Posted: 9/22/15 at 5:18pm
Just noticed that this starts in less than two days! Is anyone attending the first preview or going anything during previews? I have a lot of hope for this show. It looks like a lot of fun with a great cast, but I don't know if that will translate to sales. I guess I would say I'm cautiously optimistic.
Posted: 9/22/15 at 5:29pm
I'm seeing it Saturday afternoon. Very excited and hopeful! I saw the original production in '68 and still have the LP. Listened to it a few weeks ago. Still a great score!
Posted: 9/22/15 at 6:52pm
I'm going on Sunday during the flea market. I can't wait. I don't really know anything about the show, but it sounded like something that would interest me.
Posted: 9/22/15 at 7:28pm
I might end up seeing this on Saturday if they announce a rush. I'm not expecting anything life-changing, but I'm anticipating have a good time. Saw the show regionally several years ago, and found it cute and enjoyable.
Posted: 9/22/15 at 8:44pm
I'll be there Saturday night!
Posted: 9/23/15 at 2:12am
I was thinking of adding this show for my Oct trip. It's one of a few shows I know nothing about but like the previous post I think it will be entertaining. I have other shows for life changing. Love to hear any opinions if anyone goes.
Posted: 9/23/15 at 9:10am
I'm going one week from today! I am very excited!
Posted: 9/23/15 at 10:21am
I'll be there tomorrow. Disappointed that a lottery/rush policy hasn't been announced yet though as I have friends in from out of town this weekend who really want to see this but are on a tight budget.
Posted: 9/23/15 at 12:51pm
Are your friends in high school or college? If not this won't really help much, but...
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Broadways-DAMES-AT-SEA-Sets-Student-Rush-Policy-20150923
Posted: 9/24/15 at 9:02pm
I am looking forward to reviews from tonight's first preview!
Posted: 9/24/15 at 9:02pm
Double post.
Updated On: 9/24/15 at 09:02 PM
Posted: 9/24/15 at 9:19pm
Intermission now- there was a small technical glitch in the beginning of the show (a projection wasn't cued properly), but aside from a couple small flubs, the show's in pretty good shape for a first preview.
side note- this audience is... Bizzare to say the least. Two guys in front orchestra (who apparently know certain people in the cast (and make it known that they know certain people by extra loud applause/ cheering ONLY for the certain people they know)) seem to be treating this like a high school show their friend's in. The rest are a mix of theatre insiders and people who have absolutely no idea what the show is.
i know the press material says the production is less of a send up than a love letter, but dear god, the book is so clunky there's no way anyone could POSSIBLY take it seriously. I mean, don't get me wrong: the cast is phenomenal and certainly giving it their all, but there's no irony behind anything they're doing.
Posted: 9/24/15 at 9:33pm
I'm curious to see how this show is received. Personally, I have no interest in seeing it. I've seen the show and have no desire to sit through it again. The best cast in the world couldn't make this show even remotely interesting.
Posted: 9/24/15 at 10:14pm
Just got out; I'll admit- the tapping is incredible, the tunes are cute, and the cast (especially John Bolton and Lesli Margherita) are great, but I feel like the director really missed a chance to drill this show for the comedy gold some of the writing is. So much of the humor felt really downplayed, much to the detriment of the show's energy. As it is, it's cute and harmless. With some more bite, it could be a knock out.
Posted: 9/24/15 at 10:49pm
I was there tonight as well, but my reaction was far more enthusiastic. In fact, I'm downright ecstatic after the performance. I thought Randy Skinner nailed the tone of the piece and the comedy hit all the sweet spots it needed to. Yes, it's a send up, but it's a very loving one; so many satires have an underlying mean-spiritedness, or even contempt for the subject they are lampooning, but not Dames at Sea!
Skinner's direction during the overture is such a delight and makes for a wonderful set-up to the piece. I think the book is actually pretty damn funny and clever. The score is so full of dead on pastiche that you could easily think this was a jukebox musical if you didn't know better.
The six actors are beyond terrific. They left me walking on air. Lesli Margherita is HILARIOUS; Mara Davi knocks Good Times Are Here To Stay outta the park; Danny Gardner was just as winning as he was in Lady, Be Good; Cary Tedder is dopey and goofy; John Bolton was tons of fun in his dual roles; Eloise Kropp is one hell of a tapper and really had me from her first entrance.
I adored this. I hope it can overcome its bad ad campaign and sell a few tickets. I thought it was sweller than swell and I wish them all the best.
Posted: 9/24/15 at 10:50pm
Randy Skinner should have been the choreographer, but not the director.
What's the design like?
Posted: 9/24/15 at 10:53pm
For those there tonight, did anyone notice this?
Lesli's Twitter: "So karma got me @mattoverthere and I stood onstage w only a wig cap on..."
Posted: 9/24/15 at 10:56pm
Why do you say that, RippedMan? The show is like 75% score/25% book anyway, and Skinner is more than qualified to both direct and choreograph a piece like this.
The design is (appropriately) simple. There is the backstage of the theater set for act one and the ship deck for act two. I think they did a good job of keeping that intimate, ragtag off-Broadway feel to the design elements. A meta "let's put on a show!!" type attitude.
Posted: 9/24/15 at 11:03pm
Whizzer your review makes me want to see this and it was not on my list! I love a good campy show and it sounds like this is.
Updated On: 9/24/15 at 11:03 PM
Posted: 9/24/15 at 11:06pm
But did it feel $157 Broadway?
And just know his regional theatre work. This is def. up his alley of shows though.
Posted: 9/24/15 at 11:21pm
In terms of production value, no it doesn't feel $157. But then again, did Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig sitting in two chairs for the entirety of A Steady Rain feel worthy of Broadway admissions? Well, people certainly paid it so I guess it's what you're looking for in a show.
I can tell you I felt absolute euphoria during and after the show. I don't know if I can put a monetary value on those feelings, but I can tell you they're rarely at these heights after seeing a Broadway show.
Posted: 9/24/15 at 11:25pm
RippedMan said: "But did it feel $157 Broadway?"
Why would you pay that? http://www.broadwaybox.com/shows/dames-at-sea/
