Anyone going to FELA! tonight (first preview)?- Page 3

[bjh2114]

Posted: 10/24/09 at 12:42am

I have to agree with WAT on this one. I saw it tonight and hated it from start to finish. It all felt like one HUGE Bill T. Jones ego trip. I didn't care for Sahr, Lillias White sounded absolutely terrible, and the choreography was a very inaccurate depiction of traditional African dance. It was all too modern. The only good part about the entire show was Saycon. To me, the whole thing felt stylistically like a cross between Hair and Rock of Ages, with the content incorporated in a Passing Strange meets Wikipedia kind of way. Very dull.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/24/09 at 12:45am

bjh, did you like PASSING STRANGE?

[bjh2114]

Posted: 10/24/09 at 12:50am

I didn't love it. I appreciated it's artistic merit, but didn't care for the score or much of the storytelling. It looked like Shakespeare, however, compared to Fela!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/24/09 at 12:53am

Uh-oh. I really didn't like PS. I'm hoping to get to FELA! soon.

We'll see...

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 10/24/09 at 10:06am

Ok - I waited more than a day after seeing FELA! to see if my response to the show would mellow a bit. Not.

This is one of the most infuriating shows I have ever seen on Broadway. It takes a fascinating personality and context and reduces it to a light show. This is so overproduced that it literally boggles the mind. Obviously Bill T. Jones and his lighting designer never met a light bulb they didn't like. There are more projectors at work than in the world's largest multiplex, and there are probably more light cues than there are stars in the heavens. We don't get anywhere near a disco, but have three disco balls, lights swirl and whirl constantly (often blinding those of us seated 2nd row mezz), and at one point bright green lights were flashing across the audience - and it was NOT during one of the numbers when cast members invaded the audience. Poor Lillias White cannot seem to get away from the "spectral aura" that accompanies her slow, ponderous walks across the upstage bridge. Abd what's with that interminable lava lamp-like endless series of projections?

Too bad that Mr Jones never saw last season's play DISTRACTED, which (among other things) points out how sensory overload can lead to an emotional disconnect. Damn, I felt more emotional connection with Shrek - and I didn't even like that show very much.

Even the choreography was disappointing. I've been a fan of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Co. for years, so I was expecting more. Instead, we get movements that look as if they were copied from native dances in old Tarzan movies.

Directing his first Broadway show, it's as if Jones made a long list of all the various ways of creating moments on stage, and rather than select ones that would serve the project, simply decided to run amok and use everything that was available to him.

If the subject matter was frivolous I probably wouldn't be so angry - but drowning what could be a theatrical powerhouse in a sea of misguided stage antics and excess is very sad.

[leefowler]

Posted: 10/24/09 at 10:16am

I'm starting to dread seeing this show (I have tickets for Monday) because of one thing...the audience participation. Could someone who's seen the show describe exactly what it is I'm in for, when it occurs, and if it can be avoided. If it sit in my chair, and don't get on my feet, will I look like an ass? Will someone on stage point me out and yell at me?

God, I hate audience participation. And frankly, if I knew about it before I bought tickets, I would have decided not to see it to begin with!

[trombonist]

Posted: 10/24/09 at 10:24am

A couple of my good friends saw it last night and came as close as they ever have to walking out of a show. In their words "The atrocity on stage at Broadway on Broadway was actually the best thing about the show."

It's a skip for me.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 10/24/09 at 1:20pm

<< Testing, this may be a stupid question but did your wife dislike it overall?

She liked the music, and the energy---- said the performances were good, but said the book was horrible, and wayyyyyy too long.

[stevenycguy]

Posted: 10/24/09 at 3:18pm

I strongly hated Passing Strange and I also strongly hated Fela. It was 3 hours 5 minutes when I saw it off-Broadway and was a total ordeal to sit through. Not just too long, but WAY WAY WAY too long. I would have thought they'd have had the common sense to at least trim it to 2 hrs 30 minutes (and even then, it would still be too long). It needs to be cut to 2 hours or less. I found myself sleeping throughout the whole thing and just wishing I was anywhere else. Not an enjoyable way to spend your whole evening. It's very repetitive, has many boring parts, has a convoluted storyline that could be streamlined, and frankly, many of the actors/actresses just didn't appear to be "up to Broadway standards". Parts of it do have a nice energy, but those are overshadowed by the extremely lengthy running time. Michael Riedel from the NY Post agreed it was way too long as well. Not recommended (unless it's cut to 2 hours or less).

[cantstandbrody]

Posted: 10/25/09 at 12:16am

Saw the show again tonight . They have tightened and shortend act 2 down a bit. The show ended around 10 36 . They have also got act 1 tighter and is coming down at 9 16 . They have changed the coffin scene around abit too . That sax player is worth the price of admission ! Bill T Jones is making all the right moves with making the show better .

[cantstandbrody]

Posted: 10/25/09 at 12:21am

BTW the audience participation is really only during Yellow Fever he asks people to stand for about 5 minutes. Every now and then he asks you to say "yeah yeah" . Honestly not a big deal at all . I enjoyed the show .

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 10/25/09 at 11:48am

I went back and saw the show again last night too, and this time I liked it even more than the first preview. In one week they have tightened the show, shaving off about 15 to 20 minutes.

Lillias was one fire singing "Rain" and got a huge response from the audience. I saw Sahr again, and I don't understand the criticizig of his acting. I think he is giving an absolute tour de force performance.

I really hope they give a (hopeful) cast recording the deluxe treatment. I found myself craving to hear the music again when I got back home.

Yes this show is going to polarize people, but I would say go make the decision for yourself. (Well, do that for EVERY show, not just Fela).

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 10/27/09 at 12:45am

I saw the show tonight thanks to student rush, and I'm still not quite sure how I feel about it. The dancing was phenomenal. The band was on fire! The physical production is awesome. I loved how they just took over the theater. I know some of you said it was tacky, but I thought it was awesome. I'm a set whore, and I just loved looking at all the little details. It's a lot bigger show than I would have imagined. The projects, lighting, etc. It's all great. And I think the direction is some of the best I've ever seen. I loved his stage pictures and the way he used dance to get across certain lyrics. But....

But the story just wasn't all that engaging. I think it goes back to the saying "Show us. Don't tell us." Half the time it's Fela explaining his life story and acting out different scenes. I don't get that approach when there's a whole ensemble waiting to be utilized. Why act out the Mother when we know she's in the show? I just didn't find the story all that compelling. Most of the time it was just chanting and watching people dance, which is fine, but I also would have liked a story to go along with it. At the end, when the last projection goes up, and after the song "Rain," I just didn't feel an ounce for Fela. I just didn't care what happened to him, you know? It was more like "Just don't stop the music!" So I'm not sure the show was successful in that aspect, but maybe that's not what they set out to do.

I had Sahr and I thought he was incredible! He just commanded the stage and gave an electric performance. I think the Male Lead in a Musical should actually be interesting this year for once. I think Chad Kimball is giving a great performance over at Memphis as well, so it's hard to say who is better. But I thought Sahr was just a great performer. He had emotion and depth and since I don't know what Fela actually looked like, he basically lived the character for me.

The two female leads were highly unused. I mean Saycon basically did nothing. They introduce her as the "love" interest but then they just discard her and put ensemble make-up on her and she fades away. Why even introduce her? They have this whole bit in Act 2 where Fela "marries" his ensemble, but yet not one mention of his former lover? Again, the story was hard to follow for me, but maybe that's not the point. Lillias White is also just sort of used and forgotten. At least she has two songs, one in each act, where she gets to show off her voice, but there really isn't much for her to "act." She just stands there and looks heavenly.

I don't know. I'm torn. On one hand I thought all the physical aspects and the main character were great, but as a SHOW, I just don't think it worked.

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 10/27/09 at 10:00am

That's the problem ..... if you want to see theatrical pyrotechnics, and need to have your senses assaulted, then this is the show for you!

But if you're looking for dramatic involvement, a connection to the motivations and passions of this man, look elsewhere.

If the director/choreographer cannot make his audience feel anything for the people on stage, then he has failed.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 10/27/09 at 11:13am

I sort of have to agree. I mean, the point of theater is to entertain, but also to tell a story, no? I mean the basis for all theater is conflict, and there really wasn't any. Everything was sort of shrugged off the shoulder. It was like "oh the army's outside, but who cares, let's dance." The closet the show came to a really moving piece was in the second act when they did the different profiles with the ensemble members, but there wasn't much leading up to it, so I didn't really feel anything. I didn't know why the government came in and did all taht?

[broadwayrocks2]

Posted: 10/27/09 at 2:26pm

FYI there is not an ounce of PYRO in the show timesquareregular. Its all video and sound,NO pyro. Dont want you to mislead the people .

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 10/27/09 at 7:18pm

I loved how involved the whole show was. Like, for instance the use of the "catwalk," and having the cast members in the aisles and having the set protrude into the audience. All that was great.

WARNING: For those of you wanting to get student rush, I would advise against it. It's $27, but they're obstructed view. They're on the side of the catwalk that makes it hard to see some of the show. Some of the seats didn't seem to be, but a few of them were awful. A lot of the times cast members would be standing on the catwalk totally blocking our views of anything that was happening. Or a lot of times lyrics would be projected onto the back wall of the stage, but since it's obstructed we wouldn't be able to see, therefore, we don't really know what's being said. So maybe that added to my confusion with the show.

I changed to the center orchestra for Act II and that's when I realized how "in" the show I felt. That center part of the orchestra is great. With the set all around you and dancers coming down the aisles, I honestly felt like I was somewhere else rather than in a Broadway theater watching a show.

[chrisampm2]

Posted: 10/27/09 at 7:38pm

"If the director/choreographer cannot make his audience feel anything for the people on stage, then he has failed."
While "feeling for characters" is certainly an asset to most productions, there are other ways to engage an audience. Brecht anyone? I found Fela often thrilling and the lead was amazing (which is a major difference with Passing Strange, where everyone was tremendously talented and there was no opportunity for the king of galvanzing performance Sahr is giving). There's certainly more to get out of this story but I'm grateful for what's already there.

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 10/27/09 at 8:59pm

py·ro·tech·nics [ p?r? tékniks ]


noun

Definition:

1. craft of making fireworks: the craft or skill of making and using fireworks ( takes a singular verb )


2. fireworks display: a display of fireworks ( takes a singular or plural verb )


3. showy display


broadwayrocks2 is absolutely correct - no fireworks.

Go with definition #3 as shown in dictionaries. (I did indeed say theatrical pyrotechnics, but I guess that was lost on some readers.)

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 5:27pm

I was at the Saturday matinee yesterday and, objective as I try to be, I just didn't like it. I had the alternate as Fela -- which I'd resigned myself to beforehand -- and tried to go into the show with an open mind. This just isn't my kind of music (by the way, I rather liked Passing Strange year before last). Even though the show has been pared down since the first preveiw, it still seems WAY too long. Act Two really had me wanting to throw in the towel -- that "vision" scene of heaven or whatever it's supposed to be -- I couldn't stand it. Also, for anyone not familiar with Fela's story beforehand is going to have rough going following the "story," such as it is. I have a hunch this may be a repeat of what happened with Passing Strange and Side Show -- well received in certain critical circles, but not a money-making people pleaser. Just my thoughts, my opinion.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 5:28pm

Bump

Updated On: 11/1/09 at 05:28 PM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 10:08pm

Agreed. Although, when I was there people seemed to love it? But they also loved Memphis?

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 10:37pm

Yes, Rentboy. The house was more than 3/4 full, but I could see empty seats. The audience reaction was favorable enough, but no one seemed to be jumping up and down either.