too much of a therapy session) was Jaquel Spivey’s performance as Usher. Where Larry Owens’s vocal performance feels outspoken and brash, Jaquel feels withdrawn and constantly introspective. It makes the final moment - “A Strange Loop” - feel like a continuation of everything he’s already been doing rather than a moment of personal epiphany. Felt very passive and so none of the emotional journey he was apparently going through connected, for me.