Godspell - First Preview Tonight- Page 10

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 10/19/11 at 2:27pm

PUPPETS!!!!!!!!

[LW2]

Posted: 10/19/11 at 2:44pm

This post started life as a private message to HeyMrMusic, but the more I wrote, I felt a need to just post it here.

I am a huge fan of Godspell, have seen umpteen productions and played Jesus twice and am in general just nuts for the show. I saw it last night expecting a train wreck based on these boards and had a blast as well. Sure, there were some things that I didnt like or felt didnt work (Shake Weights was back in), some things were hokey and silly, but that IS Godspell, no? Honest to God, my biggest complaint is that the band was far too loud in far too many places so that I had a real hard time hearing that incredible cast (Save the People, Day by Day, Bless the Lord, We Beseech Thee)...so if you are a shill for Davenport, pass that word along :) just kidding. The cast are working their asses off and having a blast, the lighting is beautiful, the set is simple and effective, the trampolines were fun as hell, the voices are spectacular and there is no out of the ordinary or unnecessary riffing or American Idol-ing going on...what is to complain about? Its a fun night in the theater that packs an emotional punch at the end, and throughout. Is it worth full price? No, I dont think so, but what is, really? Follies, maybe. (Which I also saw 3 times, with discounts, and loved beyone belief) MAYBE. But Godspell doesnt profess to be Follies or anything else.

For the posts about the lack of heart in the show...I can possibly agree to that to a degree. I think alot of the heart in the show comes from the actor playing Jesus and believe it or not, it's a tough tough role. The entire show to a large degree rests on this actor, and Hunter Parrish, while doing a very good job generally and singing beautifully, needs to grow a little more in the role, dig in a little deeper, but I am confident that he will. Once his performance clicks, the show will click.

This particular production may not be everyone's cup of tea, but what show is everyone's cup of tea? Every production of this show I've ever seen, in professional settings, colleges, community theater, churches, has been DRASTICALLY different from the one before. That's the beauty (and maybe the curse) of Godspell, that it is so WILDLY open to interpretation that. In productions that I've done, people left the theater sobbing because they were so moved, and people left at intermission, and we saw the same faces at many multiple performances.

If you experience this production with an open mind and open heart, you might be pleasantly surprised. I know I was.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 10/19/11 at 3:37pm

Thank you, LW2. Very level-headed and honest response.

Nowhere in my posts here did I say this was a perfect production or that it deserves the Tony (hello, Follies anyone?), but I tried to make the point (perhaps unsuccessfully) that this is not a train wreck of a production. I was scared that I would dislike it going in based on the posts of the first preview, for it's easy to be influenced by the opinions of others, but I couldn't help but have a good time. I'm sorry if that has offended anyone.

Carry on, everyone. Continue to bully if you wish. After all, tomorrow is Spirit/Wear-Purple Day, so get it in while you can.

And come on, Women on the Verge deserved at least a couple of those Tonys, right?

[Princeton78]

Posted: 10/20/11 at 7:06am

Any opinions on seating, or are they pretty good at playing to all parts of the theatre?

[kdogg36]

Posted: 10/20/11 at 9:48am

newintown: You can't ask someone to give you their cash and keep their mouth shut about it; that's the definition of a mugging.

I don't think this is true. If you replaced "ask" with "demand," it would be true, but no producer ever demands that you buy a ticket to a show. Hypothetically, if the producers of a show in previews made it clear that, as a condition of buying the ticket, you agree not to say anything about it, this would be perfectly legitimate, and certainly nothing a mugging. You'd be able to say "yes" or "no" to the offer, which you typically cannot do when dealing with a mugger.

Of course, producers don't make such stipulations, which I think is a good thing, and which is why it's great to share your thoughts here, positive and negative.

[newintown]

Posted: 10/20/11 at 10:00am

I think, kdogg, that you're playing an obfuscatory semantic game. Whether I used the word "ask" or "demand" is moot; if you want to see the show, you need to buy a ticket (unless you're comped, and that's a different discussion).

The point remains the same - no artist can display their art and demand that the response be only positive, even if they state the work is unfinished; they can ask that; but they would be a fool to think that everyone will comply with such a selfish and naive request.

As soon as you display your work to the public, they're free to express any opinion they like about it.

It's a simple concept.

[kdogg36]

Posted: 10/20/11 at 2:51pm

You're right that they'd be a fool to expect people to comply with such a request, which is probably why they never make it! But can we agree that nothing about any of this closely resembles a mugging? :)

It's my fault we've veered off topic. You can have the last word if you like. I'm seeing Godspell on Nov. 5 and I'll be sure to write something more pertinent on the thread after that.

[WickedOne2]

Posted: 10/20/11 at 4:24pm

For anyone who has seen the show, which is better: seats in 401 Row A or 228 Row D? Thanks

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/20/11 at 8:23pm

I saw it last night. And really disliked it. I felt like it was the poor-man's attempt at recreating the magic of Diane Paulus' production of HAIR. The prologue was interesting, as was "God Save The People." The only other songs that stuck out to me were "Bless the Lord" & "We Beseech Thee." Hunter Parrish is okay, even if he's playing the role the same way he played Melchior. His "Alas For You" was beyond horrible though. His voice is just not strong. The direction is a mess, the concept is dumb and plodding, and not much in this production works. Parts of it are actually embarrassing to watch.
Updated On: 10/20/11 at 08:23 PM

[kyle4]

Posted: 10/20/11 at 9:02pm

Parts of it are actually embarrassing to watch.

yes, WICKY....

it REALLY exercises your CRINGE muscles.... it is uncomfortable to CRINGE that long... and that often !

i mention the CRINGE FACTOR in my blog post about it....

http://thetheaterbuff.typepad.com/the-theater-buff/

[krispy kreme]

Posted: 10/20/11 at 10:51pm

Yes, we know. We have all read your blog post. The link is repeated throughout this thread. Enough self-promotion....okaythanks.

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 10/21/11 at 2:42am

It's a free country. If the man's going to shill his blog repeatedly, at least he's honest about it. Leave off.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 10/21/11 at 2:47am

I gotta give this one to kyle4... that review was extremely entertaining.

[jj8807]

Posted: 10/21/11 at 4:47am

How dare you all. This production is still in previews and some of you are already pouncing on it like savage beasts. Do you get any enjoyment out of the actual experience of theatre itself or do you prefer to criticize and pull apart every bit of art that comes your way? Art is imperfect. That is what makes it so beautiful and special and that is supposedly why all of you love theatre and take the time to be members of this theatre-related board. However, for some of you it seems theatre is an opportunity to express the bitterness that you carry within yourself throughout your everyday life. Stop being so ridiculously miserable and learn to enjoy the very art form you supposedly love. Enjoy and love every imperfection and perfection for that is what makes art truly beautiful.

[chewy5000]

Posted: 10/21/11 at 5:14am

shill

[binau]

Posted: 10/21/11 at 5:23am

I'm very sorry jj8807 that you may be out of a job soon.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/21/11 at 8:21am

JJ -- are you saying JUST because the show exists, the audience must find something about it to love? Ridiculous. Nothing is above criticism. I might not always agree with the opinions here, but I do respect their right to voice their opinion.

Often we are tough on things BECAUSE we love the art so much -- and we expect a lot. To just love it because it IS, makes no sense. Do some people come to a show with preconcieved notions? Sure...but just as many are determined to love something without seeing it as dislike it.

I plan on seeing Godspell in just over a week, I have a soft spot in my heart for the show. But you can be sure that I'll voice my OPINION of it here -- regardless of whether or not I like it.

My favorite instance in being to beleive the integrity of most of the posters here is when Corbin Bleu was announced as a replacement for In the Heights. People lambasted the choice and naysayed the casting. THEN, lots of people went to see him and they changed their minds -- based on what they saw. Additionally, MANY posters here return to a show later in its run to see if things have improved -- and they will openly tell us if they have.

If you don't like what people have to say -- good AND bad -- then discussion boards are not some place you should visit.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 10/21/11 at 8:49am

Did he really just call us savage beasts? ... ROAR

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 10/21/11 at 8:57am

Tell Mr. Hasija the offer's still on the table, JJ. But then he wouldn't recognize a life raft from his elbow.

[newintown]

Posted: 10/21/11 at 9:51am

jj8807, in the words of the immortal Fran Weissler, "all due respect, but you're an idiot."

[junkyard]

Posted: 10/21/11 at 11:08am

same repetitive posts by the same people over and over and over and over......why don't you guys go bowling or try some other type of activity just for a change, instead of jamming this board with your personal brand of hatred. However, on the other hand, If you find this hateful venting is helpful in dealing with everyday life, then keep it up.

[junkyard]

Posted: 10/21/11 at 11:08am

same repetitive posts by the same people over and over and over and over......why don't you guys go bowling or try some other type of activity just for a change, instead of jamming this board with your personal brand of hatred. However, on the other hand, If you find this hateful venting is helpful in dealing with everyday life, then keep it up.

[newintown]

Posted: 10/21/11 at 11:14am

"Irony:" junkyard posting the same message about "repetitive posts" twice.

[hyperbole_and_a_half]

Posted: 10/21/11 at 11:20am

You hear that, everybody? Criticism of Godspell is the hateful venting of bitter misanthropes, but criticism of criticism of Godspell is the behavior of a normal, well-adjusted person who offers armchair counselling out of the pure goodness of his heart.

[blaxx]

Posted: 10/21/11 at 6:17pm

However, for some of you it seems theatre is an opportunity to express the bitterness that you carry within yourself throughout your everyday life.

You're right, I still carry bitterness within myself from watching BKLYN The Musical throughout my everyday life!