A hugely enjoyable evening (though not flawless) and incredibly strong for a final dress. That "limited engagement" will become open-ended before opening night.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
The Medda bit was disappointing. I'm a huge fan of Jenkins but the number isn't much. She does what she can, however the character isn't particularly important and her reappearance in Act II feels pointless.
Most of the Act I score additions-save for Katherine's great number "Watch What Happens"-kind of fell flat for me. Pulitzer's song, "The Bottom Line" is probably the worst, though the Act II reprise was a bit better. Act II's strongest addition was a duet for Katherine and Jack called "Something to Believe In". There was also a quick Brooklyn number that didn't really register.
The show's biggest merits come from Jeremy Jordan and the really fantastic choreography. With such a talented ensemble and those dances it's going to be a quite the crowd-pleaser.
Show is even stronger than it was at Papermill. Cast is outstanding, of course.
The new act 1 song for Pulitzer is much better. A vast improvement. Capathia Jenkins is very good, also an improvement. I wish her song was a little "bigger" but she's great.
I'm seeing it next month so looking forward to it. Looks like licensing is going to have to wait a few more years. I imagine a tour is on the cards for next year and possibly international productions.
Well that was definitely one of the most electric first previews I've ever been to- I gotta confess that I think a lot of the material is pretty mediocre but you just can't argue with a good ol musical theatre show stopper- and Newsies has them in spades-- the choreography is awfully sensational--and Jeremy Jordan is delivering a truly delightful central performance. Jenkins definitely should be given more or better to do and I think a couple of songs from Act 1 need to rethought (or replaced) but golly what a fun night at the theatre. Big hit for sure.
I'm just hoping that it's selling well enough for it to at least extend into Sept.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.