Be More Chill Off-Broadway Official Thread- Page 4

[Gink]

Posted: 7/26/18 at 9:29pm

thealtoslament said: "Same here, Gink. I don't want pandering to the fanbase. Confirming that Michael's gay is nothing, but going in for a lip lock with Jeremy during Two Player Game? Yeesh. I can't imagine how that's choreographed to make sense but I'm sure the Fandom will eat it up."

There was nothing in the show I saw that made me to think Michael was gay--or that Michael, knowing how much his friend was into Christine would make a move. I have no problem with Michael being gay, in the version I saw it doesn't fit.

 

[thealtoslament]

Posted: 7/26/18 at 9:36pm

Gink said: "There was nothing in the show I saw that mademe to think Michael was gay--or that Michael, knowing how much his friend was into Christine would make a move. I have no problem with Michael being gay, in the version I saw it doesn't fit.

"

I agree 100%-- he's endlessly supportive of Jeremy pursuing Christine and doesn't come off as jealous/pining after Jeremy at all in the show as originally written. I'm totally fine with them saying Michael is gay. But, I hate the whole "gay character pining after straight best friend" trope and now I'm worried that Michael's become that in this new version. 

Still, though. I love Michael in the Bathroom as much as anyone (it's the newest entry in my rep book for auditions and I'm hoping I can get some mileage out of being a girl singing it) so seeing George Salazar perform that song that will be worth the 70 bucks I spent on my ticket. 

[Frenchbacon]

Posted: 7/26/18 at 10:15pm

I'm anxious to hear about the stagedoor. I hope it's nothing like the Mean Girls stagedoor where people egged Barrett. But we'll see!

[Robbie2]

Posted: 7/26/18 at 10:22pm

thealtoslament said: "Gink said: "There was nothing in the show I saw that mademe to think Michael was gay--or that Michael, knowing how much his friend was into Christine would make a move. I have no problem with Michael being gay, in the version I saw it doesn't fit.

"

I agree 100%-- he's endlessly supportive of Jeremy pursuing Christine and doesn't come off as jealous/pining after Jeremy at all in the show as originally written. I'm totally fine with them saying Michael is gay. But, I hate the whole "gay character pining after straight best friend" tropeand now I'm worried that Michael's become that in this new version.

Still, though. I love Michael in the Bathroom as much as anyone (it's the newest entry in my rep book for auditions and I'm hoping I can get some mileage out of being a girl singing it) so seeing George Salazar perform that songthat will be worth the 70 bucks I spent on my ticket."

 

Seriously!? The video of George singing that song was horrible.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 7/26/18 at 10:23pm

Frenchbacon said: "I'm anxious to hear about the stagedoor. I hope it's nothing like the Mean Girls stagedoor where people egged Barrett. But we'll see!"

 

Why did they egg Barrett? 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 7/26/18 at 10:23pm

Frenchbacon said: "I'm anxious to hear about the stagedoor. I hope it's nothing like the Mean Girls stagedoor where people egged Barrett. But we'll see!"

 

Why did they egg Barrett? 

[Frenchbacon]

Posted: 7/26/18 at 10:25pm

Robbie2 said: "Frenchbacon said: "I'm anxious to hear about the stagedoor. I hope it's nothing like the Mean Girls stagedoor where people egged Barrett. But we'll see!"



Why did they egg Barrett?"

Honestly, I don't know. That's just what I heard from quite a few other threads on here.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 7/26/18 at 10:26pm

n2nbaby said: "The fandom of this show is disgusting and the score is horrible. The cast deserves SO much more."

 

I listened to the score and barely could listen to it and agree it is Horrible! I why are these fandoms acting like this at the stage door? What is bringing on this stage door behavior?

[haterobics]

Posted: 7/26/18 at 10:27pm

Frenchbacon said: "I'm anxious to hear about the stagedoor. I hope it's nothing like the Mean Girls stagedoor where people egged Barrett. But we'll see!"

The made-up rumor that won't die. Neighbors above the theater threw eggs down at the noisy stagedoor crowd, and hit Barrett in the process. No one egged her specifically.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 7/26/18 at 10:34pm

thealtoslament said: "Robbie:

A very succinct explanation is that Be More Chill is a show about high school losers who, through circumstances (sort of) out of their control, become involved in crazy events--plot-wise, it'sis basically halfway between Dear Evan Hansen and Little Shop of Horrors. Since the show is set in high school and deals with issues that affect young people (popularity, friends, being true to yourself/peer pressure, etc.), with a modern-sounding pop/rock score, it has a big appeal with a certain age demographic. Like Phantom and Rent before them, and now Dear Evan Hansen and Heathers, it's the hot new musical popular with teenagers and young adults who are just learning about obsession.

This article is a little more in-depth:https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/13/theater/be-more-chill-iconis-salazar.html

ETA: I think it's also an issue of scarcity. The show has had exactly 1 professional production (its premiere in NJ in 2015) and a smattering of amateur/school ones since R&H released amateur rights,so people's familiarity with the show is based mostly or entirely around a cast album. They're probably excited (at best, and desperate at worst) to see it performed live."

Thanks Alto! This kids show is not for us.

[Elegance101]

Posted: 7/26/18 at 10:37pm

I'm not excited to hear reports about this crowd/stage door. This will be a nightmare.

Count me in as someone who just doesn't get it. Some of the songs are cute, but those rehearsal clips were horrible. It seems like literally any show about teenagers can get a "stan" following.

[thealtoslament]

Posted: 7/26/18 at 10:48pm

Robbie2 said: "thealtoslament said: "Robbie:

A very succinct explanation is that Be More Chill is a show about high school losers who, through circumstances (sort of) out of their control, become involved in crazy events--plot-wise, it'sis basically halfway between Dear Evan Hansen and Little Shop of Horrors. Since the show is set in high school and deals with issues that affect young people (popularity, friends, being true to yourself/peer pressure, etc.), with a modern-sounding pop/rock score, it has a big appeal with a certain age demographic. Like Phantom and Rent before them, and now Dear Evan Hansen and Heathers, it's the hot new musical popular with teenagers and young adults who are just learning about obsession.

This article is a little more in-depth:https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/13/theater/be-more-chill-iconis-salazar.html

ETA: I think it's also an issue of scarcity. The show has had exactly 1 professional production (its premiere in NJ in 2015) and a smattering of amateur/school ones since R&H released amateur rights,so people's familiarity with the show is based mostly or entirely around a cast album. They're probably excited (at best, and desperate at worst) to see it performed live."

Thanks Alto! This kids show is not for us."

No problem! w/r/t the rehearsal clips, I admit I'm tempering my expectations a little bit because I wasn't blown away, but in context (in my opinion of course) Michael in the Bathroom is a powerful song and as someone who's struggled with various flavors of mental illnesses in my life (and is only a few years older than the character's supposed to be) watching him work through a panic attack is cathartic in a kind of roundabout way. Of course you're well within your rights not to enjoy the show! I can readily admit this show has major flaws, and yet I enjoy it anyway.

[dearalanaaaa]

Posted: 7/26/18 at 10:56pm

So I was just at the stage door...
I am a hefty girl. I stand at 5'11 and I'm over 125 pounds. That door made me wish I was an adult male.
When Jenna came out, everybody screamed. Then, George came out and everybody pushed into the flimsy barrier, almost trampling Jenna. Nobody noticed Roland coming out due to all of the chaos. A girl threw a poster over my head, but she had warned me. 2 people under 5 feet each almost got trampled by this pushing. I actually ended up apologizing to actors for the crowds poor behavior. They gave out hats, and we all kept hitting each other with them.
Security didn't help. They couldn't manage the crowd and got distracted. All the people signed, but missed many people. I heard somebody crying. Will Roland, Salazar, and Caninoco took photos towards they end when hey walked back. The people around me were all very appalled.
All the guards were holding various gifts for the actors... Mostly George and Will, which y know, just isn't fair.
The door was a mess. I feel like crying after leaving. My bones feel like they are breaking. Was it worth it? Maybe.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 7/26/18 at 11:01pm

I'll never understand the appeal of Salazar. But eh. To each their own, right? 

[Gink]

Posted: 7/26/18 at 11:05pm

dearalanaaaa said: "So I was just at the stage door...
I am a hefty girl. I stand at 5'11 and I'm over 125 pounds. That door made me wish I was an adult male.
When Jenna came out, everybody screamed. Then, George came out and everybody pushed into the flimsy barrier, almost trampling Jenna. Nobody noticed Roland coming out due to all of the chaos. A girl threw a poster over my head, but she had warned me. 2 people under 5 feet each almost got trampled by this pushing. I actually ended up apologizing to actors for the crowds poor behavior. They gave out hats, and we all kept hitting each other with them.
Security didn't help. They couldn't manage the crowd and got distracted. All the people signed, but missed many people. I heard somebody crying. Will Roland, Salazar, and Caninoco took photos towards they end when hey walked back. The people around me were all very appalled.
All the guards were holding various gifts for the actors... Mostly George and Will, which y know, just isn't fair.
The door was a mess. I feel like crying after leaving. My bones feel like they are breaking. Was it worth it? Maybe."

But how was act II? 

[EllieRose2]

Posted: 7/26/18 at 11:07pm

I was there as well. Jesus Christ. My friend text me earlier today that her boyfriend bailed on the show, and asking me to go.  I know nothing about this show, but I blindly agreed.  Then I read this thread, and was frightened. The audience was garbage, screaaaaammmmmming at everything and super young.  I am 30 years old so I am much older than the teen fans here tonight.  It was also the first preview, so the audiences could improve but, I highly doubt it.  The story was very undeveloped and the score was not great, nor was the singing.  I think the obsessive teen fans will love this forever, but I just could not get into it.  

I practically ran out to avoid the "stage door" area but got caught in the huge sea of fans that were, once again SCREEEAMING.  I was pushed and ran into by multiple people, it was the worst evening I have ever spent at the theater.  I'm going to get drunk now because I NEED TO AFTER THAT.

[Gink]

Posted: 7/26/18 at 11:09pm

RippedMan said: "I'll never understand the appeal of Salazar. But eh. To each their own, right?"

We liked his online stuff for the show, but yeah, to each their own. Looking forward to seeing him live.

 

[Elegance101]

Posted: 7/26/18 at 11:20pm

So sorry to hear about those stage door reports! I really hope you're doing all right, as I understand why that could be really overwhelming.

In regards to MITBR, I always feel like George really overacts that song. I, too, have struggled with my own mental health demons, but I much preferred Ben Platt's performance of those issues, as it was a less-is-more approach. When you start screaming and pounding the floor, it loses all emotional resonance for me. The simple way Platt kind of squeaked out those words in "Words Fail" gutted me, whereas Salazar screaming about feeling like a "loser" feels very disingenuous, or like he's trying to give a great performance, not live in the truth of the character. 

Updated On: 7/26/18 at 11:20 PM

[Gink]

Posted: 7/26/18 at 11:30pm

I thought there was a creepiness in Dear Evan Hansen--the song about what the brother liked about the sister (which was all Evan, and then tree song) 

[thealtoslament]

Posted: 7/26/18 at 11:34pm

Elegance101 said: "So sorry to hear about those stage door reports! I really hope you're doing all right, as I understand why that could be really overwhelming.

In regards to MITBR, I always feel like George really overacts that song. I, too, have struggled with my own mental health demons, but I much preferred Ben Platt's performance of those issues, as it was a less-is-more approach. When you start screaming and pounding the floor, it loses all emotional resonance for me. The simple way Platt kind of squeaked out those words in "Words Fail" gutted me, whereas Salazar screaming about feeling like a "loser" feels very disingenuous, or like he's trying to give a great performance, not live in the truth of the character."

That's totally a fair point! For me, I relate to Michael's lashing-out way more than I relate to Evan's less-is-more, probably because my experience of my own anxiety disorder more closely resembles the lashing-out/screaming/etc. But to each their own, etc.

[dearalanaaaa]

Posted: 7/26/18 at 11:38pm

Let me clear up some things:
-No, crazed fans, Rich is NOT dating Michael at the end. Rich LIKES Michael, Michael still likes Jeremy and nobody is dating besides Jeremy and Christine.
-Yes, George fell during pants song. I hope he's okay
-Why was the clap chain necessary before halloween? Audience: calm down.
-Michael in the Potty was doing great until he stomped on the floor and scared me.
-Wills mic glitched during the last song I think?
-Wills new song was good and sad. I liked it there.
-Michael gets a rainbow patch.
-Michael doesn't LIP KISS Jeremy during 2PG. Michael leans in to kiss him and Jeremy whips away so fast.
-None of the gay ships are Canon, but only in one side.
-Letter to girl and mother in front of me: Girl, stop dancing during every song and freaking out every time you see George. Mother, calm your daughter down.
SH*Tty audience.oof.

Posted: 7/26/18 at 11:52pm

I really don't like Michael having an unrequited crush on Jeremy. It's great that he's canonically gay, but I'd rather they just kept the platonic relationship. It's not like we're rolling in depictions of straight/gay male friendships. Agreed that it makes no sense to have an almost kiss in Two Player Game.

As for the material, I missed the whole fandom craze despite being in that age range, but I've listened to the music and some of the songs are pretty catchy. I like the cast but I probably won't be seeing any production unless reports of the crazed fans change.

[Elegance101]

Posted: 7/26/18 at 11:59pm

thealtoslament said: "Elegance101 said: "So sorry to hear about those stage door reports! I really hope you're doing all right, as I understand why that could be really overwhelming.

In regards to MITBR, I always feel like George really overacts that song. I, too, have struggled with my own mental health demons, but I much preferred Ben Platt's performance of those issues, as it was a less-is-more approach. When you start screaming and pounding the floor, it loses all emotional resonance for me. The simple way Platt kind of squeaked out those words in "Words Fail" gutted me, whereas Salazar screaming about feeling like a "loser" feels very disingenuous, or like he's trying to give a great performance, not live in the truth of the character."

That's totally a fair point!For me, I relate to Michael's lashing-out way more than I relate to Evan's less-is-more, probably because my experience of my own anxiety disorder more closely resembles the lashing-out/screaming/etc. But to each their own, etc."

That's interesting to hear! I'm happy we're able to share viewpoints on this. I suppose his performance could be based in more truth than I know.

And I feel like the idea of Michael liking Jeremy perpetuates the idea that gay guys are in love with every straight boy they see and therefore can't be friends with them. Why can't we just have a gay boy whose best friend is a straight boy with no complication? That plot point specifically (not Michael being gay on the whole, per-say, just the crush) doesn't sit totally right with me.

[Kad]

Posted: 7/27/18 at 12:02am

Chase Brock, the choreographer, shared a photo of the lobby after the show... that huge space looked packed

[Alex M]

Posted: 7/27/18 at 12:34am

Just got home! I’m very tired so forgive me if spelling errors occur! I enjoyed the show way more then I thought I would! I realized mid way through the show that I’m not the prime audience for this show as it’s clearly based for the teen “Stan” craze but still enjoyed myself. It was like a mix of little shop and dear evan hansen which I thought was pretty interesting. Whole cast was amazing but Jason who played the squip was a big stand out for me! Will was also fantastic! My biggest problems were the pants song (which needs to go), The act one finale is a minute too long, and the show gets a little too ridicules at the end. The fan base for this really makes me cringe aswell. There was like a party during intermission. I was there alone and had no one to talk to about how much I was cringing about the fans but the person next to me (who seemed to be a big fan of the show) did laugh when I audibly moaned when the fans started dancing around. I don’t see this transferring because I can’t really seeing this kind of campy show on broadway but who knows! All in all I enjoyed my night and plan to be back before it closes.

Updated On: 7/27/18 at 12:34 AM