GOTTA DANCE Pre-Broadway in Chicago Thread- Page 2

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 12/24/15 at 5:47pm

I just got out of the matinee and it's such a fun show! It's no Hamilton, but it's a crowd pleaser and I hope it gets to Broadway and stays until March 2028. Someone already said this, but I think the writers either need to make Tara less relevant or more relevant. There simply isn't enough there to make her a major role, but then there's to much just not to notice her. My favorite number was ¿Cómo No? Basically for the reason of that hunk Fernando. Also can they get rid of those iphone props and follow adeles lead with the flip phones?

[NewsiesForever]

Posted: 12/24/15 at 7:58pm

I just came back after winning free tickets from Broadway in Chicago. All I have to say is this:

IT WAS AWFUL!!! Oh G-d I kept sitting there looking at my watch wandering when it was going to end!!! I hated it! As I was watching it all I could think about who the hell invested money into this and they are crazy if they think that this show is going to make it on broadway. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 12/24/15 at 8:26pm

NewsiesForever said: "I just came back after winning free tickets from Broadway in Chicago. All I have to say is this:

 

IT WAS AWFUL!!! Oh G-d I kept sitting there looking at my watch wandering when it was going to end!!! I hated it! As I was watching it all I could think about who the hell invested money into this and they are crazy if they think that this show is going to make it on broadway. "

 

I won ticket from BIC too! Where were you sitting I was in row K in the center orchestra.

[WaltG2]

Posted: 12/25/15 at 12:56am

Call_me_jorge said: "Someone already said this, but I think the writers either need to make Tara less relevant or more relevant. There simply isn't enough there to make her a major role, but then there's to much just not to notice her."

 

See, I have to disagree with this one. The focus is meant to be the elderly dancers, but Tara is a perfect juxtaposition. She's one of them, but she's not one of them. For that to work, she's got to be more developed than Jenny and less developed than the elderly around her. And I think, for the most part, they pulled that off.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 12/25/15 at 2:08am

Any interesting design elements? 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 12/25/15 at 9:37am

RippedMan said: "Any interesting design elements? "

 

I was not impressed with the set at all. One of David rockwells worst. Although at the ending they flew out the entire set to show a completely different one made of led panels. It was exciting and surprising.

[broadwaydanwi]

Posted: 12/25/15 at 5:43pm

Does anyone here know what souvenirs they are selling for this show in Chicago? I'm looking for a window card or any other type of poster. Thanks!

[WaltG2]

Posted: 12/26/15 at 9:44am

broadwaydanwi said: "Does anyone here know what souvenirs they are selling for this show in Chicago? I'm looking for a window card or any other type of poster. Thanks!"

 

Didn't see any of those--when I went it was mostly apparel with some tchotchkes (Christmas ornaments, maybe a keychain or magnet).

[pc1145N2]

Posted: 12/26/15 at 2:38pm

They told me the windowcards didn't come out right so they are waiting for a new shipment. Who knows if that's true but that's what I was told at the souvenir stand. I'm going tomorrow, so I'll report back if there is a windowcard.

[pc1145N2]

Posted: 12/27/15 at 9:37pm

Saw the show this afternoon and still no windowcards.

[broadwaydanwi]

Posted: 12/28/15 at 6:34am

Thanks. I purchased a mug and an ornament. I wish they had window cards, so keep me posted.

FYI: At the performance I attended, Saturday evening, December 26, Jane Lynch was in the audience. I saw her in the lobby during intermission.

[ebontoyan]

Posted: 12/28/15 at 8:37am

I saw the show on Sunday matinee. This is no Hamilton but it had a lot of heart and it was a fun time! I hope they make it to Broadway

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 12/28/15 at 10:46am

So every show that opens now , needs to have the words it's no Hamilton? 

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/28/15 at 1:31pm

Now that you mention it, yes.  Every single show from now until the end of time.  I don't know why we haven't been doing it all along, but thank you for proposing it.

[Different Drum]

Posted: 12/29/15 at 12:38pm

Chris Jones in the Tribune sounds more like a dramaturge than a theatre critic in this mixed-to-positive review. It will be interesting to see if they take his many notes...

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/ct-gotta-dance-review-ent-1230-20151229-column.html

[macnyc]

Posted: 12/29/15 at 2:42pm

I haven't seen the show yet, but the Chicago critic's comments make a lot of sense to me. Others on this thread have posted similar thoughts about the Tara character.

 

The whole point of an out-of-town run is to perfect the show, and here's a critic who is willing to help out. I hope that the show's creators don't skip the critical step of revision. If they do, they risk throwing away their shot!

Updated On: 12/29/15 at 02:42 PM

[mpd4165]

Posted: 12/29/15 at 3:07pm

Different Drum said: "Chris Jones in the Tribune sounds more like a dramaturge than a theatre critic in this mixed-to-positive review. It will be interesting to see if they take his many notes...

 

 

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/ct-gotta-dance-review-ent-1230-20151229-column.html

 

"

If you look back at his reviews of Kinky Boots, Big Fish, The Last Ship, etc...that's par for the course for Jones when it comes to these pre-broadway runs. I think he's pretty spot-on in this review, based on the show I saw a couple weeks ago.

[pc1145N2]

Posted: 12/29/15 at 9:57pm

I saw the show last Sunday and this review is really, really on the money. I hope they (Mitchell?) listen.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 12/30/15 at 3:01pm

"If you look back at his reviews of Kinky Boots, Big Fish, The Last Ship, etc...that's par for the course for Jones when it comes to these pre-broadway runs. I think he's pretty spot-on in this review, based on the show I saw a couple weeks ago."

 

You can tell the reviewer really thinks the show can be pretty good, just needs some corrections.  It sounds like it could be a really fun show and I hope it makes it to Broadway and does well.

Updated On: 1/4/16 at 03:01 PM

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 12/31/15 at 3:33pm

The show is produced by dreamworks which would mark their Broadway return since shrek the musical.

[BwayDude2]

Posted: 12/31/15 at 4:53pm

Saw Matinee yesterday. I loved this show! I think it gives new life to the Broadway Legends who don't have as many parts to play. I think we tend to grab on to the new and "shiny" things and we forget about what made Broadway and musicals the way it is. I think this musical has all the elements in a successful musical. I really think Georgia Engel deserves a Tony for this role. She is HILARIOUS. Andre De Shields was also great. His dancing was on point. I think this musical will redefine musical theatre. I also think it has a good chance at some Tony Awards. Especially if it opens in Fall of 2016. With Hamilton and it's hip-hop style, it'll be a nice transition into Gotta Dance, which also has the hip hop style. Very well done. Also loved the projections used. 

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/31/15 at 7:50pm

Seeing this on Sunday.  Discount code NEWYEAR will get you great seats for $20.16 for this Sat, Sun and Tue performances.

[gleek4114]

Posted: 1/1/16 at 2:24am

Thanks for the tip Mister Matt! With that code I am considering a spur of the moment trip to Chicago and back this weekend. Seems like a lot of pre-broadway runs have been offering steep discounts lately (I saw First Wives Club for $10 in the 4th row... literally). Hmmmmm... I'm gonna try to make it happen.

Posted: 1/1/16 at 4:27am

I just saw the matinee on New Year's Eve -- I gotta tell you -- I saw "The Drowsy Chaperone" 68 times -- I loved that show soooooooooo much.  And it's a pure stroke of luck that brought me to Chicago and my only free time was NYE afternoon and there happened to be a peformance -- and rush tickets available.  

 

I LOOOOOOOOOVE this show!  I can't wait for it to come to New York.  When I knew that Robert Martin was part of the creative team for "Gotta Dance" (he wrote the book of "Drowsy" and was the original "Man In Chair" -- I had high hopes -- and they are justified.  It's funny, it's sweet, and like "Drowsy," at a certain point the audience just gives their hearts to the show -- you care about all the principle characters  -- some of the dialogue is really really funny -- that song in the second act by May about the 'waters rising' -- I got teared up and it was so unexpected. Georgia Engel is such an original, indelible actor -- I remember on the Mary Tyler Moore Show when she sang, "Steam Heat" and could hear the studio audience respond with shocked delight -- she is at the top of her game here, in every way.  Mrs. Tottendale Busts A Move! 

 

Like Drowsy, this is a musical that men who think they hate musicals are going to love.  But there's one thing they can do that will make them all millionaires:  a "Gotta Dance Workout Video" -- imagine a cigarette girl going up and down the aisles during intermission selling them (or maybe a 60+ year old cigarette woman).  And it can be the simplest kind of workout video:  Five minutes (with each major character getting their own 30 second spotlight).  The first week you dance along once a day.  The second week you dance along with it twice (10 minutes).  The third week three times (15 minutes) etc etc etc -- til you know all the routines and you've lost so much weight you qualify for a 2-for-1 ticket to the show.   

 

After awhile they'll have hundreds of people who know the routines, who could then be cast in the road company.  I can also see this show becoming hugely popular with community theaters everywhere.  I think it is going to have a long, long happy life, and I'm so grateful that on the last day of 2015 I got to see it.

 

If you live anywhere near Chicago, get tickets -- but it's only happening here til the 17th.  I have to fly back to NYC in a few hours -- I feel so lucky that I got to see it.  If you know any actors in their 50s/60s/70s who are in good shape (or need a reason to get in shape) -- tell them about this show!  You'll all be dancing out of the theater in the best of all possible moods. 

[gleek4114]

Posted: 1/1/16 at 10:03am

Sadly it looks like a trip this weekend isn't doable, but I am still trying to get up to Chicago before the 17th. I had a couple questions. First, does anyone else have any discount codes? On Broadway in Chicago's website there is one for $59 tix in the balcony (with code CHICAGO) which I don't think is a very great deal. Second, how has rush been at this show? Busy, or pretty easy to obtain? Also, where have the seats been located?