Cradle Will Rock — Page 2

I think givesmevoice is correct. I don't think they ever sold any balcony for these production (except maybe VIOLET). I bought my tickets the first day they went on sale and the balcony was already listed as sold out, which made me think they never put it on sale at all.

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I'm certainly content with my first row mezzanine seats, which are only one and two seats off the aisle from the center section.

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I also worked on the film Cradle Will Rock. It was an experience I'll never forget and not in a good way! That day alone caused me to quit doing background work.

Here it is, and don't read if you're bored already.

I got the call from the casting director one hot summer day in the afternoon, asking me if I wanted to work on the film. I agreed. First mistake. The call time was at 3:30 am, at the Park Avenue armory.

I got there and found over nine hundred other extras there. Every single one of us was fitted in a 30's authentic vintage dress, hat and shoes. No matter if the shoes fit, you had to find a pair from the pile and wear them. Maybe women in those days had teensy feet, but I was already in pain from trying them on. Plus we had to wear stockings with garters. Our hair was done in those 30's styles and makeup too. Let's not forget it was August and very hot and humid. Try to imagine how comfortable we were in those outfits. The dresses were long.

With over 900 extras, it was about six hours until we were all ready. If you were one of the first, you've already spent six uncomfortable hours in a not air conditioned place.

The best is yet to come. The scene was the big parade to the theater. OK? Marching through the streets in too tight shoes in 100 degree heat. Any of you who have done film work know how much standing around doing nothing you must do, and you may not leave.

Well, some couldn't handle it. I saw several people sitting on a curb with bleeding feet. I saw several people sneaking out of the crowd into a deli and air conditioning. I saw several people leave. I saw some people calling friends and telling them to come down and join the crowd. Who would know they didn't belong there?

I was tired, in pain, and sweating down my face. At that point in my career, I was too afraid to break any rules so I stood the torture until late afternoon when it was over. Let's see, 3:30 am til about 4:30 pm.

When the day wrapped, Tim Robbins made an announcement that the shoot would continue the next day, and televisions would be raffled off. I guess that was an effort to get people to come for an additional day of fun! I didn't.

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how was the dress rehearsal?

I would also love to hear some details from the invited dress!

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Well, it's definitely going to be smaller than the orchestra sound typical of Encores! stagings, but I like that that's in keeping, in an Encores! way, with the show's history.

I'm probably going to eat my hand between now and Saturday. My patience is totally lacking.

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Updated On: 7/10/13 at 04:24 PM

I was there tonight and found the show to be very odd. I respect the structure and integrity of the piece, perhaps even admire it, but I think I would get more out of it by studying it in a college seminar than just taking it in at performance. It was almost impossible for me to establish an emotional connection with the material so I never became overly involved.

The performances were really first-rate though. I mean Raul delivered an impassioned performance, Judy Kuhn was marvelous as the newspaper editor, Da'Vine Joy Randolph was ELECTRIFYING in her big 11 o'clock number, Anika Noni Rose did well with "A Nickel Under the Foot," Danny Burstein (in a fat suit) was a sinister Mister Mister, and David Margulies, Martin Moran and Michael Park acquitted themselves nicely.

The orchestra, performing what was probably one of the most ambitious scores I've ever heard at Encores, couldn't have been better.

This might be the best the show ever gets for me, but I don't know if I'll ever be moved to truly care for it.

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I've always found the Cradle Will Rock to be very interesting, but I've never really cared for it. I hoped seeing it live would change that, but it didn't. It was a fascinating watch, but I personally didn't take much away from it. I don't think the concert "staging" helped much. It was the least staged show I've seen at Encores, and it made the complex material even less accessible.

The cast was top notch though. You can't pass up a chance to see Anika Noni Rose, and I was not disappointed. Raul and Judy were in fantastic voice, and the rest of the ensemble was in great shape. My two favorites though were Da'Vine Joy Randolph and Danny Burstein. I was surprised by Danny's casting, although I know hes a versatile actor, I've always found him to have such a charming, likeable presence. But he really did well as Mr. Mister. He never fails to surprise. And Da'Vine, as Ella Hammer, got to sing the only solo that actually gave a performer the chance to really let go and perform. IT was the only point in the night when I didn't feel like some outside observer, and I thought she really walked away with the show.

It was an hour and a half, no intermission.

Really sad I'm missing this one.

" He obviously has distain [sic] for the piece, since none of his choices seemed organic to the piece, only throwing distraction at it, so why did he bother to direct it? "

It's great to get feedback, but it's hard to take seriously (or even make sense of) a sentence like that. How can you possibly know that the director has disdain for the play? How do you know which choices were his and which the actors?

" And all over the place in the role division, confusion over who was playing what, people playing several roles, then not.."

Playing multiple roles is pretty common, and was done in the 80's American place version. Henry Stram was in it, and played the cop, and Junior Mister (at least). Who does he play here? How about Martin Moran? What does "people playing several roles, then not.." mean?

Can't wait to see this to figure out what the hell you two are talking about.

Thanks for the explanation. How weird to have a sign to differentiate characters (did they mean it to be funny?). In the 80's version, Patti LuPone played Moll and Sister Mister. I wish I could remember who played Mrs Mister. She had incredible comic timing, and I don't think she covered any other role.

Likewise, Denise Michelle Walker (I think her name was) played only Della Hammer ended the song Joe Worker with tears in her eyes every night. A truly touching performance.

Mr Mister was also a solo role, I believe, though Larry Foreman (Randell Mell) also hysterically played one of Mrs Mister's pet artists. I assume Raul does not double.

Thanks again for your explanation.

Oh my God! I'm sure the two of them have a blast with that, but how bizarre. Who plays the other artist?