GUYS & DOLLS, SPIDER WOMAN & Block in SUNSET BLVD at the Kennedy Center- Page 11
GUYS & DOLLS, SPIDER WOMAN & Block in SUNSET BLVD at the Kennedy Center
#250SUNSET BOULEVARD at the Kennedy Center
Posted: 2/6/23 at 11:47am
It's interesting to see the "concert" debate here. I remember that the last revival at the Palace was considered to be a concert by some and not by others. For me, just because the orchestra is central onstage and the design aspects are somewhat minimal does not necessarily make something "just a concert".
For a concert I think evening wear with very minimal costuming, possibly books in hand, and no scenic elements. Neither the last revival or this current production at the Kennedy Center seem to be concerts by my personal definitions... Both utilize fully realized concepts and design elements.
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
#251SUNSET BOULEVARD at the Kennedy Center
Posted: 2/6/23 at 12:01pm
There was absolutely nothing about this production that says “concert”. If having musicians onstage means it’s a concert than I loved the concert version of “Kimberly Akimbo” playing now.
Updated On: 2/6/23 at 12:01 PM
#253SUNSET BOULEVARD at the Kennedy Center
Posted: 2/6/23 at 12:18pm
Jordan Catalano said: "There was absolutely nothing about this production that says “concert”. If having musicians onstage means it’s a concert than I loved the concert version of “Kimberly Akimbo” playing now."
IKR. I wanted to include Waitress in my example lol.
Caption: Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
#254SUNSET BOULEVARD at the Kennedy Center
Posted: 2/6/23 at 12:32pm
To be clear, I think the production is fully(or 80% fully) staged. I’m more so calling out that some have criticized this production as being paired down and “where is the mansion!” when that is not something you’ll get from these productions. They’re staged, but the skew closer to a concert than a full capitalized production.
DCNY
Swing Joined: 1/16/20
#255SUNSET BOULEVARD at the Kennedy Center
Posted: 2/6/23 at 1:06pm
This was amazing. And the BWW interview and preview videos that some criticized are what sold me on seeing it and I'm so glad I did. They're a glimpse into early rehearsals to something that evolves amazingly in such a short period of time. And for those that thought they did a disservice to marketing, it looks like the run was near completely sold out (aside from the final matinee performance this Wednesday that shows plenty of availability). I hadn't seen any productions of Sunset before including the film and this was a big hit for me, both for this production and the show overall. I liked a lot of the music I wasn't familiar with.
As someone pointed out, these are no longer "concert" performances. The program started out as such, but evolved. The first one I saw was Music Man in 2019 with Norm Lewis and Jessie Mueller when it was still "concert" but imperceivably. Except in one instance Lewis missed a line then asked to start from the top, reminding everyone it was a concert version and winning the crowd over and he then used the script once or twice after. But it was so polished at that point that it made sense to up the ante and remove the concert asterisk.
There are so many great things about these productions. One is the ability to book stars that would not be able to do a longer run. Another is the orchestra, this was an 18 pieces from the KC house orchestra and they sound wonderful. I remember that was one thing SJB pointed out in the interview. It's one thing to work on these things in a practice studio. It really blossoms once you're out there with the full orchestra. And it is fun to have the orchestra on stage and the set working around them even if it limits the options for the set.
These are done at the KC's Eisenhower Theater which necessitates the orchestra being on stage because there is no pit and I don't think the 18 pieces cannot be put backstage like at Broadway houses that have no pit. That's another great thing about these productions. Not only are they premium quality, but they are in the Eisenhower. Most big touring productions that come to town are in the KC Opera House which I think swallows up theatrical productions. Plus its a touring cast, not the broadway cast (except for rare instances like Into the Woods where it's closed in NY and stars are in the touring company).
#256SUNSET BOULEVARD at the Kennedy Center
Posted: 2/6/23 at 1:17pm
“These are done at the KC's Eisenhower Theater which necessitates the orchestra being on stage because there is no pit and I don't think the 18 pieces cannot be put backstage like at Broadway houses that have no pit.”
Well there you have it. Thanks for pointing that out!!!
#257SUNSET BOULEVARD at the Kennedy Center
Posted: 2/6/23 at 1:30pm
““These are done at the KC's Eisenhower Theater which necessitates the orchestra being on stage because there is no pit and I don't think the 18 pieces cannot be put backstage like at Broadway houses that have no pit.”
interesting. I’m curious how this worked when Wicked played the Eisenhower a few years back. It was a tight squeeze even without the orchestra logistics
DCNY
Swing Joined: 1/16/20
#258SUNSET BOULEVARD at the Kennedy Center
Posted: 2/6/23 at 1:55pm
Looks like I misspoke about the pit. From the KC website:
"The theater contains an orchestra pit for 35 musicians that is convertible to a forestage or additional seating space."
So there are different ways to do it. Maybe they have the orchestra on stage because they want to have the additional seating. For Guys and Dolls, the most recent of these productions, the orchestra was also on stage.
#259SUNSET BOULEVARD at the Kennedy Center
Posted: 2/6/23 at 2:04pm
Caught this over the weekend, and I'm sorry to say it didn't work for me. The performances were outstanding, but the direction was really a miss.
Making Norma's breakdown more relaxed and realistic would work if they were in a different story, but they weren't. Joe's relationship with Norma seemed more consensual than I've ever seen in a way that didn't emphasize how they were USING each other... and made it hard to understand why he wanted to be with Betty. Norma's last scene didn't feel earned. The scene during the entracte where Norma and Joe were fooling around almost made me laugh, it felt like it missed the point so much.
I also have never seen a professional production where the conductor ignored the vocalists so much. It really seemed like he wasn't paying attention to them at all.
Again, the performances were brilliant (SJB and Derek Klena were excellent and well worth the ticket just to hear them perform this music). I just think they were guided by a director who was trying to make the show something it isn't. I'm all for new interpretations, but this just wanted to be a different show.
#260SUNSET BOULEVARD at the Kennedy Center
Posted: 2/6/23 at 3:15pm
bwayphreak234 said: "I remember that the last revival at the Palace was considered to be a concert by some and not by others."
I saw the revival at the Palace five times and can recall no marketing that referred to it as a concert. To the best of my recollection, it was billed as a minimalist staging, in direct contrast to the original, extravagant staging by Napier.
Also, someone mentioned the addition of a "young Norma" in this new production. That detail was added for the Palace revival (personally, I did not care for it).
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
#261SUNSET BOULEVARD at the Kennedy Center
Posted: 2/6/23 at 3:43pm
R. GreenFinch said: "I also have never seen a professional production where the conductor ignored the vocalists so much. It really seemed like he wasn't paying attention to them at all."
Should the conductor be following the vocalists or should the vocalists be taking the lead from the conductor?
#262SUNSET BOULEVARD at the Kennedy Center
Posted: 2/6/23 at 3:53pm
CATSNYrevival said: "R. GreenFinch said: "I also have never seen a professional production where the conductor ignored the vocalists so much. It really seemed like he wasn't paying attention to them at all."
Should the conductor be following the vocalists or should the vocalists be taking the lead from the conductor?"
Lol, that's such a deliberate misreading of GreenFinch's comment. It IS the conductor's responsibility is to listen to and pay attention to cues from stage and keep the performers and orchestra in harmony. It doesn't mean they're taking their lead from the vocalists. They are both in this together.
Caption: Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
seaweedjstubbs
Broadway Star Joined: 3/21/07
#263SUNSET BOULEVARD at the Kennedy Center
Posted: 2/6/23 at 5:06pm
BroadwayNYC2 said: "““These are done at the KC's Eisenhower Theater which necessitates the orchestra being on stage because there is no pit and I don't think the 18 pieces cannot be put backstage like at Broadway houses that have no pit.”
interesting. I’m curious how this worked when Wicked played the Eisenhower a few years back. It was a tight squeeze even without the orchestra logistics"
When did Wicked play the Eisenhower? Having performed there myself, I just don’t see how that would be possible. It’s such an intimate space compared to most touring houses.
#264SUNSET BOULEVARD at the Kennedy Center
Posted: 2/6/23 at 5:32pm
When FOLLIES was there, where was the orchestra pit??
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
#265SUNSET BOULEVARD at the Kennedy Center
Posted: 2/6/23 at 5:55pm
01. Wicked has never played the Eisenhower. Every time it comes to the area it has been the Opera House, since 2005.
02. The 2017 revival of Sunset Boulevard was transferred from the English National Opera, which promoted it as a “semi-staged” production, not a concert. However I understand how the two can be mixed up, since Encores runs in a similar fashion of the Kennedy Center.
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MysteriousLady
Stand-by Joined: 10/24/20
#266SUNSET BOULEVARD at the Kennedy Center
Posted: 2/6/23 at 7:14pm
binau said: "When FOLLIES was there, where was the orchestra pit??"
Follies was in the opera house which is much bigger. Two theaters in the same facility, like Lincoln Center.
#267SUNSET BOULEVARD at the Kennedy Center
Posted: 2/6/23 at 7:18pm
Valentina3 said: "Lol, that's such a deliberate misreading of GreenFinch's comment. It IS the conductor's responsibility is to listen to and pay attention to cues from stage and keep the performers and orchestra in harmony. It doesn't mean they're taking their lead from the vocalists. They are both in this together."
I was genuinely asking. I’ve never been sure who follows who, if it’s more symbiotic, or if each conductor has their own expectations.
#268SUNSET BOULEVARD at the Kennedy Center
Posted: 2/6/23 at 7:38pm
"Follies was in the opera house which is much bigger."
I saw both Follies and Ragtime at the Kennedy Center, pre-Broadway and unless my memory is failing me, I would swear they both played at the Eisenhower.
#269SUNSET BOULEVARD at the Kennedy Center
Posted: 2/6/23 at 8:11pm
WithoutATrace said: "I saw both Follies and Ragtime at the Kennedy Center, pre-Broadway and unless my memory is failing me, I would swear they both played at the Eisenhower."
You are correct. This press release about the casting confirms it was at the Eisenhower (at least for Follies anyway).
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Updated On: 2/6/23 at 08:11 PM
#270SUNSET BOULEVARD at the Kennedy Center
Posted: 2/6/23 at 8:47pm
I just pulled up photos I took from May 2011 outside the theater of the “Follies” poster and it says “May 7 - June 19, 2011 Eisenhower Theater”
#271SUNSET BOULEVARD at the Kennedy Center
Posted: 2/6/23 at 10:48pm
Valentina3 said: "BroadwayNYC2 said: "“ Jorge it's not a concert. It's being marketed as a fully staged production.“
the BCS series is literally marketed as a semi-staged concert series. That info is readily available."
The KCH Sunset Boulevard page does not mention the word concert once. I'm not trying to be a pill here, but the marketing you're referring to is either misleading, or dishonest. The words "fully staged" is from the page I linked above, so it is literally being marketed as a fully staged production. Anyone who actually watched the show and understands how these designations work can also confirm that there is nothing semi-staged about this production. It is fully staged, with complete costumes, extensive props, backdrops (via projections)."
Interestingly, the Kiss of the Spider Woman page has "semi-staged" instead of "fully-staged" in that same description of Broadway Center Stage productions.
RunnyBabbit
Stand-by Joined: 2/3/20
#272SUNSET BOULEVARD at the Kennedy Center
Posted: 2/7/23 at 1:25am
R. GreenFinch said: "Caught this over the weekend, and I'm sorry to say it didn't work for me. The performances were outstanding, but the direction was really a miss.
Making Norma's breakdown more relaxed and realistic would work if they were in a different story, but they weren't. Joe's relationship with Norma seemed more consensual than I've ever seen in a way that didn't emphasize how they were USING each other... and made it hard to understand why he wanted to be with Betty. Norma's last scene didn't feel earned. The scene during the entracte where Norma and Joe were fooling around almost made me laugh, it felt like it missed the point so much.
I also have never seen a professional production where the conductor ignored the vocalists so much. It really seemed like he wasn't paying attention to them at all.
Again, the performances were brilliant (SJB and Derek Klena were excellent and well worth the ticket just to hear them perform this music). I just think they were guided by a director who was trying to make the show something it isn't. I'm all for new interpretations, but this just wanted to be a different show."
I agree with you. I saw it tonight with a friend who had never seen the show before and we both felt like there was no real descent into madness. It was sorta all too sudden at the end. The voices of the leads were excellent, and I would love to hear SJB sing just the songs. I also thought the chorus was delightful
I listened to the whole cast recording with Glenn Close on the way home (drove back to Philly, long ride) and you can hear the breakdown developing throughout the album. I wish we had more of that.
I would say the production as a whole fits into the middle/average of these Kennedy Center productions. It wasn’t on the level of Music Man or Guys & Dolls, but it was no Footloose (and I say that as one of the probably 5 people who actually likes the Footloose musical).
#273SUNSET BOULEVARD at the Kennedy Center
Posted: 2/7/23 at 4:07am
RunnyBabbit said: "I listened to the whole cast recording with Glenn Close on the way home (drove back to Philly, long ride) and you can hear the breakdown developing throughout the album."
Even though Glenn isn’t the best sung Norma it’s still an incredible album. It’s nearly the entire show so you can listen like a radio play, and Glenn’s performance is such that it’s easy to imagine exactly what she must have been doing on stage even without the visuals. I also enjoy the Canadian cast recording with Diahann Carroll and Rex Smith but unfortunately it’s only highlights.
DCNY
Swing Joined: 1/16/20
#274SUNSET BOULEVARD at the Kennedy Center
Posted: 2/7/23 at 1:07pm
Fair points about the descent into madness feeling a bit to relaxed and then unearned at the end. Especially since this is my first seeing any version of this show, to me that's just how the show is. Other posts suggest things could be played/directed in a way where Norma is more mad to begin with. I'll have to wrap my head around that, because I saw and bought SJB's Norma that she was a lot eccentric and out of touch, but not out of her mind.
Not about the production but about the book: I wondered why Max wouldn't try to take the fall for her? But even if he wanted to, he couldn't live without Norma. So in line with people's comments about this direction of the ending not being realistic in the descant to madness, one could imagine that Norma is indeed of sound mind at the end and worked with Max to put on an act! I guess that's not the play, and wouldn't comport with SJB's interview saying if this were a different time, things would have been different for Norma because she could have benefitted from mental healthcare. I think it's just a melodramatic ending. Maybe not so realistic, but a great last scene.
RunnyBabbit said: "R. GreenFinch said: "Caught this over the weekend, and I'm sorry to say it didn't work for me. The performances were outstanding, but the direction was really a miss.
Making Norma's breakdown more relaxed and realistic would work if they were in a different story, but they weren't.
I agree with you. I saw it tonight with a friend who had never seen the show before and we both felt like there was no real descent into madness. It was sorta all too sudden at the end.
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