Posted: 3/30/16 at 11:15am
I think some of you need to start the "Former Tony Award Winning Actors Fund" to support all those people who won Tony Awards who no longer can work on Broadway because they haven't found another ego satisfying role to pay their bills.
Posted: 3/30/16 at 11:21am
Forgive any pretension here. Reading uncageg's observations about how effective the lighting is makes me think about how intriguing this show is in one major way. The tech, sets, projections, light, sound, and other production aspects are phenomenal, but not necessarily in a Big Broadway Spectacle way. I think they may actually do the most heavy lifting in the show's tone, thematic expression, and even (at times) narrative. In a show that is intentionally cold and heartless, all about surfaces, this is actually extremely appropriate in a way. You'd think of recommending a Big Dumb Show like Spider-Man for the visuals. But this is a rare and interesting case, almost like an art installation with performances, where I am recommending the show for the physical production. It is actually the most INTERESTING part of the musical.
Posted: 3/30/16 at 11:22am
Agreed. That was my favorite part of the experience as a whole.
Posted: 3/30/16 at 1:03pm
I don't like the source material at all, but I just listened to the cast recording to see if it adds an element that may generate some desire in me to see the show.
Nope. Whereas the music was one of the few things I enjoyed from Spring Awakening, I find it mostly static and tedious here. Is there something happening during Not a Common Man that masks the dullness of the song? It seemed endless on the CD. I've never cared for the synth-pop style more commonly played in the UK and Europe (the similar Closer to Heaven score was actually a bit better, but still one of the worst musicals I've seen).
I can only hope that the lyrics have improved since London (in quality and accuracy). It appears that these lyrics have landed on the other end of the spectrum from Spring Awakening, but somehow seem equally bad.
Unless there is something hugely revelatory about this show that makes it unmissable, I doubt I'll see it. I'm sure fans of the book/film may enjoy it, especially if they are hard-core fans of the Pet Shop Boys, Bronski Beat or The Communards, etc. Just not my thing.
Posted: 3/30/16 at 1:06pm
Why don't you just go see the show rather than base your opinion on a cast recording that doesn't even reflect the songs being done on Broadway?
For whatever its worth, I didn't care much for the cast recording on the first listening either. It didn't feel 'theatrical' to me-- but as I've listened to it more - I've come to appreciate what its accomplishing.
And by most accounts, what is 'revelatory' about the production is the story, performances and production elements. I wouldn't dream of missing it.
Posted: 3/30/16 at 1:13pm
Mister Matt, FWIW I wasn't taken by the clips of music I hear from the OLCR before seeing the show, but I thought the score played very well in the theater and had a high level of theatrically, heightened by the way the physical production/choreography accentuated the rhythms of the synth-pop orchestrations.
Posted: 3/30/16 at 1:19pm
Why don't you just go see the show rather than base your opinion on a cast recording that doesn't even reflect the songs being done on Broadway?
That was the entire point of why I said what I said and how I said it. I truly hate the story so I listened to the cast recording that is available to hear and it did nothing to entice me to spend Broadway prices on the show during a trip to NYC when I might use my limited time in the city to see something else. If it tours and is included in a series for which I'd subscribe to see the other shows, then I might go. Our I might give my tickets to a friend who wants to see it.
Personally, I think that makes total sense.
Posted: 3/30/16 at 1:32pm
That does make sense, though It think you potentially risk missing a much discussed show with its original cast, you might regret later. But of course if you have limited time, you have to pick the shows that appeal to you most.
Posted: 3/30/16 at 1:36pm
Yeah, the "just go see it" mentality is not feasible for everyone. Or maybe even a majority of people whose primary access to theatre is cast recordings.
Posted: 3/30/16 at 1:44pm
You of course are right Lizzie. I'm only speaking from my experience - there are so many shows I missed because they didn't appeal to me that I kick myself now for skipping. AMERICAN PSYCHO just feels like one of those bizarre-amazing experiences that people will talk about for years. If someone asked me personally, I'd say see that and wait for the tour of something else! :)
Posted: 3/30/16 at 2:03pm
If it doesn't speak to you (sing to you?) nothing wrong with opting out. While I try to see as much on b'way as possible, there are shows that just don't appeal to me that I never plan to see. (Jersey Boys, School of Rock just to name two.)
My money, my time......can't be wrong. Have I been surprised by shows I didn't think I wanted to see? Sure, but not often enough to spend the money on shows that just don't interest me.
Posted: 3/30/16 at 3:26pm
I also meant to add that they missed it on an opportunity to shake us up by not doing the nail gun scene. That was another moment that could have added real tension.
Posted: 3/30/16 at 3:33pm
I haven't seen the show yet, but they don't do the nail gun scene? Really? That's what I consider to be one of the most iconically distressing, stress-inducing, and blood-curdling moments of the film. Doesn't seem like it would be that hard to translate for the stage...
Posted: 3/30/16 at 3:37pm
Unless I didn't realize he had it in his hand. It does appear in the show though.
Posted: 3/30/16 at 4:10pm
I believe he does use a nail gun (but more stylistically, through sound effects) on the girl from the dry cleaners who tells him he hung the painting upside down. It got laughter and some cheers at my performance rather than being played for any kind of horror.
Posted: 3/30/16 at 4:23pm
Yes. Wasn't it during a prduction number? The sound effects were pretty cool.
Also, apologies if this is a repeat but "In The Air" worked nicely in the show.
Posted: 3/30/16 at 4:26pm
It may have been. Regardless, it was weird seeing some of the deaths get laughs and cheers. The satire of the 80s materialism and greed is supposed to be funny, but I don't think the deaths are!
Posted: 3/30/16 at 4:27pm
WhizzerMarvin said: "I believe he does use a nail gun (but more stylistically, through sound effects) on the girl from the dry cleaners who tells him he hung the painting upside down. It got laughter and some cheers at my performance rather than being played for any kind of horror. "
The nail gun thing was the only specific killing/maiming action that I knew about before going into the show, and I was surprised it was played like a one-off joke. It didn't bother me, but I did think it would be more elaborately executed.
Posted: 3/30/16 at 5:20pm
The over-reaction to wanting them to expand Ripley's role is hilariously unwarranted (e.g., describing fans as crazed).
First, no one is suggesting they should write anything simply for the sake of it. It would have to serve a dramatic purpose. But I think my (and others'
point is that Ripley has the skills and presence to be able to contribute this way. Personally, I think the slightly jarring/eerie tone of her voice would serve the show and an appropriate dramatic moment in the show well. It seems like a missed opportunity.
Second, yes she might be happy with her role and did it for a pay check but we're talking about disappointment from the audience perspective, not her own. She is listed on the website in the second position behind Ben Walker. Surely this leads to certain expectations about her role.
Third, it is not unprecedented for songs to be added to a show simply to give the actor more to do. Of course, it works best when there is a dramatic purpose for adding a song. A good example is a not very well known song (:p) added in rehearsals simply so a star had something to sing in Act II. Of course, the skill of the creative team meant it was done in such a way that it became a pivotal dramatic moment in the show (Send in the Clowns).
Updated On: 3/30/16 at 05:20 PM
Posted: 3/30/16 at 6:50pm
WhizzerMarvin said: "It may have been. Regardless, it was weird seeing some of the deaths get laughs and cheers. The satire of the 80s materialism and greed is supposed to be funny, but I don't think the deaths are!"
This doesn't surprise me. The murders are the star of the show. When I saw Prometheus in the movie theater everyone cheered once the violence began because they were there for the violence.
Posted: 3/30/16 at 6:59pm
Could someone post a song list or direct me to where I could find one? Thanks!
Posted: 3/30/16 at 7:18pm
Outsider's perspective here: Is it perhaps an inherent problem with the show that American Psycho as a cultural product itself is so well-known (and in some cases, culturally beloved) that what should objectively be seen as terrifying is met with nostalgia and laughter in the stage production?
Posted: 3/30/16 at 7:30pm
Well, I think part of the issue is that The material IS satiric. The violence in the novel is upsetting but because of its insane graphic detail the murders almost (arguably) become equally absurd. So there is the issue of tone right off the bat without any of the "cult" status thing.
i also think audiences tend to laugh at extreme violence -- it's just a simple release mechanism, and if you go see any horror movie you will likely see audiences laughing and cheering at the most ghastly of blood shed.
The smartest thing the creative team of SWEENEY TODD did was the adding of that steam whistle at the time of each murder. Just when you might be tempted to laugh, the whistle makes you jump out of your seat. It creates the illusion that what you just saw is "scary"
Updated On: 3/30/16 at 07:30 PM
Posted: 3/30/16 at 8:26pm
The song list is pretty much in the same order as the London Cast Recording except SELLING OUT and EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD are the second and 3rd songs in the show. OH SRI LANKA is out and HIP TO BE SQUARE is after MISTLETOE ALERT and ends the first act. HIP TO BE SQUARE is not on the recording.
Posted: 3/30/16 at 9:12pm
Any show that features so much black comedy and then has murders is gonna get some titters, yes the book is very descriptive but most will know AP from the movie and let's be honest Christisn Bale killing Jared Leto was pretty funny.
Updated On: 3/30/16 at 09:12 PM
