CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Previews- Page 4

[catalana3]

Posted: 3/28/17 at 11:56pm

Maybe modern is a better word to use? It didn't feel like an imaginative fairy land  - more like magic happening in a current context. American characters felt very modern too.

[Butter Broadway]

Posted: 3/28/17 at 11:57pm

I don't think theatre junkies necessarily mind the focus being on the content, but tourists and others come to expect big and flashy with this musical. 

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 3/29/17 at 12:00am

GreasedLightning said: "I have to say I'm sort of disappointed at the sound of a "minimalistic" set for such an imaginative and potentially massive show. Hm. 

 

"

Same.  Normally I don't mind a minimalistic set and often find it's a great benefit. But to me the main benefit of this source material is the possibility for amazing visuals and "pure imagination."  So the idea of minimalism leads me much less intrigued for this show than it would for others. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 3/29/17 at 12:01am

I consider myself a "theatre junkie," and I'd still want/expect a full, big, splashy, imaginative production with a property like Chocolate Factory. 

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 3/29/17 at 12:06am

Yikes the only thing this show had going for it here in the UK seems to be the thing they have changed....the design 

[Golenboybway]

Posted: 3/29/17 at 12:13am

What were those golden tickets in what looked like a glass case? I saw people posting pictures with them? Is it something they sold? Also what merch did they have?

[Tag]

Posted: 3/29/17 at 12:15am

Can't understand why the Oompa Loompas would be changed??!  They were so inventive and a real standout in London.

[ZellMorrowsPledge]

Posted: 3/29/17 at 12:35am

This looks quite different from West End's curtain call https://instagram.com/p/BSNQEzlgv0b/

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/29/17 at 12:55am

This is not a show where you want cheap sets. This show should be a spectacle. This is a show everyone knows, and obviously, they're trying to make $$$ off the show. It should be appealing and fun and entertaining. It sounds drab as hell, and, not being a Borle fan, I might have to sit this one out. 

And the last show I saw there, Finding Neverland, had the worst sets/design I've seen in years. 

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 3/29/17 at 3:05am

How is Emily Padgett?

[sondheimfan82]

Posted: 3/29/17 at 4:05am

Is there anyone that can confirm the song list please? 

 

 

[Flacd]

Posted: 3/29/17 at 4:24am

So they decided a great and magical show like the west end one for a minimalist one? And adding puppets? And come on what are those little clouds?! It all seems a children play

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 3/29/17 at 5:29am

Jebus, the first act was long and tedious in London and if they haven't fixed that, no hope.

[wssinsider]

Posted: 3/29/17 at 7:16am

Minimalistic is a way to call it, but if you paid 150 for the show and see the set, you'll call it cheap. 

Emily is fine, you forget she's in the show, her song is a total bore and she does a ballet duet during her number, totally unesesary. 

[catalana3]

Posted: 3/29/17 at 7:48am

For those wondering, here's last night's list. 

[jonyyboy07]

Posted: 3/29/17 at 8:02am

Golenboybway said: "What were those golden tickets in what looked like a glass case? I saw people posting pictures with them? Is it something they sold? Also what merch did they have?

 

"

It looks like it is something you can buy. I saw someone trying to sell one on ebay signed by the cast. It looks like it's limited edition and says number blank of blank. It's hard to see with the signatures. http://m.ebay.com/itm/322466629020

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 3/29/17 at 8:15am

There's no song for Violet's exit or no Cheer Up, Charlie? Also, why include "Oompa Loopa" if it's only used once?

UPDATE: Isn't "Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka," from the 2005 movie?

Updated On: 3/29/17 at 08:15 AM

[Flacd]

Posted: 3/29/17 at 8:35am

West End version surely was not cheap. The set design was incredible and magical. The sed designer it's the same of the uk version but it's also true that the theatre royal drury lane is the west end biggest stage. Having said that I'd never expect the set to be cheap or minimalist or too different from the uk version.

[ntrackbar]

Posted: 3/29/17 at 8:57am

Thanks for posting the song list, catalana3.

It strikes me very odd that they don't get to "I've Got a Golden Ticket" until the end of Act I. Maybe I am misremembering the story, but that feels like an awfully long time to wait for Charlie to find his ticket. 

[Babe_Williams]

Posted: 3/29/17 at 9:04am

ntrackbar said: "Thanks for posting the song list, catalana3.

It strikes me very odd that they don't get to "I've Got a Golden Ticket" until the end of Act I. Maybe I am misremembering the story, but that feels like an awfully long time to wait for Charlie to find his ticket. 

 

"

I was thinking the same! You would think he would get right to the ticket and the majority of the show would be in the chocolate factory.

[barcelona20]

Posted: 3/29/17 at 9:06am

How can the show not end with Pure Imagination or at least a reprise of it?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/29/17 at 9:07am

It seems like they haven't changed the pacing problems at all. In London, Act One ended as it does here, with a Golden-Ticket type number and then Wonka's first song at the factory. I'm frankly shocked that they kept the parent's song in, as it was a total bore in London and it seems like they would have had the rights to "Cheer Up Charlie".

[HGorn]

Posted: 3/29/17 at 9:07am

What was the running time of last night's show?

[CRS14]

Posted: 3/29/17 at 9:22am

I saw it last night. First act got out at like 9:35 (started at probably 8:15) and 2nd act concluded at just about 11. (Spoilers coming from here on in and this is just a random collection of thoughts)

Can confirm that the sets were incredibly disappointing. When you get to view the factory for the first time and it's a 10ftx10ft box with cheap plastic ornaments you can't help but be underwhelmed. With the amount of production and effort they used on the OUTSIDE of the theater you'd think they would have something magical inside. Wrong.

Also, the set was malfunctioning all night. In the first song the bed with the grandparents in it did not fully turn around so Grandpa Joe - who is supposed to not be able to move - had to crawl around to be able to face the audience. To say it was an odd start is an understatement. 

If you're hoping for a near replica of the Gene Wilder movie you'll be disappointed. It is such a different dynamic having Wonka interact with Charlie BEFORE he wins the Golden Ticket. Borle is incredible so it wasn't a total disaster but it took away all the suspense. I was really looking forward to the huge applause he was going to get when he first emerges from the factory but instead he starts off the show.

The music was rather disappointing. I can't remember a single melody besides the originals from the movie (and they cut "Cheer up Charlie" which could have played so well). There was also an incredibly weird dance number with Charlie's mom and her dead husband which was just weird. There was simply no need for that. 

The company is fine but no real standouts aside from Borle. Charlie was a cute kid but nothing amazing about his voice. The book was rather childish with the same jokes over and over (the one grandpa wanting to be dead, Mrs. Teavee being an alcoholic, the mom being replaced at work by a washing machine, etc.). Hopefully that is something thatt can be easily fixed.

I'm still gathering all my thoughts since I went in with such high hopes and was slightly disappointed. With such great source material it was upsetting to see it fall flat. 

[Flacd]

Posted: 3/29/17 at 9:33am

My god, reading all this reviews i'm afraid the show won't last too much. Even though WestEnd version had some defects it was absolutely magical and visually outstanding, what's happening to this production?