Changes in DRS Opening Number

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Changes in DRS Opening Number

Posted: 3/3/05 at 12:15am

Does anyone know what changes were made to the opening number in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels during previews? When I saw it in early February, the opening was still somewhat of a mess - consisting of a rather random and hard-to-understand dance number with the chorus crossing the stage. I just read on playbill.com that one of the main focuses of previews has been the opening number - anyone know what the opening number has been 'locked' as?

re: Changes in DRS Opening Number

Posted: 3/3/05 at 12:22am

I saw it twice, once on the second night of previews and then once again last week when it was frozen. The main thing that they changed was they took out that part in the very begining where the women all run up to Andre and hand over their jewelery. They added in 2 short segments where there was a spotlight on a specific woman and JOhn explained who she was and how much money she had. Aside from that, they just kinda tightened it up so it seems to flow better.

re: Changes in DRS Opening Number

Posted: 3/3/05 at 12:25am

Hmm. Doesn't seem like they did enough to fix it. Too bad.
It was the only real flaw in the show when I saw it, and it didn't start the show off with the bang this show should start off with (and it deserves).
But, still, an immensely enjoyable and hysterically funny show.

And, oddly enough, even though 'Give Them What They Want' was, I think, wrong for the opening, it was the song that I couldn't get out of my head afterwards.

"One no longer loves one's insight enough once one communicates it."

The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.

Updated On: 3/3/05 at 12:25 AM

re: Changes in DRS Opening Number

Posted: 3/3/05 at 12:35am

OUT OF TOWN TRY-OUTS!

"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

re: Changes in DRS Opening Number

Posted: 3/3/05 at 12:40am

I saw it the other week too, and I think the chopping they did during "Giving them What They Want" made a big difference. It still does drag in the beginning, though, and it seems to take forever to get to "Great Big Stuff". (Although, that may be because I was really looking forward to it.)

"What a mystery this world. One day you love them and the next day you want to kill them a thousand times over." The Masked Bandit in THE FALL

re: Changes in DRS Opening Number

Posted: 3/3/05 at 12:55am

Agreed. Priest, it may seem like a small chop, but it makes the world of difference.

JOHN LITHGOW I just realized, your last name is Butz! Both "Norbert" AND "Butz" are in your name! You must have gotten picked on a lot as a child!

re: Changes in DRS Opening Number

Posted: 3/3/05 at 12:56am

My friend (who has already seen the show 5 times) went again tonight and called saying that they totally cleaned up the first number, and while it's still the weakest part of the show, it works much better.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

re: Changes in DRS Opening Number

Posted: 3/3/05 at 12:57am

It may not be perfect still, but it has helped a whole lot. I found that it dragged less until great big stuff. It also helped that they cut 20 min of dialogue throughout the show so scenes were shorter. And I also find myself humming "Giving Them What They Want" over and over. It's a very catchy song. They NEED to some out with a cast recording ASAP!

re: Changes in DRS Opening Number

Posted: 3/3/05 at 12:57am

5 times already? Lucky boy/girl! I've only been twice (going again for my birthday in a few weeks).

JOHN LITHGOW I just realized, your last name is Butz! Both "Norbert" AND "Butz" are in your name! You must have gotten picked on a lot as a child!

#10

re: Changes in DRS Opening Number

Posted: 3/3/05 at 12:58am

I don't remember the whole song, just the 'Give them what they want' melody line. But that one line wouldn't get out of my head.

"One no longer loves one's insight enough once one communicates it."

The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.

#11

re: Changes in DRS Opening Number

Posted: 3/3/05 at 1:12am

For me, it's that "side pocket" line -- don't remember exactly, but the melody is drilled into my head.

Why don't they just begin the show with a big ol' Song & Dance Number? When I saw it, the opening didn't even constitute a song.

BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."

#12

re: Changes in DRS Opening Number

Posted: 3/3/05 at 11:01am

"Right hand, side pocket. Left hand, akimbo and relaxed..." I know what you mean. It is these pieces of songs running through my head. And i can't get them out because I don't know the full songs. How annoying!

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