Grease First Preview Tonight- Page 8

[jaystarr]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 12:41pm

I got 2 mails from Ticket Master today.....

This one is my ticket to Grease ... I wonder howcome they dont have an extra envelop inside like Telecharge?

See ya guys at the Brooks Atkinson on Sept. 16

I wonder what happen to my Young Frankenstein tixs ? I ordered it before this one?

J*


Updated On: 7/31/07 at 12:41 PM

[jexi]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 2:37pm

Anyone know if they are selling standing room during previews?
Thanks in advance! Updated On: 7/26/07 at 02:37 PM

[reichi]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 6:32pm

I saw the 2PM performance yesterday.

I arrived early and the theater was comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. The air conditioning had no issues and the ushers were nice. When the play started, the audience was into it from the get go. The audience was composed of all age groups and many fans of the reality show. It started out with a silhouetted flashback of Danny and Sandy making out on the beach. The intimacy of the theater was good and there were never any hearing issues. Every line of dialogue and song verse could be heard. The Grease band was upbeat and the director into her work. The sets were great and I saw no transitioning problems though some other audience members thought there were some minor transition glitches. To me, they set up the scenery pretty fast.

There is no issue with Max's physique. He is filled out enough and from the get go is the "Leader of the Pack." He talks with a "Zuko accent", trying to portray a tough guy. Laura does not get eaten for breakfast by the other cast members. Her portrayal of Sandy is sweet and innocent and spot on. Her voice is terrific and she conveys great emotion just before singing "Hopelessly Devoted." You feel for her in that very sad moment.

Doody and Sonny are played rather well and I like his guitar work. Jose is a good comedian and that is a strength in his character. Kenicke is good, and I wish he had a bigger role. Jenny is brilliant as Rizzo. She is glamorous and you can't take your eyes off her.

"Grease Lightning" is one of the best numbers and the guys really put a lot into their dancing.

I noticed David Ian in the back watching and interacting with the play goers.

"Born to Hand Jive" was choreographed very well. The dancing is fantastic.

In "You're the One That I Want", it is a little awkward. The rest of the cast basically watches Max and Laura peform, while they stand around. Personally, I never liked Sandy having to turn bad to win Danny over. I liked sweet "Sandra Dee" Sandy and how she made Danny not act so tough earlier. Danny Zuko is not a likable character because of the way he treats Sandy.

Max and Laura's talent is on display here and they put everything into this performance. They have what it takes to make it on Broadway. The entire cast is marvelous and that just makes the play work.

I don't want to hear about spacing on the last number. In the movie, they had an entire amusement park in which to dance around.

[reichi]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 6:54pm

"Austin would have been worse than Max, in my opinion. Max wasn't a disgrace...he held his own...but I just think someone else would have been better" - Without A Trace

Derek, Chad, Matt, and Kevin are all nice guys, but none of them would be able to play this role as well as Max.

[Zeitoujo]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 7:00pm

No SRO or RUSH at all for Grease.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 7:00pm

The dancing is fantastic.

You have GOT to be kidding me.

Thanks for joining today just to give us this completely biased, off the mark review.

[reichi]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 7:18pm

Glad to be here. Thanks for the warm welcome!

Your review was as negative as mine was postive. It's a value judgement to call either biased!

[Shawk]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 7:23pm

Being called a shill is like baptism on BWW! Welcome. :)

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 7:30pm

I don't think reviews matter all that much with this show. If any show were critic proof, I'd say this one is it.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 7:33pm

Funny. When I watch the movie I always think Sandy "Dee" is the hotter Sandy.

But Laura definitely makes Sandy "Gone Bad" the hotter version.

[chino]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 8:17pm

My God! Its the first preview and people are being harsh already.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 8:18pm

Sounds like Laura's going for an approach that's closer to what Jacobs and Casey were going for.

I still wonder whether the real Sandra Dee was the reason why they gave Sandy surname "Dumbrowski." Of course her persona was used, but did her name inspire the character's? Does that even make sense? It does in my head.

It's also amusing to note that all the gentlemen (except Troy Donahue) mentioned in "Look At Me..." were in that large celluloid closet.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 8:22pm

"My God! Its the first preview and people are being harsh already."

I'm sorry, I must have missed the rule saying people can't be harsh after a first preview.

[starzilla]

Posted: 7/27/07 at 12:54am

hmmmm, sounds like the jury is still out on this one, ha. Ya know I think it is good for Broadway. This show is really packing the crowd so far and helping us to extend our audience base beyond resident arts groupies. So what if they auditioned on a tv show. they still went through a rigorous audition that would have crushed most, and granted there are people out there with more talent, but quite frankly they didnt want the job. So Kudos to these bright eyed kids for putting themselves on the line and taking a chance in a national spotlight. I wish more homwtown folks would be supportive. i mean the casting is done. Kathleen Marshal knows how to work a show and get the best from her cast. I say let them live! Besides After seeing the show i do not think all negativity is warranted. It is a real audience pleaser, I doubt the critics will love it or they might because it does offer a fresh approach to the material.

What if you put on a show and nobody came? hmmmmm Company, Grey Gardens, Love Musik Critical favs all gone no audience. Hairspray, Mamma Mia, Wicked, Not all great reviews but still running on broadway. Disney however is another story. ha hmmmmmmm who really butters our bread? Maybe we all need to rethink what our on paradigms here.

out for now



Updated On: 7/28/07 at 12:54 AM

[jimnysf]

Posted: 7/27/07 at 1:08am

I'm sorry, I must have missed the rule saying people can't be harsh after a first preview.

Are they charging discounted prices for these dress rehearsals/previews? I think not. Thus, harshness is allowed if one feels they are not getting value for their money.

[yankees1253]

Posted: 7/27/07 at 1:29am

i saw it on thursday july 26th and i thought it was good but its was def disappoiting after seeing legally blonde.
max and laura were great,jenny powers def had the voice of rizzo,matt s didnt get me into knickie.
it was packed at the stagedoor.

i reccommend seeing legally blonde after seeing grease.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 7/27/07 at 8:18am

It is a real audience pleaser, I doubt the critics will love it or they might because it does offer a fresh approach to the material.

Fresh approach to the material? Can you please explain? NOTHING that I saw was fresh. It was a jumble of every middle school production of GREASE I've ever seen, only worse, cheaper looking, and more mundane.

What if you put on a show and nobody came? hmmmmm Company, Grey Gardens, Love Musik Critical favs all gone no audience. Hairspray, Mamma Mia, Wicked, Not all grat reviews but still running on broadway.

You clearly have no idea what you're talking about. LOVEMUSIK was not a critical favorite. Otherwise it would have received a nod for Best Musical.

HAIRSPRAY received flat out RAVES.

MAMMA MIA's reviews were surprisingly positive, mostly due to the historical period in time that it opened.

So your attempt at logic doesn't fly.

[violet72]

Posted: 7/27/07 at 5:38pm

"What if you put on a show and nobody came? hmmmmm Company, Grey Gardens, Love Musik Critical favs all gone no audience. Hairspray, Mamma Mia, Wicked, Not all grat reviews but still running on broadway."

The one reason those show are still running are tourist...when the go to NYC they want to see shows that they have heard of, like the movie musicals or famous revivals....most of them are not willing to spend money on shows they have never heard of. The shows that are popular are the ones with studio backing or many producers, so they have mounds of money to nationally advertise these shows so the people who don't live in the NYC area can see them and hear about them.

[starzilla]

Posted: 7/27/07 at 6:29pm

Welcome back to me I guess. I am glad I could light a small fire under this topic I guess. 1st post and then leave huh? Well, I may be here for the long haul. But we shall see. So Max and Laura are not your favs of the day, Well in the long scope of Broadway actors and actresses, I guess they do have some mighty shoes to fill. Are they at the apex of their careers. i highly doubt it. They are freshmen here on the great white way. And as such. leading a major musical production. I think they deserve a better reception than the self absorbed smug diatrabes that a few probably unemployed envious nth tier talents that are judging their work. Give me a break.

Broadway is supported by tourists. So to appeal to that strategic market how is that a negative thing?

I love lists. They never go out of style.

Those who can DO
Those who can't do Teach
Those who can't teach Criticize.

Pick your line!

Ohhh that felt good.

Now that I have all that off my chest. I can participate in conversation with this eclectric group.

Updated On: 7/28/07 at 06:29 PM

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/27/07 at 6:38pm

granted there are people out there with more talent, but quite frankly they didnt want the job. So Kudos to these bright eyed kids for putting themselves on the line and taking a chance in a national spotlight.

What? Who? Are you saying they couldn't find talented people willing to fill these roles and THAT is why the TV show happened?

Oh, and if you measure success by the money a show makes, then this show might be successful. If you measure success by artistic merit I don't think this one will even be on the chart.

[ohjohnny]

Posted: 7/27/07 at 6:39pm

Um, it's:

"Those who can't teach, teach gym." =)

[starzilla]

Posted: 7/27/07 at 6:44pm

Artistic versus sustained monetary success. hmmmm sure it is that rare find to get both. But in its absence it would sure be nice to emply people who are on the journey.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/27/07 at 6:46pm

"Those who can't do Teach"

I know MANY people here who will be out for your blood.

[starzilla]

Posted: 7/27/07 at 6:59pm

hey, Teaching is an art and a skill, It requires some of the same talents that a performer has and then some. That was not the point of the phrase, Teaching is a natural progression as you pass the craft on to others.

Ahhhh back to Grease. Why must so many take such guilty pleasure in blatent attacks on a show in progress. It says more about the person, than about the show. There are many things to admire about the show and the process, there are also many things to learn from and remedy as well, Why not celebrate the art and the artist. At the end of the day. that is what will be left standing, Not so much what we tore apart but what was built.

Although I do love the Homer Simpson quote about trying. It has rings of truth.
Updated On: 7/28/07 at 06:59 PM

[starzilla]

Posted: 7/27/07 at 7:04pm

Well of course, anyone in America had the opportunity to audition. Why be embittered if some choose not to participate? Lets celebrate the fact that new talent appears on stages all over America every night. Broadway may no longer hold the only avenue to a wonderful stage career. While it is where most of us aspire to perform. But let's get real the world today has many more stages and avenues to obtan success.