DOCTOR ZHIVAGO Reviews — Page 8
#178
Posted: 4/25/15 at 1:27am
Oof that was just all kinds of terrible. From the blandest acting I've seen in awhile to the worst direction I've seen in awhile, this is a really bore. In Act 2 they go to a village town in Russia, yet the set is floor to ceiling brick walls? Huh? There's no sense of where you are. And the worst use of projections/video. Do we really need "fake" people in the background for the crowd scenes? And what was with that big ass platform that people had to come out and move? I mean it's a $10 million dollar musical and yet they can't get this ugly platform to move on it's own? C'mon.
The story was confusing and not engaging. Why did Tam need to come over from England for this? He did nothing to elevate the material. Kelli as the lead girl gave me the worst acting I've seen in a long time. Just terrible choice after terrible choice. But her voice was great.
I think Des is one of the worst directors working today. I get he likes to use techy stuff in his productions, which is fine. But it doesn't work for a show set in 1920s Russia. The whole thing just felt very cheap, but yet not cheap? Like there'd be a live fire burning on stage, but the next you know they've moved on to the next scene, so what's the point? And did everyone need to get shot with a gun? Jeez. Just a waste of time and money, and I only paid $35 and sat front row.
#179
Posted: 4/25/15 at 1:37am
"Any redeeming qualities at all?"
I thought the costumes were nice.
#180
Posted: 4/25/15 at 1:38am
I couldn't agree more, Ripped! An ugly bore from start to finish... and lousy acting, too.
Just one question: We sat pretty far back and could feel the heat from the fire... you were up close, so do you still have eyebrows?? 
#181
Posted: 4/25/15 at 9:26am
Ha! It wasn't that bad. But the crazy raked staged made it really interesting when they'd slide around the stage because I kept thinking they were going to fall into my lap.
#182
Posted: 4/25/15 at 11:29am
No respect
On Playbill website, you look for upcoming cast albums. Nowhere, in any category, is Dr Z. Hell, it is not even listed in the section re no announcement. My guess is it does not get done. I hope I am wrong but it ain't looking good.
Poster Emeritus
#183
Posted: 4/25/15 at 12:14pm
"Any redeeming qualities at all?"
Yes, for sure, even though on balance I found the show as ugly and misguided as all the other posters above. (You can see my original pan somewhere around Apr 5 in the preview thread.)
Pluses: Act I's set was not beautiful but at least those rolling portals had stature and purpose and (from a center seat) shifted the proportions of the stage in dynamic ways.
Some great vocal work thoughout. I saw one of the previews when Tam Mutu was out, so can't vouch for his performance, but by all accounts it was strong.
There were a number of sequences with great staging ideas, the moving of the various ensembles around the stage in sync with scenery and projections to suggest great historic events told in microcosm. Not choreography as such, (which I mostly loathed), but thrilling traffic direction.
By the end of Act I we had had enough to entertain us to be hopeful for Act II, so that tells you something. (Maybe leave after Act I if you don't want to be as disappointed in the show over all as we were.)
Updated On: 4/25/15 at 12:14 PM
#184
Posted: 4/25/15 at 5:59pm
"These reviews are so hysterically bad it makes me want to see the show."
THIS. Heck, I might even see it twice.
#185
Posted: 4/25/15 at 8:33pm
So critically, it's like CHESS and CARRIE but worse? I mean I don't remember the reviews of both of those shows but good lord I have never read such nasty pans for a new musical before (not counting panned revivals).
#186
Posted: 4/25/15 at 10:23pm
I think it's more confusing given that it's been jostling around in regional theaters for so long. Exactly what work has been done? And I LOVE Simons' work in Secret Garden. But here it's just not melodic. The only highlight, for me, was "Now," but the staging of it was so awkward. I really don't understand what that big metal platform was suppose to be, if anything?
#187
Posted: 4/25/15 at 10:32pm
The big metal platform was meant to be the carriage of a railroad car. First the Zhivago family and others escape Moscow by train. Later Strelnikov commandeers a train car as his headquarters. (That's my take at least.)
As I stared at the giant gouges bitten out of the brick walls that constitutes the Act II set, I pondered why on earth the designer would choose to do something so arbitrarily bad. When at last that damn train carriage winched down into view, its corners just clearing the notches in the walls as it rolled downstage, I finally understood what those stupid gouges were for.
#188
Posted: 4/26/15 at 12:50am
I get the train part, but when it first appears it's just kind of a thing in the middle of the stage.
And I don't get the brick walls. Aren't they in some village? It made it look like Aladdin or some middle eastern bizarre.
The one cool effect was the lightning and how it illuminate the various buildings in Moscow.
#189
Posted: 4/26/15 at 2:01am
Tam Mutu is so attractive ... But I don't know if I can throw down money for this one...
They're now selling orchestra seats for $69-$89... Oof.
"See that poster on the wall? Rocky Marciano." - Andy Karl as Rocky in 'ROCKY'
#190
Posted: 4/26/15 at 11:07am
This has to make it to the week of May 10th, right? They couldn't close that soon after opening. Just stay open between May 10 and May 17, Doctor Zhivago, and I will come and see you.
#193
Posted: 4/26/15 at 12:59pm
"The cast album will be made....."
And you know this, how?
Butters, go buy World of Warcraft, install it on your computer, and join the online sensation before we all murder you.
--Cartman: South Park
ATTENTION FANS: I will be played by James Barbour in the upcoming musical, "BroadwayWorld: The Musical."
#194
Posted: 4/27/15 at 12:51am
I spoke to Tam tonight after the show and he said they are doing a cast album.
#195
Posted: 4/27/15 at 1:39am
There obviously haven't been many changes to when I saw it in Melbourne a couple years ago and when they announced Broadway without a major overhaul I knew this had train wreck all over it
#196
Posted: 4/27/15 at 1:41am
"I spoke to Tam tonight after the show and he said they are doing a cast album."
I hope it actually gets released and we don't end up with another Lestat.
#197
Posted: 4/27/15 at 8:06am
No, Sir Elton's ego will not get in the way.
Poster Emeritus
#198
Posted: 4/27/15 at 10:43am
Question for you all ... I know the reviews are terrible but my friend really wants to go since there are now discounted tickets ... Will I regret seeing it if I go? Tam Mutu is such a hottie... But is he worth the price of admission? Ugh...
"See that poster on the wall? Rocky Marciano." - Andy Karl as Rocky in 'ROCKY'
#199
Posted: 4/27/15 at 11:12am
"Question for you all ... I know the reviews are terrible but my friend really wants to go since there are now discounted tickets ... Will I regret seeing it if I go? Tam Mutu is such a hottie... But is he worth the price of admission? Ugh..."
If you have any interest in seeing the show at all, if any part of the marketing, casting or music has sparked your interest, then you should go. Don't let other people's opinions influence your decision. Especially when there's discounted tickets involved!
#200
Posted: 4/27/15 at 11:39am
Hate to see anything get a kicking, but there is certainly a problem with this sub-genre, in that whilst it clearly still has a big audience, the shows being offered just aren't quite good enough to reach the top flight of POTO, Miss Saigon and Les Mis.
I actually LOVED Jane Eyre and wish I could have seen it more than once. The staging/lighting of Jane Eyre was innovative and stunning and I listen to the charming score often. I was sad it got lost in the shadow of The Producers. I'm looking forward to hearing Gordon's next score for Sense and Sensibility in Chicago. Sensibility designs look gorgeous as well: Sense and Sensibility
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
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