Frankenstein 10/21

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 6:59pm

We saw it today & sum it up in 1 word - Outstanding

The sets are minimal but with the strong performances, strong book & score & projections & effects you almost do not notice

Although it sounds like Wildhorn, the book is strong as it follows the novel very closely. Hunter Foster & Noll are great but the real standout is Steve Blanchard as the Creature. He sings & acts the hell out of his role & got a well deserved standing O at the end plus big applause after each of his numbers.

It is almost like an opera in that the dialogue is minimal. This would be great on Broadway with a bigger budget but having said that it is well worth your money. We cannot wait for the CD

Gone from the concept CD:

1. The Lab
2. Once Upon A Time
3. The Brides
4. A Happier Day (it may have been retitled A Blessed Day)
5. What Have You Done?

Additions:

1. The Hands Of Time
2. The Waking Nightmare
3. An Angel's Embrace
4. These Hands
5. The Sorrow Born Of Dreams

We heartily recommend it.

Updated On: 10/21/07 at 06:59 PM

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 7:09pm

Wow, I was at this same performance today and I felt completely the opposite. While I thought Blanchard was great, the music was very dull and severely lacking. I can't remember a single song even though I just saw the show 2 hours ago.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 7:12pm

To each his own. Sorry you did not care for it

What did you think of the audience reaction to it?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 7:15pm

Outstanding??? Wow. I never thought anyone would say that about this show.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 7:20pm

A wild guess that neither one of you like Wildhorn.

The Producers was almost universally praised but some in the media & many on this board hated it or were not overwhelmed by it. The moral is no matter what not everyone will like every show

We hated Copenhagen & were bored silly with it today. The audience today seemed to enjoy it. I heard similar comments in the mens room & mrs R heard the same in the ladies room. All the women were basically saying the could see Cuccioli as the creature.

Updated On: 10/21/07 at 07:20 PM

[gaykettle]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 7:21pm

I too saw it today. I felt that Foster was, although talented, not right in this role, Brian D'arcy would be a better choice. The set was more intrusive than helpful to the action of the show. Steve Blanchard, Christine Noll and Eric Michael Gillett were strong, and believable. The staging left me baffled as to its repetitive nature, making it hard to focus on the story which seemed choppy at times. I am certain that through previews the adjustments will be made and the show will be greatly successful.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 7:27pm

Speaking of revolting -- what a nasty and uncalled for personal attack.

Webb2, check the rules of conduct for the board. Many people have been suspended or banned in the past for far less disgusting personal attacks than the one you just made.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 7:29pm

Wow, Webb, that was incredibly rude.

Thank you, Margo, for sticking up for me.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 7:32pm

May I also add that WAT is far from the only person on this board (or over at ATC, where several have mentioned walking out at intermission), who found this show to be less than "outstanding" -- myself included.

Updated On: 10/21/07 at 07:32 PM

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 7:45pm

Actually I do like Wildhorn.

I will say that the audience where I was (Left Mezz) seemed mixed to slightly positive in their reactions, with Blanchard getting the loudest applause. One man in front of me was very enthusiastic, while most gave polite applause.

Posted: 10/21/07 at 7:50pm

i found it less than stellar. almost forgettable. blanchard was great. my entire row of 6 people..all seperate couples. left at intermission. i then had leg room and spread my legs across the seats...and fell asleep in act 2.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 8:07pm

Bad form Webb2.The personal attack was unwarranted.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 8:10pm

Thank you, Mr. Roxy.

Posted: 10/21/07 at 8:13pm

yeah. attack the show....just dont attack fellow BroadwayWorlders..

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 8:14pm

Do not attack the poster . Just say you did not care for the show. You would be wrong but everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Updated On: 10/21/07 at 08:14 PM

[cmars1010]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 8:24pm

What discount codes did everyone use? I heard there is one that gets the tickets prices lower, the best one I have found gets it to 40 something each, anyone know of anything lower? thanks

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 8:28pm

TDF for me.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 8:31pm

Well, all tickets during the month of October are normally priced at $41.25, so I didn't need a discount. For shows during the month of November, there's a discount for $40 tix on Broadwaybox.com:

http://www.broadwaybox.com/shows/frankenstein_nyc_tickets.aspx

[Tuna2night]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 8:33pm

I saw this show the other night and I found it rather problematic. The main issue I have is that they give the audience no chance to actually care for these characters. Instead, we are told how to think and how to feel. While much of the singing is good, particularly on the girls behalf(Casey Clark in particular has a lovely voice as did the guy who played Frankenstein's father), the acting is piss poor. Steve Blanchard, albeit has a difficult task in taking on the role of the creature, but nonetheless made me feel uncomfortable for him. The songs are sometimes pretty but for the most part rather forgettable. I think the issue comes from the fact that the actors are simply singing the vocal line as opposed to communicating whats behind it. Though I am a fan of Hunter Foster, I feel he may be miscast in this part, although I don't honestly know what anyone else could have done to make it better.
I
I hate to be such a downer, but I just don't think the show works.

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 8:34pm

Student rush for me, $25 each.

[StageFan2]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 8:34pm

Thanks for the review Mr. Roxy. I'm glad you enjoyed the show. I'm undecided as to whether or not I'll see it. This may be one of those shows were I decide after I've listened to the cast recording.

WAT - Your avatar is in no way revolting.

Webb - Your rudeness was un-neccesary and appalling.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 8:47pm

I enjoyed it on the 12th when I saw it as well, Mr. Roxy.

[i_heart_roger_bart]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 9:21pm

Anyone know if this show might run longer than January 6th? I wanted to go see it on my birthday (January 11th) and I was wondering if anyone knew if they were going to extend the run or not?

I'd really like to see it, despite the mixed reviews. =)

[mandals06]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 11:26am

Before I say anything, I want to disclose again that I do have a small connection to this production. But I just wanted to address the subject of the few people leaving at intermission. Unfortunately, due to initial Ticketmaster confusion with people purchasing FRANKENSTEIN tickets thinking they were getting YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN tickets, there are those who, from the moment before the show begins, still think they are about to see YOUNG FRANKENSTIEN. In informal “exit interviews” (for lack of a better term) this has been the case. It is an unfortunate mix up.

However, I spoke to a couple yesterday that had made the same mistake in purchasing tickets. They flew in all the way from Chicago (Chicago!) just to see YOUNG FRANKENSTIEN. Imagine THEIR surprise when they discovered their error! But they couldn’t have been more thrilled to have made that mistake, as they kept saying they just loved the show, and it was something they never would have seen if not for the confusion.

The show was sold out Saturday night, and nearly so again on Sunday, with standing ovations both days. I’m sure everyone is looking forward to opening night.

Thanks, all!

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 11:43am

Well, I've spoken to two separate friends who walked out at intermission who had known full well what they had bought tickets for (they both ALSO have tickets to Young Frankenstein, incidentally). They and their guests simply detested the show and couldn't wait to flee the theater. Period. They and others (including myself) had found the score repetitive, meandering and unmemorable, the lyrics either predictable or abysmal and the overall physical production -- the banal projections, the lighting that blinds the audience in some sections -- lamentable. Pretty much everyone thinks the the cast is very talented and works hard (though several think Foster is miscast), but simply deserve better material.

Sorry, to be so frank, but it should be made clear to those thinking of purchasing tickets -- and being able to read a variety of opinions in order to decide what shows to pay for is one of the great functions of this board -- that people aren't only walking out because they were at the wrong show. Many knew EXACTLY what they had bought tickets for and just thoroughly disliked what they saw and heard.

Updated On: 10/22/07 at 11:43 AM