#26
Posted: 4/2/26 at 2:14pm
Did not intend for the Robyn Hurder thing to be such a big deal. I had just been under the impression that she was attached to this. Carry on folks!
BLACK SWAN and WONDER world premiere musicals and more set for American Repertory Theatre — Page 2
#27
Posted: 4/2/26 at 6:10pm
#28
Posted: 4/2/26 at 6:23pm
Melissa25 said: ""
"A new dance thriller" is certainly a new sobriquet.
#29
Posted: 4/14/26 at 3:30pm
Do A.R.T. shows usually have extensions? I am on the East Coast the week after Black Swan closes.
#30
Posted: 5/26/26 at 3:19pm
Black Swan begins tonight!
#31
Posted: 5/26/26 at 3:27pm
jacobsnchz14 said: "Black Swan begins tonight!"
I’m really excited to see this in a few weeks and looking forward to early reports.
#32
Posted: 5/26/26 at 4:03pm
Going a week from tonight. Real excited for some new Malloy
#33
Posted: 5/26/26 at 6:14pm
sm33 said: "DoA.R.T. shows usually have extensions?I am on the East Coast the week after Black Swancloses."
I wouldn't say "usually" but this prime spot in their season is a prime one to accommodate just that.
I'll be there Sunday, can't wait. Very excited to see new Malloy!
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#34
Posted: 5/27/26 at 9:57am
dramamama611 said: "sm33 said: "DoA.R.T. shows usually have extensions?I am on the East Coast the week after Black Swancloses."
I wouldn't say "usually" but this prime spot in their season is a prime one to accommodate just that.
I'll be there Sunday, can't wait. Very excited to see new Malloy!
"
I’m looking forward to your thoughts on the production!
#35
Posted: 5/27/26 at 10:02am
MUSICAL NUMBERS (as of first preview):
Prologue
Morning Class
Star
The Mirror
God and Beast
Flow
Gala Night
Swan Song
Swan Village
Ghosts
Something Bad with Beth
Rothbart
Roof's Edge
Did You Suck His C*ck?
INTERMISSION
The Trial
Far from the Flock
Cygnet
Scratch
Exile
Nothing
Nutcracker Nightmare
Shadow Dance
Village Dance
Death Dance
Finale
I can hear the 16-bar cut of “Did You Suck His C*ck?” at college auditions across the country already.
Updated On: 5/27/26 at 10:02 AM
#36
Posted: 5/27/26 at 11:57am
ColorTheHours048 said: "MUSICAL NUMBERS (as of first preview):
Prologue
Morning Class
Star
The Mirror
God and Beast
Flow
Gala Night
Swan Song
Swan Village
Ghosts
Something Bad with Beth
Rothbart
Roof's Edge
Did You Suck His C*ck?
INTERMISSION
The Trial
Far from the Flock
Cygnet
Scratch
Exile
Nothing
Nutcracker Nightmare
Shadow Dance
Village Dance
Death Dance
Finale
I can hear the 16-bar cut of “Did You Suck His C*ck?” at college auditions across the country already."
Drag Queens around the world are preparing to add this to their act as we speak.
"Charlotte, we're Jewish"
#37
Posted: 5/27/26 at 12:27pm
ColorTheHours048 said: "I can hear the 16-bar cut of “Did You Suck His C*ck?” at college auditions across the country already."
I guess that means no Black Swan, Jr. for MTI!
#38
Posted: 5/27/26 at 4:07pm
ColorTheHours048 said: "MUSICAL NUMBERS (as of first preview):
Prologue
Morning Class
Star
The Mirror
God and Beast
Flow
Gala Night
Swan Song
Swan Village
Ghosts
Something Bad with Beth
Rothbart
Roof's Edge
Did You Suck His C*ck?
INTERMISSION
The Trial
Far from the Flock
Cygnet
Scratch
Exile
Nothing
Nutcracker Nightmare
Shadow Dance
Village Dance
Death Dance
Finale
I can hear the 16-bar cut of “Did You Suck His C*ck?” at college auditions across the country already."
That's how you close out a first act
#39
Posted: 5/27/26 at 5:43pm
I wonder how that number works with Leroy being played by a woman?
#40
Posted: 5/27/26 at 11:38pm
Caught the second preview and it's quite the experience. The "thriller" aspect is full throttle in the second act with great effects and lighting, all of which were really well done. The music is very Dave Malloy and, for the most part, it works. I think some of the songs could be shuffled around. The book is..............fine. Act one is a slow burn and then act two escalates so fast; they need to bridge the two better.
I remember the mother character being more abusive in the movie and I think they should play into that more, really up her villainess. We get way too much of the Beth character (Winona Ryder) which takes away from the Lily character (Mila Kunis), who feels like an afterthought here. There's also two gay characters that are such an eye roll.
Great performances all around. Not sure how Melanie Moore will be able to do that 8 times a week, it's quite the role. She (obviously) dances it so well and she nails the innocence of Nina. Her breakdown throughout is well done (though I do think the book needs to clean up her arc). Amber Iman is such a star. Her voice is incredible and she really sells the acting moments. Just perfection from her, she should get all the awards.
I'm surprised to hear that people think this is a definite Broadway transfer. I'm not sure I see the commercial appeal. I think Wonder, which I thought was a much worse show, would actually be the better transfer. But hell, I hope I'm proven wrong! It's already in solid shape and can only get better with some edits....I'm rooting for it!
#41
Posted: 5/28/26 at 3:07am
I am so curious about Black Swan, in part because the idea of Dave Malloy doing a modern film adaptation - and of this movie, of all things - feels like it could be great or a misfire. And then there is Amber Iman, who might be my favorite actress at this point even if the shows she’s in are not always as good as I hope.
Keep the reviews coming!
ETA: I had forgotten what a monster hit this movie was back in 2010. On a $13 million budget, it made more than $300 million. The temptation to try to bring this to Broadway will definitely be there, especially if the second act is as compelling as several of you are making it sound.
Updated On: 6/4/26 at 03:07 AM
#42
Posted: 5/28/26 at 5:46pm
HenryTDobson said: "I'm surprised to hear that people think this is a definite Broadway transfer. I'm not sure I see the commercial appeal. I think Wonder, which I thought was a much worse show, would actually be the better transfer. But hell, I hope I'm proven wrong! It's already in solid shape and can only get better with some edits....I'm rooting for it!"
It has the very prolific Kevin McCollum as its commercial producer. If he wants to take it to Broadway, he will. But he has a number of shows that could come in (Devil Wears Prada, 42 Balloons, etc)
#43
Posted: 5/28/26 at 6:11pm
ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "HenryTDobson said: "I'm surprised to hear that people think this is a definite Broadway transfer. I'm not sure I see the commercial appeal. I think Wonder, which I thought was a much worse show, would actually be the better transfer. But hell, I hope I'm proven wrong! It's already in solid shape and can only get better with some edits....I'm rooting for it!"
It has the very prolific Kevin McCollum as its commercial producer. If he wants to take it to Broadway, he will. But he has a number of shows that could come in (Devil Wears Prada, 42 Balloons, etc)"
Whatever did happen to 42 Balloons? I remember that had a lot of transfer power behind it at one point
I'm just here so I don't get fined
#44
Posted: 5/28/26 at 6:53pm
ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "HenryTDobson said: "I'm surprised to hear that people think this is a definite Broadway transfer. I'm not sure I see the commercial appeal. I think Wonder, which I thought was a much worse show, would actually be the better transfer. But hell, I hope I'm proven wrong! It's already in solid shape and can only get better with some edits....I'm rooting for it!"
It has the very prolific Kevin McCollum as its commercial producer. If he wants to take it to Broadway, he will. But he has a number of shows that could come in (Devil Wears Prada, 42 Balloons, etc)"
Makes sense, thank you! To reiterate- I think it's definitely a worthy show, quality-wise. Just not sure how it would sell. Definitely not a show that lends itself to star casting.
#45
Posted: 5/28/26 at 10:04pm
I could see it transferring to an Off-Bway nonprofit first to generate hype.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
#46
Posted: 6/2/26 at 10:59pm
Saw this tonight. The first half was pretty uneven. Mostly the book. There were some real bad dialogue and lines that were dead. Music was great. The second act, I thought, was incredible. Malloy really is amazing
#47
Posted: 6/13/26 at 9:50pm
I saw the matinee performance today. The show has a lot of potential, and some truly spectacular stagecraft (especially in act two), and with some work, it could be astounding.
There's some book work that needs to be done in Act One. Some work to better establish the relationships and motivations of and between the characters. Beth's role could be cut down significantly. And the mom could be a much clearer villain. The biggest problem is that I don't fully believe Nina's ambition in Act One. Where exactly are the seeds of her crazy planted?
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Also, I did not see ANY sexual attraction or flirtation between Nina and Lily at any point before the hallucination hookup. A line or two or a moment of yearning from Nina earlier in the act would make that sequence more believable.
Act Two is astonishing. Cut Beth's number (and turn mom's into a much tighter reprise). But this is some gorgeous, shocking, and impressive stage wizardry that doesn't rely on projections or super fancy tricks. Seriously, The Lost Boys could never.
I hope this has a life after this production -- and that they seep working on it. If the song list from earlier in this thread is to be believed, they definitely made cuts during previews, as there was no c*cksucking song.
If you're near Boston and can snag a ticket, I think it's worth it.
#48
Posted: 6/14/26 at 10:19am
As someone who saw first preview, I can firmly say there was never a c*cksucking song. I believe that was someone making a joke and referncing the movie. But they have definitely been making cuts. There was an Act 1 solo by LeRoy called Ghosts that was cut during previews. And I noticed a lot of little line changes. I agree on everything said about the book and stagecraft. This show is such an experience and reaches such high highs. It's a strong first iteration, and I hope they keep working on that book, because the show could really be something special if they do.
#49
Posted: 6/14/26 at 7:44am
fullmoonsforce said: "As someone who saw first preview, I can firmly say there was never a c*cksucking song. I believe that was someone making a joke and referncing the movie. But they have definitely been making cuts. There was an Act 1 solo by LeRoy called Ghosts that was cut during previews. And I noticed a lot of little line changes. I agree on everything said about the book and stagecraft. This show is such an experience and reaches such high highs. It's a strong first iteration, and I hope they keep working on that book, because the show could really be something special if they do."
I had a feeling that was tongue in cheek (ahem). But you never can tell.
#50
Posted: 6/14/26 at 9:03am
I caught the evening performance yesterday and really enjoyed it. While the acting, choreography, set design, lighting, and ensemble were all fantastic, I found the music to be the weakest part of the production—both for me and the group I was with.
That said, Melanie K. Moore, Jada Simone Clark, and Amber Iman were all stellar; I really hope they continue with the production if it has a life beyond A.R.T. We also saw Mehry Eslaminia as the understudy for Nina’s mother, Barbara, and she was great.
Regarding the score, I suspect it’s one that might grow on me with a second viewing or a cast recording. It’s certainly a very different beast from Great Comet, which remains one of my all-time favorite scores. I’m genuinely rooting for the future of this show, though I hope they take their time before heading to Broadway—it feels like it would benefit immensely from another out-of-town tryout or a long preview period. Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable night.
