Posted: 10/8/16 at 9:48am
The tour is apparently going to Japan next summer. They talk about it at 1:27 in this video https://youtu.be/PsfYwaJmGzk
Posted: 10/8/16 at 10:06am
Yup, two weeks in Tokyo and one in Osaka. Its becoming quite the trend, thanks to Kyodo Tokyo.
Posted: 10/8/16 at 10:10am
DressedInYourPajamas said: "Saw first preview last night. While there were a few bumps that will no doubt be ironed out, I thought it was a lovely evening at the theatre. The first half hour or so has been totally re-tooled. Brand new opening number, and many revisions throughout. While not totally successful, its much improved on the way the show was structured on Broadway. Cast is fantastic. Especially Tom Hewitt.
There is a PAINFULLY AWKWARD reprise of Stronger after the curtain call though that has got to go."
Thank you for the report! Can you share what the new opening is like?
Posted: 10/8/16 at 2:40pm
This does not make me happy. I loved how it was structured on bway. Going to the opening tomorrow, still a little worried. I'm not fond of changing that show. Bit we shall see.
Posted: 10/8/16 at 2:40pm
DressedInYourPajamas said: "Saw first preview last night. While there were a few bumps that will no doubt be ironed out, I thought it was a lovely evening at the theatre. The first half hour or so has been totally re-tooled. Brand new opening number, and many revisions throughout. While not totally successful, its much improved on the way the show was structured on Broadway. Cast is fantastic. Especially Tom Hewitt.
There is a PAINFULLY AWKWARD reprise of Stronger after the curtain call though that has got to go.
"
Are there any differences with the fans? I know some people said they wouldn't be able to have the fans in the deck since they don't have a trap room when touring.
So are they using smaller fans or do they track in?
Posted: 10/8/16 at 2:42pm
The fans are offstage with ducting in the deck.
Posted: 10/8/16 at 5:22pm
The fans were in the deck so far as I could tell. That part looked identical to Broadway. The new opening is a song called "Welcome to London" which introduces us to all the characters in the show and is a quirky and fun little number. Then there's a new song after that in the theatre called "My Imagination" which I think was on the concept album?
Posted: 10/8/16 at 7:52pm
all_that_jazz said: "This does not make me happy. I loved how it was structured on bway. Going to the opening tomorrow, still a little worried. I'm not fond of changing that show. Bit we shall see.
"
all_that_jazz, can you report on the differences between the tour and Broadway when you see it? I did not see it on Broadway. When I do see a tour production, I hope it is as close to the Broadway production as possible. (that's just me) I also have to drive 2 hours each way to see it. So want to know if it is worth it. Thanks.
Posted: 10/8/16 at 7:52pm
I am conflicted about whether to see this. A friend of mine who sees a lot of shows in NYC said she was just so so on the Broadway production. I currently live in the Orlando area and it's coming to the theater near us-I was planning on taking my daughter until my friend made the comment. Opinions. I've heard a few songs on Sirius and enjoyed them-I think it would be a show I would enjoy but again conflicted. Would love options.
Posted: 10/8/16 at 7:54pm
Sarah, if i see this it will be the tour stop in Orlando, driving from Jacksonville.
Posted: 10/8/16 at 8:05pm
I hate when new songs get written and then never recorded. Hopefully this means we'll get a London cast album. Is that even still happening?
Posted: 10/8/16 at 9:02pm
I was debating seeing this when it drops in Pittsburgh but with words of rewrites I think I'll definitely be going.
Posted: 10/8/16 at 9:15pm
CATSNYrevival said: "I hate when new songs get written and then never recorded. Hopefully this means we'll get a London cast album. Is that even still happening?
"
Originally London was scheduled for January 2017 but that's not happening. I was just in London and speaking to someone who worked at the TKTS booth there... and he said he had no news about when it might open...certainly not anytime soon. I guess the Alfie thing didn't work out (it didn't work out for him here in NY either).
Posted: 10/9/16 at 5:26pm
I will give a full report but I just came out of the matinee I'm thinking of turning in my ticket for opening night....this is not the same show...I'll get my head wrapped around this and report coherently
Posted: 10/9/16 at 5:26pm
I will give a full report but I just came out of the matinee I'm thinking of turning in my ticket for opening night....this is not the same show...I'll get my head wrapped around this and report coherently
Posted: 10/9/16 at 5:29pm
all_that_jazz said: "I will give a full report but I just came out of the matinee I'm thinking of turning in my ticket for opening night....this is not the same show...I'll get my head wrapped around this and report coherently"
For some people this may be an incentive to attend...
Posted: 10/9/16 at 5:54pm
<i>No if you hated it before this will not help</i>
What if you loved it in Boston and didn't see it in NY but thought it sounded terrible in NY? (Not being obnoxious. Actually asking.)
Posted: 10/9/16 at 6:22pm
SarahNYC2 said: "I am conflicted about whether to see this. A friend of mine who sees a lot of shows in NYC said she was just so so on the Broadway production. I currently live in the Orlando area and it's coming to the theater near us-I was planning on taking my daughter until my friend made the comment. Opinions. I've heard a few songs on Sirius and enjoyed them-I think it would be a show I would enjoy but again conflicted. Would love options.
"
One friend didn't like it and you conflicted? I would say that in NY, you had many people who LOVED LOVED LOVED the show and people who HATED HATED HATED it. Many people liked the earlier production in MA while others preferred the NY version.
The bottom line is if you think you might like it and want to take a chance, by all means do so. If it has no interest for you, stay away. Not that anyone should rely on anyone's opinion on what to like or not like in theater in general, but for this one especially, you are going to have to make up your own mind. You are never going to find "the answer" for this one.
Posted: 10/9/16 at 6:38pm
KathyNYC2 said: "CATSNYrevival said: "I hate when new songs get written and then never recorded. Hopefully this means we'll get a London cast album. Is that even still happening?
"
Originally London was scheduled for January 2017 but that's not happening. I was just in London and speaking to someone who worked at the TKTS booth there... and he said he had no news about when it might open...certainly not anytime soon. I guess the Alfie thing didn't work out (it didn't work out for him here in NY either).
"
Daily Mail reported that they where supposedly eyeing the Piccadilly for next spring/summer after jersey boys closes.
http://www.broadway.com/buzz/186173/finding-neverland-circles-jersey-boys-theater-in-the-west-end/
Updated On: 10/9/16 at 06:38 PM
Posted: 10/10/16 at 5:11pm
Did you like the show in NY all that jazz? What didn't you love about the tour?
Posted: 10/12/16 at 9:49am
This isn't the greatest piece of theatre, but it's far from the mess I was expecting considering it's NYC reception. They have re-tooled the first 20 or so minutes and it seems to be slightly for the better. There's a new opening number "Welcome to London" which does a good job pushing the need for Barrie to write...but the new solo for Barrie is absolutely awful. It’s called “My Imagination” and it includes what appears to be a Google Earth projection of the London rooftops. I actually laughed out loud at them.
Things get much better from there. Christine Dwyer, Kevin Kern, and Tom Hewitt are spectacular. They all improve on the bare bones book and are in excellent voice. The production is beautifully designed (other than the projections). The score is still uneven. You have excellent numbers like “All That Matters”, “When Your Feed Don’t Touch the Ground”, “Play”, and “Neverland”, but then you have clunkers like “Live By the Hook” and “Stronger”. The end of act one is completely absurd. Well staged, but absurd. Why does Hook basically sing “Find Your Grail” to Barrie? It becomes some ancient melodrama, ripped shirt and all.
I thought the real star of the show was Paulus’s staging. The moment when the boys fly for the first time was breathtaking. The final image of Sylvia left me shattered. I wanted more of these moments and less of the crappy projections. Overall the staging, in particular the second act, shines. The material is still dragging the production down.
Posted: 10/12/16 at 11:36am
I was at the opening last night(which apparently was supposed to be Sunday). I loved it. I never saw it at A.R.T. or on Broadway so I have no clue what was changed or not. Both Christine and Kevin(both of whom I've seen in Wicked numerous times) blew me away.
