Company Previews Thread — Page 12

trpguyy said: "Interesting theories, though the rain was part of the production design before rehearsals began, and before anyone knew about West Side Story’s rain. "

I thought of this as well. Chris Harper said a new moment would be seen at the end of act one, and there was nothing new until tonight. Was this it? Did it just take longer than expected to get instated?

SouthernCakes said: "Just took 7 previews to implement? "

Yes.
A theatrical rain system requires space above the stage clear of scenery, lighting and other electronics. Space that typically doesn’t exist without careful planning. It also means that the show deck has to be constructed from a composite or heavily treated material, with a waterproof barrier between it and the house deck. Footlights, front fills speakers, and deck automation mechanics should be a reasonable distance away from the splash zone, and the deck needs to have a drainage system built in (grates were visible during act 1 at the first preview).

These things require careful, long term planning and sometimes a relatively unimportant effect might take a while to incorporate into the show. Bigger fish to fry, so to speak.

Updated On: 3/11/20 at 02:44 AM

I think some of you are just recognizing one of the built in issues in the show. It's ALWAYS hard for "Being Alive' to follow "The Ladies Who Lunch." When the show opened in 1970, "Ladies" was the big showstopper and the most anticipated number of the show. This can be seen on the documentary of the cast recording, it's mentioned how everyone was waiting to hear this number on record. "Being Alive" became a standard later on.

John Doyle tried to alleviate this by cutting the applause and orchestral ending of "Ladies." A decision that many found controversial, although it actually worked, nobody got to applaud "Ladies" and the audience exploded after Raul's bombastic "Being Alive." It also didn't help that Barbara Walsh wasn't a very exciting Joanne.

Katrina literally gets on her knees in tears during "Being Alive." What more could one want? It's always been more of a solemn and introspective moment, and she nails that. She's not going to start doing jumping jacks during it.

Updated On: 3/11/20 at 10:04 AM

I agree with both points, MichaelBennett and BenElliot.

I do want to post one of my favorite performances of "Being Alive." I mentioned him earlier in the thread, and it's Adrian Lester's version in the 1996 Donmar production. Out of all of her male counterparts, I find Katrina Lenk's interpretation the closest to his performance. Another actor who doesn't possess the strongest or most pleasant voice, but acts the hell out of every single lyric. Also, how great is the more pop sounding ending with the added drum beat?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb03Ujxld_8&list=RDNb03Ujxld_8&start_radio=1

Meh, on one's knees and crying seems like melodrama. Not right for the moment, which is a breakthrough, not a breakdown.

There's a difference between not having the best voice and having a weak voice. Dean Jones nails the song on the OBC recording. Superior to Larry Kert's more vocally fulfilled rendition. Jones does have a (flawed) instrument that can handle the notes--and he has the tinge of yearning in his voice.

Raul's performance was indeed bombastic.

Agree the show will always suffer because Bobby hasn't a great character arc and Ladies Who Lunch is essentially impossible to top. But Ladies Who Lunch is something like rage while Being Alive is introspection. The former is simply more dramatic and plays better onstage because of that.

Updated On: 3/11/20 at 11:28 AM

OffOnBwayHi said: "ljay889 said: "Katrina literally gets on her knees in tears during "Being Alive." What more could one want?"

For her to simply sing it better.

Nothing can excuse her weak falsetto and transition/break from her chest to head voice. Her voice doesn't feel rightforthe song. I promise this is not a drag, but it sounds amateurish."

Thank you! First off she was not on her knees and not crying when I saw her. Sixth row center. No tears to be seen. And she just sounds bad. There’s no way around it. And no one is buying the argument that it’s hard to follow Ladies Who Lunch. What a ridiculous statement. Being Alive is one of the most beautiful and rousing songs ever written for the stage. Dean Jones, Boyd Gaines, Raul Esparza and countless others have not had a hard time with it. Katrina just doesn’t connect musically to the show and no amount of rain or tricks thrown at her songs can help that.

RippedMan said: "I think it's tough in 2020 to have a lead in a big broadway musical who doesn't have the vocals for the part. In the 70s you could get away with it. But not now. There's too much talent out there. Give me Mueller as Bobbie."

Jessie Mueller as Bobbie would have been amazing.

So because Katrina chose to go on her knees for some reason for 4 performances it makes her poor singing ok?? Hmmmmm

bwaydreamer said: "So because Katrina chose to go on her knees for some reason for 4 performances it makes her poor singing ok?? Hmmmmm"

Show me once where I even alluded to that. I was speaking from an emotional aspect, not vocally.


good question, BenElliot!