^I know, it was announced on the 22nd. However, 'Thismyshow' posted a comment on the 20th about fans of this show being delusional in thinking there was going to be a cast recording, so I just wanted to rub it in a little.
Just saw the show (Dec 25), it was fantastic! Truly sad to see it go.
Side note: Katie Klaus was on for Blanche, she was excellent. Also, most of the cast members got teary eyed at curtain calls, apparently it was the most packed it's ever been... so bittersweet.
Wishing - Did you also see Melissa as Blanche? I'm curious how Katie's Blanche compared to her's. Melissa is just so amazing, I'd love to hear about someone else's take on the role.
I'm so glad to hear that they did sell out tonight! I was at a show as well where the audience was pretty packed, and there was a lot of teary eyes at curtain call. It will be sad to see this show go, I'm in love with it, I wish I could see it a lot more.
Millie, unfortunately, this was only my first (and last) time seeing it. However, the ushers were commenting on how brilliant Katie's take on the role is. -I'm assuming this goes without saying for the role, but Katie played Blanche quite innocently (but sassy), and she also looks really young, which I liked. And she had a voice you just were not expecting...
Paneraofan, at the stage door, the people next to me asked Jeremy about Newsies, he actually got a little defensive in saying no one knows what's going on with Newsies, and he has no idea whether he's taking it to Broadway.
Paneraofan, at the stage door, the people next to me asked Jeremy about Newsies, he actually got a little defensive in saying no one knows what's going on with Newsies, and he has no idea whether he's taking it to Broadway.
Of course he's taking it to Broadway. He was the best reviewed aspect of the production. It's likely that contracts have yet to be signed and that negotiations are ongoing. He doesn't want to do anything to jeopardize that. I'll be shocked if he doesn't open the show.
Millie, I just watched a few videos of Melissa online. Although it's not enough to form an opinion on, I can tell you Katie is a lot more of a powerhouse belter, which was an unexpected surprise from when you see her first come on stage.
Katie's Blanche got her strength while she was singing, which really helped with Blanche's growth and transformation; from what I've seen, it seems like Melissa's Blanche got it more through acting. If that makes sense.
Regardless, Katie Klaus has a future in this business, keep your eyes out for her.
adamgreer, I'm just reporting what he said. I also feel like he'll without a doubt be coming to Broadway with it, just as of last night, nothing was set.
I think he's probably being sensitive because everyone is dancing on the grave of Bonnie & Clyde, imagine the position he's in right now through the end of this week. He needs to be protective (defensive?) of his current family and keep focus on their spirits.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
Wishing - that makes me so happy to hear. I love it when understudies get their chance, and they shine in the role! It does make sense what you said, Melissa's voice is gorgeous, but I love her on the softer notes, although her belt is great too. I'm really curious to hear Katie sing now! Melissa is def a very strong actor, I don't think I've ever seen a performance as amazing as that. Her last scene tore out my heart every time. It sounds like both of them are amazing in their own right, which is how it should be. I look forward to one day getting to see Katie perform! I hope both of these ladies will be getting a new show soon! If you ever get the chance to see Melissa perform - take it!
Saw the show last Thursday night and thought it was wonderful. Sad to see that the mezz only held about 50-60 people tops. The ushers were so nice, they let us move immediately down to the closer rows way before the first note was played. That's never happened to me before. They also shared a few stories about how badly the cast was treated by some hurtful actions on the part of the producers. Very sad.
What I loved the most was the cast and how they gave such a heartfelt show. The last time I saw a Wildhorn production (The Civil War), the cast, also, had been told that the show was closing and these people all looked like they were having their hearts ripped out at bows. This cast was warm, friendly and the nicest group I've ever met at a stage door.
Re: Jeremy...I absolutely understand him not dancing around being all smiles at the stage door when talking about starring in Newsies...disrespectful to the people he is working with now who won't have jobs in a few days. Sensitive and gracious on his part.
For some reason, I thought I heard the Newsies casting was confirmed, guess it was nothing official.
PitPro, thanks for the report. Are you willing to share any of the stories that the house staff told you about what the producers have done?
From afar, it seems clear that the producers decided to close the show only 5 or 6 days into the run, when they started refunding ticket money bought for shows after 12/30. They told the cast that they had a chance to "save" the show by drumming up ticket sales for the remaining shows. They got the cast members roaming the streets, passing out flyers and starting an internet movement, when the decision to close had already been made. I can't say for sure that this is what took place, but it seems that the producers lied to the cast, gave them false hope, in order to get them to boost sales for the remaining shows.
I as there Christmas day as well. I went in with high hopes. Sadly, those hopes were quickly dashed. I was bored beyond words and I nearly left a intermission. I stuck it out which I regret. I was literally writhing in my seat.
The problem lies in the material. According to the directors notes (and I think the work shouldnt NEED a statement) we were suppose to feel for these characters.. And then the audience was given noone to care about.
I could go on, but no need to beat a dead horse.
Young Bonnie had a helluva voice.
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.
Young Bonnie is played by Kelsey Fowler, who was Lee Bouvier in Grey Gardens a few years ago and has also been a Jane in Mary Poppins...she's fantastic and, I agree, a really wonderful singer. I hope she continues to do well, she's super talented.
The usher I spoke to said that on some occasions, when the boom was lowered and bad news had to be given to the cast, it was announced just before they went on stage to do a show. Pretty bad form to be told, for example, you've been sacked right as places is being called. Now that I think back about it, seems to me this is probably just what happened to the Civil War cast the night I saw it.
They were also given a number of comps so that they could invite friends/family/whomever to the show. As soon as the producers pulled their monies out, all comps were rescinded. As the usher told it, some of the cast had some really great industry connections that might have come and spread good word of mouth.
I really don't know what SOP is in these situations; are comps pulled when other shows close as well? I would be bummed and perhaps a little mortified if I had invited 3-4 friends to see a show I had managed to comp them for and then tell them they have to pay.
For the record, I was treated very kindly by the guy at the box office. I didn't want to wait at TKTS, so I went to the theater armed with my discount code. I asked for a rear mezz seat and the guy was kind enough to sell me one with the code before I even gave it to him. $59.50 for the evening which I thought was more than reasonable.
Rescinding comps, while completely legal, was a totally douchey thing for them to do.
However, having a company meeting at half hour on the stage is pretty routine, even if it's to give bad news. It's one of the only times you can be assured the entire company is in the theater, available to meet.
I am heartbroken. I saw it last week to a pretty full house and loved it. And yet, our show ended at the same time as the show next door which everyone hated. I thought the permormaces were spot on, the set was fantastic, good crowd. Sad to see it go.
- I as there Christmas day as well. I went in with high hopes. Sadly, those hopes were quickly dashed. I was bored beyond words and I nearly left a intermission. I stuck it out which I regret. I was literally writhing in my seat.
The problem lies in the material. According to the directors notes (and I think the work shouldnt NEED a statement) we were suppose to feel for these characters.. And then the audience was given noone to care about. -
Bummer you were bored and never got in to the story. I really liked the show but understand some of it could be slow. As for feeling for the characters, I didn't know going in I was specifically supposed to - but I indeed did feel for Clyde, Bonnie, Blanche and Buck. The storytelling of how Clyde is treated in prison was really good, I thought. Feeling for him and rooting for him to escape prison was not difficult. Feeling for Bonnie and Blanche, who were portrayed more as innocent bystanders than part of a gang of thugs, was easy too. They were likeable, and it was very easy to sympathize with them given their plights.
I thought the last 4 or 5 songs of the first act really picked up the pace, resulting in good quality entertainment. The 2nd act kept the pace (more-so than most of the 1st act).
Not saying your opinion is wrong....just 'splaining why some have a differing opinion.
100% agree with dramamama's post. My boyfriend and I wanted to see a show yesterday after we got back into the city from spending Christmas away. Both of us were dying to see the show before it closed, so we got rush seats (which were great - left orchestra). We had both heard such good word of mouth and had high hopes. Sadly, the show was a major letdown.
The main problem lies in the book. Why are we supposed to care about any of these characters? The whole show felt like a history lesson. It's not enough to just tell us what happened, we need to have a reason to relate. Otherwise, it's just a musical about two criminals who fell in love. Big deal. And those songs... woof. The problem doesn't lie in Wildhorn's score (which, aside from some songs sounding a little too much alike, isn't bad at all), but the lyrics. Does the audience really need every single thought spelled out for them? "You Deserve Better Than Him"? "Dying Ain't So Bad"? "When I Drive"? I could have written better lyrics. The whole affair was Musical Writing 101 for me. Seriously, seriously disappointing.
Pauly, all due respect, but you joined here a few weeks ago and write about almost nothing but Bonnie and Clyde. If you aren't an intern with the Shuberts, Richards, or Serino, I'd be surprised.
The show is just a simple-minded bore, folks, vastly inferior to any version of the tale ever told before. It's the Lifetime or Hallmark Channel of Broadway.
If you like that, fine, but please leave off with the conspiricy theories and whines about how the show didn't get a fair deal. It failed because not enough people wanted to see it.