Good Vibrations - A second look
Good Vibrations - A second look
#0Good Vibrations - A second look
Posted: 3/9/05 at 7:58amSaw the show in previews, and saw it again last night. MUCH better now. Tightened up, the singing was better, all-around it was a much better show than when my wife and I saw early in previews (I'm 49 and we both have enjoyed seeing the Beach Boys many times). I felt bad that only about 1/2 the orchestra was full, and nobody in the mezz (although weather was horrible and I'm sure a big factor). These kids really sing and work their butts off, and put on a very entertaining show, which I actually enjoyed seeing more the second time around! Go see it, especially with the discounts that are being offered! If you like Beach Boys music, they pack a lot in and present it with a lot of energy! Managed to take a beach ball home, and purchased a hat and a poster too! A fun evening!
#1re: Good Vibrations - A second look
Posted: 3/9/05 at 9:37am
I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. I saw it a week into previews and it was ok. If I was in the city and had unlimited funds I might see it again but I'd rather see shows that leave me wanting more. All I wanted was to meet Sebastian at the stage door but he didn't come out.
Something that bothered me about GV was the "finale";During intermission, I looked at the songlist for the second act and there was a medely for the finale. I thought that there would be this energetic dance sequence with the more upbeat songs from the show, but instead they did this awful karaoke mix. If they had ended with what I thought, it would've made the show better. End it on a high note, but the karaoke thing was embarrassing.
Another thing that bothers me is that orchestra seats for all shows are $100. With shows like Wicked, Hairspray, Producers, DRS, etc. you get what you paid for but it's not fair that GV and Brooklyn charge the same and they don't even come close. I know that they have bills to pay but most of the $$$ goes to the producers anyway.
Have I strayed from the topic?:)
If you have the cash, go see GV and knock yourself out!
"I'm the STAR!"--Daniel Reichard during Glory Daze sound check
#2re: Good Vibrations - A second look
Posted: 3/9/05 at 9:47am
They did chnage the ending now. It's now a medley of songs they did in the show, and it's MUCH better than the previous ending. A no more bare background either.
I paid $61.00 each for third row center orch seats for last night, plenty of discounts available.
Seeing Shockhead Peter Sunday night, All Shook Up on the 20th, and Spamalot on the 22nd.....
Tom1071
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/1/04
#3re: Good Vibrations - A second look
Posted: 3/9/05 at 9:53am
Much has changed since you saw it a week into previews, Betty. The curtain call is completely different. It's not karaoke anymore but rather a high energy reprise of Fun, Fun, Fun, Help Me Rhonda and Surfin' USA. The cast throws out about 20 beach balls and bounce them around with the audience. I don't know if will give you what you are after but it does end on a high note.
#4re: Good Vibrations - A second look
Posted: 3/9/05 at 12:33pm
At least they changed the ending but I don't know if I'd see it again.
Ken and Tom-You both have seen it twice, right? Do you see other shows or are you BB fans. If you have the cash to see GV multiple times, good for you. I'd love to everything twice or more because it can really change the way you feel about a show, but I don't think that GV has anything that makes people want to come back unless you are a BB fan.
The guy that sat next to me was a BB super-fan and he was bumping his elbow into me all evening long. He sang along-not quietly-with almost every song and was dancing in his seat. I hope that BB fans keep it running but it's certainly not for everyone.
If you MUST produce a jukebox musical, make it exciting with a good story. Make up for the fact that the music is being recycled. Nothing was added to GV to make it special. I don't think it's as bad as everyone says it is, but there are too many good musicals out there to go back to GV.
"I'm the STAR!"--Daniel Reichard during Glory Daze sound check
#5re: Good Vibrations - A second look
Posted: 3/9/05 at 12:53pm
I agree it's not for everyone, and even less enjoyable with someone that's irritating you through it.
My wife and I love going into the city for plays, off-off, off and on broadway when we can. We both work so it's more affordable for us, and I usually get discount tickets and prowl telecharge or ticketmaster for the best seats.
I also agree that if you saw something once, try to see other plays instaed if you can, there are so many good/bad/so-so ones out there to take a look at! We did want to give GV another chnace since we did enjoy it the firts time, but thought it could use "fixing" - wanted to see how it came out!
I'm currently looking forward to Spamalot on the 22nd, I think wife is looking forward to Naked Boys Singing on the 26th......
Tom1071
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/1/04
#6re: Good Vibrations - A second look
Posted: 3/9/05 at 1:15pmI see other shows. I am by no means a BB fan but I can appreciate the music and the talent of the performers on the stage.
#7re: Good Vibrations - A second look
Posted: 3/9/05 at 1:19pmThat's awesome that you and your wife go to theater alot. I live in upstate NY and it's a bitch to get to the city, especially since I don't drive, so going back to GV isn't on top of my list but everything deserves a look. I'm seeing DRS next Tuesday(my 3rd time)and am very excited about seeing any changes since opening. You're seeing Spamalot, I'm so jealous! Have a great time! My only hope is to camp out and try to get an SRO ticket. Damn those scalpers!
"I'm the STAR!"--Daniel Reichard during Glory Daze sound check
#8re: Good Vibrations - A second look
Posted: 3/9/05 at 1:33pm
We only live 15 min (with no traffic, 1 1/2 - 2 hrs with traffic) from NYC so we try to take advantage of that.
Wife and I saw DRS and loved it - saw it opening night of previews and it looked so good that it didn't look like it needed chnages! Going to see that one again in May. We seem to visit the Imperial a LOT! Saw Les Mis there 18 times in 15 years (or was it the other way around?), and saw Boy form Oz an astounding 28 times (Iknow, that's crazy) before it closed... Enjoy DRS again!
Also seeing Sweet Charity (April 4th) and Chitty on the 5th of April....
#9re: Good Vibrations - A second look
Posted: 3/9/05 at 1:43pm
Lucky you! I wish I had parents like you and your wife! Let me know how you like all those musicals.
"I'm the STAR!"--Daniel Reichard during Glory Daze sound check
#10re: Good Vibrations - A second look
Posted: 3/9/05 at 2:00pm
Will do!
Did you see Raul Esparza in "The Normal Heart"? Best off-broadway production that we have seen....
As for GV - I wish it well - the cast works very hard throughout the show, they definitely deserve an audience! And it is fun (we have seen LOTS of plays, butsome are great to go to just for the "fun" aspect - this was one! (So is DRS)
#11re: Good Vibrations - A second look
Posted: 3/9/05 at 3:38pm
I wish I had seen TNH, but I was waiting for it to transfer to Broadway. I was so disappointed when it closed because I had only heard positive things about it. I've yet to see Raul Esparza perform onstage but I have Tick, Tick, BOOM! and Rocky Horror to tie me over till Chitty Chitty Bang Bang starts previews.
I don't know how to describe GV. It's not funny or extremely fun, it is what it is. On the other hand, DRS is a musical comedy that delivers. It's outrageous and painfully funny. It's the first musical this season with a score that is as funny as it is catchy. GV can't be compared to DRS. GV could've been really good if there was more there. The music is good so they should've tried to match that with a good story. The whole production was rushed;They had a deadline to use the catalog or lose the rights on December 20th and that's the very day that previews began. It could've been alot better but they had no time.
I recently saw Mamma Mia! and I don't see why it's so popular. There isn't much there either. I was expecting it to be great because it's always sold-out but it was a let-down for me. I liked ABBA and actually bought ABBA gold when I was a tween, the music is the best part of the show. I just like original scores, if there has to be a jukebox musical, make it amazing.
"I'm the STAR!"--Daniel Reichard during Glory Daze sound check
Updated On: 3/9/05 at 03:38 PM
#12re: Good Vibrations - A second look
Posted: 3/9/05 at 3:44pmBut the most important part of the show: Is the giant plexiglass wave still on stage for all of act two, even in NYC?
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."
-Charlie Manson
Matt_G
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/1/04
#13re: Good Vibrations - A second look
Posted: 3/9/05 at 3:50pmWhen I saw the show two weeks ago it was still there, Munk. And THANK GOD because those NYC scenes make no sense without giant waves. I mean, how else would we know they were in New York?
"Noah, someday we'll talk again. But there's things we'll never say. That sorrow deep inside you. It inside me, too. And it never go away. You be okay. You'll learn how to lose things..."
#14re: Good Vibrations - A second look
Posted: 3/9/05 at 4:34pmYes - the giant waves remain, even in New York.
#16re: Good Vibrations - A second look
Posted: 3/10/05 at 7:45amDidn't suck at all - I've been humming Beach Boys tunes all morning!
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