Final If/Then Show- Page 2

[delongpre]

Posted: 3/21/15 at 4:47pm

Bwaydide92, my daughter has gotten to meet everyone in the cast except for Idina. They have all been amazing and awesome and patient and loving. The stage door people and house manager were aware of the situation when we went earlier this week and did not offer to have her meet Idina in any special way. I would not expect that, especially this week. They did go out of their way to have Idina sign her show card, which was very nice of them. My daughter also drew an amazing If/Then cartoon and sent it backstage for the cast, along with a letter expressing her thanks and response to the show. Hopefully Idina had a chance to see that. We stayed at stage door long enough to say hello to James, Anthony and Jenn, and my daughter was thrilled to meet Deedee, who voices a favorite character of hers in a cartoon. After 8 shows, 9 shows after tomorrow, we have yet to say hello to Idina. That's ok, because we will take with us all of the moments we have experienced in the theater. Stage door is the icing on the cake! Maybe some day we'll be able to tell her what it meant to us!

[Pootie2]

Posted: 3/21/15 at 5:23pm

Menzel is working on new music, and I fully expect she'll have CD signing events. Those are much better to plan for.

[Pootie2]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 9:52am

If last night was any indication, today will have an insane stage door crowd. People were posting photos of the line a good half hour before the evening show let out (no idea if they stage doored the matinee). Menzel did sign along with, presumably, the rest of the cast that eve.

In other tidbits, it seems Joel Grey was in the audience, maybe. Menzel couldn't get through the reprise without crying, so today could be an understandable mess. LaChanze tweeted something about "eve of last show," so I wonder if yesterday was her last day? Huh? Or maybe I'm misinterpreting that.

To the people going today, I'm sure it'll be an amazing experience. Wish I could be there. :) (But not the stage door. Never the stage door.)

[steven22]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 9:59am

I am so excited and sad to see this show go today. I know this show was not perfect but I've seen it more than I care to admit and am still obsessed with the cast recording a year later. This afternoon's show should be interesting. I'll be sure to report back.

[Huss417]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 10:02am

Pootie.

If she tweeted yesterday "Eve of last show" I'm assuming today will be her last. Sort of like Christmas Eve is the day before Christmas.

The evening or day preceding a special day, such as a holiday If that makes sense?:)

Updated On: 3/22/15 at 10:02 AM

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 11:17am

I would think anyone actually inside the theatre would have no shot at a stage door autograph, etc. But I wouldn't trade being able to watch that final show for anything. It's going to be quite an experience.

[japhun2]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 11:23am

Was at last night's penultimate performance and will be there this afternoon for the final one. This show is special to so many people who can relate to its many storylines and themes. I know it has haters (as every show does), but it is by far one of the best original musicals of the last decade. I am sure many tears will be shed today...Idina barely got through the last note last night.

[veronicamae]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 11:47am

The stage door was packed before last night's show even let out; if you're going today, it's probably a lost cause to attempt to "properly" SD. Might be fun to watch the chaos from across the street.

At last night's door, the usual police officer said his goodbyes to James, so I kind of wonder if that means there won't be a stage door at all - or at the very least, Idina won't be signing, since the cop one be there (unless there will be a different cop).

And yes, basically everyone signed last night, except Joe Aaron Reid who was with some friends.

The Saturday matinee was fun, and she actually broke during the butterfly story and couldn't stop her giggles when trying to get through the lines about Josh's cremation. Terrible time to lose it. lol

I'm very much looking forward to today.

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 11:54am

I agree about it not being a "proper" stage door for ticketholders. I think it will be fun to watch the chaos and give one last cheer. I'm sure there will be a cop - he probably just wasn't on for a shift today. I also imagine the cast will come out and sign, but I would think people will have to wait for a much longer time than usual.

[wkdfan]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 1:22pm

Going this afternoon and was able to upgrade to orch. Have two front mezz tix available. Best option to unload them?

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 2:11pm

"I would think anyone actually inside the theatre would have no shot at a stage door autograph, etc. But I wouldn't trade being able to watch that final show for anything. It's going to be quite an experience."

I was there last night as well. Echoing the others, I think the show ran long and yes, people were packed behind the barriers three or four deep long before the show even let out. If you're going for the last show, just enjoy the final curtain. It's possible they'll do something special (after the bows) anyway. I will say that in spite of the insanity, the cast members who came out were very good about signing all the items handed to them in spite of how long it took. My favorite was the homemade If/Then slip of paper for a phone case.

[Pootie2]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 2:59pm

Huss417, thanks, that explanation makes sense. I was so confused reading LaChanze's tweet, hah!

I hope they'll have speeches. Maybe a final song performance of some sort? I can imagine stuff between Wicked and RENT being appropriate.

[steven22]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 4:33pm

The show is a zoo. Idina is out of this world. Giving an insane performance - along with the entire cast. Idina sounded a bit...different in the beginning but she's sounding better as the show goes on. The entire cast is throwing in little bits and pieces of new stuff.

This show will be truly missed....

[Pootie2]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 4:57pm

Ad-libbing? Sure, why not. Make it fun.

Given the story and themes, the show is very meta today. Janet Krupin (swing, I think) tweeted earlier that the "Hi, it's me" line garnered 29 seconds of applause, not surprisingly.

[steven22]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 6:41pm

Wow. Such an amazing closing show.

Always Starting Over was absolutely insane.

Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey both spoke briefly and thanked everyone.

I will miss this show a lot...

[Auggie27]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 8:35pm

Saw this show twice, 9 months apart, both times it was beautifully performed. I understand the appreciation. And love. Kitt and Yorkey worked hard to give us something contemporary. I rooted for it, and found the glass half full. I thought it might survive past Menzel, but considering the naysaying or worse (NY Magazine aside, soft to negative reviews), a year's run is a win-win, whatever the financial loss. I look forward to reading more about the final performance.

Updated On: 3/22/15 at 08:35 PM

[LesWickedly]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 8:57pm

Her final Alway Starting Over:
http://cptaco.tumblr.com/post/114355318840/incredible

Sounds absolutely amazing! Great way to end this fantastic show! Will miss it dearly.

[TFMH18]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 9:38pm

I was there. Truly one of the most electric experiences of my life. From the moment she entered the energy was just beautiful. She got a standing o for her entrance as well as during "Always Starting Over." The performances were all incredible. When Idina sang "my new life starts right now," the prescient message got to her and she teared up a tad and the audience went nuts. Overall, just a wonderful thing and I feel very lucky to have been there. Going to miss this show terribly.

[gleek4114]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 9:48pm

So sad to see it go I was wondering if anyone had a cast (or partial cast) signed playbill and/or window card they might be willing to sell at a decent price? When I saw the show, I was unable to stage door, and I never got around to sending fan mail. Any help would be wonderful!

[ethan231h]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 9:53pm

So sad it is no longer on Broadway anymore,

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 10:01pm

Thank goodness someone snuck that audio recording. Such raw emotion.

Loved this show, and loved Idina in it. It seemed to come to fruition at the exact right time for her, can't wait to see her on tour this summer!

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 10:21pm

Still collecting my thoughts following the show, but wow what an incredible, emotional and special performance. The cast left it all on the stage. It was pretty much a flawless performance - nobody broke or did anything crazy, just some extra riffs, dance moves and lingering hugs which was great.

The crowd was also just perfect. I was worried we'd get random cheers or "woos" at inappropriate times but there was none of that. As Janet Krupin (swing) tweeted, Idina got 29 seconds of applause just for walking out on stage. There was entrance applause for the other principals as well and long ovations after every song. LaChanze and Jenn Colella were other-worldly during Love While You Can - I was left breathless which was a great setup for Always Starting Over! As others have reported, Idina choked up right before the final word and the audience got right behind her with a big cheer ... she smiled and the blew the roof off with her final note.

Great curtain call and speeches from Tom Kitt & Brian Yorkey. Idina laid a big old kiss on Yorkey after he thanked her for choosing this show when she had her choice of any role she wanted. Yorkey also spoke a lot about the courage it took for all involved in producing this show and the courage we need to keep making new musicals.

Stage door was crazy - I wouldn't trade a million autographs for the chance to have been inside that theatre. Plus I was chatting with friends outside the main entrance and had the good fortune to see both Kitt & Yorkey. I was thrilled to thank them for creating If/Then - they were super gracious and signed my playbill and did the same for others. FYI Idina did not sign autographs or go out the stage door.

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 10:24pm

Still collecting my thoughts following the show, but wow what an incredible, emotional and special performance. The cast left it all on the stage. It was pretty much a flawless performance - nobody broke or did anything crazy, just some extra riffs, dance moves and lingering hugs which was great.

The crowd was also just perfect. I was worried we'd get random cheers or "woos" at inappropriate times but there was none of that. As Janet Krupin (swing) tweeted, Idina got 29 seconds of applause just for walking out on stage. There was entrance applause for the other principals as well and long ovations after every song. LaChanze and Jenn Colella were other-worldly during Love While You Can - I was left breathless which was a great setup for Always Starting Over! As others have reported, Idina choked up right before the final word and the audience got right behind her with a big cheer ... she smiled and the blew the roof off with her final note.

Great curtain call and speeches from Tom Kitt & Brian Yorkey. Idina laid a big old kiss on Yorkey after he thanked her for choosing this show when she had her choice of any role she wanted. Yorkey also spoke a lot about the courage it took for all involved in producing this show and the courage we need to keep making new musicals.

Stage door was crazy - I wouldn't trade a million autographs for the chance to have been inside that theatre. Plus I was chatting with friends outside the main entrance and had the good fortune to see both Kitt & Yorkey. I was thrilled to thank them for creating If/Then - they were super gracious and signed my playbill and did the same for others. FYI Idina did not sign autographs or go out the stage door.

[high_onbway]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 10:29pm

Link to the curtain call speeches.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiLBQId8BrQ

I'm so sad to see this show go but glad someone posted this video. I totally felt the energy just by watching this. I wish I could have been there

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 10:36pm

So sad to see this one go; at least it had a decent run!


Here's to a successful tour!