Dirty Rotten Tour - Song Change?

[arykahmarye]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 10:59pm

Today, i saw the second show of the tour. It was wonderful, Norbert was amazing as always.

However, the first song has changed. What was 'Giving Them What they Want' has become a song i've never heard, called 'The Only Game In Town'. I'm assuming this is unique to the tour, as when i saw the show in New York in April, it was the usual song line-up.

Anyone know the reason for the song change?

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 11:00pm

WHOA. Weird they completely replaced the opening song.

[Yero]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 11:05pm

Hm... that's really stange. How does the song sound though, is it good? Does it fit in with the rest of the show?

[arykahmarye]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 11:14pm

It fits, it's a departure from 'Giving Them What They Want', which set up the idea of Lawrence being a suave kind of guy, reading the people to find his target.

This new one, 'The Only Game In Town' sets it up more as Lawrence gets all the dough, because there's no competition in Beaumont sur Mer for his position as the swindler. It's pretty good, but it certainly surprised me when it started. You don't really get introduced to his self-possessed character as much. They do keep the little dialogue bit with him at the craps table, getting Andre to sell off his diamond ring in front of Muriel.

The melody is a departure too. There's no hint of it elsewhere in any of the music throughout the rest of the show.

[SuttonFan]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 11:17pm

Weird ... well now I'm curious to see what it sounds like. I'm seeing it in L.A. later this month. As long as Norbert Leo Butz sings "Great Big Stuff" I'll be fine.

[florida theatre kid]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 11:21pm

This is kind of off-topic, but about the tour. Who are the understudies and for what role?

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 11:23pm

Why would they change the opening song? The other is already good!

Man....I can't wait to hear it.

[Mamie]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 11:34pm

Greg Jbara talked about this a couple of months ago. He said that they were never really happy with the opening. He said that the opening in NY was different from the opening in SD but it still wasn't as strong as they wanted. He told me that they were writing a whole new song for the opening and that we wouldn't recognize it when we saw it.

I am curious about the turntable. Are they using one on the tour?

[Dre2387]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 11:38pm

I think the opening is great as it is. Although, I would like see/hear the new one.

[Marguerite Chauvelin]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 11:44pm

Oh that's cool! I think a new song would be good there.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 8/5/06 at 11:54pm

HMMMMM... I adore GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT, but I guess I am curious to hear this new song at some point.

Updated On: 8/6/06 at 11:54 PM

[mikem]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 12:42am

I personally think that Give Them What They Want isn't a great introduction to the show -- it's very languid and not the most energetic beginning. Is the new song uptempo?

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 1:00am

When I saw the show on Broadway (I think it was the week before it officially opened) I seriously got worried when give them what they want started...I was like, "oh no, not sure i'm gonna like this..." and then was completely in love with the rest of the show! So I would have to agree that the opening number was never the greatest, though I never thought it was bad.

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 1:09am

I'g glad they have a new song. Now I just wish the tour was coming near me. When the show started I remember thinking, "is this the begining of the show or have I stumbled into a bad lounge act?" In fact every time I listen to the CD I skip the overture (because it reminds me of Michael Jordan's Ball, don't know why) and Give them what they want. The rest of the score I adore!

Updated On: 8/6/06 at 01:09 AM

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 1:50am

In the Broadway production there were times when the "Give Them What They Want" motif was repeated, such as in the Act I finale when the chorus sort of chanted it as Christine went looking for the Dr. Is that still in place, or has it changed with the new song? Because if that's intact now it's really strange.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 1:55am

I can see how introducing the concept that Lawrence has no competition can be more relevant to the rest of the show. Plus, the song has always struck me as Lithgow-esque. Actually, I adored Pryce in every way except on that song.

[misscrystal]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 2:47am

Saw the show tonight in Seattle... what amazing talent! Seattle is lucky to see these fantastic actors for even a short while.

I've never seen the production on Broadway, but I thought the opening number was good.

As per request from "florida theatre kid," here are the understudies as printed in the playbill:

For Andre Thibault - Christopher DeAngelis, Ken Krugman
For Lawrence Jameson - Ken Krugman
For Muriel Eubanks - Jillana Laufer, Kim Shriver
For Freddy Benson - Timothy Gulan
For Jolene Oakes - Beth Curry, Sarrah Strimel
For Christine Colgate - Nicole Van Giesen

[Parks]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 10:24am

Very interesting about the song change! Didn't realize the tour started already. How is Norbert? Any stagedooring?

[alliez92092]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 11:29am

That's interesting. I personally like Give Them What They Want but I think this new song will work really well. Give Them What They Want seemed to only work for John Lithgow and I think this new song will help all of the new Lawerences (wow) find their niche.

I'm hoping that maybe because of the new song they'll make a tour cast recording. I highly doubt it, but that would be awesome. I can't wait until I see it on the 27th!

[jv92]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 11:35am

I really liked Give Them What They Want. I hope the new song isn't used when MTI starts liecesing the show.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 11:36am

i also didn't know the tour started already!
that is really cool about the new song- i'd love to hear it!
i was also fine with "GTWTW", but it would be interesting to hear a new opening

[SirLiir]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 12:33pm

Now I know why Norbert said that rehearsals were crazy. I cannot wait to hear this new song.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 12:44pm

Kind of off-topic, but I remember reading that the set on broadway is very fragile because of all the gems in them...so are there any changes in the set design on tour?

[SirLiir]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 12:46pm

They are indeed scaled down because of the fragile nature of the gems. Apparently, several pieces were damaged just from the move from San Diego. As a result, the tour set will not have as much glitz.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 1:14pm

GTWTW's theme is played several times during the show and is played for the three stars bows - do they use the new song in those places too or use other music from the score?