Curtains in LA- Page 3

[babykitty_00]

Posted: 7/26/06 at 6:38pm

TxTwoStep...it did seem a little chatty at first...more talking than singing...but as it went on it got better. And the songs were so good that you get over all the talking. I guess the talking is needed to explain parts of the plot...there is so much going on with the show and the show-within-the-show. But it works.

[broadwayjedi]

Posted: 7/26/06 at 6:39pm

Loved it Loved it Loved it. Got the Hot Tix thing( amazing deal) and sat in Mezzanine Box D with my girlfriend, and we thought it was fantastic. The show was hilariously funny, and the score was terrific. The audience was thrilled, and gave it a standing ovation. Stage doored after and talked to Jason Danieley, and Debra Monk, both extremely nice, and fun to talk to, especially considering this was the first public performance. We waited for David Hyde, but he was back there for apparently a long time, and we left. However, while driving past we saw him leaving, and called out to him " Great show" and he replied with a humble and gracious thank you. The show is absolutely terrific. My favorite numbers were " Show People" and the sublime ballad " Thinking of him". The cast was uniformly excellent, and the only weak link, was in my opinion the girl who played Nikki, or the love interest of Cioffi ( Pierce.) Maybe it was just me but she seemed stunted and akward, and sometimes wooden. Other than that, fantastic stuff. Ready for broadway. And there was no merchandise- I would have purchased some for sure. Great evening. Go see it.
Updated On: 7/26/06 at 06:39 PM

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 7/26/06 at 6:42pm

Could you explain the hot tix deal or any other discount tickets method, please? I'm interested in going to see it but not sure if I want to pull out the $90/ticket.

[babykitty_00]

Posted: 7/26/06 at 6:45pm

Center Theater Group has a website. Call and ask for the Hot Tix and thats it. They will tell you where they are located and you can purchase them for $20. I don't know how it works at the box office.

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 7/26/06 at 6:49pm

Thank you, I shall do that
Any reviews of Jason Danieley, Debra Monk, or Karen Ziemba's performances?

[broadwayjedi]

Posted: 7/26/06 at 6:50pm

The Hot Tix program is amazing. I just hope more people don't find out about it, ie the general public. Anyway, id disagree that it was talky. yes it was book heavy, but it was hilarious, and I thought that there weren't any wasted words. It seemed all neccesary to me.

[broadwayjedi]

Posted: 7/26/06 at 6:54pm

Monk was brilliant playing the stage mom/ producer. Her timing was excellent, and she was one of my favorites. Ziemba was perfect as the half of the singer/songwriter duo that composed the fictional show, and she really lights it up in a big dance number at the end of the first act. Danieley was terrific as well, playing her songwriting partner, I only wish he got to show off more with his soaring tenor, as the beautiful song " I Miss The Music" seemed to hover in the lower part of his voice. I wanted to hear some high money notes I guess, but his performance was terrific.

[babykitty_00]

Posted: 7/26/06 at 6:54pm

oh I didn't mean it was talky in a bad way....I agree with you, it was necessary for sure. And the dialogue was all so funny!

[broadwayjedi]

Posted: 7/26/06 at 6:58pm

Oh good. Im glad u agree. But im excited to hear critical and message board reaction to this great show.!!

[babykitty_00]

Posted: 7/26/06 at 7:00pm

what did you think about David Hyde Pierce's boston accent? did it seem to come in and out? I wasn't sure it was working...what about you?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/26/06 at 7:02pm

I'm glad everyone is liking it so far!! Keep the reviews coming, please.

[broadwayjedi]

Posted: 7/26/06 at 7:03pm

i agree that it wasn't the world's greatest boston accent, but his performance was still so lovable and honestly real, that i didn't even think about it past the first 10 minutes. He was priceless. And I also thought touching, in a way that he loved the theatre with all of his heart. i thought that was kind of affecting.

[babykitty_00]

Posted: 7/26/06 at 7:12pm

thats exactly what I mean...he is so good that he really doesn't need to bother with the accent. It doesn't add anything. He was so perfect in the Tough Act To Follow number...reminded me of a young Danny Kaye

[GypsyHeart]

Posted: 7/26/06 at 7:26pm

babykitty_00 wrote: "at one point, the laughter from the audience went on so long that Debra Monk had to stop and wait to say her next line, and even David Hyde Pierce was giggling." This was certainly a high point of the evening, but it wan't actually because of the lines, but because of the delightful interplay between the actors and the audience. After one character said something, the audience agreed so much that we applauded. That was what interrupted Debra Monk's line. Since the applause was like saying that we disagreed with her character, she shot her line back at the audience, while the other actress curtsied a "thank you" to us. It was all delicious, but who knows if it will stay in the show. Depends on the audience reactions, I guess.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/26/06 at 7:27pm

Monk is such greatness.

They better get a theater here soon, because you're all making me salivate!!

[GypsyHeart]

Posted: 7/26/06 at 7:36pm

I had posted a couple of things yesterday on the L.A. regional site, so will paste them in here:

Curtains Call
Posted On: 7/26/06 at 06:44 AM
I don't know that it's okay to post reactions here before official opening night, so I won't, but I do have a question. At the end of tonight's performance (the first) of "Curtains", there was ONE single short curtain call with the entire cast, then the curtains closed and immediately the house lights went up. I've never seen that before, and am wondering if that was a mistake, or something that director always chooses, or if there is some new first night tradition I've never heard of. Even if the director chooses an egalitarian group bow, there should at least be a chance for a second one. Is there anyone who reads these boards who is connected with the production who knows what was up? I'm inclined to think it was a mistake that the lights went up and they made an on the spot decision not to take any more bows.

COOOOLkid asked: "How was the show? Comparing with Cabaret and Chicago, how would you rate it?"

re: Curtains Call
Posted On: 7/26/06 at 07:07 PM
Oh, not in the same league as Cabaret and Chicago, but I'm sure it wasn't intended to be. Much lighter and fluffier. Better than I remember The Rink being (long time ago). I was one who liked Steel Pier, in which I "discovered" Karen Ziemba, who is in Curtains. What is the netiquette on this board about reporting reactions during previews? I guess I can say this much: Worth paying for, though perhaps not at top dollar, and if you do intend to see it make sure you see it while David Hyde Pierce is in it. Don't expect fabulousness, don't expect Cabaret, don't expect Fosse choreography, don't even compare it with The Drowsy Chaperone, just look forward to a fun little evening with some laughs, some lessons in creative process, some silliness, some bad puns, a bit of beauty...that you'll enjoy much more than sitting at home.

[DAME]

Posted: 7/26/06 at 8:54pm

Going opening night. Can't wait.

[GypsyHeart]

Posted: 7/26/06 at 9:04pm

Since I see that people are being more detailed in their posts, here are a few more thoughts. I WISH I could say that I loved it as much as broadwayjedi did. I loved many things about it, it's just that I only had that "soaring" feeling rarely, such as in a fantasy dance number with DHP and Jill Paice who played Niki (A Tought Act to Follow), or in Daniely's solo of I Miss the Music. I always love Debra Monk and Karen Ziemba, though KZ felt somewhat underused with no solo. Hibbert was fun as usual with a stereotypical character, nothing new. Totally agree with broadwayjedi about DHP being lovable, honest and touching -- really, you must see him. Most beautiful song is Thinking of Him, most fun to try to sing along with is He Did It. I was put off by all the "Get it?!"s after the puns. Perhaps my biggest problem with it all is the "1959" show within the show. It's a lot of fun to see the creative process in the improvement of In the Same Boat, but such a large percentage of the music of "Curtains" is from this "bad" show, and you are not invested in those songs, which are like poor derivatives of Rodgers & Hammerstein. And the choreography -- how much can I take of can-cans and hahahergenitalsarenearhisface? In the first number it feels like a funny satire, but then too much of the actual show is taken up with the same. Oh, well. Even if I didn't giddily love it, I did like it and do recommend seeing it, just without the very high expectations that I had.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/26/06 at 10:04pm

Glad you liked it and that others who were there last night too are even more enthusiastic for the show's first public performance! You mentioned Karen not having a solo, but "Thinking of Him" (which you mentioned) is her number. And she also leads the dance number, "Thataway!" at the end of Act One. I really think the songs from the show within the show are great fun. (The pastiche numbers are in the style of numbers from the western/saloon musicals, like "Belly Up to the Bar Boys" from The Unsinkable Molly Brown and "Hoop-de-dingle" from Destry Rides Again...less Rodgers & Hammerstein).

Updated On: 7/26/06 at 10:04 PM

[GypsyHeart]

Posted: 7/27/06 at 4:30am

Smaxie wrote: "You mentioned Karen not having a solo, but "Thinking of Him" (which you mentioned) is her number. And she also leads the dance number, "Thataway!" at the end of Act One."

Yes, that was a beautiful song, but I'm it wasn't strictly a solo, and I'm spoiled, wanted more songs by her. Perhaps it's because I'd just seen an opera a couple of days earlier. :) I'm not even saying that the character warranted another song. I guess I just want to see her in another lead in some other show... And I already said what I thought of most of the choreography, so I wasn't excited by "Thataway!"

"I really think the songs from the show within the show are great fun."

It's all just a matter of taste, isn't it. I wish I felt as you did. Perhaps I'll be in the great minority.

"(The pastiche numbers are in the style of numbers from the western/saloon musicals, like "Belly Up to the Bar Boys" from The Unsinkable Molly Brown and "Hoop-de-dingle" from Destry Rides Again...less Rodgers & Hammerstein)."

I'll bow to your probably superior knowledge, I never saw DRA, but did feel that "Kansasland" was a nod to "Oklahoma".

I'm looking forward to reading more folks' comments. Of this Ahmanson season, The Drowsy Chaperone was my favorite, and this was my second favorite. I imagine it will have no problem going on to Broadway.

[Sheri]

Posted: 7/27/06 at 4:50am

Looking forward to this! Hubby and I are seeing it the second weekend in August.

[Peter]

Posted: 7/27/06 at 5:32am

I saw Tuesday night's performance and I almost completely agree with Gypsy Heart. Everything about the show is what I'd call ..pretty good..., but lacking those transcendent moments that define real theatrical magic. This is certainly second rate Kander and Ebb, but some of the songs are catchy and second rate Kander and Ebb is better than most composers today. Its funny at times, but not truly hilarious, and theres really nothing new here. The show within a show concept has been done many times before, and this one has a moment or two of clever twists, and a few showstoppers, but even the showstoppers fall short of greatness. Ziemba is definitely underused here and missing from much of Act 2. Debra Monk reminded me a little of Merman and her storyline involving her daughter echoed Gypsy. David Hyde Pierce grew on me during the show, but my initial impression was he seemed somewhat awkward at times. His fantasy dance sequence with Jill Paice in act 2 ("A Tough Act to Follow") was a highlight of the show. Other notable numbers IMO were "Show People", "Thataway" and "Its A Business." Although this was only the second preview, everyone looked as if theyd been doing the show for months. Lots of talent involved here, but the result to me is really only mildly entertaining.

Updated On: 7/27/06 at 05:32 AM

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/27/06 at 9:46am

There's still time. Don't you think they could add a song for Karen? That's what out-of-town tryouts are for!

They made several changes in Drowsy before it moved to NYC.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/27/06 at 10:10am

First previews are usually about "Am I standing in the right place?" Transcendence is hard, but I think it will get there. These early reports though are encouraging. Sounds like they have the ingredients in place.

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/27/06 at 10:19am

Yes, it does.