DORIAN in LA
DORIAN in LA
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#0DORIAN in LA
Posted: 8/16/04 at 7:59amI just read that Max von Essen is going to do the musical DORIAN in North Hollywood. Who has seen this show, and what did you think?
#1re: DORIAN in LA
Posted: 8/16/04 at 10:11amI saw the premiere in Denver with Matt Cavanaugh. Saw the show 3 times actually! I really enjoyed the show. Good music and nice sets. The book needs to be tightened a bit. I actually got to know people connected with the show and I keep in touch with them. Just chatted with them a week ago and they are excited. Amelia McQueen and Nikki Daniels are still with the show. They were terrific. First preview is scheduled for Sept. 30th and it is supposed to run until Thanksgiving. They said the Theatremania site will be up by the end of Aug. Check out the show's website also, www.dorianthemusical.com. There are song clips on the website. Enjoy!
#2re: DORIAN in LA
Posted: 8/16/04 at 10:50am
I also heard the end of August BUT the info was up yesterday.
There’s a link to TheaterMania.com for ticket information on the Dorian the Musical site. They’ve also updated the cast information and added a lot more music.
Dorian the Musical
#3re: DORIAN in LA
Posted: 8/16/04 at 10:58amYes, I just checked out theatremania.com. Decent ticket prices. I am tempted to fly out and see it!
jayem1968
Stand-by Joined: 6/9/04
#4re: DORIAN in LA
Posted: 8/16/04 at 12:22pm
Whooo hooo! Finally one for me! I am about 5 minutes from North Hollywood.
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rockfenris2005
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#5re: DORIAN in LA
Posted: 8/17/04 at 3:25am
When's it coming to Broadway? .... hmmm.... lololololololol 
#6re: DORIAN in LA
Posted: 8/17/04 at 4:18amJayem, we should meet up and see it!
#7re: DORIAN in LA
Posted: 8/17/04 at 8:26am
I saw the show when it premiered in Denver and the show was really good! There were a couple of scenes that I thought could stand to be re-done, but the music and sets were great! As I have said in a previous post, Matt Cavanaugh was awesome as Dorian. Also, Nikki Daniels was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! What else has she been in? I'd like to hear her voice in a recorded format.
Hey uncageg--sounds like we've attended some of the same shows here in Denver...we should meet sometime! LOL!
#8re: DORIAN in LA
Posted: 8/17/04 at 10:17amBest of luck to Mr. von Essen in this great role. Cheryl- What time are you picking me up for the airport? HAHA
"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
#9re: DORIAN in LA
Posted: 8/17/04 at 1:09pm
And what time shall I pick everyone up at the airport on this end??? 
HEHEHE.
#10re: DORIAN in LA
Posted: 8/17/04 at 1:13pmBut seriously...I really enjoyed the readings of this show when I saw them last year. I'm looking forward to a fully staged version of it. Love love love the music...and DO check out the new songs they have up on the website. I'm especially loving the song "Myself Alone". The three mens voices on that are just beautiful.
#11re: DORIAN in LA
Posted: 8/17/04 at 1:15pm
P2 ~ Are you only going to see Dorian... or can you make it to Sacramento on Labor Day Weekend to see Max in JCSS.
Jesus Christ SuperStar
#12re: DORIAN in LA
Posted: 8/17/04 at 1:21pmYeah Phanty...come visit us on this coast!
eslgr8
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/04
#14re: DORIAN in LA
Posted: 10/1/04 at 3:09amI just heard about this show today and am seeing it tomorrow (Friday) night, a preview performance. After reading your comments, I'm excited to be one of the first to see the LA engagement! I'll give my impressions after I see it.
QueenS
Leading Actor Joined: 8/15/03
#15re: DORIAN in LA
Posted: 10/1/04 at 9:20amI saw a staged reading of this YEARS ago (Jason Workman was Dorian, that's how long ago) and loved it. Thank goodness they've stuck it out for so long trying to keep it going.
#16re: DORIAN in LA
Posted: 10/1/04 at 1:52pmEslgr8~ I'm looking forward to your thoughts on it. I'm seeing it Saturday and Sunday...can't wait.
JamieMcG
Broadway Star Joined: 6/12/03
#17re: DORIAN in LA
Posted: 10/1/04 at 2:13pm
Hey there,
I'm in LA working on a Parkinsons Benefit for Saturday and was able to see the first preview last night (as that was all my schedule allowed me.
The cast of this piece is just fantastic. It's truly a tour de force for Max (and I am completely biased as he is a close friend), but overall, despite the usual problems and antics that come with seeing not only a first preview but a first complete runthrough, the show was in really decent shape.
After seeing the workshop in NYC last year, it was nice to see some changes and of course to see it on a set. The set is fantastic, by the way.
The cast, led by Max and Kevin Bailey really knocked my socks off. The lovely and VERY talented Nikki Renee Daniels is in amazing voice as always and she is given one of the more memorable and beautiful melodies of the show. Armeleia McQueen was just marvelous and a complete entertainer in both the 1984 and 2004 segments of the show. This is by no means a review, just some of my thoughts. The really pretty Adam Simmons, as the portrait, was also in great voice-though his appearance in the second act is just a touch to Dawn of the Dead for my tastes. What was great was that there was not a weak link in the cast...Michelle Blakely, also fantastic as always.
But overall, I can see the show (with a few more runthroughs under their belt) will be really decent. The score is one of the better ones I've heard in a new musical, and the story is told effectively-what more can you ask for?
So again, though not a review, I do hope this encourages those who can, to come see the production.
#18re: DORIAN in LA
Posted: 10/1/04 at 2:18pmThanks for the report Jamie! All the best to you and the benefit this Saturday.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
eslgr8
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/04
#20re: DORIAN in LA
Posted: 10/2/04 at 9:52pm
Turns out I'm not the first to report on Dorian, the LA staging. I saw it the night after Jamie McG, and creator/director James Mellon described it to us as the first real preview, describing the previous night's performance as a "dress rehearsal." Except for some lighing cue misses, the performance ran very smoothly, not at all like a preview. The show has many plusses: excellent performances, an intriguing storyline, some beautiful songs (you can listen to them at the show's website), a superb set and colorful costumes. I didn't become as emotionally involved as I would have wished, but overall I rate this musical thumbs up, and will not only see it again later in the run but will recommend it to friends. The two leads are outstanding. Max von Essen sings like an angel and looks quite angelic and sexy as well. For fans of nudity, he strips early in the show, covering only his privates, but gives us a nice look at his derriere. I can see why he is so popular at broadwayworld.com. Kevin Bailey matches him with a powerful performance as the artist who paints the picture of Dorian Gray. Superb support from Armelia McQueen and Nikki Renee Daniels, who have both performed these roles previously. And a word about the theater. The NoHo Arts Center somehow gives a big theater experience in a 99-seat house. The set is huge and intricate. There is no feeling whatsoever of being in a cramped space. Their next productions will be both Angels in America plays, in rotation. I can't wait! In the meantime, I'm seeing Dorian again on November 11th! (For gay von Essen fans, not only is he nude at one point and shirtless quite often, but there are several kisses with Kevin Bailey and also with Paul Denniston, star of the camp movie fave Butch Camp!)
Dorian the Musical Website
#21re: DORIAN in LA
Posted: 10/2/04 at 10:10pm
I'm seeing Dorian on the 15th of this month. I'm looking forward to seeing Max Von Essen as Dorian, but I would've loved to have seen David Burnham as Dorian as well.
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