Bonnie & Clyde -- 1st Preview Today- Page 8

[luvcaroline]

Posted: 11/8/11 at 9:48pm

This will be the only new musical that we will be seeing during our upcoming trip, so I am very happy to hear such positive things about it!

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 11/8/11 at 10:05pm

These reviews are making me SOOOOO glad. I really hope this will catch on, find and audience, and have a good run.

[gfaustswa]

Posted: 11/8/11 at 10:38pm

Saw Bonnie and Clyde on Sunday and really enjoyed. Talk about some power house singing. All I can say is WOW! I thought the show was very tactfully presented. I read up about Bonnie and Clyde quite a bit before seeing the show. I'm sure it would have been difficult to add this into the production, however....the ambush on Bonnie and Clyde was a set up. I can't remember all the details off the top of my head. It was the father of a guy named Henry who set them up and that is when they were murdered. The show in a sense is a history lesson. I was just a bit bummed that aspect of the story was missing.

It was a great great evening. I have been letting friends and family know it is well worth the investment of your time and dollars. And hey...to top off our experience, David Arquette was sitting two rows in front of us!

[ALittleCareless]

Posted: 11/9/11 at 8:40am

I too was pleasantly surprised by the show - I actually want to see it again after it is frozen. I really thought the acting was great (with the exception of the sheriff) and the songs were appropriate and often touching - I wasn't expecting so many quiet moments from Frank Wildhorn, they were just gorgeous.

I think the show could do with a little trimming - namely, that first song the sheriff sings when Clyde is in jail has to go, it puts the brakes on the first act. I think they establish that he likes her well enough without that song - and to be honest Louis Hobson isn't really strong enough in the role to make a case for that number.

I also think they could shorten or trim the scenes where Bonnie and Clyde are visiting their families in act II - you could make it clear what was going on there (family upset, reluctance to take money) without delving into it that much. It would then be more interesting later when Bonnie's mother is sweeping the porch and starts going on to the sheriff about how much they are home.

Things I loved?
The use of projections (I usually hate projections but these worked) - the fact that everything projected was real (fingerprints, mugshots, candid photos, newspapers) was very effective. Osnes and Jordan are fantastic, as is Melissa Van Der Schyff. The scene during the shoot out where Clyde stops the action is exceptionally well done. Loved the way the show opened. And I loved the use of Bonnie's real (and terrible) poetry throughout.

I keep thinking about it and humming the music, I hope this gets a cast recording and I think the show is really promising!

[Pammylicious]

Posted: 11/9/11 at 10:54am

Saw it yesterday, and both husband and I loved it and that doesn't happen too often. This would not be deemed a musical comedy but there are some very clever haha moments. Just goes to show you, that big flashy numbers, sets and costumes are not needed to make a show mesmerizing.

I see several songs from this beocming standard fare for performers. Very soulful and emotional, many singers will be choosing them.

I predict (Very early) several Tony noms and several wins especially for Laura.

What a great night and I look forward to a revisit.

[ABoyLikeThat]

Posted: 11/9/11 at 11:19pm

I saw the third preview and was very impressed with this show. Some of the songs (How Bout a Dance, Dying Ain't So Bad, etc.) are going to become very well known. Laura Osnes, Jeremy Jordan and Melissa van der Schyff are perfectly cast and their singing was spectacular. I predict this will do really well.

[philly03]

Posted: 11/9/11 at 11:25pm

As I said a few months ago, obviously Jeremy and Laura would be stars from this, but Melissa van der Schyff is the real deal. Talk about a great "new" trio of stars!

Also - Michael Lanning (the Preacher) sounded off in his first number, but picked it up for the second act. He really does have an incredible voice, give a listen to his stuff from Frank's The Civil War!

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/9/11 at 11:50pm

Just got back, and I rather enjoyed it.

I think the beginning needs some more flourish. It just sort of starts. I need some sort of big musical moment, and maybe have some of the gun shows bring up the floor (like in the ending shoot-out).

The biggest problem for me was the pacing. Luckily, it wasn't ballad after ballad, but I think the cop's song has to go. It's not an awful song, and he sounds great, but if you're not going to give the character any sort of pay off in Act 2 then what's the point?

Act 2 needs a better ending. I think what should happen is a reprise of "Dyin' Ain't So Bad" - which they do - and then lead into the Act 1 finale song and while they're singing that last line have the bullets fly and the blood go everywhere so they end up like they do at the beginning. Right now the ending is too "sweet" for such an intense show and everything that precedes it.

Jeremy Jordan and Lauren Osnes were both phenomenal. I'd hate to see Jordan get bought out and jump ship to Newsies because this show relies so heavily on their chemistry.

To me, though, the biggest stand out was Melissa Van Der Schyff! Her Act 2 song is just beautiful. Understated - not a lot of heavy belting or crazy riffs - just a great delivery of a beautiful song, and I thought she gave her character a real body and arc.

The theater was packed, and seems like everyone was enjoying it.

[philly03]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 12:13am

Ironically, the old ending (in Sarasota a year ago) was a finale reprise of "This World Will Remember Us".. and then finished with the "How 'Bout a Dance" little bit.

I actually liked "the cop's song," which I'm assuming you mean "You Can Do Better than Him." Once upon a time the romance meant more (as is the case with all Wildhorn musicals it seems - something from an old script is still there). I have to say Louis Hobson was an obvious weak link for me.

[yankees1253]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 12:15am

First can not wait to see this musical, it seems like a little work here and there needs to be done. The two out of town tryouts actually really helped. Plus I love Laura and Jeremy.

Just to get it over with because we know people want to know, does not matter to me. How is the Stagedoor like ?.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 12:37am

Philly - that sounds like a much better ending. Right now the show just sort of ends. It doesn't leave us wanting to stand up and clap. It just kind of fizzles out.

And I agree. Hobson was def. a weak link. He sure is making a career out of playing the "thankless" role. He was just so.... bored and uninvested that I just didn't care about his character. And not to sound mean, but did he gain weight? He seemed bigger here than in Next to Normal.

[philly03]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 12:44am

I think the reason people want his (& Jordan's) song to be cut is because it was done so soul-lessly. Did Calhoun intend the character to be boring? It's actually a good song, Lanning did a great job with it (when it was a solo) on the original demo recordings.

I was hoping for more gun fire at the end to be honest. The "fairy-tale" ending was cute, but anticlimactic.

[goldenboy]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 1:13am

I like the show a lot. Saw it in Sarastota.
I think I liked the Sarasota ending better.
Are you listening Mr. Calhoun?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 9:22am

I saw the show last night and I absolutely loved it. And in all honesty, I can't think of anything in it I didn't enjoy. It's definitely the best new musical since BOOK OF MORMON and one of the best new works of the past few years.

Also, I'd just like to say that I am in love with Melissa Van Der Schyff after last night.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 9:36am

From Frank Wildhorn's Twitter (@frankwildhorn):

Laura in Vanity Fair...beautiful! News on cast recording coming soon! Good night, Smokin' Joe.

http://twitter.com/#!/FrankWildhorn/status/133944331773034496

[philly03]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 9:39am

I also wonder if this will be the first Wildhorn musical that is "frozen" to the world.. ie: The directors won't be given the normal liberties he grants.

The cast recording deal was being discussed within the past couple of weeks, and I'm sure with the reviews and early good word of mouth will help guarantee it will happen. Though every Wildhorn Broadway musical has found itself on recording in some way.

[broadway7117]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 10:39am

I do remember reading somewhere that the Tokyo production will have differences from the broadway one. Who knows if it will then be frozen after that..
Updated On: 11/10/11 at 10:39 AM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 11:12am

It just amazes how much a Wildhorn production changes from theater to theater. Did the audience really want a Fairy-Tale ending? We already know what happens to them given the beginning of the show, so why not make it some big epic moment? As it is now the ending comes after 2 ballads, so it just sort of fizzles out. I'd like a bigger moment. Maybe the two of them in the car, bloody and wounded, while the ghosts of the people they effected are in the background. I know Calhoun loves a back-lit ensemble pose (see "Made in America" in Bonnie and Clyde - and the end of "Wonderland").

I think the Pracher's songs will be called out in the reviews for being a little silly.

[ALittleCareless]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 11:19am

I didn't see it as a fairy tale ending - you know what is about to happen to them (presumably seconds after the blackout) and they're surrounded by projections of the graphic images of what did happen to them.

I actually thought it was effective and really sad - seeing how happy they were and knowing what was coming. We've already seen the ending in the first seconds of the show.
Updated On: 11/10/11 at 11:19 AM

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 11:25am

^EXACTLY. I loved it. We already see what happens to them in the opening. Why shove that image in our face again?
It's a clever ending.

[philly03]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 11:27am

It was definitely a "fairy-tale" happy ending type of finale... The two of them driving off in the starlight together!

The reason why it's effect is because of the beginning... I suppose late comers will not understand. Also the projection clearly states (I know those extreme sides seats in the first couple of rows are rough) they were murdered.


Also: Calhoun did not direct WONDERLAND on Broadway, and the image you're thinking of was done by Gregory Boyd (though on Broadway it was re-directed by Scott Ellis).

-
The ending was virtually the same in Sarasota, by the way just instead of Dyin' Ain't So Bad, it was The World Will Remember Us.
Updated On: 11/10/11 at 11:27 AM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 11:38am

I just think for such a "shoot 'em up" musical the ending is a little bit of a yawn. We need a reprise of "Remember Us." It just makes sense. Their whole motivation is to be remembered, so it makes sense.

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 12:33pm

I love the ending. Another "shoot 'em up" type scene would be a complete repeat of the beginning, which is also very well done.

[michellek45]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 12:41pm

I agree that having another shooting scene at the end would be pointless. My friend also pointed out that doing that would echo the movie too much, as that's how it ends. It also needs to end with Laura singing/the orchestra playing "How 'Bout a Dance?" because that's what the show opens with, and I think the contrast between "Remember Us" and the shooting at the beginning wouldn't be as jarring as it is currently. Personally I think they should have ended with the parents waiting by the tree and the headlights coming into view and then maybe you hear one gun cock, and a black-out. That would keep the sweetness of the current ending and remind you of what's about to happen.

[carolinaguy]

Posted: 11/10/11 at 12:44pm

Have to say, I'm intrigued reading the initial reactions. I've always thought Wildhorn was more of a writer of songs than a writer of scores, but it seems like there's more integration and story-telling through song here based on the samples I've heard.

If OTHER DESERT CITIES doesn't announce an extension soon, I may get tickets to this for my final show slot in my January trip.