Bridges of Madison County Previews- Page 4

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 1/22/14 at 1:19pm

I hated the movie, but damn if I can resist a JRB love duet. "Falling Into You" is gorgeous.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/22/14 at 3:03pm

Some one above said the score was "beautiful but forgettable"???

That does not seem to make any sense . How do you think it was beautiful but forgettable in the same sentence?

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 1/22/14 at 7:06pm

Dottie, You should have told me you were in town! I think it's worth a trip back here to see. Kelli and Steven's performances have been on my mind all day.

Addy, I know you're a big Kelli fan and this is the performance that could push you over the edge (and break your heart).

[Counterpoint2]

Posted: 1/22/14 at 7:12pm

I went last night. I really enjoyed the story/book but the music was tepid. Was there a showstopper? Sort of...not. The leads were very good. I wouldn't expect prestigious nominations for the songs on this one though.

[grumpyoptimist]

Posted: 1/22/14 at 7:22pm

Whizzer, you'll be pleased to know that on the first night of previews, the start of the second act was delayed a bit because they couldn't quite get the state fair set right. There was a stage manager onstage with a headset, clipboard and tape measure with a completely flummoxed look on his face while three people stood around with fence rails in their hands. I completely and wholeheartedly agree that's a completely disposable piece of the show, but I was worried I wasn't a fair judge of that since I was already annoyed about the delay.

[Patash]

Posted: 1/23/14 at 9:06am

"Some one above said the score was "beautiful but forgettable"???

That does not seem to make any sense . How do you think it was beautiful but forgettable in the same sentence?"

I think I understand this. It's exactly what I said after seeing Light in the Piazza. The sound of the music was beautiful -- especially the orchestrations. But once I had left the theatre I'd have been hard pressed to be able to hum a single phrase of a single song.

[After Eight]

Posted: 1/23/14 at 9:19am

^

Yes, that seems to be the problem with so many of these much-lauded, melodically-challenged composers. The songs are all orchestrated shimmeringly, but the orchestrations can't disguise the fact that the melodic gift is simply not there.

[mamaleh]

Posted: 1/23/14 at 9:21am

Exactly; that's my take on that "beautiful but forgettable" question, too. By the way, how I wish Pasquale had been able to stay with PIAZZA through its journey from the west coast to Lincoln Center; I think I would have been fonder of the show with him as Fabrizio instead of M. Morrison.

Updated On: 1/23/14 at 09:21 AM

[jaxandmci]

Posted: 1/23/14 at 9:43am

Patash and After Eight: That's exactly what I meant by "beautiful but forgettable", BOMC reminded me of The Light in The Piazza in many ways. The orchestrations sounded beautiful (and perhaps being able to look into the pit and watch the orchestra made them especially so), the voices sounded beautiful but in the end, beauty isn't always memorable. Just like with people, it takes a lot more than beauty for a score to make a lasting impression.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/23/14 at 11:12am

Saw it last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. TDF seats dead center mezzanine

Both leads were great. No applause for O Hara as many apparently did not recognize her with dark hair. Score will definitely get a Tony Nod as will the show and leads. It stuck fairly close to the movie with a few minor changes

It appears the last listed song in the Playbill " Always Better" is now gone. SInce the CD wad recorded already this may still be on it as a bonus track.

[followspot]

Posted: 1/23/14 at 11:39am

Saw it last night and, without belaboring my personal opinion, I agree with Whizzer's assessment above completely. 80% of it was gorgeous (everything involving Francesca and Robert), 20% of it was grating (everything to do with peripheral characters). I'm actually (somewhat) fine with the peripheral characters themselves, but the broad pitch to which they've been directed ("Mama's Family" was more subtle) is simply jarring against the naturalistic tone of the central performances. Iowans might not be too happy with their clownish depiction here. Only once or twice was the moving of set pieces distracting (I'd wish for those large town storefronts to silently rise up from the stage), but all in all the production is beautiful. (No projections, as was previously mentioned, but rather a backdrop that changes tones and colors with scenes. I personally loved the suggested bridge, but I'm not a literalist.) Kelli O'Hara's vocals are glorious. BRIDGES is Francesca's story — from Italy to Iowa to Robert and beyond — and it resonates here as it should. Scores are a matter of taste. I look forward to deleting everything but Robert and Francesca's poignant solos and sweeping duets for repeat listening and creating for myself the small chamber piece that perhaps this should have always been.

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/23/14 at 12:02pm

I can't comment on the show, because I haven't seen it, but after listening to some of the music, I find the lyrics to be really generic and bland. They don't say anything specific or unusual or remarkable. Even with beautiful "mood music," the lyrics should reveal a lot more about these characters and their thoughts and perceptions, other than bumper-sticker sentiments like "I've been waiting for you all my life" or "you're never alone." Really boring. There are far better, more interesting and clever ways for them to communicate these thoughts in character, other than just plainly (extremely plainly) saying it.

I think more than anything, it's the lyrics that make the score forgettable, not the pretty music.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/23/14 at 12:16pm

The bridge itself was a bit sparse and in no way reminded me of a bridge.

[jdrye222]

Posted: 1/24/14 at 1:44am

I saw this tonight - not being too picky because they are still early (although it doesn't seem they've done the work they should have between Wiliamstown and now --- structurally it is a mess).

The score is lovely (except for a couple songs that should just be cut). Orchestrations are stunning --- JRB is really a master orchestrator.

O'Hara is the weak link for me (along with the directing and ensemble moving stuff around). She is not compelling or moving. Aside from not seeming Italian (which doesn't bother me as much as others), she sings fine but has the same blank look on her face for the whole show. I just wish the casting had been more inspired.

Pasquale is wonderful. Wish he had more to play off ...

[rgdave]

Posted: 1/24/14 at 8:03am

Saw it last night. I liked it, actually more than I expected. I thought the music was 'nice' and moves the story along well. But there just aren't any showstoppers, and only one song in the second act that gets a strong audience reaction.

My issues with it were more technical. I was sitting in the 4th row, left orchestra (2nd seat in.) I was hyper aware of the amplification. The sound just belted from the speakers at the left side of the stage. Bud was mic'd too loud, and overshadowed the others on the stage. The orchestra also was overamplified, especially at the beginning, making it difficult to hear Kelli's opening number. I've sat in the front left orchestra for quite a few musicals, and have never been so aware of the sound.

For me, the set worked generally quite well. But I would agree with an earlier poster that it would be much better if those storefronts rose into the fly space rather than rolled on and off stage. The sound of the casters on those storefronts was very noticeable when they were being moved.

[jayinchelsea]

Posted: 1/24/14 at 8:37am

Could people stop talking about "showstoppers?" Does anyone "get" this show at all? Were there any real "showstoppers" in ONCE, imo a piece of junk still running endlessly? Come on, let's focus on the unexpected and heart-wrenching beauty of the music and the two lead performances. Yes, a little cutting is still in order, but if you want "showstoppers" (and LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA was not to your taste), there are plenty of tickets for MAMMA MIA.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/24/14 at 8:42am

So you are allowed to speak negatively about a show (Once) but people aren't allowed to talk negatively about this? Sheesh.

People are going to talk about what they thought, period.

[Counterpoint2]

Posted: 1/24/14 at 9:01am

Yeah, we get it, Jay. The reason, I suspect, that there's so much talk about showstoppers is that the overall show is not memorable. If we wanted just the love story and to "get it" we would just read the book or watch the movie. At least I can still remember Mama Mia. The Bridges of what????

[BwayGeek2]

Posted: 1/24/14 at 3:04pm

Whizzer, I agree re: Derek Klena and Caitlin Kinnunen. At the first preview I found them to be incredibly over the top and when I went back on Monday, they had toned it down a bit, but definitely not enough. It was almost as if Klena was trying so hard to play a teenager that he overdid everything: stomping, pouting, etc. He looks young enough for the role, I don't really think he needs to try so hard. The audience should feel Francesca's struggle to choose between Robert and her kids, but in this case I just wanted to yell at her to leave them. (Horrible I know.)

I also agree that the "state fair" opener needs to be cut... It seems out of place and while the song is catchy, it is not necessary to the story at all. I think it pulls the audience out of the story completely.

[jayinchelsea]

Posted: 1/24/14 at 5:07pm

dramamama611, did not mean to suggest that people aren't entitled to their opinions. What I meant is that BOMC is not that kind of show; what makes it special is not, say an Andrea Martin PIPPIN-type number. that stops the show cold, but the feeling, the romanticism, the honest emotionalism of the piece, that quite frankly surprised and moved me. Not suggesting it is perfect, nor that some people may not like it, just that the fact that there are no "showstoppers" does not prevent the work from being memorable in a different way. If, as whizzer says, 80% of the show works, it's more than good enough for me.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 1/24/14 at 7:21pm

BwayGeek, You know who the kids reminded me of? A lesser developed, more annoying version of Jordy or Lil Luz from Giant. He was unhappy with life on the farm and was most likely not going to follow in his father's footsteps, plus his mother was protective of him. She was kind of a tomboy and rough around the edges. I'm glad the kids weren't sickening sweet in order to manipulate the audience, but honestly they could have been cut from the show and still fulfilled their purpose.

Besty, I really hope you give the full score a chance sometime because I found the lyric writing to be VERY strong in the theater. Have you heard the opening number? Really great stuff. The love duets might be simplistic at times, but it worked in the theater because it felt so naturalistic and honest.

[mc1227]

Posted: 1/25/14 at 8:51pm

Saw this today and for the most part, I really like the show. Strong points are the leads, O'Hara and Pasquale were wonderful together, their previous collaborations definitely helped the vital chemistry component for this story. The score was better than I expected with a few quite lovely and memorable.

Weakness for me were the constant scenery changes by characters sitting on the peripheral of the stage. Kind of distracting and awkward o be honest. The orchestra was way too loud for the first few songs with Pasquale's voice barely audible. Luckily, they made that adjustment .

The highlight for me was the wondrous Kelli who never disappoints me in any show I see her in. She was simply fantastic and will continue to grow in this role, probably her most challenging one yet.

[Melissa25]

Posted: 1/26/14 at 4:07am

We got to see this on Friday and I was so pleased before the show even started because our TDF seats were perfect in row G of Orchestra. We really lucked out to get such great seats. Also, it was extra special to see Betty Buckley who was sitting two rows ahead of us.

I enjoyed the show and loved the performances by Kelly O'Hara, Steven Pasquale, Cass Morgan, Michael X. Morgan and Whitney Bashor. I agree with previous posters about Bud and the kids. When they were on, I wanted them off. I' m not really sure why the kids were depicted as so obnoxious and angry. (I couldn't help but notice Klena's neck veins on the verge of combustion). This depiction of them really takes away from the mood of the piece. Personally, I feel that Marsha Norman and JRB missed out on excellent dramatic opportunities to portray the children as adults after they find Francesca's journals and letters.

I loved the lighting but really found the staging very distracting. Too many people and moving pieces. Initially disappointed by the rendering of the bridge but O'Hara and Pasquale are so good, that you easily forget the "covered bridge" is missing its cover. The busyness of the staging distracted me so much that I don't remember Whitney Bashor's performance in "He Forgave Me." After the show, I commented that I thought she was supposed to have two numbers, checked the playbill and ... Yep must've been distracted. Missed it.

Pasquale brought me to tears with "It All Fades Away." I loved that there was a lot of guitar playing in this score. I can't wait to listen to the OBCR and see it again later in its run.

Updated On: 1/26/14 at 04:07 AM

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 1/26/14 at 5:37am

So does Aaron Ramey actually have lines or not?

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 1/26/14 at 8:54am

As you all know, I was sorely disappointed by the first preview, mainly for fundamental issues in the libretto.

Well, this is one smart creative team because they are really using their preview period. I went back yesterday and loved it. The last half an hour has been so re-shaped since last week that it changes the show's arc. While I still miss having the children discover the affair, the show works now. I hope they keep tightening.

JRB conducted the matinee yesterday, which was thrilling. Getting to watch him was a joy.

Kelli is astonishing. It'll be a tight race between her and Jessie.