Girl From The North Country - Broadway Previews — Page 4

Saw this earlier this week, I entered the lottery on a whim and won on my first try. The seat was right orchestra, last row the farthest seat out, definitely partial view, but not terrible like some other lottery seats.

I didn’t know anything about the show other than Bob Dylan, and I’m don’t know much of Dylan’s catalog either. I found myself captivated by the performances, but I didn’t really connect that much with it, with the exception of the end where I did get a bit emotional.

I can see why someone would compare to the band’s visit, in the sense that it’s a slice of life kinda thing, but they are very different shows. So anyone thinking they will be similar will be severely disappointed. The Band’s Visit had a lightness to it that just doesn’t exist in GFTNC, which is understandable given the story they are telling. Even the few humorous parts in GFTNC have a bit of sadness attached to it because of the situation the characters find themselves in.

If anything I would compare GFTNC to Jagged Little Pill, where both shows are a family drama and we follow these characters for a small period of time. Funny enough both shows are about a white mom and dad, white son and adopted black daughter. But unlike JLP, I didn’t find myself bored by GFTNC.

I didn’t leave the theater thinking GFTNC was an amazing musical, but the more I think about it, the more I appreciate it. I’ve had a couple of songs stuck in my head, so I’ve been listening to the London cast recording and I’m hoping the broadway cast gets an album as well.

I found this as bleak and depressing as a day in February. It was just too rough for me.

had a hard time staying awake for this.

beautifully sung, well performed, great band. but what the hell story is this? It really is a Play With Music but the play is underwritten, and the beautiful music is barely connected to that story- yes, I see the relationship between the songs and the plot here and there, but why should that be a challenge to the audience?

Mare Winningham is as good as people say- her voice is powerful and unrefined, and she really leans into the lunacy of the role. but i found the humor to be cruel, since we are meant to switch to pity her on a dime. I also loved Austin Scott, who has the showiest and most moving role just given the incredible songs he gets to sing, despite playing yet another character with zero depth or interest. Kudisch and Luba Mason are both wildly underused given their incredible talent, but they have their moments. Jeanette Bayardelle has one of the most powerful voices I have heard on stage (see if you can find her singing Seasons of Love) so I enjoyed hearing it tonight, even though I dont think she was given music worthy of her gift.

the comparisons here to The Bands Visit boggle my mind. Yazbeck's music moves the plot, the play is funny and full of characters you want more and more of. This is missing all of that. Snooze.

JDonaghy4 said: "had a hard time staying awake for this.

beautifully sung, well performed, great band. but what the hell story is this? It really is a Play With Music but the play is underwritten, and the beautiful music is barely connected to that story- yes, I see the relationship between the songs and the plot here and there, but why should that be a challenge to the audience?

Mare Winningham is as good as people say- her voice is powerful and unrefined, and she really leans into the lunacy of the role. but i found the humor to be cruel, since we are meant to switch to pity her on a dime. I also loved Austin Scott, who has the showiest and most moving role just given the incredible songs he gets to sing, despite playing yet another character with zero depth or interest. Kudisch and Luba Mason are both wildly underused given their incredible talent, but they have their moments. Jeanette Bayardelle has one of the most powerful voices I have heard on stage (see if you can find her singing Seasons of Love) so I enjoyed hearing it tonight, even though I dont think she was given music worthy of her gift.

the comparisons here to The Bands Visit boggle my mind. Yazbeck's music moves the plot, the play is funny and full of characters you want more and more of. This is missing all of that. Snooze."

^^^This is so spot on. This was the first show that I left at intermission. Was Act II better than Act I? This had no story. I came to see Austin Scott, but this was absolutely painful to watch. I went to wed matinee, and wished I had stayed at work.

100% agree with it feeling like a poor Ferryman rip-off. I left the theater telling my mom I kept getting reminded of The Ferryman which led me to wish I was watching that play instead. A huge part of it is the ending of GFTNC focuses on a family that we barely got any sense of over the almost three hour play we watched. What made the Ferryman so successful and emotionally rewarding, at least for me, is seeing how close knit the family was. None of the relationships in GFTNC felt real.

Also, did anyone else think Colton Ryan's performance felt a little off? I thought his voice sounded amazing (that arrangement of I Want You is chilling) and he had some funny lines, but I thought a lot of his line deliveries were flat and repetitive. I know he's supposed to be the alcoholic, but it honestly felt less drunk and more petulant teenager.

Also, did anyone else think Colton Ryan's performance felt a little off? I thought his voice sounded amazing (that arrangement of I Want You is chilling) and he had some funny lines, but I thought a lot of his line deliveries were flat and repetitive. I know he's supposed to be the alcoholic, but it honestly felt less drunk and more petulant teenager."

Colton Ryan was for sure one of the weakest links acting wise with Marc Kudisch a close second. Idk, I can’t get on board with The Ferryman comparisons either. Ferryman had such a strong family dynamic which this show strives for but did not achieve. Also, the ending of Ferryman was just so intense and unexpected while I thought the ending of GFTNC was one of the weakest I have seen (beside from the Encore performance).

And fade to black

Updated On: 2/22/20 at 12:22 PM

Looks like I am going to be the sole voice of dissent in this thread... I absolutely LOVED this at The Public, and I think it is even better on Broadway. I think that this show is hauntingly beautiful and melancholic. I loved all of the performances, especially Mare Winningham as Elizabeth. The musical arrangements are absolutely stunning (and I am not even a Bob Dylan fan!). All in all, I just really love this show.

bway phreak, I'm with you. I loved this show and would see it again in a second. That I have a friend in it has nothing to do with my opinion. First of all, the show created an atmosphere, a mood, which drew me into it from the beginning. My criteria for good art is that I'm drawn into it, away from the real world. I felt part of the group of characters on stage. The casual way everyone seemed at home there was beautiful. Mare Winningham!! Who knew she could sing like that? She was a strong standout here. and the music was just gorgeous. I can't wait til they record it. I see myself playing it all the time.

Miles2Go2 said: "Saw this tonight. Not much to add. Bob Dylan’s music has never been sung better. Great performances. Good if muddled script. Unfortunately songs often have little relevance to the script. I still got a little misty at the end. Still glad I went. Looking forward to hopefully OBCR.

No window card yet. Just bought magnet. Most of cast except Mare Winningham stage doored."

Thanks for the merch update. I collect magnets so I am a happy camper! Will grab one when I see it.

Impossible2 said: "djoko84 said: "I think I had the same issues with the show as everyone else. The music and singing were amazing, but the book was terrible. I found it very confusing and hard to follow. They needed to change the book before coming to Broadway."

I just don't get how anyone, who is paying attention, could not follow the story.

Also, an aside. A phone went off last night.The couple in front of me decided to start talking part way through act I and I had to shush them. The woman decided later that she wanted to check her texts. She didn't I leaned in behind her and said "Would you please turn that off".

Updated On: 2/26/20 at 10:23 AM

Esther2 said: "uncageg said: "Saw it last night (Tuesday) and loved it.

The story sucked me right in. Beautifully acted, directed and sung. Mare Winningham was outstanding. I did not read my Playbill beforehand so I didn't realize it was Marc Kudish until the beginning of the second act! That scene at the party took my breath away. Was also nice to see, and hear, Jeanette Bayardelle. Also outstanding was Austin Scott. Gorgeous voice. (Gorgeous man!)

No, the songs don't all move the story along but I think they are meant to be internal thoughts. (At least that is what I interpreted). I was ok with that. If you thought "Jagged Little Pill" had a lot of story lines, this will make your head explode! But they were all easy to follow and some of how they may have ended were left up to us. There is one in particular that you know something about but is never "resolved" although it is, in a way.

It is slow moving but very absorbing. The staging and movement also kept me engaged. I do hope they do some sound adjusting. We were sitting row C house right seats 8 and 10 (Great seats) and those drums were a bit over powering. We lost a lot of lyrics in Act II.

I have already decided that if I have a chance, I will see this again. And yes, I had tears in my eyes at the end.

And got my magnet."



Thanks for this. This is exactly how I felt about the show (including the drum being too loud - we were sitting in row F on the center aisle, house right), I'm just too awful a writer to coherentlyexpress my thoughts, so thanks for doing it for me. This is a wonderful show."

I forgot to add that we were in the Mezz. I was wondering if they were also loud downstairs on the right side. Seems they were. I hope they fix it.

Esther2 said: "uncageg said:

I forgot to add that we were in the Mezz. I was wondering if they were also loud downstairs on the right side. Seems they were. I hope they fix it."

We were in the orchestra, practically right in front of the drum kit. Loud... and, if I might add,not very imaginative drumming,"

My friend suggested they be moved back with the rest of the band. They looked cool there during the walk in but after the set pieces started moving in and out, they seemed a bit out of place.