Changes in DRS Opening Number

[Razz77]

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?

[MissNY]

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.

[StickToPriest]

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.

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

[CapnHook]

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

OUT OF TOWN TRY-OUTS!

[Chrysanthemum62001]

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.)

[TheGaIsSilent]

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

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

[munkustrap178]

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.

[MissNY]

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!

[TheGaIsSilent]

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).

[StickToPriest]

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.

[BlueWizard]

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.

[MissNY]

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!