Did Anyone See the First Performance of Sweet Charity?

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/8/05 at 11:16pm

Did anyone attend the first performance of Sweet Charity tonight?

If so, how was it? Was Christina and the rest of the cast good?

Anyone?

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/8/05 at 11:35pm

Is anyone expecting to see it in it's MN run?

[sipos]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 1:03am

*bump*

I gotta know too. Full out critique

:)

[andyf]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 3:05am

I'm seeing it in Boston...but that's a month and a half away...

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 7:40am

Here is one.

And its mostly a rave. And yes, that includes Christina!
SWEET CHARITY - First Preview

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 10:29am

Last weekend on NY1's On Stage show, they played a video of one of the rehearsals where press was invited - it was one of the worst things I've ever seen. I was really shocked.

[theatrefirekitty]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 10:34am

I was actually there last night. The review posted was pretty much right on with my thinking as well. The show started out REALLY shaky, (even though we were prepared by Walter Bobbie's curtain speech) and was extremely hard to follow for about the first ten minutes. Christina got huge applause from the moment she walked out. Her singing at the beginning was tentative at best, but her confidence definately grew as the night went on. There seemed to be a lot of volume issues with her mike. I was up in the middle balcony and I couldn't hear most of "Charity's Soliloquy." I think the only glaring problem as far as her voice was concerned was during "If My Friends Could See Me Now." After the big dance break, she seemed completely out of breath and to make matters worse she had put the hat she was using during that number directly over the mike on her head so it muffled it. Not the best moment. Denis O'Hare was fantastic. I think he will be well on his way to a 3rd TONY nomination. His comedic timing was priceless during the elevator sequence. The choreography was great, very energetic and fun. Fans of Aida & Wicked will definately see some familiar moves in it! All in all, I think once this show gets to Broadway it's going to be a VERY solid show. I'm going again on Friday so hopefully they will have time to work out the beginning sequence.

[Aphexis]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 10:35am

I'm very excited to see this!

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 10:54am

I am so excited for Sweet Chairty. I will hopefully be going to the first preview in New York...and many times after that!

[Gypsy Rose Me]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 11:23am

Any chance you could tell us the new ending? Is it much different to the movie. I'm dying to know and don't get to see the show for 3 months, I don't think I can wait!

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 11:29am

I'm so excited now. For it's first performance, it sounds pretty damn good.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 11:33am

DAMN IT. They cut "You Should See Yourself".. I am so pissed.

[umgeoboy]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 11:35am

wow from the reviews sounds more link a disaster then a rave review to me...sounds like they have a lot of issues to work out in order to make it work well.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 11:38am

It was the first performace ever of this Revival. Do you expect it to be perfection it's first time?

It sounded pretty damn good for it's first time. They have SOOOO much time to improve until it comes to Broadway.

[umgeoboy]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 11:40am

No i don't expect it to be perfect but it does not sound like the rave that people are making that review out to be. If we are going by that review only it sounds like the shows a mess. I hope they clean things up and it gets rave reviews, but based on the review that someone wrote it sounds like a disaster.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 12:07pm

In my opinion, that review really enjoyed the performances of the main actors. The only real issue was the tech problems. Otherwise, I think it sounds wonderful. Christina just needs some time to get adapted to this. I think she is going to be fantastic.

[umgeoboy]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 12:10pm

ok besides tech needing work it sounds like christina needs it as well. As I said I hope it gets great reviews on broadway but to call that a rave review is a far stretch. That is all I was pointing out.

[theatrefirekitty]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 12:20pm

Gypsy Rose Me: Sorry I haven't seen the movie, so I can't tell you how it is different. Just let me know the movie ends and I can tell you what is different.

As for the discussion on it being a "mess." The technical aspects needs to improve, and I'm sure it will. One thing I forgot to mention is that I'm an "industry insider" and I know that last night's performance was one of the first times they ran through the entire show without stopping. And as of 4:00 PM yesterday (the show was at 7:30) they hadn't finished putting the ending on yet. Ah the glamour of previews. So the fact that we got a very presentable, enjoyable show speaks volumes right there. I have no doubt that this show will be more that ready to tackle Broadway by the time it's done with the out of town try-outs. And I have a feeling it will be very sucessful.

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 2:12pm

I only hope they have done whatever it takes to make this CHARITY less of a bore than the 1980s revival starring Debbie Allen.

SWEET CHARITY is truly a second rate show--but hopefully they will create excitement with this new production. As I noted before, in the "Debbie Allen" revival, the only exciting moment was the HEY BIG SPENDER NUMBER. Other than that, lots of walkouts at intermission, polite applause and lots of sleepy disappointed folks.

SWEET CHARITY did not get very good reviews when it premiered in the 1960s starring Gwen Verdon. It was very much a vehicle for the then reigning queen of Broadway dancer/actor stars.

Hopefully, they have improved the show and we can all look forward to a thrilling theater experience!

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 2:22pm

I can't wait to listen to the recording and am glad that Christina Applegate is Charity....also I just found out that Denis O'hare and Ernie Sabella are in it....that makes it that much more exciting.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 2:53pm

umgeoboy - Technical issues aside (though it sounds like they were mostly only in the first scene), the issues with Christina hardly sound like a "disaster" at all. All they mentioned were some volume issues in two songs near the beginning that could have been mic-related and that she got winded during If They Could See Me Now, which is not a big surprise for a first out-of-town preview. A disaster would be something along the lines of the reviews for Brooklyn or Good Vibrations. Disasters generally include problems of at least 50% of the performance or something that completely stops the show. Nothing about the review here or on ATC sounded remotely like a disaster or a mess. It sounded like a first night out of town and it sounds like the show will probably get stronger with each performance. Let's just hope drastic changes aren't made before they get a couple of weeks to cultivate a more objective and diverse audience reaction.

Incidentally, when Into the Woods was in previews, the show was halted 45 minutes as the trees had fallen over one-by-one domino-style across the stage. That is a disastrous event to occur in previews, but the show was not called a "disaster" or a "mess" because of the mishap.

[umgeoboy]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 3:10pm

Mister Matt if you read myline of reasoning I was disagreeing wiht the posts that said that the review was a rave and was saying to me it sounded a bit more of a mess then a rave. Yes, I think that when the show opens on broadway it will get good reviews but that is a long way off and they have a lot to work on. Technically it needs to be better, christina's voice needs to be better (mic and strength), and the show needs to be tightened up (again going on the reviews). This makes it hardly a "rave" review but a bit more of a show in the works...and currently a bit of a mess.

[Tiny-Toon]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 4:03pm

I heard great things about the 1st preview..

Updated On: 2/9/05 at 04:03 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 4:14pm

I did read your line of reasoning and it doesn't make much sense. Actually, you originally said it sounded "more like a disaster", not "a bit of a mess". Big difference. I guess it's you assessment of the show being a bit of a mess after one performance that strikes me as odd. It had a couple of bumps, but that is normal for a show having its first-ever preview performance in front of a live audience. Did you only read theatrefirekitty's review or did you also read the one provided on the link? As MasterLCZ stated, most of it is a rave if you read the whole thing.

Technically, there was one problem in the opening. Christina's vocal strength was only mentioned in two songs. Which parts need tightening up other than the opening scene that you heard or read about? It IS a show "in the works". What did you think it was? It's not a rehashed revival using stock sets, original score and script, or recreating the orignal staging and choreography. It was the first preview of the first out-of-town tryout. That is when a show is "in the works".

[djjd007]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 4:24pm

After reading some reviews of last night's first performance of Sweet Charity, I feel the need to share my opinions, which differ slightly from some other points of view... For the record, I am not an industry insider, nor have I ever seen "Sweet Charity" (film or stage versions) before last night.

As an actress and dancer, Christina Applegate is wonderful as Charity. Her portrayal of this irrespressible soul makes one laugh, cry, and at times get a little flustered with her willingness to give herself to every guy who passes by. The reported changes to the show's finale really worked for her take on the character - Charity evolves before our eyes from a lovelorn and near-desperate person into a fiercely independent and self-aware individual with an eye for the future. However, it is clear that her optimism at the beginning of the show has waned at the end with a tad more bitter outlook on love. Still, Christina does not lose a bit of charm throughout. Now, as a singer, I must say that her voice is not the powerhouse belter that the role was written for. But, Christina uses her untrained voice and smaller frame to her advantage and it works for her take on the character. I also have an inkling that before the show hits New York and maybe even Chicago, her voice will solidify and she will be presenting a most impressive performance every evening.

The supporting cast was really one of the biggest delights of the show. Denis is absolutely wonderful and easily my choice to nab the Tony this year. His chemistry with Ms. Applegate is most enjoyable and their shared comic moments (notably the infamous elevator scene) were easily the most memorable of the evening. I was disappointed with the role of Herman, simply because one of my favorite actors, Ernie Sabella, was given but a mere five minutes featured time in the whole show. I have not seen the show at all before, but it seemed like "I Always Cry At Weddings" (which I thought was going to be cut from this production altogether) should have been a huge number dedicated to his comic talents. It would have been a well-deserved uplift to a slightly dragging second act. Instead, Ernie was given a chorus of the song and we were ushered into the Fandango for the "new" song, "If There Were More People." Not that the "new" song was a total drag, but when you have the talents of Mr. Sabella on hand, it would seem almost natural to use them as often as possible. As previously reported, Natascia & Solange as Nickie & Helene were incredible triple-threats, shining even in large group numbers where they assumed roles of band members and church-goers. Most notably, "Baby Dream Your Dream," was undeniably one of the best musical moments of the show (much better than "Big Spender" in my humble opinion) - hilarious, touching, and even a bit sarcastic - and the crowd clearly responded accordingly. Their performances are perhaps even Tony worthy, although they will have some fierce competition.

Now, let's talk about the visuals. The scenery was good and very appropriate for an old-fashioned musical. There weren't any wild special effects, but I don't think anyone in the audience missed them at all, even in the fickle Midwest. The costumes were outrageously wonderful and clearly took the show to a new level. Very stylized and reminiscent of William Ivey Long's previous work for "Hairspray," however that's to be expected given the show is in the same over-the-top "welcome to the '60s" vibe. Especially notable was the melding of set, lighting, costumes and choreography for the Club Pompeii scene. I for one was left speechless from start to finish and sat on the edge of my seat, waiting for the next jolt of energy to bolt from the stage.

All in all, the show is well worth checking out and I believe it will only improve and tighten up any loose bits with some time. I am going to see it at least once more before it leaves the Mini Apple, and I encourage everyone to see it before or during it's stay in the Big Apple.