AMAZING GRACE Previews — Page 3
#52
Posted: 6/27/15 at 4:57pm
I saw the show last night (2nd preview). I'm a fan of Chuck Cooper's (Finian's Rainbow; Cabaret at 54 Below) and had high hopes. Alas, I couldn't help thinking of another recent disappointment, Dr. Zhivago, with beautiful sets (Amazing Grace has a terrific set and great special effects) and teeming talent, but a script that's hard to follow, songs that are unmemorable, and some rather weird scenes and dynamics. Also, it was very long, but I will assume that by opening night July 16, the show will be a lot shorter. I'm very sad that Chuck Cooper's role is one big stereotype.
I remember seeing the wonderful movie Amazing Grace and caring about the story. Here, unfortunately, I found the story totally cliched and the dialogue somewhat painful. We didn't hear the song until the very end, although there hints of it in one the melodies hummed by one of the slaves.
I went home and listened to President Obama's eulogy of Clementa Pinckney and his own rendering of Amazing Grace and wish some of that spirit had somehow been infused in this musical. I should have been emotionally moved by the show but I wasn't. I cried when I heard the president in Charleston.
#53
Posted: 6/27/15 at 5:17pm
lynn, I saw your PM, but since you posted your message here as well I'll just respond in the thread.
I don't enjoy writing bad comments about a show, but I had a very negative reaction in the theater and conveyed as much here. Did you expect me to not truthfully say how I felt about the show? Trust me, I wish I would have spent the three hours in pure ecstasy and come home to write a gushing rave of my experience.
I admit that I was harsh, but I feel I was fair and explained why I felt what I felt. I didn't just scream in all caps that the show was a piece of $hit and should die a quick death. I tried to be as respectful as I could while still communicating my extreme dislike for the piece.
I'm glad you were able to connect so much to the piece, and while I agree with you that John Newton could make for an interesting tale, I found the execution here to be inept. An audience member shouldn't have to read "many" (or any) biographies of Newton to understand the scope of his impact. The musical didn't need to be 10 hours long- it simply needed to shift focus and be more creative with telling the narrative to incorporate the composing of the title number.
Don't be so quick to presume you know how and from what I derive joy.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
#54
Posted: 6/27/15 at 5:35pm
@ Lynn2,
I alway look for Whizzer's reviews, as they are more often than not Fair, Honest and to the point. He has saved me from countless hours of bad theater. I cannot wait to see the actual reviews of this show. And BTW, you might not want to read my reviews either, I am way worse than Whizzer (hated most of last season and trashed shows left and right here).
Also if I am in the theater and I see the creatives sitting in the back I will go up and say something if it was good, bad or if something is off putting. I am far from shy and what are they going to do, ban me from the theater.
#55
Posted: 6/27/15 at 7:24pm
Lynn2 thanks for your post. Somebody who saw the same show as I did! I wish I could have seen it 9x in Chicago but glad I saw it 1x and planning a trip to NYC to see it there!
But as you have read people have different views, something we love may not connect with others.
#56
Posted: 6/27/15 at 8:24pm
How come there is so little feedback on Josh's performance or even his bare chest, which is featured predominately in the promos?
And does Olivia Newton John make an appearance?
#57
Posted: 6/27/15 at 8:47pm
"Honeymoon in Vegas 2.0"
Huh? Honeymoon had many glowing reviews, including Brantley's. This definitely sounds like Zhivago 2.0.
#58
Posted: 6/27/15 at 9:21pm
I stopped reading after you said it had amazing sets like Dr. Zhivago. That was one of the worst sets. Why are they in a farm village town and yet it looks like they're in a Middle Eastern bazaar? What was that ugly platform that people had to come down and push around? The musical cost $10million and yet people still had to push the set around? C'mon.
#59
Posted: 6/27/15 at 9:45pm
What's the running time been for this?
What are the orchestrations like?
Is the stage high for this show?
#60
Posted: 6/27/15 at 10:46pm
whizzer. i really appreciate your response. i hear what you are saying. You are stating only what and how you saw the show Amazing Grace. However, it seems to me you could share your criticisms in less caustic language. I know we all see things differently in life and it is especially true in theater. I suppose if people want to take the word of a broadway message board contributor to decide whether to see a show or not that is their prerogative. Obviously we have differing opinions about this show.
#61
Posted: 6/28/15 at 12:09am
Honeymoon in Vegas 2.0 because, AG is in the Nederlander, house was pretty empty for first previews as what I read, seems to have no advanced sale (I looked online) The show is from what my friend told me, very boring and the set sucks. So there, Honeymoon in Vegas 2.0 :)
#62
Posted: 6/28/15 at 12:42am
Eh, Honeymoon is LEAGUES better than this. Zhivago it is.
#63
Posted: 6/28/15 at 9:21am
I, too, found the comment "Honeymoon in Vegas 2.0" a bit odd. I saw it twice and thought it was great in many ways - terrific acting, lots of fun, great songs and music, some hilarious moments, great staging, wonderful music, with a big band on stage.
And, yes, it got well-deserved good reviews.
Where it lots out, in my opinion, is that the story itself is a little too-light, a little too predictable and a little too vanilla. Personally, I even found the name "Betsy" to be a little to 1950s, and the whole song about her to be bland. I'm a fan of composer/lyricist Jason Robert Brown, yet he blew it with Bridges of Madison County and here most of his work was great but sounded too derivative of other composers and not original enough.
Having said that, I thoroughly enjoyed it both times - I went the second time when a $4.50 ticket showed up on Gold Club, so it was clearly on its way out.
Amazing Grace, on the other hand, has none of those great qualities - it's just a bomb, yet with great talent, and I did think the set was interesting and well done. I, too, saw Dr. Zhivago and realized into the first act that it was a loser. Between the two shows there's so much talent and so much waste.
#64
Posted: 6/28/15 at 9:36am
^And both shows featured Tom Hewitt reuniting with one of his castmates from Jesus Christ Superstar (Paul Alexander Nolan/Josh Young).
#65
Posted: 6/28/15 at 10:39am
Another one here who looks for Whizzer's reviews because they're fair and well-written. He always justifies what he says. Anyone claiming Whizzer only wants to write harsh, negative reviews has not read a single other review he's ever posted on this site. His first preview raves have gotten me to see a good number of shows and even some of his more negative reviews have intrigued me enough to pick up a ticket.
I had little interest in Amazing Grace before and now know I will be skipping it. Whizzer's isn't the only negative review from audience members.
#66
Posted: 6/28/15 at 10:43am
In related news, is this incredibly tasteless post the result of BWW being stupid or courtesy of Amazing Grace's PR team? https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/VIDEO-President-Obama-Leads-Mourners-in-AMAZING-GRACE-Days-Before-Broadway-Musical-Opens-20150628
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
Updated On: 6/28/15 at 10:43 AM
#67
Posted: 6/28/15 at 10:43am
Whizzer is hands-down the best and most consistent reviewer on this board. Even when our opinions differ- and they do!- his reviews are worth reading and never malicious.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
#68
Posted: 6/28/15 at 10:45am
^ Word.
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
#69
Posted: 6/28/15 at 1:28pm
Dear Lynn:
Whizzer can be as harsh or as light as he wants. This is a public board. He is not being paid for his reviews. You can read them or not, so please don't dictate how he should write. I'd rather you call him a dick for not agreeing with you than try to school him on HOW to write out his critiques!!!
#70
Posted: 6/28/15 at 1:37pm
I too am a fan of Wizzer's reviews...
Wizzer, do you save them somewhere on your computer's hard drive? It would be an interesting thread to read a collection of them. You consistently write "full" reviews and although I don't always agree with your perspective, I am always interested in your point-of-view. I'd read that thread.
Just a though.
ARTc3 formerly ARTc. Actually been a poster since 2004. My name isn't Art. Drop the "3" and say the signature and you'll understand.
#71
Posted: 6/28/15 at 1:58pm
I also enjoy Whizzer's reviews, in fact before we go see a show my daughter will always ask "What did Whizzer think"? I am a big fan of Josh Young and was really hoping this show would be great. We had tickets for last night and were disheartened to hear Whizzer's review but went with open minds and high hopes anyway because sometimes even Whizzer can get it wrong (first review of Gent's guide).
Sadly I have to agree with most of what he said. The first act was excruciating - way too long and did not seem to accomplish much of anything. My daughter practically begged me to leave at intermission but I wanted to give the second act a chance. It did pick up a bit but still just did not find the subject matter riveting enough to warrant making into a Broadway musical. As others have said, the music is pleasant but not memorable. I will say I found the very end, when the entire cast was onstage singing Amazing Grace, to be amazing. Unfortunately we had a woman in front of us waving her hands and shouting "hallelujah" and "praise the Lord" throughout the song but enjoyed it despite of her.
I don't think this is gong to do well. The cast is very talented but the show as it is now, is just boring and will not inspire the masses to see it. I hope Josh Young is able to find a better vehicle showcase his talent.
#72
Posted: 6/28/15 at 8:10pm
Well, I liked Zhivago so I haven't lost hope for Amazing Grace.
#73
Posted: 6/28/15 at 9:03pm
I saw Amazing Grace twice in Chicago. I loved it. Different strokes for different folks. Chuck Cooper and Josh Young are two of the best actors and singers I've ever seen on stage together. I'd pay the price of admission just to see their scenes. I enjoyed every aspect of the show. I thought some of the writing was hackneyed but forgivable considering it's great delivery. The entire cast is excellent as is every visual aspect of the show. Both times I saw it there was a standing ovation before the show even ended. There was certainly no pandering for a standing ovation as suggested by other posters here.
#74
Posted: 6/28/15 at 9:15pm
people seem very divided about this show...much like Honeymoon in Vegas lol
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#75
Posted: 6/28/15 at 9:30pm
The thing I hated about Dr Z was mentioned above - the stupid contraption in the middle of the stage . It was turned around and moved in every direction imaginable.No matter what they did it did not resemble what it was supposed to be. Reminded me of silly putty or clay. Both were e lumps no matter what you did with them.
Had no intention of seeing this before these comments. Now I have even less. No show could get worse reviews than Dr Z.
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Updated On: 6/28/15 at 09:30 PM
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