Finian vs Normal?

[anon]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 7:49pm

I have one night only... which to see?

Finian's Rainbow or Next to Normal?

:)

[vlegra]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 8:09pm

NEXT TO NOrMAL!!!!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 8:33pm

No one's seen FINIAN yet...

The Encores production is hardly an indicator of how the full production with a few new cast members will be. So I don't see how this question can be fairly answered.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 8:35pm

Well usually Encores! transfers are kept in the concert style. Chicago, Wonderful Town, and The Apple Tree (I believe) all stayed concert style. I assume Finian will too.
Updated On: 8/17/09 at 08:35 PM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 8:37pm

But what is "concert style"?

I'd hardly call the last WONDERFUL TOWN a concert style production.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 8:42pm

WONDERFUL TOWN kept the orchestra on stage, and had a minimal set. That was concert style to me. Plus it was produced by the Weisslers, and they strongly believe Encores! transfers should remain minimal (they've gone on record saying something similar to that).

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 8:45pm

Wonderful Town was certainly concert style. The orchestra took up 75% of the stage, and the set consisted of a few pieces that slid on an off (with a scene stealing couch).

Obviously, they didn't do it script in hand...

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 8:47pm

I wouldn't mind if the orchestra was onstage for Finian, but I would love if it wasn't.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 8:50pm

I guess...I think it's just the term "concert style" that I don't really agree with. To me, the script in hand, no sets, real Encores productions are concert style. And WT's Broadway production with a full on set, artistic design, no scripts, etc seems kinda weird to be called "concert style" to me.

Plus, as we've seen before, it's kinda iffy to say whether or not a production is good based on the Encores or previous production. It could get much worse or much better or have a completely different feel to it than it did at Encores.

The Weisslers aren't producing FINIAN, are they? And does anyone know if they are going to keep the orchestra onstage? I'd assume so...

Updated On: 8/17/09 at 08:50 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 8:53pm

So just because CHICAGO doesn't use scripts in hand, you don't think it's concert style?

Not trying to be mean, just curious.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 8:55pm

It might just be the "extravagance" of the WT production compared to the CHICAGO production. CHICAGO uses minimal sets, minimal costumes, etc etc. WT was a lot "bigger" and felt less like a concert to me...or at least felt less like an Encores concert.

Sorry if that's confusing...

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 9:14pm

Every transfer from Encores, except THE APPLE TREE, which wasn't really a transfer but a new ROUNDABOUT production with some same people had the orchestra onstage, CHICAGO works best because it is written in a very presentational style.
I also didn't mind the WONDERFULL TOWN because it had a big band feel and sound.
I and Patti were appauled that LUPONE GYPSY was transfered almost exactly to the St. James.
The orchestra onstage, the window miming and the stuffed dog and lamb were slaps in the face to arguably one of the best book musicals, and yes one can slap oneself in the face.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 9:14pm

What sort of sets did Wonderful Town have? I remember random pieces of scenery rolling on and off, like the last Gypsy revival.

Other than the fact that WT had period costumes as opposed to tight black clothing, I see no real difference between it and Chicago.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 9:18pm

WT had much more set pieces than CHICAGO. CHICAGO's set isn't even a 'set'...they have the orchestra, the stairs, the band, and chairs. It's all kept very minimal.

WT had much more in terms of sets and costumes. WT was very minimal, but compared to CHICAGO, it was much more extravagant. At least that I remember...

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 9:20pm

You just stated that WT and Chicago were "minimal."

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 9:24pm

Yeah, they both were minimal productions but WT was bigger.

Whatever, the point I was originally trying to make was that FINIAN'S could have gotten much better or much worse since Encores so I don't think it's fair to say whether or not someone should see it. Aaannnd that's about it.

[BwayBuff2]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 9:47pm

From what I remember when I saw Wonderful Town five years ago...the production did have sets that rolled on and off. Very minimal...just doorways and flats, correct? And wasn't the New York skyline on the back wall behind the orchestra...it's been too long...

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 10:07pm

The WONDERFUL TOWN set was a set.
It had two maybe three levels and panels that slid on and off,
That served as the streets of Greenwich Village and could actually block out the orchestra.
The lowest level included the apt, which was suppose to be the underground flat, where the infamous couch was.
It was quite well designed except for the small amount of space for the ensemble dances which was tight.
That's what I remember.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 11:06pm

I don't know if concert style is the right term to use but all did keep the orchestra on stage. It works for Chicago but I find it especially problematic for Wonderful Town. Yes there was a set but that orchestra took up too much of the stage. The action felt cramped and the chorus numbers, specifically the opening number, did not benefit from this odd choice.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 11:06pm

I don't know if concert style is the right term to use but all did keep the orchestra on stage. It works for Chicago but I find it especially problematic for Wonderful Town. Yes there was a set but that orchestra took up too much of the stage. The action felt cramped and the chorus numbers, specifically the opening number, did not benefit from this odd choice.

[broadwayislove09]

Posted: 8/18/09 at 9:07am

FINIAN'S RAINBOW WILL BE A FULLY-STAGED PRODUCTION. ORCHESTRA WILL BE IN THE PIT. IT'S GOING TO BE AMAZING!

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/18/09 at 9:16am

Thanks for joining today to tell us that.

ETA: yesterday. I have no idea what day today is.

Updated On: 8/18/09 at 09:16 AM

[Roscoe]

Posted: 8/18/09 at 9:19am

Skip them both. See the Barrow Street revival of OUR TOWN instead.

See a magnificent production of the Great American Play instead of these trifling musicals.

[heatha1017]

Posted: 8/18/09 at 9:19am

you should see next to normal before kyle dean massey leaves!!

[NDR]

Posted: 8/18/09 at 1:00pm

N2N hands down.