ASPECTS OF LOVE Returning to Broadway!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 11:33am

Well, it's going to be at the Chocolate Factory, so it's just a matter of time now, right?

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Webbers_ASPECTS_OF_LOVE_Plays_Menier_Chocolate_Factory_Nunn_to_Helm_20100217

[Upland]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 11:45am

Ok, you got me on that. But have to say you are probably right!

Posted: 2/17/10 at 12:39pm

oy. i hope not...

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 12:48pm

Actually, this was one of the few ALW shows I even remotely liked.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 1:05pm

Even if it DOES go to Broadway, there is no way they'll have any kind of success. This show's reputation in America is not a good one. We did it last year at my college. I played Marcel. And I was pretty much one of the few people who actually liked the show. Everyone else...yeah.

And then, on opening night, one pivotal scene in Act Two actually provoked laughter from the audience.

So to make a long story short (too late), the show got a bad reception from most of its cast and a ghastly reception from its audience.

Plus the orchestrations of the licensed version have been stripped down to two pianos, a bass and percussion.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 1:13pm

"Plus the orchestrations of the licensed version have been stripped down to two pianos, a bass and percussion."

Oh so it'll be a Roundabout production, then?

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 1:19pm

It's a Menier Chocolate Factory version. We already know that they'll reduce the hell out of the orchestrations.

[sondhead]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 1:33pm

"
Plus the orchestrations of the licensed version have been stripped down to two pianos, a bass and percussion."

Might be misreading your intention, but only your production has this stripped down orchestration.

http://www.rnh.com/show_detail.asp?id=AO&s=1 (click Rental Materials)

[once a month]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 1:38pm

I saw the original cast on Broadway and I liked it. Seriously though, I haven't given it a thought since (except to warble Love Changes Everything at auditions). Doubtful I'll want to see it again, even if the theatre breaks apart and reconfigures itself a la Transformers.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 2:06pm

"Might be misreading your intention, but only your production has this stripped down orchestration.

http://www.rnh.com/show_detail.asp?id=AO&s=1 (click Rental Materials)"

It was still a rotten production anyway.

[morosco]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 2:07pm

Interesting to go back and read Frank Rich's 1990 review of the original Broadway production.

The sexless casting of the principal roles by the director, Trevor Nunn, only adds to the musical's icy emotional infantilism. From her very first line - a line from 'The Master Builder,' no less - Ms. [Ann] Crumb's Rose is a tough cookie, unconvincing as a tempestuous star known for her performances of the classics or as a femme fatale who, in her words, 'could have a thousand lovers.' With her piercing singing voice and loud, fake laughter, this actress could shatter glass more easily than hearts.

ouch!
The show in most desperate need of roller skates

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 2:52pm

My favourite musical from The Lord. I saw the original one at the Princess of Wales, where Mama earned his retirement in just two nights; it then came back to the Prince of Wales which I saw again. 2 years ago you had the brilliant tour, however Matt Rawle was awful, he overacted the part of Alex. Be great if the fantastic creativity of The Menier axed 'Love Changes Everything'.

Brilliant news, a musical for the theatre connoisseur, cannot wait!

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 2:53pm

You got me excited! I am dying to see this show.

[artscallion]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 3:21pm

This is high on my list of worst shows in existence. Sung-through with lines something like, "would you like coffee with that omelet?" and "wait right here by these steps with your coat and the newspaper while I call a cab to take you to town. Why don't you sit, make yourself comfortable while I do this? and maybe some more coffee?" Blech! Horrible! And the story is just plain icky and creepy with all that implied pedophilia, incest and partner switching.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 3:41pm

"This is high on my list of worst shows in existence. Sung-through with lines something like, "would you like coffee with that omelet?" and "wait right here by these steps with your coat and the newspaper while I call a cab to take you to town. Why don't you sit, make yourself comfortable while I do this? and maybe some more coffee?" Blech! Horrible! And the story is just plain icky and creepy with all that implied pedophilia, incest and partner switching"

Some of us haven't seen it, so thanks for spoiling it.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 3:51pm

"Some of us haven't seen it, so thanks for spoiling it."

I say this with love. The show is nearly as old as you. If you don't know if by now, it's no one's fault but your own.

[artscallion]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 3:55pm

You're welcome. But, there's nothing I said that can't be found in the basic description of the show. There are no spoilers here. You'll probably love it. (and A Chorus line is about a dance audition)

Updated On: 2/17/10 at 03:55 PM

[morosco]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 4:06pm

"would you like coffee with that omelet?"

Haha. And as if it made the show any better they changed that line to something like "would you like coffee with those pancakes?" when it came to Broadway (or at least the change was made when the Robin Phillips production with Linda Balgord tour went out).

[phantom8019]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 4:36pm

Frank Rich is wrong about Ann Crumb. She is a great actress. She is currently starring in Master Class and received a rave review from The Philadelphia Inquirer. I saw the production last week. She was amazing.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/magazine/83783962.html

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 4:55pm

"Frank Rich is wrong about Ann Crumb. She is a great actress. She is currently starring in Master Class and received a rave review from The Philadelphia Inquirer. I saw the production last week. She was amazing"

I trust your opinion more than any other critic, yet, her high notes were a little weak, especially after hearing Sarah Brightman's versions of some of the songs from this show.
I highly recommend everyone to listen to Brightman's version of "There is more to love", amazing.

[jo]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 5:52pm

I saw this musical both in London ( Prince of Wales) and on Broadway ( at the Broadhurst) with the same cast and it became my favorite ALWebber musical. The musical score is very romantic and lyrical, with an occasional change of style, and as it is a sung-through musical, one can expect normal conversations to be sung instead of spoken. Many years later, I saw a scaled-down version here in Manila, but still under the auspices of the Really Useful Group, with two pianos as accompaniment in a cabaret-like venue. It was still excellent because it highlighted the great score and the interesting characters in a more intimate setting. The storyline is based on Bloomsbury author David Garnett's novella about bohemian life in London in the 50's or so, hence the unusual theme of intertwining loves.

I am looking forward to seeing it again, as reimagined by its original director Trevor Nunn. My only regret is that it won't be Michael Ball who will be singing the role of Alex!


Updated On: 2/17/10 at 05:52 PM

[jo]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 5:57pm

I hope this is allowed - but check this out from the TONY Awards performance as a nominee in 1990.

The song LOVE CHANGES EVERYTHING is used to depict the storyline and characters of the musical! And it is very well-sung!

http://bluegobo.com/content/production.php?var=2886035&video=10489

If the page doesn't show up ( where the video is shown), maybe you can cut and paste the URL and it may work.






Updated On: 2/17/10 at 05:57 PM

[Sean2]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 6:31pm

I also saw the original production in London. I went with knives sharpened, expecting to hate it, but I have to say that I really enjoyed it. Oh, there were the usual sphincter-pinching lines of ridiculous recitative that only Lloyd Webber can stomach, but the design, direction, and especially the performances were really moving.

I remember turning to my friend at the intermision and saying, "Well?" He replied, "Do you hate it?" "No," I replied, then added, "I'm actually really enjoying it."

"ME, TOO!!" he shouted.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 7:46pm

Sean2, that's cute!

I have yet to see this live, but Ball was just fabulous when he sang this score. Did anyone get to see Sarah in the show?

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 8:05pm

In spite of what I've said about the production I did, I genuinely enjoy listening to that score. I think it's probably ALW's most character-driven piece (that's what I would tell people who asked me about it).