Finian vs Normal?
Finian vs Normal?
anon
Swing Joined: 1/24/06
#1Finian vs Normal?
Posted: 8/17/09 at 7:49pm
I have one night only... which to see?
Finian's Rainbow or Next to Normal?
:)
vlegra
Stand-by Joined: 11/7/07
WiCkEDrOcKS
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#2re: Finian vs Normal?
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.
#3re: Finian vs Normal?
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#4re: Finian vs Normal?
Posted: 8/17/09 at 8:37pm
But what is "concert style"?
I'd hardly call the last WONDERFUL TOWN a concert style production.
#5re: Finian vs Normal?
Posted: 8/17/09 at 8:42pmWONDERFUL 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).
#6re: Finian vs Normal?
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...
#7re: Finian vs Normal?
Posted: 8/17/09 at 8:47pmI wouldn't mind if the orchestra was onstage for Finian, but I would love if it wasn't.
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
WiCkEDrOcKS
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#8re: Finian vs Normal?
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
#9re: Finian vs Normal?
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#10re: Finian vs Normal?
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#11re: Finian vs Normal?
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.
#12re: Finian vs Normal?
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#13re: Finian vs Normal?
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...
#14re: Finian vs Normal?
Posted: 8/17/09 at 9:20pmYou just stated that WT and Chicago were "minimal."
WiCkEDrOcKS
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#15re: Finian vs Normal?
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.
#16re: Finian vs Normal?
Posted: 8/17/09 at 9:47pmFrom 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
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#17re: Finian vs Normal?
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.
#18re: Finian vs Normal?
Posted: 8/17/09 at 11:06pmI 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.
#19re: Finian vs Normal?
Posted: 8/17/09 at 11:06pmI 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
Swing Joined: 8/17/09
#20re: Finian vs Normal?
Posted: 8/18/09 at 9:07amFINIAN'S RAINBOW WILL BE A FULLY-STAGED PRODUCTION. ORCHESTRA WILL BE IN THE PIT. IT'S GOING TO BE AMAZING!
#21re: Finian vs Normal?
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.
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
Updated On: 8/18/09 at 09:16 AM
Roscoe
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#22re: Finian vs Normal?
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.
"If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about the answers." Thomas Pynchon, GRAVITY'S RAINBOW
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." Philip K. Dick
My blog: http://www.roscoewrites.blogspot.com/
#23re: Finian vs Normal?
Posted: 8/18/09 at 9:19amyou should see next to normal before kyle dean massey leaves!!
NDR
Leading Actor Joined: 11/16/06
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