BRIDGES in its final week — Page 6

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#126

BRIDGES in its final week

Posted: 5/19/14 at 2:49pm

"Are you talking about the movie? The stage play had conflict with the children, and Bud."

Let me expand that to "All of the conflict I cared about..."

#127

BRIDGES in its final week

Posted: 5/19/14 at 6:11pm

I wish I could have been there for the last show! I hate that this show didn't last, but I am so lucky to have seen it! I am so glad that Bridges went out with so much love!

#128

I have seen Kelli in The Pajama Game & South Pacific, and while I loved her in both of those, she was unbelievable in this. A revelation. Her characterization is so complex and layered. And who else has that voice? She deserves this Tony Award NOW. It's her time. she has earned it.
And that final curtain call speech? She seems so humble and grateful. This show was snubbed. Steve (who was also fabulous), was also snubbed. Dont snub Kelli of the TONY AWARD. It's hers.

#129

BRIDGES in its final week

Posted: 5/19/14 at 8:37pm

I thought there were more people onstage at the top of act 2 than I remembered from the first time I saw it. What a nice touch to include the swings and standbys.

#130

BRIDGES in its final week

Posted: 5/19/14 at 8:55pm

Yes I thought it seemed more populated in certain scenes too! I love that they did that!

Here is my video taken after the show, when the orchestra kept playing and JRB came out and just sat and watched. Oh man the tears.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp7NaL3hh3I&feature=youtu.be

#131

BRIDGES in its final week

Posted: 5/19/14 at 9:06pm

That's a great video, sad. Is anyone going to the Barnes and Noble event on Friday?

#132

BRIDGES in its final week

Posted: 5/19/14 at 9:17pm

I've wondered what a BRIDGES overture would sound like...

#133

BRIDGES in its final week

Posted: 5/20/14 at 8:50am

Is anyone going to the Barnes and Noble event on Friday?

I'm debating it, if only to add JRB's signature to my signed BC/EFA poster.

Updated On: 5/20/14 at 08:50 AM

#134

BRIDGES in its final week

Posted: 5/20/14 at 12:30pm

Not all the swings/standbys were on-stage during those scenes. Elena Shaddow (standby for Kelli) didn't come on for top of Act 2, but she got a well-deserved bow.

Going back to what someone said about changing it to a 2-person work: I've often wondered what the show would've been like had it been more of a chamber piece with fewer characters (but not just the 2 of them a la Last 5 Years). I was thinking more like A MINISTER'S WIFE (that little off-Broadway show at the Newhouse a few years back). Say just Francesca, Robert, Bud, a neighbor (presumably just the "Marge" persona to represent Marge/Charlie and the rest of the town), and both children. With a few trims and tweaks I feel like it could work - with just 3 men/3 women. Much more intimate. Thoughts?

#135

BRIDGES in its final week

Posted: 5/20/14 at 12:55pm

I'll be there (I think).

#136

BRIDGES in its final week

Posted: 5/20/14 at 1:00pm

I'll prob be at the performance/signing.

A bit off topic, but why was my whole post before in italics? I didn't format for that.

#137

BRIDGES in its final week

Posted: 5/20/14 at 1:01pm

you probably forgot < /i >

Updated On: 5/20/14 at 01:01 PM

#138

BRIDGES in its final week

Posted: 5/20/14 at 1:01pm

I think haterobics forgot to close off his italics in the post before yours.

#139

BRIDGES in its final week

Posted: 5/20/14 at 2:13pm

I think you HAVE to have the other characters. Her husband, children, and neighbors are at the heart of the story, really. Otherwise, what's to keep her from running off?

Their presence was both touching and a source of conflict. The kindness of the neighbors and community, the heart of the family, all important enough to keep her at home, even when she wanted to run off for the romance of a lifetime. A real love existed within that community, even if it wasn't an epic romance.

For me, they are an integral part of the story, and her decision to stay.
In fact, their presence, and their dimension, improved upon the source material. One of the reasons I never found the movie as compelling and believable was because the two main characters existed within a bubble. When the truth of the story lies in the ideals and ties of family and community.

"Two drifters off to see the world. There's such a lot of world to see. . ."

Updated On: 5/20/14 at 02:13 PM

#140

BRIDGES in its final week

Posted: 5/20/14 at 2:57pm

I got that vibe after seeing the movie, where the focus remained nearly fixated on the two of them. The husband called, but we just saw her talking to him, no cuts to him, etc. We didn't get flashbacks to back stories, etc. The husband/kids did show up at the end, but in a way, that almost made him more of a stranger (from the audience's perspective) than Robert.

You could still know that story and appreciate the conflict without shifting the focus somewhat.

#141

BRIDGES in its final week

Posted: 5/20/14 at 3:00pm

This is slightly off topic from what's currently being discussed in this thread, but about a week before Bridges closed, Jason Robert Brown spoke at the Vulture Festival, and also accompanied Stephanie J. Block on the piano while she sang some of his songs. The full video is up at Vulture (the irony of them calling the show a "smash" two days after it closed is not lost on me.)

Vulture Festival - Bridges of Madison County Composer Jason Robert Brown Sings and Talks About Songwriting

#142

BRIDGES in its final week

Posted: 5/20/14 at 3:02pm

NYadgal - that's why I thought the production would do well with a smaller and more intimate cast. I don't feel like you need the entire town there. But then again, I didn't love Broadway staging with the creepy lingering cast members.

#143

BRIDGES in its final week

Posted: 5/20/14 at 3:23pm

Interesting.

I liked the family/community always (or so frequently) present...

"Two drifters off to see the world. There's such a lot of world to see. . ."

#144

BRIDGES in its final week

Posted: 5/20/14 at 6:50pm

^ Me too. I found Cass Morgan's revelatory kindness shown to Francesca in Act II one of the highpoints of the show. Also having the ex-wife sing "Another Life", standing outside the action giving perspective to the scene being played in the kitchen. These outsider views gave enormous richness to the story being told.

Turning Bridges into a 2-person play would turn it into the soap opera so many non-fans are accusing the show of in the first place. No thanks.

#145

BRIDGES in its final week

Posted: 5/20/14 at 8:16pm

I am currently watching a naughty version of Aladdin. The question I have for the nominating committee: How much did Disney pay you to nominate this glorified theme park show over Bridges?. If you really thought it was better than you need professional help. Aladdin is pablum for the unwashed masses

Thank God I did not pay to see this.

Poster Emeritus

#146

BRIDGES in its final week

Posted: 5/20/14 at 8:36pm

"The question I have for the nominating committee: How much did Disney pay you to nominate this glorified theme park show over Bridges?. If you really thought it was better than you need professional help. Aladdin is pablum for the unwashed masses"

100% THIS!

#147

BRIDGES in its final week

Posted: 5/20/14 at 9:01pm

Yeah, the closing of Bridges is terrible for many reasons, but touching on what Marc Shaiman "we will all have a lifetime to wonder how things got to the state they are that a show so beautiful can't have a proper run". This Disney-fication of Broadway is horribly disturbing, and depressing. It's crazy that audiences apparently need huge, shiny, over the top shows in order for them to go to the theater, and to make a show successful. Sigh.

Updated On: 5/20/14 at 09:01 PM

#148

BRIDGES in its final week

Posted: 5/20/14 at 9:03pm

"Aladdin is pablum for the unwashed masses," wrote the man who will champion Frank Wildhorn until his dying breath. It just shows to go ya, you know the rest.

Twitter @NamoInExile Instagram none

#149

BRIDGES in its final week

Posted: 5/20/14 at 9:14pm

"I'm debating it, if only to add JRB's signature to my signed BC/EFA poster. "

I'm wondering if they will sign my Bridges playbill, as well. I called the store, and starting at 9am they will be giving wristbands out whenever you want to buy a CD that day. The doors to the event open at 4:30pm, and he told me to get there around 3 to line up.

#150

BRIDGES in its final week

Posted: 5/20/14 at 9:27pm

I'm not going through all of that lining up, etc. And since I don't want anything signed by the cast (as I already have that), I figure I just need to approach JRB with a Sharpie and I'm good? I may skip it if it's just going to be lined and wristbands and all. I just heard them sing on Sunday.

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