ASSASSINS at Encores Off-Center- Page 6

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 7/12/17 at 10:47pm

I liked the general idea of the proprietor in this production, but he was HORRIBLY miscast and truly cannot sing. It was a weak way to start the show, and the rest of the cast sounded uneasy through the song, I think because of Ethan Lipton. A missed opportunity.

Luckily, my fears were washed away after that. The cast was absolutely fantastic and worked so well and so cohesively individually and as an ensemble. I started singling out individuals here, but really everyone deserved to be singled-out. The physical production was excellent, too. And gosh that book and score are perfect.

I also applaud this team for casting Pearl Sun as Emma Goldman (the production's only color-blind role).

Those who already have tickets are in for a treat!

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 7/12/17 at 10:47pm

ljay889 said: "Something just Broke is included and performed beautifully. 

Regarding the proprietor, think cheesy 1970's variety show host  who can barely sing. The exact opposite of  Kudisch. 

 

"

The Proprietor felt very 1940s radio hour-esque mixed with a bit more sleaziness.  Almost like a mix of Bert Healy and a used care salesman.  I actually don't completely disagree with taking the character that way, but unfortunately his voice was just not solid at all.

The rest of the cast was fantastic, though, especially in the solo parts.  Some of the harmonies in the group numbers were a little rough, but that's to be expected with how little time they had to rehearse this insanely difficult score.  Overall, a very enjoyable evening!

[godlessondheimite]

Posted: 7/12/17 at 10:51pm

WhizzerMarvin said: "
John Ellison Conlee did a lot with Guiteau; really the character was a barrel of laughs and Sondheim musicalized him so well. I feel like the real Guiteau would have loved his number. One of my friends said he actually read Guiteau's book and that it's completely bonkers and a total hoot. Might have to add it to the summer reading list now.

"

Not to be totally weird but Guiteau actually plagiarized large portions of that book from John Humphry Noyes, the founder of the Oneida Community, a free love cult that Guiteau joined--and got kicked out of. No one would sleep with him and he earned the nickname "Charles Gitout."

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/12/17 at 10:54pm

I agree, I was very impressed by the physical production, though it's in the Encores style, it felt quite sumptuous for a concert staging.

It's too bad they were hindered with the scripts in "Another National Anthem," my favorite numbe from the score. They were a little shaky in that number, and with Lipton, maybe they really were uneasy, lol.

Also, can we just express how exquisite "Unworthy Of Your Love" is? It feels like an authentic pop song, with a soaring melody. Genius. I've always loved the song, but it's wonderful seeing it performed in the show. 

Updated On: 7/13/17 at 10:54 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/12/17 at 10:58pm

I forgot to ask. For those who have seen previous productions, can you please answer this spoiler....

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

Was the bit with the young boy and the gun in the finale new?

 

[scarlet721]

Posted: 7/13/17 at 12:54am

ljay889 said: "I forgot to ask. For those who have seen previous productions, can you please answer this spoiler....

 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

Was the bit with the young boy and the gun in the finale new?

 

 

Yes, that was new for this production.  

"

 

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 7/13/17 at 1:00am

I am glad to hear that the opening night went well because I was at the dress and felt like it was under rehearsed. The actors appeared tired and the cues were slow and the book scenes dragged. In some of the ensemble numbers when they were holding books they looked like they were reading their blocking (for the first time) as well as their lyrics. I also had a strange sense that the cast did not have 100 per cent faith in their director. But given that they are professionals and the run is sold out, I knew they would infuse energy and make specific choices the following night so I am glad to hear good reports because I was a tad worried for them. I imagine having critics there gave them a shot in the arm as well.

Updated On: 7/13/17 at 01:00 AM

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/13/17 at 1:07am

I didn't see anyone rely on their scripts until "Another National Anthem." That's an intricate song to get right right if you're under rehearsed, so I understand using the scripts for It, but it did hurt the momentum of the number. 

Was the dress last night or this afternoon?

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/13/17 at 1:28am

Did anyone else notice that Pasquale was missing his gun in the finale? I checked the video highlights and he had it there, so I guess there was a slight mishap tonight. 

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 7/13/17 at 1:43am

The dress was Tuesday night. Yes it was the Anthem number and the unified stage movement was unmotivated. The actors looked like they did not like the staging. It had nothing to do with holding books other than it looked like they were reviewing blocking notes as well. There was a unified bump to the beat of the right arm and again the actors looked uncomfortable doing it. I think the scripts were used less on opening night. But this is part for the course. Encores production grow tremendously as the week progresses given their limited rehearsals although some shows like A New Brain were close to perfection at the dress rehearsal. Some of the book staging was unmotivated as well. But I am sure the Wednesday opening night performance had more coviction.

I was sad to hear that Pasqual had pulled out of Brigadoon.

[SeanD2]

Posted: 7/13/17 at 9:54am

theaterguy11 said: "Wishing everyone who attends good luck and safety. Steven "Pee Pee Tapes" Pasquale is quite unpredictable and unhinged. I certainly wouldn't wanna be in the same room as him. "

At least he puts his name to his criticism of the President. I see you're too cowardly to put your name on your criticism of Pasquale.

[Kad]

Posted: 7/13/17 at 10:05am

I've yet to see this production (going tonight, in fact), so cannot comment on Lipton's performance in it, but I've seen his shows at Joe's Pub and have found him entertaining, though definitely idiosyncratic.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 7/13/17 at 10:23am

ljay889 said: "I agree, I was very impressed by the physical production, though it's in the Encores style, it felt quite sumptuous for a concert staging.

It's too bad they were hindered with the scripts in "Another National Anthem," my favorite numbe from the score. They were a little shaky in that number, and with Lipton, maybe they really were uneasy, lol.

Also, can we just express how exquisite "Unworthy Of Your Love" is? It feels like an authentic pop song, with a soaring melody. Genius. I've always loved the song, but it's wonderful seeing it performed in the show. "

What has always impressed me about "Unworthy of your Love" is how it can read both as terrifyingly creepy, or painfully beautiful.

"Let me feel fire,

Let me drink poison,

Tell me to tear my heart in two,

If that's what you want me to do..."

 

Posted: 7/13/17 at 1:00pm

Ethan Lipton has a very unique sound....and 40s radio is a good comparison.  He's doesn't hold himself out as a broadway singer/actor (to my knowledge)...he is a musician/storyteller....with a very wicked sense of well - everything.  To those who don't know his work, I recommend you listen to the recording of his show - No Place to Go....which was performed at Joe's Pub a couple of years ago.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 7/13/17 at 1:09pm

So Lipton is the NPH part?

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/13/17 at 1:12pm

No, the Proprietor, played by Marc Kudisch in the lsat revival. 

[Kad]

Posted: 7/13/17 at 1:18pm

Is the role as expanded as it was in the revival?

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/13/17 at 1:23pm

I didn't see Roundabout's revival, so I'm not sure how it was expanded.

I'm sure Lipton is a talented performer in his own right, but this was definitely one of the strangest performances I've seen ever in a Sondheim musical, right up there with Denis O'Hare in Into the Woods. 

[Kad]

Posted: 7/13/17 at 1:41pm

The Roundabout revival sort of turned the Proprietor into an emcee-like figure. In the original script, he's not present much other than the opening.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/13/17 at 2:02pm

Oh, yes, it's the same in this staging. He has a  microphone on the side of the stage, narrating certain bits like a radio show host with vocal effects on the mic. 

Updated On: 7/13/17 at 02:02 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/13/17 at 2:39pm

Theatermania is Very Positive, which acknowledging the shaky opening number.

http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/reviews/assassins_81715.html

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 7/13/17 at 2:52pm

I wonder if it's something with the way the Proprietor is written at the opening of the show. I've seen it produced twice locally. In both cases, the first lines sounded underpowered and off-key, but by the end of the song, and in the following numbers, the actors gave great performances. 

Updated On: 7/13/17 at 02:52 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/13/17 at 2:54pm

The Hollywood Reporter is also Very Positive, while acknowledging that it seems under rehearsed.

 The Bottom Line: A bare-bones but killer rendition.

He says Ethan Lipton is in "scary lounge-lizard mode."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/assassins-theater-1020870

[NYadgal]

Posted: 7/13/17 at 3:37pm

Both of those reviews shortchanged Victoria Clark's brilliant performance.  

Erin Markey's, too, for that matter.  

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/13/17 at 3:44pm

I was thinking the same thing!