Anyone go to VANITIES tonight?- Page 2

[iflip4musicals]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 1:01pm

I saw it on the 3rd, and I really wanted to like it. It wasn't that I came out disliking it, and I don't know any previous incarnations so I can't speak to any of the changes, but if it had opened last year on Broadway like this, it wouldn't have worked as well as Glory Days.
I thought all three women were fabulous and worked well with what they were given. As a previous poster said, I waited 100 minutes for a plot that never came. I think if they expanded it into a two act show and were able to flush out the characters it would have been much better.
The music wasn't bad, but at some points (and I wish I remembered better exactly what I'm thinking of) just not necessary. The only example I can think of would be "Fly into the Future" because it's already been known that Mary is a free spirit.
I also really wish it was more obvious as to what happened to Kathy. I know her life didn't turn out as planned (spoiler?), but I felt as though I never had any idea what exactly happened.
Purely in terms of the character and storyline I thought Joanne was the best and made the most sense to me.
I was really impressed with the three women, their voices were fantastic.

All that being said, get the cheapest tickets if you feel the need to see it, because I would be kicking myself if I spent more than $30 (youth advance) on it.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 1:07pm

It's only 100 minutes? I'm so peeved at this new trend of no intermission shows. Especially since the play is like really long right? Like 3 acts?

[iflip4musicals]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 1:12pm

I don't know about the original, but I totally agree with RippedMan about all the no intermission shows. The musical started to seem tired in the middle-end. I think they could have done a lot more with the characters had they given them the time.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 1:38pm

The original play was three scenes, not three acts.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 3:33pm

So are the Disney fangirls stalking New World Stages for Annelise or can she come and go pretty easily from the building? She was practically killed daily outside of the Lunt Fontaine.....

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 3:46pm

2nd Stage.

[cactusb]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 6:25pm

I saw the show last night and was pleasantly surprised. After having read all the negative comments about it, I was expecting the worst.
While the storyline may be fairly simplistic, the performances are stellar.
Lauren Kennedy is phenomenal. Sarah Stiles steals the show. Anneliese is better than expected.
Just my 2 cents.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 7:07pm

Well she was a Disney star in a Disney show on Broadway. Now she's just a forgotten Disney star in an off-Broadway musical. So, probably not swarming to see her.

[iflip4musicals]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 7:16pm

There was not a single person waiting at the stage door on 7/3. My sister and I were going to wait for Lauren Kennedy because we're (but especially my sister) are big fans. After five minutes of practically everyone being out of the building/general outside area, we left out of pure awkwardness.

So in answer to your question, nope, no crazy fangirls of any kind!

[RippedMan]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 8:19pm

I doubt the general public is even aware that this show is open, let alone who is in it.

Are the production values nice?

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 8:33pm

The production values (in my opinion) are solid.

These are from the Pasadena production, but they remain the same.

http://www.2st.com/index.php?option=com_plays&task=viewPlay&Itemid=0&id=128&saction=pic

Updated On: 7/5/09 at 08:33 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 8:34pm

Production values are okay. Nothing to write home about. There are a few nice sets (the college scene and the manhattan apartment scene) but but even those aren't anything too special.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 8:41pm

I'm really excited to see it. I love a new musical that I know nothing about.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 8:46pm

I've read a few comments about the score, but nobody seems to comment on Judith Ivey's direction. How is it? Does it work?

[perfectliar]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 11:04pm

Just got back from tonight's show, and I enjoyed myself. It isn't great, but it's good. The book was solid, and all three performances were wonderful. The score was fun but ultimately forgettable. I hated that song on the terrace ("Same Old Music?"), liked "Fly Into the Future" (but realize it's pointless), and loved the finale. I wasn't as impressed with "Cute Boys in Short Haircuts" as everyone else seems to be though.

The three women are the reason to see the show. Sarah Stiles is hysterical, Annelise van der Pol is surprisingly talented, and Lauren Kennedy is just a wonderful stage presence. I feel like of the three, she had the least to do and was the character I cared least about. She really only gets "Fly Into the Future" and a short transitional reprise, as far as the score goes, whereas the other two women have multiple moments to shine. Their chemistry is great, however, and their interactions seem genuine.

There's nothing outstanding or even particularly noteworthy in Judith Ivey's direction and Dan Knechtges's choreography. There was a small technical malfunction in the opening scene when one of the set pieces didn't want to move, but other than that I thought the set design worked well (I was actually expecting much less from such an intimate show). Lighting and costumes were serviceable but unmemorable.

I'm glad I got to see this. I was excited when the producers announced plans to open on Broadway, but this is a much better home for the show. Because let's be honest... it's just not good enough or buzzworthy enough to have run any longer than 6 weeks on Broadway, which is how long it's currently running at 2ST.

Sidenote: Stiles had a really funny flub in the final scene where she started singing too early and caught herself... ironically the next line was "I always knew I wasn't perfect." Updated On: 7/5/09 at 11:04 PM

[jordangirl]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 11:42pm

Oh god, I wanted to slit my wrists during "Cute Boys in Short Haircute". Talk about pointless.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 11:50pm

I don't know what a "haircute" is, but I'd be curious to know how cute a boy would look with a short one.

[ZiggyCringe]

Posted: 7/6/09 at 12:04am

I'm looking forward. MerrilyWeRoll, thanks for your considered opinion, I always appreciate it.

Everyone else, it sounds like the girls were great, but the show didn't quite make it.

From the get go, I thought this was an odd property to musicalize. Especially during today's "Gossip Girl" age.

Looking forward to seeing it this month.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 7/6/09 at 12:07am

Count me in as one of the few on this board who really enjoyed the show. The cast was excellent and I enjoyed the score. I look forward to seeing it again after it opens. I would encourage people to go and make their own opinion about this piece...you may be pleasantly surprised.

[TheEnchantedHunter]

Posted: 7/6/09 at 12:17am

Pointless musical adaptation with the dreariest of scores.








Ensign Lisa Minnelli
French Polynesia

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/6/09 at 8:38pm

Anyone else go thus far?

[LittleBitRacist]

Posted: 7/6/09 at 9:07pm

I went on July 4th and also really enjoyed myself a lot more than a lot of people have been saying. I thought the three girls were great and wasn't bored at all, and left wanting to see and hear more. Some parts were hilarious, especially Sarah Stiles' character. I wish they gave more meat to Kathy's character and story as she got older, because it had the potential to be very interesting and bring a lot more to the effectiveness of her character and the show. With a little more tweaking I think this show would be GREAT, but as it is right now I still had a really good time and thought it was a 27 dollars well spent.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/6/09 at 9:42pm

I'm not seeing this until the end of the run. I've always loved the character study the play involved...but perhaps that's coming from the actress in me that was totally absorbed into it.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 7/6/09 at 9:44pm

Word the other night was that they are not expecting any major changes.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/6/09 at 10:01pm

Because of the magnitude of work that has been done throughout the rehearsal process at Second Stage from the previous production in Pasadena, I can confirm not to expect any major changes throughout previews.