Dracula: The Musical

[chauvelin128]

Posted: 8/2/04 at 2:06pm

Here is a quick review of the Dracula preview (#3) I caught on Sunday night. There are extensive reviews on this same performance elsewhere on the board, so I'm just going to give some additional thoughts...
First of all, a few people have written about the almost 45 minute intermission. Des McAnuff came out before curtain and announced that intermission has been running at least 30 minutes, so no one should have been suprised. I suspect that the reason for this is simply because of the technical difficulties of the production. It really is a technical nightmare. First of all, the set is in constant motion (think goth-style Sunday in the Park with George but with way more stuff popping out of the stage.) Then, of course, there's the flying. Personally, I found the flying to be a little gratuitous...at one point there's a scene going on and a sleeping Dracula randomly floats sideways across the stage...no need. It also became clear why previews were delayed so many times...SAFETY. There are a lot of effects in the show that are potentially very dangerous.

The Strong Points: the set. The set is very artistic, in the sense that it looks like a constantly moving abstract painting.
Tom Hewitt's performance. He creates a very imposing, but sympathetic character. He leaves a little to be desired in the singing department, but Wildhorn's music is tailored to his voice...which brings me to...

The Weak Points: the score. By far, NOT Wildhorn's most complex and moving and whatever else is being said of it. The songs are extremely simple and repetitive, with little being done harmonically or rythmically to keep our interest, and they are not at all aided by weak point #2:
Des McAnuff's staging. BORING. The actors stand stationary through the majority of their songs. Maybe it's because they might get killed by moving scenery, or fall into an open trap door in the stage. Or maybe it's because he doesn't want the main action to distract us from the random flying vampires...I don't know, but it needs to be fixed...my attention span was really starting to wane during the numbers.

Of course, there are many more things, good and bad, to talk about, but this post is long enough already, plus they're only in previews (REHEARSALS with an audience), so we cut them some slack...here's the bottom line...
The main downfall with the show is that nothing is really engaging about it (yet)....not the score, not the direction, not the performances. Now that all the technical pieces are in place, I hope McAnuff is watching every performance and taking notes for his cast, and I hope Wildhorn is busily working on his score (you know he is, that man can't leave anything alone. Incidentally, I talked to him at the show...he told me with a roll of his eyes that I was brave to come to the third preview, indicating that a lot may change between now and August 19...he didn't seem very happy in general...maybe it's because his score is rendered on three keyboards, a cello and an oboe as opposed to the huge orchestra in his head?) BUT, I would recommend seeing it...even as is, it is pretty entertaining (there's something to be said for that) and visually interesting. And tickets are only $30/$60, so you don't stand to lose that much if you absolutely hate it...which you probably won't. Updated On: 8/2/04 at 02:06 PM

[Peter]

Posted: 8/2/04 at 2:49pm

Having seen the first preview, I think your comments are fair for the most part. I also liked the sets, thought there was too much flying and was annoyed by the actors standing stationary on stage. However, it being the first preview, Des explained to us that tech ran long, so I imagine most of the lack of movement would be cleared up soon when he has more of a chance to concentrate on the actors. I've heard though that Dracula can't move during "Life after Life" because of the effect that ends the act.

You didn't mention anything about the book though, which I found to be the shows biggest problem. I didn't feel like the writers involved us at all in the story, felt no connection between Dracula and Mina, and didn't really care for any of the characters, which the exception of Renfield perhaps.

And I'm sure Frank is continuing to tweak his score and there no doubt is room for improvement there too. However, I do believe it's his most theatrical score to date, and sometimes a simple melody works the best to convey the eerie feel of the show (ex. The Mist.) I also thought he did add some musical themes to characters and cleverly played upon them.

Like you, I believe there is hope for the show if everyone involved continues to work on it and preferably the opening is delayed to allow sufficient time to do so.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/2/04 at 2:56pm

is frank at every performance? where does he sit?

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 8/2/04 at 3:10pm

The 30-45 minute intermissions will most-likely only last for previews. That is one thing you have to realize when you see a preview performance...they revise, add, subtract things. They also need to see what is the best way to do things backstage. They aren't very big...how many set pieces fly in?

Updated On: 8/2/04 at 03:10 PM

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 8/2/04 at 3:17pm

AAAAHHHHHH!!!!! I can't wait any longer! I have to see this show now! I'm listening to the cd as I type!

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 8/2/04 at 3:46pm

How was Darren Ritchie. He was understudying Douglas Sills in LSOH when I saw it and I was (un)luckey enough to see him in it. I thought he was spectacular (best thing about the show), but I have heard Doug was better (can't wait for spamalot)

[chauvelin128]

Posted: 8/2/04 at 4:29pm

Yankeefan007- Frank watched the whole show from the back of the house Saturday night. It's likely he'll be in attendance for at least the rest of the previews, as I'm sure he's working very closely with Des McAnuff on "tweaking" (or completely rewriting) things...

BwayTheatre11- not many set pieces fly in...most move on from the wings or up from the stage...

jacobtsf- Darren Ritchie was great...he suffered a little from the weak book, but he has a wonderful singing voice--but I'm sure he can't compare to Doug :)

Peter- I do believe this is one of Frank's most *potentially* theatrical scores to date...he really has some great ideas...like the material the vampire girls sing as underscore throughout the show...very reminiscent of the score of "The Omen"...I think he needs to bring more of that feel into some of the actual songs...also "The Heart is Slow to Learn" is BEAUTIFUL, but it needs to go somewhere else in the show...and that's a great point about "Life After Life," but in that case the song is strong and anthem-like (and relatively short) enough that the lack of movement works.

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 8/2/04 at 5:08pm

thanks chauvelin
you can always trust a pimpy fan to answer your questions

[joeyjoe]

Posted: 8/3/04 at 11:13am

hmmm, does someone have a bootleg cast recording? i didn't think there was an official cast recording yet...

[Jimmcf]

Posted: 8/3/04 at 11:31am

I saw it last night (Monday) and Frank was in the back all night.

As for the show, I did really enjoy the sets and special effects...

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/3/04 at 1:12pm

Where in the back? does he sign autographs?