Fiddler on the Roof Previews- Page 23

[SweetLips]

Posted: 12/13/15 at 2:43pm

FindingNamo said: "I'm curious as to why people choose to go to previews at all unless it's much cheaper

'preview'-an advance showing of a film or play before it is shown to the general public--oxford dic.

 

I'm with you FN. We've all been trained now to wait 'deleriously' for that first preview report here by our most respected reviewer-and I love to read it- but to pay full price for a work in progress-not me. They[the directors/producers] should perhaps do what they do at film test previews-get the audience to fill out a questionaire to help with the process before opening.

At previews, the entire performing team is still in 'learning mode' so it is totally unfair to pay full price for an unfinished product.

Would you buy anything with parts missing?? Buy it now 'as is' full price and we'll send you the rest when we decide how or if the whole thing works.

Being a part of a creative process can be exciting in it's own way--I was there sort of thing--and each individual has the right to make their own decision-to go or not to go-THAT is the question !

Time for an early morning run.....x

 

 

 

 

 

"

 

[OMG2]

Posted: 12/13/15 at 4:21pm

It's not cheaper. When it opens the demand for normal high could double or more. Also, you know that it is probably a good show.

A FISH IN THE DARK if you love Larry David was fabulous to have. They were practically sold out before previews. 

 

 

[Musical Master]

Posted: 12/13/15 at 5:35pm

Buddy Plummer2 said: "Having finally seen the show last night: I liked it. A lot. The last revival left me numb, but this one lifted me up to the roof.

 

a part of me does wonder what the houses would have looked like if they were depicted a little more realistically, but nonetheless thought it looked fantastic. The lighting in particular I thought was stunning. 

 

But here's the thing. If this whole production was supposed to be from the perspective of this man looking back and reading the book, the set represented how those ideas would come together: the dead would rise from the ground. The houses (depicted as cartoons from the book) would float in. The fiddler would float across the brain.

 

i get the design not being everyone's cup of tea, but I thought it was entirely in the service of the action.

 

I fitst thought the framing device was a little odd, but after finally seeing it, and seeing how it ends, I was brought to tears.

 

the stagehands all have costumes now btw. I think that was always the intent. It just took a while for the costumes to come in."

 

I agree, so far from seeing these pictures of the production on Instagram, they look really nice and well done. I mean isn't Anatevka meant to look "cheap and ugly" but it's their home and they are fine with it for the majority of the show until they are evicted? I do like that Michael Yeargan wants to attempt to have a look and feel like the famous Chagall paintings and what Boris Aronson did in 1964 but doing it in his own unique way that almost feels surreal at times (the floating houses).

 

Just thinking about it makes me think of what Michael Yeargan could do with Man of La Mancha and Follies.

Updated On: 12/13/15 at 05:35 PM

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 12/13/15 at 5:41pm

 

I agree, so far from seeing these pictures of the production on Instagram, they look really nice and well done. I mean isn't Anatevka meant to look "cheap and ugly" but it's their home and they are fine with it for the majority of the show until they are evicted?

 

I don't personally have strong feelings about the set one way or the other...it didn't wow me as fabulous but it didn't offend me either.

 

That said, I don't think the "cheap and ugly" as a description of the house refers to living in poverty and not affording a more expensive house. It's about what it looks like as a design idea...and some feel it could it have been done better (me included). In terms of the set in general, the house was probably my least favorite element.

However, if I enjoyed the show more, perhaps I wouldn't have noticed...

 

 

"

 

Updated On: 12/13/15 at 05:41 PM

[Musical Master]

Posted: 12/13/15 at 5:46pm

Good point Kathy. If one finds pictures of Boris Aronson's work on Fiddler it's actually stunning for how detailed everything was (Follies, Company, A Little Night Music and Pacific Overtures just to name a few) and yet as I look at the pictures of this new production I do appreciate what Michael Yeargan is attempting by trying to be different than most productions of Fiddler; but to each their own I guess. If people dislike the set design then that's fine, it's just one aspect of a much bigger picture.

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 12/13/15 at 7:18pm

SweetLips said: "They[the directors/producers] should perhaps do what they do at film test previews-get the audience to fill out a questionaire to help with the process before opening."

 

While I completely agree, I think the reason that doesn't happen very often is a result of the creative team not completely believing in the intelligence of the audience collectively-speaking. Not all theatergoers may be able to express their thoughts articulately and concisely, but in my mind, it makes no sense to not gain the perspectives of members of the actual demographics to whom you're attempting to sell tickets.

 

Updated On: 12/13/15 at 07:18 PM

[indytallguy]

Posted: 12/13/15 at 8:28pm

I wonder if there currently are, or will be in the future, producers and directors who use the type of "response dials" that political posters use with a focus group while watching a debate or other forms of gathering feedback beyond traditional surveys, etc.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 12/13/15 at 8:33pm

I believe the test marketing IS the preview period. The creatives are in the test audiences noting their reactions and responses and tweaking things accordingly.

 

[PalJoey]

Posted: 12/13/15 at 9:21pm

 

I agree, Snafu. Audience response is the only and ultimate test-marketing. Filling little cards out would be meaningless. The only people who would fill them out are...well, people like the people on this board.

 

 

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 12/13/15 at 10:21pm

And sometimes you do have to second guess your test audience. Remember that if Hollywood executives had followed their initial plans after some preview audiences we wouldn't have "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" or "Part of Your World."

[SNAFU]

Posted: 12/13/15 at 10:26pm

 WHen they did listen we got the saccarin ending to Little Shop of Horrors, which destroyed it being a cautionary morality play.

 

[Musical Master]

Posted: 12/13/15 at 10:32pm

From what I've been reading on the show's official Facebook, people are really loving this production and appreciating what Bartlett Sher and his crew have done. So if some people didn't care or got bored with it, then that's simply their own opinion and nothing more.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 12/13/15 at 11:17pm

Musical Master said: "From what I've been reading on the show's official Facebook, people are really loving this production and appreciating what Bartlett Sher and his crew have done. So if some people didn't care or got bored with it, then that's simply their own opinion and nothing more."

 

Musical Master, it's wonderful that you're so excited for this production. I'm happy that it gives you so much joy. But EVERYTHING is just an opinion. Please stop undermining and trying to dismiss the validity of the opinions of people who have put the time and effort to articulate and rationally explain why they didn't care for this production. I'll be seeing it soon and couldn't be more excited, but I don't let that excitement shut down the validity of any other poster's opinion.

[Musical Master]

Posted: 12/13/15 at 11:34pm

I know that wickedfan, I'm just saying that everyone has vastly different opinions and that is a very good thing for it creates discussion by expressing what they witnessed on stage at the Broadway Theater. It will be different than mine or your's and that is really good and more power to them. I'm sorry if I didn't phrase that better, my apologies. 

Updated On: 12/13/15 at 11:34 PM

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 7:13am

SNAFU said: "When they did listen we got the saccharine ending to Little Shop of Horrors, which destroyed it being a cautionary morality play."

 

Luckily, the original ending has been restored on the recent director's cut.

[Anshel2]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 8:58am

This was a very disappointing evening in the theatre.  I have to agree with those who were less than enthralled.  I wanted to love this so much and be sobbing by the end and I wasn't.  I found it plodding and meandering.  I didn't mind the scenery or the stage hands pushing around the sets.  I didn't even mind the framing device.  The transitions between scenes seemed like an eternity.  The orchestra was playing almost entire songs during the transition from one set to another.  The accents - OY!  Most everyone spoke with a Brooklyn/New York Jewish accent, but Jessica spoke with Russian???  The 3 eldest daughters were bland and boring.  Chava likes to read, so she needs glasses.  Couldn't think of a single voice that I thought was exceptional - even Danny's and I love Danny in everything I've seen him in until this.  He should be larger than life and just didn't bring it to Tevye.  Jessica is completely miscast on one note - there were no colors to her performance.  Boring Boring Boring.  My biggest disappointment so far of the season.

[Hamilton22]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 9:09am

I'm not sure which revival is more uninspired.  Fiddler or that west side story revival.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 10:01am

Anshel2 said: "This was a very disappointing evening in the theatre.  I have to agree with those who were less than enthralled. The accents - OY!  Most everyone spoke with a Brooklyn/New York Jewish accent, but Jessica spoke with Russian???  The 3 eldest daughters were bland and boring.  Chava likes to read, so she needs glasses.  My biggest disappointment so far of the season.

Yes I forgot to mention that in my earlier review..the glasses were kinda silly to prove you are a reader.... But yes I did mention it also...Brooklyn, not Russia.

Also this is the first time in my history of seeing the show numerous times over the years that the two younger daughters with no real parts had more personality than some of their older sisters. I think Hodel was definitely most appealing of the older ones (and had a beautiful voice that worked well with the part).

 

[SmokeyLady]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 3:11pm

Anshel2 said: "This was a very disappointing evening in the theatre.  I have to agree with those who were less than enthralled.  I wanted to love this so much and be sobbing by the end and I wasn't.  I found it plodding and meandering.  I didn't mind the scenery or the stage hands pushing around the sets.  I didn't even mind the framing device.  The transitions between scenes seemed like an eternity.  The orchestra was playing almost entire songs during the transition from one set to another.  The accents - OY!  Most everyone spoke with a Brooklyn/New York Jewish accent, but Jessica spoke with Russian???  The 3 eldest daughters were bland and boring.  Chava likes to read, so she needs glasses.  Couldn't think of a single voice that I thought was exceptional - even Danny's and I love Danny in everything I've seen him in until this.  He should be larger than life and just didn't bring it to Tevye.  Jessica is completely miscast on one note - there were no colors to her performance.  Boring Boring Boring.  My biggest disappointment so far of the season.

 

"

We are in total agreement.  One of the most disappointing productions I have ever seen.  What a waste.  What a missed opportunity.  

[Marway44]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 4:49pm

 Saw the show on Saturday night. Let me start off by talking about the ridiculous security procedures that they had. There was a man shining a flashlight in all of the bags. However, he went up the line and then turned his back to the people already checked leaving anyone able to slip something into an already checked bag. There was what was supposed to be a bomb sniffing dog but it clearly was not. 

Danny was a terrific, comedic, heartfelt and well sung Tevye. My only criticism of him was that he appeared to be acting during Rich Man did not seem to be totally in the moment. This should come with more time of course.

The framing device did not work at all for me. When Danny came out with the red coat  my wife whispered to me that it must take place in modern-day. The Playbill doesn't even state that it takes place in 1905 so this supported her theory. It was evident that the show did it take place in 1905 after it started. I did not like Danny leaving the stage to get the redcoat and then beckon to the fiddler to join them as it took me completely out of the moment.

I rather enjoyed Jessica's interpretation of Golde. While she cannot sing she can certainly act! This was especially evident when she showed her affection and compassion for her husband. It was genuinely heart felt when she's saw Chava at the end. 

This set has been spoken about much on this board and I really did not have any complaints about it as I enjoyed seeing the almost lifelike house. I have never seen a house so large in our production of the show and to me it nailed the mark. The floating houses did not bother me at all as I saw the village more than anything.

The dream sequence was done very well and now Frumah Sarah kind of glides in and out. She has a long flowing dress covering her entire body. She was very large and very tall but missed the mark at being scary as I've seen in other productions.  

The dancing was very well done and authentic but I did not care for the new music especially during the To Life scene. The full orchestra sounded glorious and I thought every scene was lit very well. I do want to give special notice to the wedding scene and all of those extremely hard-working dancers who pulled it off so effortlessly.

My favorite of the three daughters was Hodel. She sang FFTHIL beautifully. I read on this board that the stage was set with the train bench previously but now it was gone which to me did not work because this show starts off with the sound of the train approaching and leaving.

Adam was perhaps the best Motel I've ever seen on a stage. He was funny, loving and sang gloriously.

Going back to the set again this was the first production in which we saw the interior of the barn. I would not however have staged Anatefka inside the barn as I felt this would've been a perfect opportunity to show the village that they so love.

Also I would like to go back to Danny for a moment and speak of his terrific comedic skills. This was especially evident during the To Life Scene. 

As a whole, I thought this was one of the better productions I have ever seen of the show. The only other one I've seen that can come close was when Topol performed it on his farewell tour. 

If you're on the fence about seeing this production, it's definitely worth a visit and if the 2004 production left a bad taste in your mouth this will certainly wash it away.

[haterobics]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 5:40pm

Musical Master said: "From what I've been reading on the show's official Facebook, people are really loving this production and appreciating what Bartlett Sher and his crew have done."

 

If you go by the Facebook page for every show, that show is totally nailing it, though. Since those are the people who go to a show's social media page to post about it. 

[theminutepast]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 6:46pm

I saw this show on Saturday, seeing it live for the first time. It's a fine production with beautiful orchestrations, and I liked the floating set and the way people entered from the back like ghosts. Everyone was comfortable in their roles and seemed like good fits, but overall I wasn't moved by the plot or the acting. Compared to Hamilton, which I saw the week before, Fiddler is a predictable story about a family dealing with change. It was like comfort food. Can someone explain to me what is so challenging and amazing about the role of Tevye? I've seen Danny Burstein in other shows and loved him in those roles, so here is was just so comfortable that I really didn't understand what made Tevye such a heavy role.

[Hamilton22]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 6:55pm

Yeah there's nothing like a predictable comforting show about a family that gets split up and is evicted from their homes and is forced out onto the street basically being homeless because of their heritage. Are you high? Lord.

 

 

Also, comparing Hamilton to Fiddler is pretty silly since Hamilton is a new show. You knew what was going to happen in Fiddler because it's been around for years. Obviously you were more taken by the show you knew nothing about since Hamilton is the fresh and exciting hot ticket right now

 

 

And I wouldn't say anything in Fiddler is predictable. Especially the finale. 

 

 

While Hamilton is a great show, it's book isn't even close to the level of Fiddler.

.

 

Updated On: 12/14/15 at 06:55 PM

[Hamilton22]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 6:55pm

double post

 

Updated On: 12/14/15 at 06:55 PM

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 7:55pm

"There was what was supposed to be a bomb sniffing dog but it clearly was not."

 

How did you know? Was it a Chihuahua?