Beardo

I'm going next week! Pretty excited!

I can't say that I had much more than a vague knowledge of Rasputin going in and I didn't have any issues.



I'm hoping to make a return visit and bring some friends along.

I've seen some production shots and the design looks absolutely gorgeous, especially the costumes. I think I might grab a ticket. Can anyone elaborate some more on what they thought of the production?

Lots of language and sexual situations, but no nudity.



As for the seating, yes, it is in a church with a center aisle. Most of the action happens at the front of the church, with a good bit also happening on scaffolding along the left side. I recommend sitting on the right side of the aisle so you don't have to crane your neck as much.



The three seating options are Peasantry (the back rows), Nobility (in front of them, but also the front two rows), and Royalty (in the middle, what would be considered "house seats" in a theatre I suppose). I had Nobility and sat in the front row and loved it. To be clear, the very front row is not used for audience seating, the actors are stand on it a couple times, so the second row is the first row of seating. If I go back, I would do Nobility again and sit in the front on the right side of the aisle.

I don't think seating was specified during previews.

I saw this and loved it by the way. The last 30 minutes was amazing.

Kind of interested in this, but is it a pain to get to? I live uptown.

I have an extra reservation for tomorrow night. PM me if you want to come.

Does anyone know if there's any chance this might extend?

I know a fair bit about Russian history but I think you could go in not knowing anything and be fine. It's one of those shows where they tell you everything you need to know and it's also the situations are fairly simplified. The son is a hemophile... this is the bad guy... these are the stakes as we've defined them... the revolution is coming... I think within that the messages are kind of muddled but that's a writing issue and not a comprehension issue.

It's hard to take everything in fully because so much is happening. For the most part, I liked the costumes. Some of them look a little cheaper but there's thought there. The "stage" is very small but they make use of the scaffolding and a lot is accomplished with props and physicality. You don't feel like you're watching a low budget thing with just the actors. It feels like they intentionally kept things sparse, whether or not that's true. I also think they did a nice job with the lighting. I don't know enough about lighting to really comment but it gave the production a more professional feel.

Content... I would not recommend this if you're seriously religious. It's not even like Jesus Christ Superstar where they explore religion. They're very casual about it here. I don't remember any drug use. There is violence and murder but it's treated humorously. Not exactly Gentleman's Guide but a kind of dark humor. Nothing gory though. I will say the bucket of water thing made me a little nervous and the flagellation seemed a little unnecessary and went on too long. No drug use. Nudity? The main character is shirtless and unbuttons his pants and the women are in various states of undress but you mostly just see their legs. There is sexual content though. There's some language.

The seating is church pews so there's not a bad seat unless you're short and seated behind someone tall. The one time I'd say it's really better to sit closer to the front is for the scene at the end of act 1. They use the upstairs level and if you're sitting too far back, you won't be able to see up to the second floor from where you're sitting. I could hear it but I had no idea what was going on up there.

I saw this last night and really liked it. It certainly has some major book issues but I don't think you need any knowledge of history to get/enjoy it. The cast all has great singing voices, and I love Damon Daunno has Beardo.

I was surprised it wasn't sung through too. I wish it had been.