Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond to star in NYCC Gala presentation of Parade- Page 5

[alexidarling15]

Posted: 10/26/22 at 9:24pm

I’m selling two mezz right Row C tix to opening night on Nov 1, 6 pm. Paid $160 each. DM if interested. Also posting on the buy/sell board. 

[spicemonkey]

Posted: 10/26/22 at 9:37pm

I’m seeing it next Tuesday. Wondering anything special for the performance that night? It say “Annual Gala” - any post show activities?

 

 

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 10/26/22 at 11:52pm

I'm guessing there might be post show activities that the general public is not invited to. For Into the Woods, they just had an extended speech before the show 

[inception]

Posted: 10/27/22 at 8:28am

Just watched the full video on the Playbill site.

The whole video was quite obnoxious.  Everyone was obviously given a list of scripted talking points.

Platt's mannerisms wouldn't have bothered ne so much unless I had read the above comments.  Then I couldn't unsee them.  But after I watched Brent Carver's Tony performance on YouTube Platt bothered me less.  He was trying to act the song, not just give a recital.

Brent Carver:

 

[Torch touch]

Posted: 10/29/22 at 3:17pm

Selling one ticket for Nov 5th 2pm (the one with talk back after!) Grand Tier Left row B; paid 180 for it and will sell for the same price

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 10/31/22 at 8:24pm

If anyone is at invited dress tonight, please report back!

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 10/31/22 at 8:40pm

From Instagram:

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 10/31/22 at 9:06pm

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 10/31/22 at 10:13pm

Woah! Not your grandmother's Encores setup...

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 10/31/22 at 10:16pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Woah! Not your grandmother's Encores setup..."

Well, this isn't part of Encores. I feel like their Gala presentations usually have more to look at. 

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 10/31/22 at 10:35pm

Ugh, bought close tickets because I wanted good seats and now I’m worried they’re too close and I’ll be staring up the whole time.

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 10/31/22 at 10:39pm

DramaTeach said: "Ugh, bought close tickets because I wanted good seats and now I’m worried they’re too close and I’ll be staring up the whole time."

This is a pic from the front row:

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/31/22 at 10:40pm

A friend of mine who was there is texting me telling me I really need to see this. He is not a JRB fan but he is raving. It isn't my favorite score but something tellsme I should see it.

[E.Davis]

Posted: 10/31/22 at 10:41pm

Weird question. Going to the gallery performance tomorrow that has the dinner attached to it but not going to the dinner of course because I can't afford you know those prices...

For just attending the show, what would you say the dress code is? I've never been to one of these things before and I don't want to show up underdressed.

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/31/22 at 10:44pm

E.Davis said: "Weird question. Going to the gallery performance tomorrow that has the dinner attached to it but not going to the dinner of course because I can't afford you know those prices...

For just attending the show, what would you say the dress code is? I've never been to one of these things before and I don't want to show up underdressed."

 

I may be there and going to wear dress pants, shoes and a tie. Not going to wear a suite.

 

Updated On: 10/31/22 at 10:44 PM

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 10/31/22 at 10:48pm

I went to the gala performance of Into the Woods, and it was like any other show: some people were dressed up, but the vast majority were casual.

[UWS10023]

Posted: 11/1/22 at 12:20am

I watched the dress. I thought it was over directed which kept me at a distance and there were some sound issues which was a shame because there were some very good singers. I could not figure out what was causing the sound problems. Ensemble numbers sounded mushy. Some actors,  primarily the men, fared better than others in that regard,

 I think the orchestra could pull back during some of the numbers and I would encourage the performers to articulate as much as possible. I did not care for the centralized elevated platform. It looked like a boxing ring and it was too far upstage. 

There is a reason that most Encore productions are staged in the central downstage area. It has to do with sight lines and  an intimacy that connects more with the huge three level house.

Some musicals at City Center are very easy to hear and understand while others are problematic for some reason. It could boil down to the sound team and their City Center experience with the theatre’s equipment. Perhaps folks who know more about theatre sound could comment.

I do have to say that I was most impressed with Alex Joseph Grayson. What a talent! He cut through the directorial heavy handiness with surprising spontaneity.

Mr. Platt does have a fan club. Several younger audience members seemed to be witnessing the second coming and the stage door had one of the largest crowds in City Center history. I imagine the week ahead will be sold out on Mr. Platt’s name alone.

 

 

 

Updated On: 11/1/22 at 12:20 AM

[dinabobbiemanke]

Posted: 11/1/22 at 3:04am

Was there tonight. I love this show, particularly the music. But I'm not sure City Center is the right space for it. I saw this at the Donmar in 2007 and it was served so beautifully by the intimacy of the space. Because City Center is so large, the production was directed in a very 'grand' way. Actors I usually adore, like Paul Alexander Nolan, were SO big and predictable and bordering on cartoonish. Micaela Diamond did lovely work - she is excellent in this.

Leo is SUCH a pivotal role. And Ben Platt is simply not the actor for the job. He has a lovely voice, but he doesn't understand nuance, or even making choices really. His acting was puzzling. Dull at times, over the top at others. His Leo did not feel like a person. Diamond was creating all of the love and chemistry. It made their story and journey much less emotional than it usually is. Which is a shame because Diamond was truly firing on all cylinders. Leo Frank is the show. And Ben Platt... he will sell tickets, yes. But he does not sell this story. He didn't seem to care about what was happening, at any point, with perhaps the exception of his last two songs.

I am glad I saw it. If you are a fan of the show, it is lovely to see it staged so fully, and to hear the orchestra. But I was disappointed. I will be listening to my recording of the 2007 revival on repeat tonight.

[UWS10023]

Posted: 11/1/22 at 10:06am

dinabobbiemanke said: "Was there tonight. I love this show, particularly the music. But I'm not sure City Center is the right space for it. I saw this at the Donmar in 2007 and it was served so beautifully by the intimacy of the space. Because City Center is so large, the production was directed in a very 'grand' way. Actors I usually adore, like Paul Alexander Nolan, were SO big and predictable and bordering on cartoonish. Micaela Diamond did lovely work - she is excellent in this.

Leo is SUCH a pivotal role. And Ben Platt is simply not the actor for the job. He has a lovely voice, but he doesn't understand nuance, or even making choices really. His acting was puzzling. Dull at times, over the top at others. His Leo did not feel like a person. Diamond was creating all of the love and chemistry. It made their story and journey much less emotional than it usually is. Which is a shame because Diamond was truly firing on all cylinders. Leo Frank is the show. And Ben Platt... he will sell tickets, yes. But he does not sell this story. He didn't seem to care about what was happening, at any point, with perhaps the exception of his last two songs.

I am glad I saw it. If you are a fan of the show, it is lovely to see it staged so fully, and to hear the orchestra. But I was disappointed. I will be listening to my recording of the 2007 revival on repeat tonight."

Yes, that is more or less what I was saying. The directing was so overly stylized that nothing seemed natural. The result being that it was hard to emotionally connect to the story. The actors looked like they were hitting marks that were given to them by the director. Much of it was unmotivated. It made for a long evening.

 

[rattleNwoolypenguin]

Posted: 11/1/22 at 11:37am

Is this not a better show for someone like Rob McClure? Or Brandon Uranowitz? 
actors who have a haunted melancholy quality? 
 

I know this is ironic to say after Dear Evan Hansen but- Ben reads also too young to me for this role.

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 11/1/22 at 12:24pm

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/1/22 at 12:34pm

Leo Frank was only 29 -31 during the actual crime-lynching, so no, not too young at all.

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 11/1/22 at 5:39pm

 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 11/1/22 at 5:40pm

 

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 11/1/22 at 5:45pm

Someone was saying on another thread that this may transfer to the American Airlines Theatre in the Spring. Can anyone confirm this or is it just a rumor at this time?