Company Previews Thread- Page 17

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/15/21 at 9:54pm

Wow just wow. 
There are new orchestrations throughout, especially the title number, it sounds even better! 
Lenk’s vocals have grown leaps and bounds, she is finally singing with force now. She sounds natural singing the music now. 
 
Matt Doyle was great in 2020, but he’s giving a different, better, and bigger performance now. He even has new costumes and a earring. NGM got a standing ovation.

 

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“Marry Me a Little” doesn’t have the rain that was used in the late 2020 previews, but it does have lots of lighting and thunder. Maybe they are waiting to use the rain again. 

 the energy in house is insane. What a night so far. Sondheim was seated to a standing ovation. Marianne gave a speech and then introduced the entire cast, and a tearful Patti dedicated the show to Sondheim. 

Updated On: 11/15/21 at 09:54 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/15/21 at 10:01pm

Yes, Lenk has used this time off to work magic on her vocals and this score. She’s remarkable!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/15/21 at 10:01pm

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 11/15/21 at 10:12pm

Did “hepatitis” become “coronavirus” as has been rumored?

[blaxx]

Posted: 11/15/21 at 10:12pm

Is Bobbie still looking for those keys to open rooms and then suddenly stops needing the keys after all?  That part was weird.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 11/15/21 at 11:17pm

“Ladies Who Lunch” received a four minute standing ovation. As it should.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/15/21 at 11:34pm

Jordan Levinson said: "Did “hepatitis” become “coronavirus” as has been rumored?"

Nope. 
yep, the Ladies standing ovation was wild. Even Sondheim was standing and he looked touch. 
 

It’s amazing how much this cast has grown, from Doyle to Elder to Patti and Lenk. It’s remarkable how these particular performances have developed.
 

Also, the ending of the club scene  may have been slightly rewritten, or Lenk made a mistake and Patti went with it. Lenk said “who will take care of me?” Instead of “who will I take care of?” It didn’t totally make sense as Joanne just told Bobbie that Larry would take care of her. I will see what the line is tomorrow at the next preview. 

Updated On: 11/15/21 at 11:34 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/15/21 at 11:47pm

And for those care about the little geeky things like I do, the opening chords of the title song are more synthesized sounding now and there’s a lot more drums during the opening measures. It sounds GREAT. 
As I mentioned, there is slight changes throughout the orchestrations. The score sounds even fuller now. This orchestra is fantastic. 

Updated On: 11/15/21 at 11:47 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/15/21 at 11:56pm

WHAT. A. NIGHT. 

Just perfect. With everything, the show got out about 11:20 which is INSANE. But man, was it worth it. And like last first preview, they were giving out two thousand (I asked) balloons on the street.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/16/21 at 12:00am

It certainly was a LONG night, Jordan. I won’t forget it, though. The energy was simply palpable. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/16/21 at 12:00am

Also, someone yelled “Encore!” after “Ladies Who Lunch” and It actually made Patti laugh a little bit. That was a sweet little moment. 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 11/16/21 at 12:08am

Jordan Catalano said: "Also, someone yelled “Encore!” after “Ladies Who Lunch” and It actually made Patti laugh a little bit. That was a sweet little moment."

You are certainly living your best life lately. I’m living vicariously through you as I likely won’t be able to make it back to the city before any of these shows close. Your joy and love of theater is palpable in your reviews. Thank you! 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/16/21 at 12:28am

Living only a couple blocks away from all these shows, I couldn’t live with myself if I missed these special nights!!!

[BJR]

Posted: 11/16/21 at 12:45am

Indeed, a magical night.

I think I counted 6 standing ovations? The 4 minute ovation for Ladies Who Lunch was something I won't forget. What an incredible way for this cast to return.

As for the production itself, it's hilarious and stunning. I'm excited to go back to see how it's actually paced, when we're not interrupting it with lengthy ovations. It felt a little sluggish tonight but we also were adding a lot of time to it.

I'm happy to hear Lenk improved her vocals because I thought she sounded lovely tonight and what I'd heard made me expect something far worse. She acts the role beautifully, too.

All around stellar cast. Hand Patti the Tony.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/16/21 at 12:48am

Also, this was interesting, they transposed up the solo/introspective portion of “Being Alive.” I’m not musically inclined enough to know if it was a half or whole step. This did not happen in 2020. I’m assuming it’s to allow Lenk to mix more with her head voice. It sounded nice. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/16/21 at 12:49am

Also, Jennifer Simard is doing some of the best comedic acting you’ll see all year on that stage. 

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 11/16/21 at 12:52am

This cast is wonderful. Of the ones not already mentioned, I thought Jennifer Simard was hilarious and nailed every single line reading. “You Could Drive a Person Crazy” also got a really great ovation.

I have to say that while I thought Katrina Lenk acted and sang very well, they still could have found more optimal keys for her. She has such a great instrument, but the money notes in the current keys aren’t her natural money notes. I think lower keys would have helped her out a lot. Still, she has a lovely voice and is a fantastic actor.

While the orchestra indeed played very well, that exposed synth guitar in “Being Alive” took me out of the moment. I hope that’s adjusted.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/16/21 at 12:54am

BJR said: "Indeed, a magical night.

I think I counted 6 standing ovations? The 4 minute ovation for Ladies Who Lunch was something I won't forget. What an incredible way for this cast to return.

As for the production itself, it's hilarious and stunning. I'm excited to go back to see how it's actually paced, when we're not interrupting it with lengthy ovations. It felt a little sluggish tonight but we also were adding a lot of time to it.

I'm happy to hear Lenk improved her vocals because I thought she sounded lovely tonight and what I'd heard made me expect something far worse. She acts the role beautifully, too.

All around stellar cast. Hand Patti the Tony."

I think people overreacted with the vocals in 2020, but there is a definite improvement and confidence now. 

Patti will absolutely win the Tony, and Simard will be nominated, as Jordan said, she’s wonderful.
Doyle and Elder easily deserve nominations, they are both perfection in their roles. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Sieber or Fitzgerald snuck into the category. 

Updated On: 11/16/21 at 12:54 AM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/16/21 at 1:00am

I saw the first preview way back when and I'm glad to hear that Lenk has improved. I thinks he's fab in the book scenes, but in the singing.. nah. I mean it's Broadway. I want Broadway vocals. And not even Broadway vocals, I want to feel confident in your singing. So I'm curious to revisit this show next January as Lenk is the only key I'm not sure of. Especially going against a powerhouse like Lupone. I mean, it's 2021 we can have someone who has it all. 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 11/16/21 at 1:16am

This was hanging next door at Thoughts of a Colored Man:

[Miserent]

Posted: 11/16/21 at 1:19am

I may or may not have audio of the last half hour of the show, and Patti’s ovation lasted around two minutes, not four, but what an incredible moment.  What an incredible EVENING.  Katrina’s vocals and acting have definitely improved, and the entire cast is perfect for their roles.  Jennifer Simard steals every moment, and she and Patti will most certainly be nominated, but expect Patti to run home with that award.  I really hope this show gets a nice healthy run, it’s probably the best production of Company we’ll see for a very long time.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/16/21 at 1:19am

^Isnt that amazing?! They should sell those at the merch table. 

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 11/16/21 at 1:24am

RippedMan said: "I saw the first preview way back when and I'm glad to hear that Lenk has improved. I thinks he's fab in the book scenes, but in the singing.. nah. I mean it's Broadway. I want Broadway vocals. And not even Broadway vocals, I want to feel confident in your singing. So I'm curious to revisit this show next January as Lenk is the only key I'm not sure of. Especially going against a powerhouse like Lupone. I mean, it's 2021 we can have someone who has it all."

Lenk has something unique in that she doesn’t feel the need to approach high notes by screaming/belting them, and I find that incredibly refreshing. I think it’s tricky transposing this role into a female vocal range, and especially for someone who isn’t known for her high belting. She’s doing an admirable job, and her acting is so strong, which I think should be the first requirement for the role. I do think if they lowered the keys just a tiny bit, it would land in her sweet spot. (I also felt this listening to the London recording.)

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/16/21 at 1:47am

Agreed, but they haven't in 2 years so..I don't think doing an "admirable" job in a starring role in a major Broadway revival is it. I think the show/production is outstanding, but to give me a lead who cannot sing the role ini 2021 is silly. 

[ramblingwreck97]

Posted: 11/16/21 at 1:52am

What a NIGHT!!!
The entire energy on 45th street was just something out of this world, between the reopening, Spring Awakening and the Tick, Tick, Boom! premiere. Broadway has been back for a bit now but tonight felt like the big, brassy, official celebration of its return.
The show tonight was beautiful, and the thing I was most taken by was the humor. It truly is one of the funniest and most talented ensembles you could put together, and as many have said Patti and Jen Simard just bring the house down nearly every time they hit the stage. Katrina is solid in a very unique interpretation, but I honestly think she just gets overshadowed by the unbelievable supporting cast.