Bridges of Madison County Previews- Page 8

[RippedMan]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 9:18am

It's the best score of the season, hands down. The only one that I could think that could come close would be Aladdin just because of it's catchiness.

But those songs are gorgeous. I think the show is just simple, and that's the powerfulness of the piece. I was never bored. I was into it. I just hated the design.

[After Eight]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 2:27pm

"It's the best score of the season, hands down."

Both Sheldon Harnick scores heard at the York Mufti series, Malpractice Makes Perfect and Dragons, were far better than this. So were the songs to Rocky. Even Big Fish's score, lackluster as it was, was better.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 2:41pm

Pretty much everyone who sees it raves about the score on here. It's odd you would be the only person, probably in the world, who thinks the score is lackluster. Other things may be lacking in Bridges, but definitely not the gorgeous music. Also, Dragons was a horrendous piece of theater. Absolutely the worst.

[After Eight]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 2:47pm

"It's odd you would be the only person, probably in the world, who thinks the score is lackluster."

A ridiculous statement. I don't know everyone in the world, but of the people I do know, more than a few thought the score was as drab and as monotonous as I did.

And yes, the score to Dragons was miles above this.

You need to accept the fact that not everyone thinks like you. In other words, grow up.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 2:57pm

Of course not everyone thinks like me, but your way of giving your opinion (much like in the Fun Home thread) is just very bizarre. You seem to be an old grump just to be an old grump. If you couldn't appreciate their singing, you clearly you weren't listening. It's too bad you didn't like Bridges but I'm glad you at least supported it. I hope it last for a long time so people can enjoy the beautiful orchestrations and soaring voices.

[After Eight]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 3:19pm

"If you couldn't appreciate their singing, you clearly you weren't listeningI"

I didn't say I didn't appreciate their singing. Yes, indeed, all the cast members sang very well. I just didn't appreciate what they were given to sing.

[ARTc3]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 5:07pm

Everyone is entitled to their opinion...

All over the web there are snippets of the score. Even here on broadwayworld.com you can find clips of the music. For those who haven't seen the show and are curious, I highly suggest searching them out and making your own choice.

Personally, I was swept away by the score. I thought it absolutely exquisite.

Updated On: 2/16/14 at 05:07 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 5:16pm

A full cast recording is inevitable at this point, right? I just wonder if they'll wait awhile to announce it. I subscribed to Sirius XM just so I could here A Million Miles and I missed it. I'm waiting until someone puts the audio out there of the entire song instead of just watching a video.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 5:37pm

*hear

[BroadwayGuy12]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 7:05pm

I saw the show yesterday and couldn't believe how incredible the score sounded. Between O'Hara, Pasquale, and those orchestrations, I was completely enraptured.

[AntV]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 10:25pm

The score has a couple really great songs, like Falling Into You, One Second and A Million Miles, Before and After You, and It All Fades Away, but everything else is indeed drab, monotonous and unmemorable. The whole score really sounds all the same, except those few really great songs soar way above the rest. The only song that sounds remotely different than the others is that awful country/folk song that starts Act 2 for that weak family side plot. I agree with those who suggest this should've been a shorter show focusing almost solely on the two main characters with much less time given to the side characters. The scenes between the two of them were when the show really was great, but even then it felt too dragged out and there were songs they sang that could've been cut.

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 10:36pm

A few of the songs are on soundcloud http://bridgesofmadisoncountymusical.com/music/

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 11:01pm

THANK YOU!!!!!!!

[sephyr]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 1:20am

I saw the show last Wednesday and it was a sight to behold. I truly enjoyed the production from start to finish and loved how it was different from the movie. The music was my favorite thing about the show and I loved the mixture of music and how the songs were used to tell the story. Kelli sounded unbelievable, like she was in a studio somewhere; and Steven, was just amazing! The ensemble was fantastic too. I can't wait for a cast recording!!!

I sat front row orchestra (which I got with rush prices which was great) and I felt so immersed in the show. This lady next to me was moved so much by the show as was I and during Act II we were just flooded with feeling. It was a great experience. And Ephie Aardema (understudy) had no practice before playing Carolyn but she was phenomenal.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 10:19pm

If I had the option between Rear Orch or Rear Mezz, which should I go for? Thanks!

[RippedMan]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 10:30pm

I always vote Rear Mezz, cause I like having the high ceiling. I hate having the overhang of the mezz to cut off the top of the stage. But.... that said, I'd think either is a great view. It's not a huge theater. But there are some entrances from the right side of the orchestra, if that sways you any.

[ARTc3]

Posted: 2/18/14 at 1:12am

As I wrote, surprisingly in the Rocky preview thread, I sat in several locations. For the first act I was in orchestra center row P. It was an excellent - full view - seat. The overhand did not cut off ANY of the stage. I did move closer for the second act, but I would have been fine had I remained in that seat.

[center]

Posted: 2/18/14 at 8:57am

I saw it again last night (2nd time here + once in Williamstown), and WOW, those were some pretty major changes in the last 20 min. or so. For the better, definitely, though I don't think all the way there, and I'm assuming the show is frozen by now. I also hadn't seen the movie or read the book until this week, and doing the former before I went last night made the problem's with the (show's) book glaringly obvious, even noting that JRB said that the movie is not the source material. Storylines that I didn't fully - or even partially - buy in the show swept me away in the movie. I've often been advised in my (academic) writing to "show, not tell," and that is a piece of advice I wish the BRIDGES folks had taken to heart. Absolutely agree with the chamber piece comments above.

For what it's worth, I got an orchestra seat on TKTS (8th row stage left), and being so close to O'Hara and Pasquale made me even more obsessed with the score. I figured three times was plenty for me and this show, and I'll buy the cast album and call it a day, but nope, their singing performances are just astounding, and I want to soak them in again and again. The man in front of me was literally gasping at some of the high points. And I'm the first person to proclaim annoyance at standing ovation trends, but it was pretty clear that most of the audience sat waiting patiently during the current call until just before Pasquale and O'Hara came out.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 2/18/14 at 10:21am

I just watched the clip on BWW and I think it discouraged me from going to see this.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 2/18/14 at 10:41am

^ I had the exact opposite reaction. It looks like an absolutely beautiful production.

[newintown]

Posted: 2/18/14 at 10:55am

You can add me to the group that isn't impressed with the score - it's Brown's usual lack of harmonic invention, filtered through a bald attempt to imitate Guettel's Light in the Piazza work, and tarted out with strings (which I believe are augmented by synth strings, although it's so hard to tell these days, when you don't hear a single thing acoustically, only through amplifiers - I counted 5 string players in the program, but it sounded like more). The ridiculous ranginess of Pasquale and O'Hara's material borders on the comic, like a Benny Hill sketch; one fears they'll burst a blood vessel at times.

On another note, I found the story to be as Hallmark schmaltzy/trashy as it is in the novel and movie, and the awkwardness of some transitions and storytelling suggests that Norman feels that enough of the audience already knows the story, so she could dispense with clarity.

The performers do admirable work, but the ultimate feeling I had about the show was one of mere prettiness.

Updated On: 2/18/14 at 10:55 AM

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 2/18/14 at 11:01am

I agree with newintown, regarding the movie. I couldn't even finish it. The show I can't talk about because I haven't seen it.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 2/18/14 at 12:11pm

Like I've said, I hate the movie. Considering that the entire story is the romance, it's not very well developed. IMO, you never even understand why these two characters love each other. They just fall in love because the plot requires them to. Aside from maybe Robert, but he's a total Gary Stu so what desperate housewife wouldn't love him?

I'm sure I'd hate the book even more, but I'm not sure I can bring myself to read it.

Updated On: 2/18/14 at 12:11 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 2/18/14 at 2:19pm

"those were some pretty major changes in the last 20 min."

Center, what changes are you referring to? I went two weeks ago, so I'm wondering if they had altered anything since then.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/18/14 at 2:57pm

You need to accept the fact that not everyone thinks like you. In other words, grow up.