"Bullets Over Broadway" Previews- Page 6

[Buddy Plummer2]

Posted: 3/14/14 at 1:00am

SPOILERS?

Some technical glitches tonight: the "shooting the curtain" bit in the overture, and the end of Act One had some rough mic problems. Some dropped hats, some stuck costumes, but given how big this show is (and truly, it rival Aladdin and Rocky as the mammoth show of the year), I think it's in pretty incredible shape for a first preview.

It has potential. A TON. of potential. Just a little tweaking and it will be perfect, and as of now, a very strong contender for Best Musical.

Some notes:
Whomever said Betsy Wolfe's part was over-written is COMPLETELY right. I'd recommend either cutting her first act song, or giving significantly more of it to Braff. Her second act number should come as a bigger moment, and keeping Betsy's voice until the second act would really make that moment stick.

In general, the intros into songs need work.

You could lose the first song of Act One (in the club), go right to introducing Braff and set up the show from there. He wants creative control of his show: THAT'S what's important. Introduce Olive and the Gangsters in the next scene. Also gives the show a focus it slightly lacks right now.

Marin is delivering a tour-de-force performance. Seriously, absolutely incredible. She had the audience in the palm of her hand the entire night, and if she's in the featured category, it's not just in her bag, it's on her dressing room shelf.

The set is CRAZY. Seriously. C.R.A.Z.Y. Between this, Aladdin, Rocky, and... whatever else ends up nominated, we're spoiled for choice. My vote goes here, probably because of the three, this is easily the strongest.

You can easily cut the scene where the cast sees David's first revisions after Cheech's first suggestion. Instead, cut to David showing his revisal to Cheech, and Cheech flat out just rewriting it. This way, there's a better flow into the accompanying number, and all of the revisions that the cast likes come squarely from Cheech.

Also, I know Stroman always ends in a big musical number, but the Banana song is not. that. number. If ANYTHING, have David leave the cast party after Helen says she doesn't love him, have him chase after Ellen, win her back by renouncing his artistic ambitions, a sweet number, THEN curtain call dance number... with Bananas... or something

It's in pretty great shape considering that it just started previews three days ago, without an out of town tryout or anything. It's just a little over grown. But with almost a full month of previews, I'm sure Stroman will get it right :)

[best12bars]

Posted: 3/14/14 at 7:12am

^ Well, that all sounds hopeful!

[Kad]

Posted: 3/14/14 at 7:41am

Michael Riedel is, for some reason, championing the show and offering what seems to be a highly embellished account of the first preview.

He also asserts, "By 8:30 on the morning after Tuesday’s first preview, the line for rush tickets stretched from the St. James to the corner of 44th Street and Eighth Avenue."

...which is thoroughly untrue. I walk by the theatre every morning at around 9, and no one has been waiting.
"Bullets Over Broadway" On Target to Kill at Tonys

[Patash]

Posted: 3/14/14 at 8:49am

That comment about the lines is absurd. I arrived at the St. James box office Wednesday morning around 11 and walked up to the window and bought my seats. There was not another person in sight the whole time which is why I was able to have quite a long chat with the agent at the window regarding various dates, and what they are and are not discounting or even releasing.

[massofmen]

Posted: 3/14/14 at 8:51am

i find it somewhat hilarious that all the reviews here are completely different than what riedel says in his blurg this morning.

he also championed this after the workshop and said its the greatest thing since we invented the wheel. Maybe he is feeling that his predictions aren't as powerful or correct as they used to be and he is worried about his importance in the industry.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/14/14 at 8:59am

That article is so stupid. Audiences "cheer and cheer" at EVERY first preview...because a good number of them are friends and family of the cast/crew, or industry people.

[Kad]

Posted: 3/14/14 at 9:16am

I will say that today, there are people lined up. But not an unusual amount for a Friday- less than ten. Bridges had equally as many.

But today is the first day since it started that there's been anyone waiting.

Updated On: 3/14/14 at 09:16 AM

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 3/14/14 at 9:46am

and already those in the know — that would be me!

Typical Michael right there. I do agree with his sentiment that this is going to be a huge hit though.

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 3/14/14 at 9:57am

I was there last night, and some minor tech glitches aside this is an amazingly well constructed show. Stroman is back in her wheelhouse, and it pays off in spades. I would also like to congratulate Nick Cordero who plays Cheech, because he has the best supporting actor in a musical award sewn up.

[newintown]

Posted: 3/14/14 at 10:28am

I wouldn't be surprised if Riedel, that little weasel, was taking a bit of graft from the show. It's rather suspicious that he would champion anything.

[Kad]

Posted: 3/14/14 at 11:04am

I had that same thought.

I also found it odd that he made no mention of the one thing everyone here has been unanimous in praising: the set.

[MissAnneThrop]

Posted: 3/14/14 at 11:43am

can someone post a scan of the title page and the cast list page? thanks

[beensince1987]

Posted: 3/14/14 at 12:01pm

Patash, Riedel was talking about rush line, not regular ticket buyers' line (if there is any) at the box office.

[dreaming]

Posted: 3/14/14 at 12:06pm

I walk by that line on my way to work-the most people I've seen there when the box office opened was 10.

[binau]

Posted: 3/14/14 at 4:54pm

beensince1987, it is usually the same line to the box office to buy regular tickets or rush tickets.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 3/14/14 at 5:22pm

I got a TKTs ticket for tonight in Row M...it's 13 rows back, does anyone know if the mezz overhang will severely interfere?

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 3/14/14 at 6:23pm

Really not trying to be bitchy -- but does it really matter at this point? You already bought the tickets, you're going, enjoy the show!

[beensince1987]

Posted: 3/14/14 at 6:31pm

qolbinau, I know but he/she said went by around 11 and had a quite long chat with an agent about various dates. I thought by 11 all rush tickets would be gone (but maybe not). I thought maybe Patash was thinking Riedel was talking about the line to buy regular tickets.

[binau]

Posted: 3/14/14 at 6:34pm

Oh of course true.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 3/15/14 at 12:09am

I saw the show tonight, and really, really enjoyed it. It is a really entertaining night at the theatre. The show ran until 10:45, so they either cut some stuff or smoothed things out. The show is in solid shape - no noticeable tech problems, and the material itself is top notch, IMO. I've never seen the movie, and thought the show was hilarious.

Marin Mazzie is on fire in this part. She should definitely be considered for Leading when it comes Tony time, and I only say that because Helene Yorke is PHENOMENAL. Truly one of the funniest performances I've seen. Betsy Wolfe also gets a wonderful shining moment, in a number similar to the one Adrian sings in Rocky. Zach Braff is definitely playing the part very big, but it is very funny. His singing is also quite good!

Having seen Rocky, If/Then, Bridges, Gentleman's Guide, and Beautiful, this is definitely one of, if not my top, favorite show of the season! I really recommend it.

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 3/15/14 at 11:55am

Also referring to the rush line… you're right, Kad. The rush line doesn't even form in that direction. The St. James line usually stretches backwards towards 7th. Clearly an embellish of information.
Updated On: 3/15/14 at 11:55 AM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/15/14 at 12:00pm

The more I think about the show, the more I realize I'd like to go back and see it at some point later in the run. I think just by getting the entrances, line cues, scene changes etc down to a science, the show would be funnier than it was overall on Tuesday. I hope they use the preview period smartly and well, because while this show may not be the second-coming, it certainly has all the ingredients needed to be a hit and walk away with quite a few Tonys.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/15/14 at 12:39pm

Less and less people will be on line as producers keep on reducing regular seating until they reach their nirvana - every seat in the theater is premium seating . The bad seats will be called Premium Seating Lite.

We have Mel Brooks to thank for this . He had the balls to do this with The Producers. Now this policy has infected every show. One wonders prices 5 years from now and how much of a theater will not be premium seating. It is truly pricing itself out of the market for average theatergoers.

Would like to see it but even if we were not retired we would not pay these prices. One wonders how people can afford to see shows 40 or 50 times. If this turns up again on TDF or can get nosebleed seats fine. If not, will try for one of those naughty ones.

Saw the movie and am a Stroman fan but there are limits to everything. If we can see it fine, if not life goes on.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 3/15/14 at 2:01pm

Not sure if this has been posted yet, but:
Discount code

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 3/15/14 at 2:28pm

Does Lenny Wolpe get a moment or two, perhaps a song?