Gigi Pre-Broadway Reviews
#3
Posted: 1/29/15 at 10:24pm
A favorable review but just barely IMO.The reviewer seemed to want to like it more but could not.
It will need much better to survive on Broadway.
We shall see.
It will need much better to survive on Broadway.
We shall see.
Poster Emeritus
#4
Posted: 1/29/15 at 10:44pm
^ so true...only review so far we'll see but nothing special!
---But the production, which had its official opening Thursday night, is also a reminder that “Gigi” is not a great musical, nothing really special.
Hudgens brandishes only one tool, an unsuppressed giggle, for most of Act 1;
The visual splendor of director Vincente Minnelli’s movie is ably reflected in set designer Derek McLane’s glorious iron-lattice architectural exteriors and warmly draped interiors.
And Loewe’s melodies swell grandly under the music direction of James Moore and a 13-member orchestra.
Schaeffer’s vision here is a suitably warm one, too. I suspect that fans of the movie will again find moments to ooh and aah, even if “Gigi” will make only the exceptionally devoted go “ooh la la.”
---But the production, which had its official opening Thursday night, is also a reminder that “Gigi” is not a great musical, nothing really special.
Hudgens brandishes only one tool, an unsuppressed giggle, for most of Act 1;
The visual splendor of director Vincente Minnelli’s movie is ably reflected in set designer Derek McLane’s glorious iron-lattice architectural exteriors and warmly draped interiors.
And Loewe’s melodies swell grandly under the music direction of James Moore and a 13-member orchestra.
Schaeffer’s vision here is a suitably warm one, too. I suspect that fans of the movie will again find moments to ooh and aah, even if “Gigi” will make only the exceptionally devoted go “ooh la la.”
"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new."
Sunday in the Park with George
#5
Posted: 1/29/15 at 10:46pm
The set looks nice, but does't look as good as THE VISIT's. 
#6
Posted: 1/29/15 at 10:49pm
I saw the first stage version . At least they did not screw around changing the songs sung by the right characters. In addition, they had Alfred Drake.It was true to the film and not the mish mash this appears to be.
Poster Emeritus
#7
Posted: 1/29/15 at 10:57pm
Folks, that's at best a mixed review, and not even close to a money review. It fascinates me how these sentences could be spun in any other way:
"But the production, which had its official opening Thursday night, is also a reminder that “Gigi” is not a great musical, nothing really special. It’s forever very okay — no matter how much the song assignments and gender politics are fiddled with. Its status as a lesser “My Fair Lady” has been remarked on, accurately, many times before."
And:
"...The love story at its core, between the gamine Gigi (now 18 rather than 16) and the musical’s younger rake Gaston (originally in his mid-30s and now in Corey Cott’s personification in his mid-20s) lacks the dynamism required for an evening’s full propulsion. The plot essentially revolves around Gaston’s very slow realization that his feelings for the blossoming Gigi run deep and, under her beguiling, unwitting tutelage, sees her ultimately not as a prize but as a partner. Neither original book writer Lerner nor adapter Thomas finds a satisfying way of making this feel like an epic match; the musical relies too much on our reflexive wish for a happy ending and too little on why our hope should be that Gigi ends up with this rich guy."
And:
"Hudgens brandishes only one tool, an unsuppressed giggle, for most of Act 1; cuteness, alas, is pretty much all the first 75 minutes of the show ask of her."
And:
"A less successful alteration has been made to the lovely “I’m Glad I’m Not Young Anymore,” performed as a solo by Chevalier to bittersweet perfection. Here, it’s turned into a broader, comic duet for McGillin and Clark, and it’s all wrong in conception and movement — it comes across as an unintended knockoff of Harvey Fierstein and Dick Latessa dancing “Timeless to Me” in “Hairspray.”
And finally:
"I suspect that fans of the movie will again find moments to ooh and aah, even if “Gigi” will make only the exceptionally devoted go “ooh la la.”
"But the production, which had its official opening Thursday night, is also a reminder that “Gigi” is not a great musical, nothing really special. It’s forever very okay — no matter how much the song assignments and gender politics are fiddled with. Its status as a lesser “My Fair Lady” has been remarked on, accurately, many times before."
And:
"...The love story at its core, between the gamine Gigi (now 18 rather than 16) and the musical’s younger rake Gaston (originally in his mid-30s and now in Corey Cott’s personification in his mid-20s) lacks the dynamism required for an evening’s full propulsion. The plot essentially revolves around Gaston’s very slow realization that his feelings for the blossoming Gigi run deep and, under her beguiling, unwitting tutelage, sees her ultimately not as a prize but as a partner. Neither original book writer Lerner nor adapter Thomas finds a satisfying way of making this feel like an epic match; the musical relies too much on our reflexive wish for a happy ending and too little on why our hope should be that Gigi ends up with this rich guy."
And:
"Hudgens brandishes only one tool, an unsuppressed giggle, for most of Act 1; cuteness, alas, is pretty much all the first 75 minutes of the show ask of her."
And:
"A less successful alteration has been made to the lovely “I’m Glad I’m Not Young Anymore,” performed as a solo by Chevalier to bittersweet perfection. Here, it’s turned into a broader, comic duet for McGillin and Clark, and it’s all wrong in conception and movement — it comes across as an unintended knockoff of Harvey Fierstein and Dick Latessa dancing “Timeless to Me” in “Hairspray.”
And finally:
"I suspect that fans of the movie will again find moments to ooh and aah, even if “Gigi” will make only the exceptionally devoted go “ooh la la.”
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling
Updated On: 1/29/15 at 10:57 PM
#8
Posted: 1/29/15 at 10:59pm
I'm not seeing anyone claiming it was otherwise.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
#9
Posted: 1/29/15 at 11:04pm
My comments are anticipatory. But why the bristling?
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling
#10
Posted: 1/29/15 at 11:08pm
They have to hope she can sell a ton of tickets. I do not think that will happen
The original stage version also had Agnes Morehead and Daniel Massey.
I was being kind 're favorable. Maybe the reviewer was in a good mood when he wrote it.
The original stage version also had Agnes Morehead and Daniel Massey.
I was being kind 're favorable. Maybe the reviewer was in a good mood when he wrote it.
Poster Emeritus
#11
Posted: 1/29/15 at 11:40pm
okay and that was ONE review
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#12
Posted: 1/29/15 at 11:44pm
Do not think it will get much better.
Poster Emeritus
#13
Posted: 1/29/15 at 11:46pm
whats your reasoning? Based on ONE review...
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#15
Posted: 1/30/15 at 1:01am
You can read all the Gigi reviews in 'Other Reviews' on DCMetroTheaterArts. I'll be updating them as they come in.
All the GIGI reviews in Other Reviews on DCMTA
All the GIGI reviews in Other Reviews on DCMTA
#16
Posted: 1/30/15 at 9:14am
ljay, not sure what The Visit has to do with this thread. We know you like The Visit. Move on.
#17
Posted: 1/30/15 at 10:16am
That Variety revview is not much of a review. It didn't really have anything negative to say - but I didn't get a sense of "WOW. You must see this".
#18
Posted: 1/30/15 at 10:22am
It needs a lot of wows. I think it will get respectable reviews. Unfortunately,respectable reviews will not sell a ton of seats.
Poster Emeritus
#19
Posted: 1/30/15 at 11:46am
ljay, not sure what The Visit has to do with this thread. We know you like The Visit. Move on.
I can discuss whatever I feel like, wherever I want. There's nothing wrong with comparing two highly praised set designs that will be competing together in the same season.
I can discuss whatever I feel like, wherever I want. There's nothing wrong with comparing two highly praised set designs that will be competing together in the same season.
Updated On: 1/30/15 at 11:46 AM
#20
Posted: 1/30/15 at 11:51am
Pitting the chance of one show against another seems fair on a board devoted to same. Personally, I'm fascinated that Spring of 2015 on Broadway in part looks like this: "On the Town," "An American in Paris," and "Gigi." Buh-Bye a lot of new work, hello days gone by. No pejoratives attached, just an observation.
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling
#21
Posted: 1/30/15 at 12:06pm
New musicals this season:
The Last Ship
Fun Home
Honeymoon in Vegas
Something Rotten
The Visit
Finding Neverland
It Should Have Been You
Dr. Zhivago
Holler If You Hear Me
Also not looking to argue, just pointing out that this season doesn't seem as old-fashioned to me.
The Last Ship
Fun Home
Honeymoon in Vegas
Something Rotten
The Visit
Finding Neverland
It Should Have Been You
Dr. Zhivago
Holler If You Hear Me
Also not looking to argue, just pointing out that this season doesn't seem as old-fashioned to me.
....but the world goes 'round
Updated On: 1/30/15 at 12:06 PM
#22
Posted: 1/30/15 at 12:29pm
Many more shows will go. Generally favorable reviews not helping HIV. This will be gone along with many more. There are a glut of new shows coming in and most will fold quickly sad to say.People are, for the most part, not buying what Broadway is selling. Overpraised shows keep running while good new shows keep closing. Hopefully The Visit will not suffer the same fate as The Scottsboro Boys. People are being asked to pay ridiculous amounts for tickets so they will go with what they like and not take a chance on off beat shows or what they are not familiar with.
Poster Emeritus
Updated On: 1/30/15 at 12:29 PM
#23
Posted: 1/30/15 at 12:41pm
Generally favorable reviews not helping HIV
Oy
Oy
....but the world goes 'round
#24
Posted: 1/30/15 at 12:43pm
What's he talking about? HIV has been panned for 30 years.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
#25
Posted: 1/30/15 at 1:11pm
You remembered Holler if Ya Hear Me but you forgot The Last Ship?
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