CAROUSEL (2018) Previews- Page 30

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/29/18 at 10:56am

This has been happening for ages.  I recall this happening when I saw Annie in 1978.  As a kid, I kept thinking, why is everyone talking while the orchestra is playing?!

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

Posted: 3/29/18 at 11:02am

lesmizsaigon said: "Saw it last night and the first act ended with Soliloquy. "

Ugh. I don't know why this annoys me so much, but it does. I guess because O'Brien is just doing whatever he feels like to a classic piece of theatre. Also it's even less dialogue in a production that is already dance heavy. Not that the dancing isn't beautiful, there's just a lot of extended dance sequences while actual text is being cut from the script. 

 

[msmp]

Posted: 3/29/18 at 12:49pm

DottieD'Luscia said: "This has been happening for ages. I recall this happening when I saw Annie in 1978. As a kid, I kept thinking,why is everyone talking while the orchestra is playing?!"

It happens all the time during overtures too. I don't think people realize that yes, the overture and entr'acte are part of the show and treat them like incidental music to ignore until there are people onstage.

Posted: 3/29/18 at 6:09pm

I’m so curious as to how the cast feels about all of these changes to the show and edits that have been made. I wonder if they think it works or if they know that these are not smart decisions being made....

[sharona39]

Posted: 3/29/18 at 7:07pm

ND_2000 said: "I’m so curious as to how the cast feels about all of these changes to the show and edits that have been made. I wonder if they think it works or if they know that these are not smart decisions being made...."

 

i raised the same question. There’s so much talent and it seems (i haven’t seen it yet but based on others peoples posts) that Jessie Mueller is under utilized.  After coming from Beautiful and Waitress - you got to wonder.  I am curious as to what actors think when changes/cuts are made to the show. I’m not in the business or connected to it - just happy to sit in a seat and enjoy shows.  Coming from another world entirely (business) I’ve been in roles where they weren’t what i expected or what was promised. It is disappointing. Yes i know this is the arts and different so please no snarky comments. But it seems that many have voiced disappointment from their perspectives i wonder what those directly involved experience.  From a human nature position I’m sure it’s frustrsting or do actors (and others involved in the production) are more of the sensibility - Suck it up buttercup - im thankful for the paycheck! 

 

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 3/29/18 at 8:35pm

ND_2000 said: "I’m so curious as to how the cast feels about all of these changes to the show and edits that have been made. I wonder if they think it works or if they know that these are not smart decisions being made...."

Get over it. Whatever changes have been made, the show is working, and the audiences are loving it, aside from the usual early preview bitter windbags who screech and cry about every tiny thing and are probably seated in the cheapest, worst seats in the house while doing do. 

Posted: 3/29/18 at 9:21pm

Matt Rogers said: "ND_2000 said: "I’m so curious as to how the cast feels about all of these changes to the show and edits that have been made. I wonder if they think it works or if they know that these are not smart decisions being made...."

Get over it. Whateverchanges have been made, the show is working, and the audiences are loving it,aside from the usual early preview bitter windbags who screech and cry about every tiny thing and are probably seated in the cheapest, worst seats in the house while doing do."

 

Oh believe me there's nothing for me to get over. I enjoyed it a lot myself and was very moved! No reason to get worked up :) 

 

[Sondheimite]

Posted: 3/29/18 at 10:13pm

Matt Rogers said: "ND_2000 said: "I’m so curious as to how the cast feels about all of these changes to the show and edits that have been made. I wonder if they think it works or if they know that these are not smart decisions being made...."

Get over it. Whateverchanges have been made, the show is working, and the audiences are loving it,aside from the usual early preview bitter windbags who screech and cry about every tiny thing and are probably seated in the cheapest, worst seats in the house while doing do."

Oh, Nurse!  Someone needs their pills! 

 

[TheatreRocks]

Posted: 3/29/18 at 10:38pm

To those who have gone, how is "When the Children are Asleep" ?

 

its my favorite song

Posted: 3/29/18 at 10:46pm

TheatreRocks said: "To those who have gone, how is "When the Children are Asleep" ?



its my favorite song"

 

Mine as well. I’ve been singing it the past 2 days constantly. Lindsay and Alexander sound glorious and the orchestra underneath them is absolutely beautiful. It was the highlight of Act 1 for me. 

Updated On: 3/29/18 at 10:46 PM

[JAS]

Posted: 3/29/18 at 11:07pm

TheatreRocks said: "To those who have gone, how is "When the Children are Asleep" ?



its my favorite song"

 It’s there, complete (both verses) and nicely done.

[LuminousBeing]

Posted: 3/30/18 at 11:20am

Rush update if anyone is interested: I arrived at 8:30 today (Friday) and there were 8 people in front of me. By the time the box office opened there were about 35 on line total. They only sold rush in the rear mezz. I got center. The people in front of us inquired (politely) if there were any other rush options, e.g. for scattered singles, and the box office worker said there were not.

[DAME]

Posted: 3/30/18 at 11:36am

LuminousBeing said: "Rush update if anyone is interested: I arrived at 8:30 today (Friday) and there were 8 people in front of me. By the time the box office opened there were about 35 on line total. They only sold rush in the rear mezz. I got center. The people in front of us inquired (politely) if there were any other rush options, e.g. for scattered singles, and the box office worker said there were not."

It varies.  If your only one person and you go mid afternoon and ask quietly and with no one around you ; they will sell you a full view side orchestra seat.  I’ve been having pretty good luck at most shows.

[AlfredDrakeII]

Posted: 3/30/18 at 12:37pm

"I raised the same question. There’s so much talent and it seems (i haven’t seen it yet but based on others peoples posts) that Jessie Mueller is under utilized. After coming from Beautiful and Waitress - you got to wonder."

Mueller is a deeply intuitive actress, and part of her strength lies in her great instincts and in-the-moment presence. Bearing in mind that nobody ever sets out to put up a BAD Broadway production, if the reports about her performance being weak are to be believed then I would lay responsibility at the hands of both her co-star and her director, along with any flaws in the writing that have been wonderfully debated in this thread already.

My sense is that if it's true that Mr. Henry is playing a one-note, angry, charmless Billy, Ms. Mueller is like many of the posters here, and quite at a loss as to what Julie Jordan could ever see in such a dangerous and undesirable man. That's why you have a DIRECTOR step in and say "Hey Josh, the passion and intensity is great, but you also want her to LIKE you", and go from there. Otherwise you force Ms. Mueller (and really, everyone else in the show) to continue playing a LIE--that she loves him.

I agree with the posters here, there's simply way too much artistry involved in that production for there to be such a lackluster response...especially as reports increase that Bart Sher has triumphed yet again with equally classic (if less "problematic") material. Shame if it isn't living up to its potential, but I'm also hearing reports of people really loving the show, so...all we can do is hope for the best outcome for all involved!

[LuminousBeing]

Posted: 3/30/18 at 1:23pm

DAME  said: It varies. If your only one person and you go mid afternoon and ask quietly andwith no one around you ; they will sell you a full view side orchestra seat. I’ve been having pretty good luck at most shows."

Good to know, and I hope that works for some people! We didn't have that option today as we have unbreakable plans this afternoon and didn't want to risk missing out entirely by waiting until early evening. Thanks for replying, and I hope you enjoyed the show!

 

[DAME]

Posted: 3/30/18 at 2:10pm

LuminousBeing said: "DAME said:It varies. If your only one person and you go mid afternoon and ask quietly andwith no one around you ; they will sell you a full view side orchestra seat. I’ve been having pretty good luck at most shows."

Good to know, and I hope that works for some people! We didn't have that option today as we have unbreakable plans this afternoon and didn't want to risk missing out entirely by waiting until early evening. Thanks for replying, and I hope you enjoyed the show!

"

I hope you enjoy it.  I thought it was meh.  But everyone else seemed to be liking it.  Defenitky not worth full price of admission .  You’ll be glad you rushed.

[nealb1]

Posted: 3/30/18 at 2:34pm

Thanks, Dame.  I will try it when I'm there in May.  

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 3/30/18 at 2:35pm

AlfredDrakeII said: ""I raised the same question. There’s so much talent and it seems (i haven’t seen it yet but based on others peoples posts) that Jessie Mueller is under utilized. After coming from Beautiful and Waitress - you got to wonder."

Mueller is a deeply intuitive actress, and part of her strength lies in her great instincts and in-the-moment presence. Bearing in mind that nobody ever sets out to put up a BAD Broadway production, if the reports about her performance being weak are to be believed then I would lay responsibility at the hands of both her co-star and her director, along with any flaws in the writing that have been wonderfully debated in this thread already.

My sense is that if it's true that Mr. Henry is playing a one-note, angry, charmless Billy, Ms. Mueller is like many of the posters here, and quite at a loss as to what Julie Jordan could ever see in such a dangerous and undesirable man. That's why you have a DIRECTOR step in and say "Hey Josh, the passion and intensity is great, but you also want her to LIKE you", and go from there. Otherwise you force Ms. Mueller (and really, everyone else in the show) to continue playing a LIE--that she loves him.

I agree with the posters here, there's simply way too much artistry involved in that production for there to be such a lackluster response...especially as reports increase that Bart Sher has triumphed yet again with equally classic (if less "problematic" material. Shame if it isn't living up to its potential, but I'm also hearing reports of people really loving the show, so...all we can do is hope for the best outcome for all involved!"

Kelli O'Hara managed to be wonderful with a wooden actor and in a semi-staged production, sometimes even a good performer like Mueller can't connect with a role, it happens.

[sharona39]

Posted: 3/30/18 at 3:41pm

AlfredDrakeII said: ""I raised the same question. There’s so much talent and it seems (i haven’t seen it yet but based on others peoples posts) that Jessie Mueller is under utilized. After coming from Beautiful and Waitress - you got to wonder."

Mueller is a deeply intuitive actress, and part of her strength lies in her great instincts and in-the-moment presence. Bearing in mind that nobody ever sets out to put up a BAD Broadway production, if the reports about her performance being weak are to be believed then I would lay responsibility at the hands of both her co-star and her director, along with any flaws in the writing that have been wonderfully debated in this thread already.

My sense is that if it's true that Mr. Henry is playing a one-note, angry, charmless Billy, Ms. Mueller is like many of the posters here, and quite at a loss as to what Julie Jordan could ever see in such a dangerous and undesirable man. That's why you have a DIRECTOR step in and say "Hey Josh, the passion and intensity is great, but you also want her to LIKE you", and go from there. Otherwise you force Ms. Mueller (and really, everyone else in the show) to continue playing a LIE--that she loves him.

I agree with the posters here, there's simply way too much artistry involved in that production for there to be such a lackluster response...especially as reports increase that Bart Sher has triumphed yet again with equally classic (if less "problematic" material. Shame if it isn't living up to its potential, but I'm also hearing reports of people really loving the show, so...all we can do is hope for the best outcome for all involved!"

What a wonderful , thought out response. I appreciate it. I’m seeing it in April and going with an open mind.  I’m not sure folks thought she was weak just under utilized. My takeaway was she was doing the best with what she got.  I loved her as Carrie in the Lincoln center production. I guess not everyone can have home runs all the time but I am sure I’ll enjoy it. Thank you again for your thoughts. You never know what type of response you get on here - post at your own risk - lol. (I’ve been chided for stupid questions per some. ) 

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

Posted: 3/30/18 at 4:09pm

sharona39 said: "I’m not sure folks thought she was weak just under utilized. My takeaway was she was doing the best with what she got. I loved her asCarrie in the Lincoln center production. I guess not everyone can have home runs all the time but I am sure I’ll enjoy it. Thank you again for your thoughts. You never know what type of response you get on here - post at your own risk - lol. (I’ve been chided for stupid questions per some. )"

I agree with AldredDrakell's guesses and felt that Ms Mueller was woefully underutilized in this production. Her voice is as beautiful, if not moreso, than ever and the nuances I've come to greatly appreciate in her acting are there. However, they have apparently now cut even more of the little dialogue she has and the lack of proper direction does her and others a disservice. As I and others have said, Joshua Henry's Billy is one note and the note is anger. He is lacking charm or magnetism and it's uncomfortable to watch Julie fall for him. 

[Willy Loman2]

Posted: 3/30/18 at 5:09pm

I saw Carousel on Wednesday and was absolutely enchanted by it. I though Joshua and Jessie were wonderful and I felt very strong chemistry between them. That first kiss was as sexy as anything I've ever seen in the theatre. I loved the staging. I can't imagine why people have such problems with it. I loved the chorepgraphy and all of the performances. If the script has been changed a little, so what? Shakespeare's plays are definitely classics and have you ever seen a production of one of his plays in which some cuts or changes haven't been made? I saw four revivals on my trip this time -- Iceman Cometh, Hello, Dolly!, Carousel and My Fair Lady and while I liked them all, I have to say Carousel was my favorite. The audience response in the performance I saw was every bit as enthusiastic as that of the other three. I really hope it gets great reviews because I would love it to be around next time I come to NY so I can see it again.

[shanphelia]

Posted: 3/30/18 at 7:11pm

I saw the show last night, and I think I am echoing a lot of sentiments that have come before.  In my opinion, Carousel is a weird, weird show to begin with, and the cuts made to this production made it even weirder. The highlights for me were Lindsay Mendez & Alexander Gemignani as Carrie and Enoch, although Enoch's characterization just turns baffling without "Stonecutters" and "Geraniums" in Act 2. I also thought  Margaret Colin was very well cast as Mrs. Mullin. Jessie Mueller just seemed wasted in this role -- and Joshua Henry sounded fantastic, but I never really felt his Billy as a character. His "Soliloquy" was amazing, but I was always aware of it as "Joshua Henry is singing his face off" rather than "Billy is having a revelation."  

The dancing was amazing -- biggest applause for the evening went to "Blow High, Blow Low."  I didn't have a problem with the stylized way they presented the "carousel" -- it still felt pretty momentous to me when it was revealed.

The orchestra sounded fantastic, I love the score, there was great singing, great dancing...but the story was a mess, and the acting didn't always live up to the singing/dancing.  Go see this for Carrie & Mr. Snow.

The Lyric Opera's production of this in Chicago a few years back was one of my favorite shows I've seen recently, so I'm sure I was always comparing this production to that one.  Steve Pasquale played Billy with a sort of slickster ease, and his voice was incredible -- his Soliloquy was a masterful show of both character development and vocal performance.  He and Laura Osnes had amazing chemistry, too -- I still go back and watch this video of them every so often! 

Updated On: 3/30/18 at 07:11 PM

[AlfredDrakeII]

Posted: 3/31/18 at 1:07am

"Kelli O'Hara managed to be wonderful with a wooden actor and in a semi-staged production, sometimes even a good performer like Mueller can't connect with a role, it happens."

Good for Ms. O'Hara. I touched on the difficulty of the material Ms. Mueller is contending with as a possible contributing factor in my original post.

[the.hard.part]

Posted: 3/31/18 at 11:01am

Has there been any rumbling of when to expect a cast recording?

[Sauja]

Posted: 3/31/18 at 3:47pm

Sorry to be that person, but I just looked through all 30 pages and found some comments on the partial view orchestra seats but not the front mezz ones. Anyone sat there/have any thoughts on how the view is/whether it's worth spending the extra $20 for rear mezz sides listed as full view? Thanks so much!