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

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

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.

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?

"

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

Seeing it tonight as well. Balcony center row B

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

Honestly, the orchestra is too.

Yeah, the balcony is garbage for this particular show.

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.

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!

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.

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”

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.