Posted: 11/21/24 at 7:52pm
Jordan Catalano said: "Will the full frontal nudity be in the first act? Second act? BOTH acts? So many questions about to be answered."
It's in BOTH acts. The merkin budget was HUGE.
Posted: 11/21/24 at 8:15pm
Posted: 11/21/24 at 8:17pm
Robbie2 said: ""
Posted: 11/21/24 at 8:17pm
edit: see above
Updated On: 11/21/24 at 08:17 PM
Posted: 11/21/24 at 8:20pm
Robbie2 said: "Robbie2 said: """
Love that second picture -- I have a feeling it's going to become one of those iconic Broadway photos.
Posted: 11/21/24 at 8:26pm
TheatreMonkey said: "Love that second picture -- I have a feeling it's going to become one of those iconic Broadway photos."
Giving me strong vibes of a traditional Norma Desmond as well.
Posted: 11/21/24 at 8:34pm
Robbie2 said: ""
I have to wonder - are the marquees backwards intentionally or is the image flipped…?
Posted: 11/21/24 at 9:07pm
Pause in the show…
First impression, very reminiscent of the Mendes Gypsy.
Posted: 11/21/24 at 9:20pm
Play Esq. said: "Pause in the show…
First impression, very reminiscent of the Mendes Gypsy."
Uh oh...
Posted: 11/21/24 at 9:33pm
Play Esq. said: "Pause in the show…
First impression, very reminiscent of the Mendes Gypsy."
ewww
Posted: 11/21/24 at 9:36pm
As I grow older, Bernadette has become my favorite Rose, so this news is not upsetting to me lol. I like the Mendes Gypsy! It's hard to screw up Gypsy, I think. You'd have to have a tone deaf Rose which this production obviously doesn't have.
Updated On: 11/21/24 at 09:36 PM
Posted: 11/21/24 at 9:46pm
I loved the Mendes - Peters iteration. I felt it was the closest to Hovick. Not required but a gritty prism on that era of the business and its realities: less fable, more verisimilitude.
Posted: 11/21/24 at 9:50pm
House lights on for most of the overture was a choice. The audience talked throughout.
Her characterization is really great, but her classical signing doesn’t always match her character. She got it right for “Roses” though.
Sets are mostly cheap looking, not unlike the 08 revival.
Lots of new dance arrangements. A new intro to Small World I’ve never heard before.
They used the dance break for You’ll Never Get Away From Me, I believe from the Lansbury revival. It wasn’t needed.
Mr. Kringaline has returned, but they cut the “faux rape” moment.
Jordan Tyson is a standout with a completely over the top June.
Updated On: 11/21/24 at 09:50 PM
Posted: 11/21/24 at 9:53pm
Show started about 10 minutes late and we hit intermission around 9:43. One show stop (handled incredibly by Mylinda Hull, at least I think that’s her - I’m not sure on the character’s name. Her improv out of the stop and back into the show was hilarious).
Will report with thoughts later tonight.
Posted: 11/21/24 at 9:55pm
Intermission now. First preview glitches and qualms aside, I have to say I'm not too impressed. Baby June is a star, so far she's the highlight for me. The choreo is great, there have been some funny moments, but overall it's a bit flat for me. There's no denying Audra's talent, but I don't think the role does her voice many favors. That could come down to preference, of course; I prefer a ballsy belter singing these songs. Hopefully act two will leave more of an impression.
Posted: 11/21/24 at 9:57pm
End of act 1.
A very different Rose than Betty Buckely's steely and intimadating characterization at Paper Mill playhouse, Bernadette's sexy and vulnerable Rose, and Patti's bulldozer of a performance. Audra is a very human, determined, driven Rose with layers of hurt that no doubt will be unmined as previews progress.
Posted: 11/21/24 at 9:58pm
Intermission now’. Sorry but this is terrible. Rose is now a kind southern woman with a church soprano. Direction and design are horrible. This is not it.
Posted: 11/21/24 at 10:02pm
Intermission. This is stunning. She’s stupendous. Monstrous and charming and ethereal. The singing is great. The staging is VERY good, very well thought out. . There was a perfectly timed hold for set change issues just after Miss Cratchit came out and said “they’re having a problem with their scenery.” Melinda Hull handled it beautifully and got two big laughs out of it.
Posted: 11/21/24 at 10:02pm
In short, she has not found the part. I question whether she can, but she has a month so here’s hoping.
I wrote that at intermission but mean it more now that it’s over.
Updated On: 11/21/24 at 10:02 PM
Posted: 11/21/24 at 10:06pm
QueenAlice said: "Intermission now’. Sorry but this is terrible. Rose is now a kind southern woman with a church soprano. Direction and design are horrible. This is not it."
Go back to the St. James then. THAT is it! #MAGAnificent
Posted: 11/21/24 at 10:06pm
Pitfall, always: playing Rose too elegant. She’s a street fighter with grease paint for blood. She is a visceral creature, a performative lioness but also a coyote: she survives by desperation and thievery. If she’s too polished, she’s too self aware. Is any of that the issue here?
Posted: 11/21/24 at 10:07pm
Her overall characterization isn’t too polished, but the singing mostly is, and that’s the struggle so far.
Posted: 11/21/24 at 10:13pm
Long intermission. But this is stunning. Can not believe this is only the first performance. Such a talented cast, Direction and choreography are outstanding!! Orchestra is lush and full!!!
