DEATH BECOMES HER Previews- Page 9

[bowtie7]

Posted: 11/20/24 at 9:05am

Maybe I'm just getting to old? Death Becomes Her is crazy fun but I have to wonder why? What was the great reason to make this a musical? As most have previously said the show is very funny and I enjoyed it very, very much (so did the rest of the wildly enthusiastic audience) but something was missing.

(warning possible spoilers ahead) 

Entry to the theatre was easy (warning men's room lines were much long than ladies). The set framing  extends into the house to set the mood. Also a special call out to what has to be a very hard working backstage crew--this show has so, so many quick changes of costumes/hair/make-up. The two leads are probably about as good as possible considering they have to live in the shadow of Meryl and Goldie while dealing with the technical requirements of the show on a nightly basis. Christopher Sieber is given a thankless role (though I had to wonder why Norbert Leo Butz wasn't in this role). Michele Williams is fine (and gets a good sport of the evening award for her act two entrance) in an expanded role from the movie but I have to wonder what could have been in the hands of someone like the late Chita Rivera (who one would assume have taken one listen to the songs and politely passed). Which brings the problem of the songs, for the most part you are just waiting to them to end to get back to the really funny stuff. It doesn't help that Megan's first number is by far the best (and funniest).  The show is given an elaborate physical production. The sets are great though the Viola Van Horn set really reminds me of the Hungarian/2009 Vienna production of Tanz der Vampire designed by Kentaur. There are lots of costumes but other than some stunning gowns for Michelle Williams something just seems off, the Immortals especially just looked something for a college dance recital. Which brings up another problem, since the Immortals are set up as physically perfect--the show really needs a few more character actors for all the various small comic parts. It was nice that the show has an 18 piece orchestra since so many recent shows (I'm pointing at you, Hamilton) have such reduced numbers of players. I am glad to have seen the original cast at their best (I shutter to think what this will end up like at some small dinner theatre (told you I was old--dinner theatre, young actors look it up--it will give you new respect for what those who came before you went though). So basically go, have fun.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/20/24 at 9:37am

There's a bunch of tickets (all under $100) available for tomorrow's opening night, for anyone who won't be at "Gypsy". 

[itsahopi]

Posted: 11/20/24 at 11:23am

bowtie7 said: "Maybe I'm just getting to old? Death Becomes Her is crazy fun but I have to wonder why? What was the great reason to make this a musical? As most have previously said the show is very funny and I enjoyed it very, very much (so did the rest of the wildly enthusiastic audience) but something was missing.

(warning possible spoilers ahead)

Entry to the theatre was easy (warning men's room lines were much long than ladies). The set framing extends into the house to set the mood. Also a special call out towhat has to be a very hard working backstage crew--this show has so, so many quick changes of costumes/hair/make-up. The two leads are probably about as good as possible considering they have to live in the shadow of Meryl and Goldie while dealing with the technical requirements of the show on a nightly basis. Christopher Sieber is given a thankless role (though I had to wonder whyNorbert Leo Butz wasn't in this role). Michele Williams is fine (and gets a good sport of the evening award for her act two entrance)in an expanded role from the movie but I have to wonder what could have been in the hands of someone like the late Chita Rivera (who one would assume have taken one listen to thesongs and politely passed). Which brings the problem of the songs, for the most part you are just waiting to them to end to get back to the really funny stuff. It doesn't help that Megan's first number is by far the best (and funniest). The show is given an elaborate physical production. The sets are greatthough the Viola Van Horn set really reminds me of the Hungarian/2009 Vienna production of Tanz der Vampire designed by Kentaur. There are lots of costumes but other than some stunning gowns for Michelle Williams something just seems off, the Immortals especially just looked something for a college dance recital. Which brings up another problem, since the Immortals are set up as physically perfect--the show really needs a few more character actors for all the various small comic parts. It was nice that the show hasan 18 piece orchestra since so many recent shows (I'm pointing at you, Hamilton) have such reduced numbers of players. I am glad to have seen the original cast at their best (I shutter to think what this will end up like at some small dinner theatre (told you I was old--dinner theatre, young actors look it up--it will give you new respect for what those who came before you went though). So basically go, have fun."

Chita Rivera did Casper.

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 11/20/24 at 11:29am

"Chita Rivera did Casper."

And Merlin and Bring Back Birdie. Hahaha.

 

[Kad]

Posted: 11/20/24 at 11:34am

bowtie7 said: "Maybe I'm just getting to old? Death Becomes Her is crazy fun but I have to wonder why? What was the great reason to make this a musical? As most have previously said the show is very funny and I enjoyed it very, very much (so did the rest of the wildly enthusiastic audience) but something was missing."

Why does it have to be anything more? I think there's something to be said for a show that just wants to entertain and make you laugh and does those things well, and I think that a lot of audience members are actively looking for that. Sometimes you just want a slice of cake.

[Lot666]

Posted: 11/20/24 at 3:50pm

Does anyone know why the performances on 11/23 and 11/24 are selling far side orchestra and rear orchestra tickets for $1,024.50 apiece when using the BroadwayBox discount?

Updated On: 11/20/24 at 03:50 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/20/24 at 3:53pm

Where are you seeing those prices? Broadwaydirect has them all normal priced, that I can see. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 11/20/24 at 3:56pm

Lot666 said: "Does anyone know why the performances on 11/23 and 11/24 are selling far side orchestra and rear orchestra tickets for $1,024.50 apiece when using the BroadwayBox discount?"

Dunno where on Earth you're looking but BroadwayDirect (the official ticket seller for the show) lists all those for under $200 each in the sections you mentioned. 

[Lot666]

Posted: 11/20/24 at 4:08pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "Lot666 said: "Does anyone know why the performances on 11/23 and 11/24 are selling far side orchestra and rear orchestra tickets for $1,024.50 apiece when using the BroadwayBox discount?"

Dunno where on Earth you're looking but BroadwayDirect (the official ticket seller for the show) lists all those for under $200 each in the sections you mentioned."

As noted in my original post, if you actually apply the BroadwayBox discount on BroadwayDirect.com and look at the performances on 11/23 and 11/24, you'll see that far side orchestra and rear orchestra tickets are listed for $1,024.50 apiece. Here's a link to the 11/23 matinee:

https://tickets.broadwaydirect.com/tickets/series/332842/death-becomes-her-1019096?promo=DBHBOX&startDate=11-23-2024

Updated On: 11/20/24 at 04:08 PM

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 11/20/24 at 4:16pm

Lot666 is correct, and it's surely a glitch.

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 11/20/24 at 4:19pm

11/24 evening.

[Lot666]

Posted: 11/20/24 at 4:31pm

Jordan Catalano said: "Where are you seeing those prices? Broadwaydirect has them all normal priced, that I can see."

As I noted in my original post, you have to apply the BroadwayBox discount.

[Lot666]

Posted: 11/20/24 at 4:54pm

MemorableUserName said: "Lot666 is correct, and it's surely a glitch.

"

It looks like BroadwayDirect.com detected the error and has now corrected it.

[inception]

Posted: 11/20/24 at 7:05pm

Those were for special seats that come with a dose of the Potion.