Ball to star in ALW’s new reimagined ASPECTS OF LOVE- Page 3

[sparklingtonic2]

Posted: 5/18/23 at 10:58pm

Jordan Catalano said: "Oh my God, this was gorgeous. I've been waiting so long to finally see a production of this and I couldn't have asked for a better one than they have on at the Lyric right now. I can't recommend this revival enough if you're planning a trip to London this summer."

Thanks for the update!

I've got tickets to see it twice in September. Can't wait!!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/18/23 at 11:04pm

I saw it 3x this week lol. 

[chernjam]

Posted: 5/18/23 at 11:08pm

Jordan Catalano said: "I saw it 3x this week lol."

I'm so jealous... and tying to see if I can afford a quick trip to London just to see this!
Wondering, did they add a new song?  I know it was rumored as a possibility.  
Also, curious is "There is More To Love" song as a solo by Giulietta or a duet with her and Rose?

 

[Owen22]

Posted: 5/19/23 at 4:53am

I'm seeing this this evening and I'll report back. The last time I saw this was years ago at the Menier Chocolate Factory with, I'm not kidding, Michael Arden miscast as Alex! Of all the Americans they could have imported! It WAS the first time I had ever seen the original West End  female "Company", Bobbie Rosalie Craig. She was beginning her career as Gulietta.

Updated On: 5/19/23 at 04:53 AM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/19/23 at 6:42am

chernjam said: "Jordan Catalano said: "I saw it 3x this week lol."

I'm so jealous... and tying to see if I can afford a quick trip to London just to see this!
Wondering, did they add a new song? I know it was rumored as a possibility.
Also, curious is "There is More To Love" song as a solo by Giulietta or a duet with her and Rose?”


I don’t think there’s a new song but someone please tell me if I’m wrong. Again, it’s not a show I really knew before going into it this week. As for that song, it is not a duet.  

 

[scripps]

Posted: 5/19/23 at 10:49am

Aspects of Love has been on my theater bucket list since my uncle sang an impromptu rendition of "Love Changes Everything" to my aunt at their wedding reception. To this precocious child it was so cringe! Seeing it on Tuesday and can't wait.

[chernjam]

Posted: 5/19/23 at 3:12pm

Jordan Catalano said: "chernjam said: "Jordan Catalano said: "I saw it 3x this week lol."

I'm so jealous... and tying to see if I can afford a quick trip to London just to see this!
Wondering, did they add a new song? I know it was rumored as a possibility.
Also, curious is "There is More To Love" song as a solo by Giulietta or a duet with her and Rose?”


I don’t think there’s a new song but someone please tell me if I’m wrong. Again, it’s not a show I really knew before going into it this week. As for that song, it is not a duet.

"

That's one of my favorite songs from Aspects, which I believe was a late addition to the score.  And between London and Broadway and in revivals  since, it's gone back and forth as a solo and as a duet where you have Giulietta and Rose kind of offering their own reflections in a point/counterpoint type of way that I found even more effective.

With today's announcement of a Sunset Revival, and my 50th birthday coming up in the Fall, I might plan a 4 day trip to see two of my all time favorites (and maybe I'll throw in Phantom just because)  

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/19/23 at 3:54pm

That’ll be an amazing birthday!!!!! 

[Owen22]

Posted: 5/19/23 at 7:12pm

Oh. no, no, no.  That was not good.  

Honestly, as much as I listened to that original London cast recording years ago, Aspects was probably never a good show.  But that music!  but those lyrics....

I could complain about the physical production, the lack of direction (Jonathan Kent--what happened??). All, not good. Save for Laura Pitt-Pulford the cast is so weak. How does Jamie Bogyo (Alex) keep getting cast? No charisma, no real acting chops, a tenor that is serviceable at best.  But he's had the lead ingenue male role in two big shows He must audition very well.  I thought Danielle de Niese's Guilietta had potential but both her act two numbers fell flat.  Michael Ball was enjoyable, I guess, but he's trotted out to sing "Love Changes Everything" (originally Alex's opening number) with his traditional ending big note that should be thrilling but comes across as corny (but really shows how weak Bogyo's high notes are in comparison when he sings the same song's big note at the end of the Act).  George should be played as a continental lothario, but Ball's is merely a campy esthete. And, um...plot-wise, an older man creeping on a teenage girl whom he watched grow up has not aged well.

Without Alex and Rose and George and Rose having chemistry, the show falls flatter than it otherwise would, and as hard as Pitt-Pulford tries, she can't ignite anything with her leading men.

But, like Bad Cinderella, Lloyd-Webber's work does shine alone.  Gorgeous, gorgeous songs.  And they'd better be because they come back A LOT!  There are no new songs, but a bunch of new lyrics such as Rose and the housekeeper joining in on "Much Better Off With You" (maybe to show that Rose has some agency of her own instead of being a "prize" between her old man lover and the boy who just shot her). 

Updated On: 5/19/23 at 07:12 PM

[chernjam]

Posted: 5/19/23 at 7:33pm

Owen22 said: "There are no new songs, but a bunch of new lyrics such as Rose and the housekeeper joining in on "Much Better Off With You" (maybe to show that Rose has some agency of her own instead of being a "prize" between her old man lover and the boy who just shot her)."

That was introduced in the original Broadway production too.  At one point - I think Rose and the housekeeper go back and forth singing things like:

"who can understand the English?

do they always carry on like this...
one is wise

one is wild...

(to the housekeeper concluding) perhaps you'd be better off with me!"

[Owen22]

Posted: 5/20/23 at 2:43am

chernjam said: "Owen22 said: "There are no new songs, but a bunch of new lyrics such as Rose and the housekeeper joining in on "Much Better Off With You" (maybe to show that Rose has some agency of her own instead of being a "prize" between her old man lover and the boy who just shot her)."

That was introduced in the original Broadway production too. At one point - I think Rose and the housekeeper go back and forth singing things like:

"who can understand the English?

do they always carry on like this...
one is wise

one is wild...

(to the housekeeper concluding) perhaps you'd be better off with me!""

Yes, that's it! I saw the Broadway production but I'm sure my head is still in the original London cast recording.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/23/23 at 6:07pm

New Production Photos

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 5/23/23 at 6:23pm

This looks awesome! I have to be honest, I have never heard or seen Aspects of Love. I only know the song "Love Changes Everything". I definitely wanna check this out when I'm in London! 2 weeks till I journey across the pond!

[Robbie2]

Posted: 5/23/23 at 9:25pm

https://www.aspectsoflove.com/

[kdogg36]

Posted: 5/23/23 at 9:48pm

chernjam said: "With today's announcement of a Sunset Revival, and my 50th birthday coming up in the Fall, I might plan a 4 day trip to see two of my all time favorites (and maybe I'll throw in Phantom just because)"

My 50th is next month. If you're looking for a plus one, let me know. 

[saxpower]

Posted: 5/23/23 at 11:51pm

Robbie2 said: "https://www.aspectsoflove.com/"

Have they restructured the show with respect to Jenny?  There's only one actress listed as playing her (usually there is a younger and (relatively) older version

[ChairinMain]

Posted: 5/24/23 at 1:40am

 There are four younger actresses playing young Jenny, they’re just not listed on the website for whatever reason. (An ensemble member or two are also listed as swings, for whatever reason). Jenny’s track is basically unchanged but she’s been aged up slightly; she has her romantic tension with Alex at 17/18 rather than 15. 
 

I saw the show in its second preview and found it an effective and streamlined production to a show that remains a bit of a hot mess. Ball is the main reason to see it; he is giving a lovely, nuanced performance. Anna Urwin’s Jenny is also terrific Pitt-Pulford is doing great work but I think hadn’t quite nailed the physicallity of “Anywhere but Lonely” yet (I make allowances for literally being two performances in). Danielle De Niese is doing a lot but she’s doing it awfully well. Jamie Boygo is…not great, but doesn’t sink the show. 
 

I also got to watch Andrew Lloyd Webber get whacked by a door that opened too fast in a corridor, nearly sending him toppling down a set of steps. So a memorable evening all round!
 

 

Updated On: 5/24/23 at 01:40 AM

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 5/26/23 at 7:28pm

Well, I was in London and decided to see it, little did I know it was opening night and ALW and Don Black were in the theater and came to the stage at the end.

About the show, like someone says in the comments, it hasn't aged well. But I am a fan of the show, and saw a production with Jennifer Hope Wills in Philly that was close to perfection with an amazing leading lady who stunned me with high clear amazing notes and an "Anything But Lonely" to die for. This actress in the show was the opposite. She had no chemistry with Michael Ball or the other character. Her voice was pleasant enough, but her "Anything But Lonely" was almost a joke, I felt she was kidding. For real! Michael Ball on the other hand, was the star of the show and had true scenic presence. The American actor playing the role of Alex had a beautiful body and a great voice, but his acting wasn't too good, but his voice and looks distracted you and overall he was good enough. Julietta completely forgettable, but she was fine. I think Ann Crumb must be turning in her grave!!! Overall, it was an enjoyable show, with great sets, but they made a few wrong choices, by the way, why did they change the name of DELIA to CELIA?!!! I find the name Delia much more glamorous.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/26/23 at 7:51pm

How has word of mouth been over there? Still no plans for a cast album?

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 5/26/23 at 8:07pm

The OBCR with Ann Crumb is much superior to the material now, no need for a new recording TBH.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/26/23 at 8:18pm

How is Love Changes Everything restaged as a song for George now? What is the beginning of the show like in this production?

[Magnificent Donkey]

Posted: 5/26/23 at 9:48pm

muscle23ftl said: "The OBCR with Ann Crumb is much superior to the material now, no need for a new recording TBH."

I would LOVE a new Cast Recording.

[joevitus]

Posted: 5/26/23 at 10:46pm

muscle23ftl said: "The OBCR with Ann Crumb is much superior to the material now, no need for a new recording TBH."

It's a great recording, but I can't tell if "B" is meant to stand for "British" or "Broadway." There was only the London recording. 

[chernjam]

Posted: 5/27/23 at 12:06am

Appreciate reading all the reports.  Have to agree with muscle's appreciation of Ann Crumb.  Was fortunate to see her in the Original Broadway Production of Aspects - and  there was something amazingly special about her voice.  She nailed the high note in "Anything but lonely" so seemingly effortlessly that I don't think I've ever seen another actress that was comparable.  That was one of many infuriating things about the recording - that they didn't capture her epic ending (for those who don't know what I'm talking about, she repeats the final line and sings "what's the sense when no one ELSE IS THERE" in the higher register and holding those last words)

So, I'd love a new recording to hear the new orchestrations and what changes they've made to the score, script, lyrics.  

Am trying to plan an October trip to see Aspects and Sunset.  I mean, seriously, when will they both be playing at the same time again?

[JBradshaw]

Posted: 5/27/23 at 1:02am

muscle23ftl said: 

About the show, like someone says in the comments, it hasn't aged well. But I am a fan of the show, and saw a production with Jennifer Hope Wills in Philly that was close to perfection with an amazing leading lady who stunned me with high clear amazing notes and an "Anything But Lonely" to die for. CELIA?!!! I find the name Delia much more glamorous."

I saw the Walnut production  Jennifer Hope Willis was perfection, her “anything but lonely” ❤️