Avenue Q at NWS, save your $$$ and your time....

[lamplighter]

Posted: 10/24/09 at 11:32pm

The show just re-opened on Wednesday after previewing for a couple of weeks and already there are understudies on. They seemed very under-rehearsed, which is understandable as they probably haven't had time for an understudy rehearsal, but come on, people are paying money to see this! Hire people that can handle the material! The Christmas Eve understudy was barely audible in a small theatre with a body mic on and the Princton understuidy seemed to be using the same exact voice for all of his characters!! The show is in sloppy shape, the set was in need of massive paint touch up. (yes, I understand it supposed to look trashy but there were a lot of obvious spots of bare wood) The actors were flubbing lines all over the place. The sound was HORRIBLE! and the over teched lighting was annoying and either off a cue or really badly timed. The costumes are the same. The puppets are the same. I understand that there may still be an audience out there but they should have given it more time to move or re-rehearse or re-tech because it's very sloppy and not worth the money.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 10/24/09 at 11:38pm

Was it Ruthie Ann Miles as Christmas Eve? I could hear her in a 1500 seat theatre when she played Pirelli in the Sweeney Todd tour. She was phenomenal by the way.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 10/24/09 at 11:41pm

I somewhat agree with you. When I saw it on the first preview it reminded me of the first time I saw it back in 2008. The cast was bad, it was just very sloppy. Here the cast is somewhat good (some are great) but in general the show just was mediocre.

[WickedlyEdna1962]

Posted: 10/25/09 at 1:50am

I saw the show this afternoon. I rushed and so I was in the front row-- which normally I hate but here it worked out well. I had no issues with the sound however the person sitting next to me said he had seen it the week earlier and sat mezz. He said he could barely hear what anyone was saying. As for the understudies... I thought they were great. I have only seen one Christmas Eve before (Ann Harada) however Ruth Ann was SO good. Theaterfan4 youre right, her voice was VERY powerful. I thought she did a great job and so I would be interested to see the regular actress. I thought Princeton/ Rods understudy was good however I wasnt blown away.

[NakedMaid]

Posted: 10/25/09 at 10:30am

I disagree.
I saw the show Thursday night. We all knew the lead guy had been suffering with the flu thru previews and I thought his understudy was quite nice!
Christmas Eve was on for two songs before the understudy, Ruthie stepped in for PURPOSE and stayed for the remainder of the show. Kudos for her to be ready on a dime like that and she was fantastic. She flubbed one line - but hey we're human and its live theatre!
So as for the cast and the shape of the show - I thought it was great!
I was in the mezz and, yes, the sound was not so hot - but my ears adjusted after about 5 minutes. And I agree the lighting design was kinda... retarded

[Jane2]

Posted: 10/25/09 at 11:38am

"The show just re-opened on Wednesday after previewing for a couple of weeks and already there are understudies on."

So you would prefer that the flu be spread around to the rest of the cast, crew, and perhaps patrons? Isn't it enough evidence that Christmas Eve went on although she was sick, but just couldn't make it?

*shakes head* sigh.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 10/25/09 at 11:47am

"The show just re-opened on Wednesday after previewing for a couple of weeks and already there are understudies on."

So?

What Jane2 said.

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 10/25/09 at 12:01pm

Understudies go on all the time! I saw the first Monday preview of Rock of Ages and an understudy was on for Sherrie.

[saveusmike]

Posted: 10/25/09 at 12:24pm

"Lamp"

Its a real shame you didnt enjoy the show cause I happen to think it made the switch really well, ecspecially considing the 4 week notice everyone had.
Also you have to understand. It getting colder (last week it was 44 I think) people are going to get the flu, or a cold, etc.
I myself was diagnosed with "Winter Asthma", Apparently the cold air brings out a very bad cough for me.

Within the next few months I can gaurentee you will be seeing a handful or more of understudies.

Broadway Preformers get sick just like the rest of us. Ecspecially within the colder months.

[Jane2]

Posted: 10/25/09 at 12:50pm

As for the show being in such dismal shape, it must have been just that one night when the OP was there, judging from all the rave reviews I read.