"Wilmington, I do know the show from reading it, and listening to it, plus listening to the Chicago production just now. I can take away whatever I want from it because it is MY opinion!! And he does slap people"
"Wilmington, I do know the show from reading it, and listening to it, plus listening to the Chicago production just now. I can take away whatever I want from it because it is MY opinion!! And he does slap people"
If you read the show, how were you not aware that Billy hits his daughter?
If your opinion is honestly that Billy is evil, then I am afraid you have greatly misinterpreted the piece. When writing the show, and the play it is based upon, nobody was trying to create a villain, they were creating a tragic hero. They were trying to create a character who really messed things up, but the audience is still able to sympathize and perhaps even empathize with.
Wow, that clip of the Hytner production is really incredible. Sally Murphy really captures an independent spirit unsure of how to enter romance after being known as such a character. These things I felt were lacking in Osnes's performance. The way that scene is played in that clip, there is such fear as they approach the prospect of love, it's really dark and chilling. I can now really understand why that production was praised so highly. It really portrays the complexity of these characters and who you can't right off the show as romanticizing abuse--it resists fully romanticizing falling in love.
I have loved your detailed thoughts about the play, characters and motivations. It has helped me to better understand and enjoy the show. But when you jump all over someone who isn't as far along as you that isn't right or fair. That is snobbery and bullying. Cut it out.
You find him annoying. That's fine. It would be nice to keep from sharing your low opinion with him. And it certainly doesn't give you the right to be mean.
Nevertheless, thanks so much for your other input. You guys "get it" about this show and are helpful to the rest of us.
AwesomeDanny: Indeed no production since has ever captured the danger, vulnerability, and unsureness that is in that scene. The real test to a good "If I Loved You" is how the actors and director treat the end. There's a beat written into the script when Julie says "Don't worry about it--Billy." That beat means EVERYTHING, it's what allows the characters to charge forward the rest of the show. Because until that moment, Julie has only referred to him as "Mr. Bigelow" and it isn't until Billy says "I'm not the kinda fella to marry anyone, even if a girl wanted me to...I wouldn't," that she finally gives in and extends that hand to him. Julie needs to take that beat and Billy needs to acknowledge it, as well. Only then, does the ending have a pay off.
Comden: I can't speak for everyone for the entire thread, but in the last two pages, no one has "bullied" Phillypinto. Everyone has tried to explain to him the error in his statements with thoughtful analysis, which he blindly cast off. I, personally, searched for a thorough background analysis I wrote a while back and posted for him to consider and his only response was did I not like the PBS concert.
"Sing the words, Patti!!!!" Stephen Sondheim to Patti LuPone.
I saw the show yesterday, so I'm just popping in to throw in my two cents. I'm in the boat with some of the others who saw it - I really enjoyed it, but I wouldn't say it's a must transfer. Steven was excellent and found a good balance between the darkness of the character and the need for redemption at the end. Charlotte took a thankless role and gave it some spark - and her dancing in the Louise ballet really worked well. Laura was strongest in the shows final scenes, but her line reading of the "Sometimes when someone hits you it does feel like a kiss" really did not work (honestly, the whole line just doesn't quite work in today's climate, but aside from cutting it, I'm not sure what you can do. Also, most of the audience laughed at Billy's "I hit her because she was right." line, which was played for the laugh- a choice that didn't sit right with me either.).
Jenn and Michael were superb and I loved their interplay. The only actor who didn't quite fit was Denyce Graves. Now, I understand that this is the Lyric, and there's a need to bridge the opera community and the musical theatre community, but Graves just didn't fit here. Having an opera singer in Show Boat, Oklahoma, and Sound of Music works. Here, she just stuck out like a sore thumb. I'll admit, I'm not familiar enough with Carousel to know if her character is normally played by someone with such a full voice, but it's jarring to hear Graves' voice after listening to the other cast members. Just my own thoughts.
Over all, it's a really excellent production. I liked Ashford's direction/choreography, the sets are interesting and minimalist, and the lighting is wonderful. The 37-piece orchestra is stunning. If they can keep the core creative and cast together for a transfer, I think it would be very well received. But if you're in Chicago, I recommend checking it out. It's a very well done production.
"You guys need to lay off philly pinto. I have loved your detailed thoughts about the play, characters and motivations. It has helped me to better understand and enjoy the show. But when you jump all over someone who isn't as far along as you that isn't right or fair. That is snobbery and bullying. Cut it out. You find him annoying. That's fine. It would be nice to keep from sharing your low opinion with him. And it certainly doesn't give you the right to be mean. Nevertheless, thanks so much for your other input. You guys "get it" about this show and are helpful to the rest of us. "
I agree, Comden. I would think that, if the primary demographic of this board is what I'm assuming it is, most posters here were probably bullied incessantly when they were younger. It seems that many of the people here have now become the bullies themselves.
There's a difference between correcting him and jumping on him for saying the pettiest of things. Although, after lurking on this board for years, I know that Philly is just the latest in a long line of targets for these queens.
Mr. Snow is a pretty boy?!? Can Miss Asshford ever leave her personal preferences off the stage and cast accordingly. This sounded terrific until reading that a true hack directed it.
I have no issue with Nettie being played by an Opera singer, but the casting choice in the Lyric production was lacking. She sang beautifully, but her warble was truly distracting. Graves' energy was lacking and my least favorite part of the production. That being said, I loved this production. I hope it is preserved in some way.
Hydzik and Gambatese were wonderful as Enoch and Carrie. The comedy these two were able to pull from the material was delightful and the audience appreciated it. The orchestra was luscious and perfect. Providing nuance and trepidation to the story. Osnes was striking as Julie. She uses her arsenal wisely while trying to be strong, as well as becoming rooted within herself. She has a few moments towards the end of the show that had audible reactions from the audience members around us. Hearing her and Pasquale sing 'If, I loved you" was a delight. I hope that happens again, and soon.
This being said, the show belongs to Pasquale. I know there is a lot of debate as to his acting, but I thought he was spectacular. His Billy was played with the energy of a feral, undomesticated lion cub; restless with a ferocious roar. His 'soliloquy' was enthralling. You wanted to hate him the entire time, but like Julie, you saw that there is a good person in there.
If you are in Chicago, go see this production. I am not sure that it will transfer, nor do I know that there is an audience for it. What I do know is that this production was an absolute dream-like delight.
<< Gavin Creel and Kate Baldwin making vocal love... I adore these two.
"Mr. Snow is a pretty boy?!? Can Miss Asshford ever leave her personal preferences off the stage and cast accordingly. This sounded terrific until reading that a true hack directed it. "
To be fair he's been something of a pretty boy in other productions--the Lincoln Center concert for example. And the Hytner production:
""You guys need to lay off philly pinto. I have loved your detailed thoughts about the play, characters and motivations. It has helped me to better understand and enjoy the show. But when you jump all over someone who isn't as far along as you that isn't right or fair. That is snobbery and bullying. Cut it out. You find him annoying. That's fine. It would be nice to keep from sharing your low opinion with him. And it certainly doesn't give you the right to be mean. Nevertheless, thanks so much for your other input. You guys "get it" about this show and are helpful to the rest of us. "
I agree, Comden. I would think that, if the primary demographic of this board is what I'm assuming it is, most posters here were probably bullied incessantly when they were younger. It seems that many of the people here have now become the bullies themselves. There's a difference between correcting him and jumping on him for saying the pettiest of things. Although, after lurking on this board for years, I know that Philly is just the latest in a long line of targets for these queens. "
I did kinda jump on him but I meant it with some shocked humour. Afterall he had spent PAGES on here going on about how this was certain to get a transfer, disagreeing with everyone about how he knew right, etc. And then he posted with horrified outrage that If I Loved You Reprise happened after the slap.
" Also, most of the audience laughed at Billy's "I hit her because she was right." line, which was played for the laugh- a choice that didn't sit right with me either.). "
I actually thought that was a perfect reading--and audience reaction--to the line. The laugh isn't "Oh he's so silly!"
Pretty sure this is coming. After watching the Broadway.com periscope, they were already talking as if it is definitely coming. Especially after Laura Osnes said that she will be coming back to broadway "maybe in this show."
It's a fair thing to bring up in this thread, and it's an interesting point - with the cast that they've assembled, the reviews that they've gotten, and the buzz that's been building around this show (seriously, I don't think I've seen a single review that hasn't mentioned it moving to Broadway), it makes perfect sense that this production would come to New York. And both Laura and Steven have said that they want it to come to Broadway, which means it's been discussed and was probably part of the reason they agreed to do the show in the first place. Does that guarantee the show will come? No, but it means the producers are at least somewhat confident in their ability to make it happen.