Posted: 7/13/18 at 4:46am
Posted: 8/24/18 at 12:42am
Just got back from London and absolutely loved this. Having also seen their performance on the Olivier Awards, I wasn't expecting much, but it blew me away. McCrea's performance as Jamie was heartbreaking and fabulous at the same time. Yes, he was sassy, but his quiet moments were the ones that made it an incredible performance. The woman playing his mother was also great, and her songs brought me to tears multiple times.
At the beginning, I thought it was going to be like Kinky Boots (which I don't love), but it was SO much better. I certainly hope it transfers.
Posted: 8/24/18 at 12:45am
They'd be smart to transfer this season. We are thirsty for a new, interesting work.
Posted: 8/24/18 at 10:31am
I can't say I was terribly impressed by the Olivier Awards performance. Based on that number (which one would imagine is one of the best in the show), and what I've read, it seems like a flawed musical about an important subject.
Is every Tony number the best in the show? Please. Was Penny In My Pocket the best number in Hello Dolly? I'd think you know better than that. The Olivier performance was the opening number modified for an awards show. I did see the broadcast of the entire show and I thought it was fresh, funny and touching. To me, this is the show that should have opened on Broadway instead of the dreary and irresponsible Dear Evan Hansen. John McCrea and Josie Walker deliver astonishing performances (I'd love to see Josie as Mrs. Lyons in Blood Brothers) and Mina Anwar and Lucie Shorthouse both deliver strong, memorable performances as well. I found the score was quite strong with several instantly memorable and catchy tunes (And You Don't Even Know It, The Wall in My Head, If I Met Myself Again, Work of Art, It Means Beautiful and He's My Boy are all stunning standouts) with only one or two songs I would work on tweaking. I already loved the band The Feeling and I feared Dan Gillespie Sills's recognizable style would interfere in the show's cohesion (Closer to Heaven suffered from this fate, sounding like a mostly monotonous Pet Shop Boys concert, though that show had way more wrong with it than just the score), but his versatility in harnessing both energy and emotion that have made The Feeling a successful band works to the show's advantage. The fact that he's an openly gay man for a popular mainstream band makes me love them and this show even more. Having been disappointed before by the likes of The Last Ship, Kinky Boots and the aforementioned Closer to Heaven, I approached this show with skepticism and trepidation, but it greatly exceeded my expectations. Some numbers that didn't grab me when I first heard the recording worked beautifully within the framework of the book and staging. I'd recommend the show to everyone and would gladly make a special trip to NYC if it transferred.
However, if they can "Americanize" the show, it might be able to fill in the space left by Kinky Boots when that show eventually closes and be able to draw in audience members from that target demographic.
"Americanize" it how? Kinky Boots is still set in England (funnily enough, even my husband's first thought was to notice how mediocre and bland Kinky Boots seems by comparison saying, "This is so much better than drag queens on treadmills"
. Billy Elliot remained set in England. Those shows did just fine. Pandering to Americans would be a huge disappointment, not to mention an insult to the creative team. The pointed diversity of the characters is especially relevant and timely, reminiscent of other popular British film/television works like Beautiful People, Ackley Bridge and Bend It Like Beckham.
They'd be smart to transfer this season. We are thirsty for a new, interesting work.
I really wish they would. With the roster of new musicals being Head Over Heels, Gettin' the Band Back Together, Pretty Woman, King Kong, The Prom, The Cher Show and Tootsie, Everybody's Talking About Jamie would be a welcome and refreshing addition.
Posted: 8/24/18 at 10:41am
The number they performed on the Olivier's is the same as this clip from the Live Broadcast, which I think is brilliantly done: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bci-W_gRs8s
(However, word of mouth in London for this is...not good. So I'm wondering how it would be perceived here?)
Posted: 8/24/18 at 10:53am
I've heard such wildly varying opinions on this show - everything from "garbage" to brilliant. Makes me less interested in it coming over.
Posted: 8/24/18 at 11:06am
^ au contraire, it makes me much more interested. Varying opinions often make for an interesting show to me as an audience because I get to make my own opinion. Not that I don't get to do it normally, but going into a show like (say) The Band's Visit - I felt the pressure to like the show because all the people I respect, admire, and generally agree with liked it; all while it was playing, I was sitting there genuinely confused what the fuss is all about and doubting myself as an audience member lol. Same thing happened at The Groundhog Day where I didn't feel, for one second, that the character's reprieve was well earned and found that most songs were trite.
As for the number shared above, I find that performance phenomenal. I do wonder what the arc of the show is. What does Jamie go through to achieve what he sets out to do? He comes off as a very very confident and self-assured character, which to me means that his struggles will have to be extremely realistic for a compelling story.
Posted: 8/24/18 at 11:08am
I thought the word of mouth in London for this show was pretty good actually. All my friends in London all told me to go see it... but I guess it may depend on demographic (all of them were in their 20s).
Luke Bayer (Jamie understudy) performed at West End Live and I thought his performance was just as good as McCrea when I saw the show back in the spring. I hope it makes the transfer over to Bway at some point!
Posted: 8/24/18 at 11:20am
The people I know in London who saw the show (all in their 30s and 40s) all raved about it and the reviews of critics were pretty much unanimous raves as well.
Posted: 8/24/18 at 12:49pm
Valentina3 said: "^ au contraire, it makes me much more interested. Varying opinions often make for an interesting show to me as an audience because I get to make my own opinion. Not that I don't get to do it normally, but going into a show like (say) The Band's Visit - I felt the pressure to like the show because all the people I respect, admire, and generally agree with liked it; all while it was playing, I was sitting there genuinely confused what the fuss is all about and doubting myself as an audience member lol. Same thing happened at The Groundhog Day where I didn't feel, for one second, that the character's reprieve was well earned and found that most songs were trite.
As for the number shared above, I find that performance phenomenal. I do wonder what the arc of the show is. What does Jamie go through to achieve what he sets out to do? He comes off as a very very confident and self-assured character, which to me means that his struggles will have to be extremely realistic for a compelling story."
Assuming it is the opening number “don’t even know it” - the context of the song is that it is a complete fantasy. He is very very confident and self-assured because he is essentially day dreaming in class. The scene is only happening in his mind.
Updated On: 8/24/18 at 12:49 PM
Posted: 8/24/18 at 1:47pm
I saw this in London a couple weeks ago and loved it. The songs were great and it was funny, refreshing, and innovative. The audience was energetic. I think it would fit in very well on Broadway, but like another poster said a few changes should be considered. Many of the jokes are tailored only to English audiences (places, popular figures, etc.) and as an American I didn't get many of the references. Also the show is set in northern England and I found myself having difficulty understanding a couple of the cast members' accents; this from someone who is dating a Brit, although a Londoner. I do hope this show has an opportunity to shine in New York soon.
Posted: 8/24/18 at 1:54pm
Think this would do better if it went off-Broadway or somewhere like Arena Stage, built some momentum, then transferred.
Posted: 8/24/18 at 2:19pm
Posted: 8/24/18 at 2:58pm
BroadwayNYC2 said: "Think this would do better if it went off-Broadway or somewhere like Arena Stage, built some momentum, then transferred.
"
Yes please! Bring to DC first!
Posted: 8/24/18 at 3:00pm
BroadwayNYC2 said: "Think this would do better if it went off-Broadway or somewhere like Arena Stage, built some momentum, then transferred."
They already showed the live version in UK movie theaters, and are making a movie version, it's pretty cooked... usually would only take that path with a new work.
Posted: 8/25/18 at 12:09am
Posted: 8/27/18 at 9:30am
Wick3 said: "Luke Bayer (Jamie understudy) performed at West End Live and I thought his performance was just as good as McCrea when I saw the show back in the spring. I hope it makes the transfer over to Bway at some point!"
I'm really hoping this comes to Broadway as well, but I was disappointed by Mr. Bayer's performance. I thought his voice was weak and his whole demeanor felt very contrived. By contrast, I thought John McCrea's performance of the same number felt natural, effortless, and quite fun. If I'd only seen the West End Live clip, I would not be very excited for this show. Opinions!
Posted: 8/27/18 at 9:48am
Posted: 8/27/18 at 10:03am
YvanEhtNioj said: "I would love for this to transfer soon, but doesn’t The Prom have a pretty similar plot? Do you think they’d run at the same time?"
Err...
"They used to be the toast of Broadway, now their careers are toast—and they’re desperate for a new stage. So when these four stars hear that trouble is brewing around a small-town Indiana prom—and the press is involved—they know that it’s time to put a spotlight on the issue…and themselves. The town’s parents want to keep the dance on the straight and narrow—but when one student just wants to bring her girlfriend to prom, the entire town has a date with destiny."
"Jamie New is sixteen and lives on a council estate in Sheffield. Jamie doesn’t quite fit in. Jamie is terrified about the future. Jamie is going to be a sensation. Supported by his brilliant loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight."
Posted: 8/27/18 at 11:58am
KitKatBoy24 said: "Forgive me if this thread already exists, but has anyone heard rumor or a broadway transfer of West End’s “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie”
https://youtu.be/5lzLey7iWZU
Copy and paste that link for their Olivier performance. It looks fabulous and I’m all for it."
Performances are fantastic, but lyrics need a bit of work. I could hypothetically see this on Broadway.
Posted: 8/27/18 at 3:19pm
DramaTeach said: "The amount of discussion on this thread should show producers that they need to consider this one, and this season is the perfect one for it."
Really? Is it the next Kinky Boots? I heard not! Just look at Head over Heels...that's failing and not finding an audience and gonna close soon.
Posted: 8/27/18 at 3:36pm
Just stumbled onto this thread, and found the video posted "Don't Even Know It" really excited me! (and I am in my golden years, not a teen). I especially loved that they featured women in the chorus wearing Hijab. (sorry, don't know how to make this plural). I hope they don't try to Americanize it too much, I saw Bombay Dreams in London and loved it. I guess when they brought it here they tried to explain the Bollywood stuff too much and it crashed and burned.
Posted: 8/27/18 at 3:42pm
They don't just feature them in the chorus, but one of the major supporting characters is muslim - and has a couple of great songs. There is even dialogue between her and the lead character about why she wears a hijab (which, to be honest panders to the politically correct revisionist thinking in Western countries around this of course rather than standing up for progressive feminist values). The musical occasionally refers to her 'conservative' father so at least there is some honesty about the belief system.
Posted: 8/27/18 at 3:50pm
Robbie2 said “Really? Is it the next Kinky Boots? I heard not! Just look at Head over Heels...that's failing and not finding an audience and gonna close soon."
It is certainly not the next Kinky Boots. It’s better.
