CAROUSEL (2018) Previews- Page 23

[IlanaKeller]

Posted: 3/15/18 at 5:16pm

ampi2 said: "i'm seeing first row partial view seats for $59 on telecharge, how bad are they??"

 

I sat stage left and they were not bad. There wasn't anything in the action that was missed. You are inches from the stage and you can see into the wings quite a bit, so if that is distracting to you perhaps stay away. I love that kind of stuff, though. And being able to see facial expressions, costume details, etc., is something I enjoy. 

 

[IlanaKeller]

Posted: 3/15/18 at 5:18pm

I should add, though, that there's quite a bit of mist effects, and at one point, it seemed to be blowing toward the audience and made it very hard to see for a minute or two (at least from that close). I don't know if that was a one-off deal or something that often happens, but if you are sensitive to it or have breathing issues, that may be a consideration. 

[drtravel]

Posted: 3/15/18 at 6:10pm

I saw Carousel yesterday (matinee)...picked up a rush ticket about 1130am. I might have been the last one--house looked sold out. Seat was fine. Row B rear Mezz.

I loved the show--such a classic. Although my degrees are in music and I taught it for years, I don't have the knowledge that many of you have here, so kindly indulge my opinion.

There needed to be more intimacy between Jessie and Joshua. If they were more physical from the beginning, I would have found their relationship more believable. Jessie's voice is just lovely; perfect for the part and Joshua's Soliloquy got the most applause of the entire show. The dancing was wonderful--it's a pleasure that the dance numbers weren't cut. The ballet was beautiful. The two songs that several of you mentioned were cut were not in my Playbill, so I didn't miss them. Renee Fleming was one of the reasons I went. I go the Met as much as Broadway, so I'm used to quality singing. I (and most around me) were tearing up....lots of sniffling when she sang "You'll Never Walk Alone". I'd never heard the lyric "chin held high"--I thought it was "head held high".

The presence of the Starkeeper walking around the stage during Act 1 confused a lot of people. I wasn't thrilled with that staging, nor was I with the costumes of those in heaven. The other costumes were right on target. It was great hearing a large (by Broadway standards) orchestra, though it was a bit over amplified for me. Just a few other things: The Carousel Waltz should have been a bigger number; with the quality of the dancing throughout, I wanted this to soar along with the orchestra. I'm glad the producers/director didn't change the show due to the MeToo movement; the work speaks for itself. The one line that I found most timely was when Mr. Bascomb said he was glad he decided to carry a gun for once. Bet the NRA loved that one. Finally, I was offended when I overhead several audience members making what I considered racist remarks about the casting.

[starcatchers]

Posted: 3/15/18 at 7:48pm

JPeterman said: "Does anyone know if the stage is high/tall or not? I am going with a friend with visual issues and it would be great to sit up close if the stage is not super high ... thanks"

I am five feet tall, and my head was above the stage level. You'll be fine sitting up close.

 

Has anyone rushed recently? A friend wants to see it tomorrow but I can't get tickets til late afternoon. 

[JPeterman]

Posted: 3/15/18 at 9:03pm

Thank you!

[Olivia11]

Posted: 3/16/18 at 1:12am

JPeterman said: "Does anyone know if the stage is high/tall or not? I am going with a friend with visual issues and it would be great to sit up close if the stage is not super high ... thanks "

Not high at all. I'm 5'5" and sat Row B Center Section Aisle and had no issues. 

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 3/16/18 at 4:40am

Bwayfan292 said: "https://www.instagram.com/p/BfwqcxHH_Ik/MattRVA said: "Bwayfan292 said: "jacobsnchz14 said: "Bwayfan292 said: "Great! The merch looks pretty good. Rip my bank account."

What do they have?"

Theres a picture on instagram under the imperal theatre location. It looks like the normal merch for any show, but the art thatson the marquee is basiclly on eveything and im obbsesed with it."

Could you please post a link? I’m interested but can’t seem to find that particular pic.

"

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfwqcxHH_Ik/

(This is not my picture) Here ya go!"

Oh good. I don't like the art at all so I won't be tempted. I'm side-eyeing that "June Is Busting Out All Over" shirt. Does it come in a men's/unisex style?

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 3/16/18 at 10:23am

All this talk about cuts has me wondering if perhaps what was needed (if in fact they were wary about how this material would be received) is additions. Nothing as drastic as a revisal. Just a few snippets of dialogue here and there to clarify, for instance, exactly how the creative team might want the audience to view Julie's line as being about forgiveness. Normally I'm not one to advocate treating the audience like they're stupid and need to be spoonfed but perhaps there's enough ambiguity here that some more specificity might help. As well as stronger direction to elicit performances that convey the same messages.

[Elegance101]

Posted: 3/16/18 at 3:22pm

VintageSnarker said: "All this talk about cuts has me wondering if perhaps what was needed (if in fact they were wary about how this material would be received) is additions. Nothing as drastic as a revisal. Just a few snippets of dialogue here and there to clarify, for instance, exactly how the creative team might want the audience to view Julie's line as being about forgiveness. Normally I'm not one to advocate treating the audience like they're stupid and need to be spoonfed but perhaps there's enough ambiguity here that some more specificity might help. As well as stronger direction to elicit performances that convey the same messages."

You do that with strong direction. If you can't clarify the perspective of the production (who we should align with, what lines should we agree with, etc), you should direct something else. That's why these cuts bother me, it feels like O'Brien had no idea how to make his perspective clear (because he has none), so he just cut the stuff he was scared would offend.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 3/16/18 at 3:48pm

newintown said: ""For what it’s worth, the show has been getting raves on social media."

And I'm sure the utterly indiscriminate crowd on show-score.com will love it as well. Some people just love everything they see. And that's OK. (But I wouldn't rely on them for analysis or recommendations.)

UPDATE: I just visited show-score,and yes,84-freakin'-percentof the folks there (only about 60 reviews so far) gushed over it."

It's currently at 79 which feels high but puts it below a lot of the other current musicals. I find show-score a useful resource if you know how to use it... the same as something like yelp, Rotten Tomatoes, amazon reviews, etc. You have to acknowledge that these are people who self-selected into the audience and then (for the most part) paid to see it. If you have the time to skim, it's pretty easy to sort the useful reviews from the drivel based on how they're written. I think the easiest thing to do is slowly find a group of people whose taste you generally trust. It's the same with BWW. Some posters are more credible than others.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 3/17/18 at 1:50am

Hi I'm taking my mom to see this. My mom is very short (4'11" and I was wondering how high the stage is? Because if it's sort of high I'll get front mezzanine tickets but if not I'll get orchestra.

[starcatchers]

Posted: 3/17/18 at 8:35am

As I said in my last post, I am 5’0” and my head was above the stage level. That said - I sat in the mezzanine last night and I would say sit there. It’s a much better view, IMO.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 3/17/18 at 9:00am

starcatchers said: "As I said in my last post, I am 5’0” and my head was above the stage level. That said - I sat in the mezzanine last night and I would say sit there. It’s a much better view, IMO."

Thanks. I wanted to take my mom to MFL but she's insisting Carousel.

[Sondheimite]

Posted: 3/17/18 at 10:21am

My interests when from rapidly planning a trip to see this to not bothering at all.

Three songs cut?  The producers/Jack are aware that the main demographic for Carousel on Broadway is fans of the musical Carousel, right?  There aren't bankable stars in this, this is geared towards those who like the piece.  Why cut up the piece?  What is act two now?  40min tops?

What a shame that we're going to have to wait for this to (quickly, in my predictions,) close and then wait possibly upwards of a decade for a real revival of this show.

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 3/17/18 at 10:29am

poisonivy2 said: "starcatchers said: "As I said in my last post, I am 5’0” and my head was above the stage level. That said - I sat in the mezzanine last night and I would say sit there. It’s a much better view, IMO."

Thanks. I wanted to take my mom to MFL but she's insisting Carousel."

Even with the bad reactions on here, I decided to upgrade my seat from the front row of the center rear mezzanine, to front row of the center orchestra. I figured it'll be easier for me to be engrossed in the production, however flawed it is. I've never seen CAROUSEL in any incarnation, so I'd like to give it a fair shot.

Updated On: 3/17/18 at 10:29 AM

[Schmuli]

Posted: 3/17/18 at 4:24pm

“There aren’t bankable stars in this” You cannot be serious (as John McEnroe once famously yelled). Am I misinterpreting what you wrote?

Your prediction of a quick close is your opinion and I respect it. BUT I hope it’s as misguided as your assertion that Mueller, Henry, and Mendez are less than bankable stars.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 3/17/18 at 4:41pm

Schmuli said: "“There aren’t bankable stars in this” You cannot be serious (as John McEnroe once famously yelled). Am I misinterpreting what you wrote?

Your prediction of a quick close is your opinion and I respect it. BUT I hope it’s as misguided as your assertion that Mueller, Henry, and Mendez are less than bankable stars."

Ummmm.... do you not realize that those names mean pretty much nothing outside of the Broadway community? They are by no means "bankable stars".

[RockyRoad]

Posted: 3/17/18 at 5:16pm

"....I hope it’s as misguided as your assertion that Mueller, Henry, and Mendez are less than bankable stars."

Thanks for the best laugh I've had in a while.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 3/17/18 at 5:39pm

bwayphreak234 said: "Schmuli said: "“There aren’t bankable stars in this” You cannot be serious (as John McEnroe once famously yelled). Am I misinterpreting what you wrote?

Your prediction of a quick close is your opinion and I respect it. BUT I hope it’s as misguided as your assertion that Mueller, Henry, and Mendez are less than bankable stars."

Ummmm.... do you not realize that those names mean pretty much nothing outside of the Broadway community? They are by no means "bankable stars"."

What bwayphreak234 said! While Jessie Mueller has originated the starring role in two hit musicals (even winning a Tony for the first), they were both associated with popular singer/songwriters. To date, Joshua Henry has had only one prior starring role on Broadway (The Scottsboro Boys), and it was a huge flop. And Lindsay Mendez is probably the least known compared to Mueller and Henry.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 3/17/18 at 5:49pm

But Carousel has never been a star-driven show. It's not Hello Dolly! The star of Carousel is the score. 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 3/17/18 at 6:05pm

A perusal of IBDB shows this is the fifth revival of this show. Three of those revivals only played 24 to 79 performances. The original played for over 2 years and 890 performances so I’m guessing it recouped. The 1994-1995 production played less than 10 months and 337 performances. Anyone know if it recouped?

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/17/18 at 6:16pm

The ONLY name someone outside the Broadway community might know is Renee Fleming, and while a draw at The Met, Living on Love is proof that she is not a bankable star outside of it.

[Sondheimite]

Posted: 3/17/18 at 6:29pm

Schmuli said: "“There aren’t bankable stars in this” You cannot be serious (as John McEnroe once famously yelled). Am I misinterpreting what you wrote?

Your prediction of a quick close is your opinion and I respect it. BUT I hope it’s as misguided as your assertion that Mueller, Henry, and Mendez are less than bankable stars."

Who's your weed dealer and can I get their digits?  

[Lindsay is a goddess]

Posted: 3/17/18 at 6:49pm

Schmuli said: "“There aren’t bankable stars in this” You cannot be serious (as John McEnroe once famously yelled). Am I misinterpreting what you wrote?

Your prediction of a quick close is your opinion and I respect it. BUT I hope it’s as misguided as your assertion that Mueller, Henry, and Mendez are less than bankable stars. "

“Bankable stars” means the likes of Bette Midler, Jake Gyllenhal, Andrew Garfield, and the like. Mainstream actors who non-Broadway fans would actually recognize. Not to say that CAROUSEL doesn’t have a game cast (though some of them may be miscast...) but none of them are what I would call “bankable stars”.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 3/17/18 at 7:41pm

Miles2Go2 said: "The 1994-1995 production played less than 10 months and 337 performances. Anyone know if it recouped?"

The last revival was produced by Lincoln Center Theater, so it was a noncommercial production.