DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES - Opening Night Critics' Reviews- Page 3

[BETTY22]

Posted: 2/20/24 at 5:01pm

Rush and see it if you can. They need all the help they can get. 

 

[Jmuep2]

Posted: 2/21/24 at 11:55am

I just got an email saying this must close April 28. That's new information, right? 

[Fordham2015]

Posted: 2/21/24 at 11:57am

Jmuep2 said: "I just got an email saying this must close April 28. That's new information, right?"

It's always been a limited run to April 28 to my knowledge

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 2/21/24 at 1:17pm

In our cast album thread for this show, I admitted that I wasn't exactly enamored by the music upon my first listen, but I still felt inclined to give Wine and Roses a shot given the bang-up reviews from a few weeks ago.

I'm so glad I did.

Yes, it's not a perfect show and certainly not a hummable score, but the storytelling is first-rate and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Brian and Kelli are on their way to some well-earned Tony nods, they sounded absolutely GLORIOUS. At one point, Kelli does a drunken dance with a vacuum cleaner in "Are You Blue" that is hilarious in the moment as it is heartbreaking, knowing what eventually happens to her character.

The precocious little girl that plays Lila is adorable and I can't wait to see where her career goes.

Steven Booth was on for the Mr. Shaw track, but I couldn't spot him at all — the ensemble felt pretty much wasted in this piece.

The show clocked in at 1:50 last night (began 7:05, curtain call at 8:55), so slightly overlong for those who are wondering.

Orchestra sounded wonderful and was conducted by the always-reliable Kimberly Grigsby.

Ben Stanton's lighting design deserves a Tony nod as well. Loved the "wave" effect following Joe and Kirsten around.

 

Go, go, go.

 

 

[Jmuep2]

Posted: 2/21/24 at 1:38pm

Fordham2015 said: "Jmuep2 said: "I just got an email saying this must close April 28. That's new information, right?"

It's always been a limited run to April 28 to my knowledge"

 

 

Thanks for the correction. 

 

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 2/21/24 at 2:23pm

I really want to see this before it closes.  Since I haven't seen a show at Studio 54 in forever - remind me, how are the seats in the Orchestra to the side?  There are aisle seats in first few rows available and considerably less the Orch Center.  

Woud aisle seat in first few rows on side work to those that have seen the show?

[Fordham2015]

Posted: 2/21/24 at 2:27pm

VernonGersch said: "I really want to see this before it closes. Since I haven't seen a show at Studio 54 in forever - remind me, how are the seats in the Orchestra to the side? There are aisle seats in first few rows available and considerably less the Orch Center.

Woud aisle seat in first few rows on side work to those that have seen the show?"

I was in the side orchestra last weekend and saw everything with no problem

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 2/21/24 at 2:28pm

Fordham2015 said: "VernonGersch said: "I really want to see this before it closes. Since I haven't seen a show at Studio 54 in forever - remind me, how are the seats in the Orchestra to the side? There are aisle seats in first few rows available and considerably less the Orch Center.

Woud aisle seat in first few rows on side work to those that have seen the show?"

I was in the side orchestra last weekend and saw everything with no problem"

AWESOME   Just bought my tickets to see.   Now, let's hope neither are out for a matinee performance.  

[wesleystewart]

Posted: 2/21/24 at 3:57pm

VernonGersch said: "Fordham2015 said: "VernonGersch said: "I really want to see this before it closes. Since I haven't seen a show at Studio 54 in forever - remind me, how are the seats in the Orchestra to the side? There are aisle seats in first few rows available and considerably less the Orch Center.

Woud aisle seat in first few rows on side work to those that have seen the show?"

I was in the side orchestra last weekend and saw everything with no problem"
 


AWESOME Just bought my tickets to see. Now, let's hope neither are out for a matinee performance."

Same, I was in literally the furthest house right seat a couple of weeks ago and it's a fantastic seat. 

And I have to echo the encouragement to see it. I think Kelli is giving one of the best performances I've seen on a musical theatre stage, and Brian is phenomenal as well. 

[Ensemble1696584123]

Posted: 2/22/24 at 6:10pm

I am wondering why the reviews have not moved the needle on this selling? I thought that if not a huge draw, the leads would still bring in more from people from among regular theater goers.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 2/22/24 at 6:15pm

Ensemble1696584123 said: "I am wondering why the reviews have not moved the needle on this selling? I thought that if not a huge draw, the leads would still bring in more from people from among regular theater goers."

 

The answer is simple.   Despite 2 fine performances, it's a dreary show about dreary subject matter that no one wants to see beyond the people who already see everything anyway.  It had a nice run off-Broadway and had no business transferring to a large Broadway house. It's a chapter straight out of Foolish Producing 101.

[jpbran]

Posted: 2/22/24 at 11:21pm

O’Hara is jumping quickly back into The Hours at the Met starting May 5, so I’m doubting she could extend even if there was a demand for it. 

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 2/22/24 at 11:28pm

Yeah, they should have waited for the Booth to be available or something smaller.  

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/23/24 at 4:16am

It's a stunning piece of theater that isn't for everyone... And that's ok.

 

Yes, a smaller house would have suited the show better, for profitability, but I didn't feel it lost anything being at studio 54. Granted, I was in the front row of the mezz on a seemingly sold out performance. 

[Melissa25]

Posted: 2/27/24 at 5:59pm

I caught it at the Atlantic and wasn't sure I needed to see it again but have decided that I do.  Thanks to Guettel for "getting into this unremunerative profession". 

Theater: All the Moving Parts -Kelli O'Hara, Brian d'Arcy James, and Adam Guettel

[Hey, Zelda!]

Posted: 2/28/24 at 4:39pm

Chicago Tribune: Column: ‘Days of Wine and Roses’ composer Adam Guettel had the challenge of putting addiction to music

Includes an aside about Guettel's aborted Princess Bride musical:
 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

Q: Years ago, after your Tony Award-winning success with “The Light in the Piazza,” you wrote several songs for a musical based on “The Princess Bride,” is that right? That sounds like the sort of simplicity challenge you’re talking about.

A: Ten songs, actually. Right. They’re propulsive, melodic — it’s up to the audience to say if they’re catchy.

Q: You and the “Princess Bride” author and screenwriter William Goldman came to an impasse on the project?

A: He wouldn’t sign a traditional collaboration agreement and insisted on a different kind of deal, which I felt I couldn’t do, not just for monetary reasons but for the example it would set for future collaborations. So. The project fell apart at that point. But the songs are mine, and we’ll see.

 

[StageJunkie2]

Posted: 2/29/24 at 2:26pm

What times does the Sunday 3pm matinee let out? I have an evening performance and need to squeeze dinner between the two shows.  Thanks.

[Fordham2015]

Posted: 2/29/24 at 2:52pm

StageJunkie2 said: "What times does the Sunday 3pm matinee let out? I have an evening performance and need to squeeze dinner between the two shows. Thanks."

The show is 1:45 with no intermission (exactly as advertised, which was nice). My show started at 3:02 and ended at 4:47

[StageJunkie2]

Posted: 2/29/24 at 4:14pm

Fordham2015 said: "StageJunkie2 said: "What times does the Sunday 3pm matinee let out? I have an evening performance and need to squeeze dinner between the two shows. Thanks."

The show is 1:45 with no intermission (exactly as advertised, which was nice). My show started at 3:02 and ended at 4:47"

Much appreciated. That’ll work out perfectly. Thanks again.