HARMONY previews

I have never been to a first preview before but I'm thinking about getting a ticket?

Do show's that already have a NYT Critic Pix change that much during the preview process?

Maybe, it's better to wait a few weeks. Thoughts?

It would be odd to implement significant changes after the positive notice from the New York Times and the fact that they have already recorded and released their cast album, but I suppose anything is possible.

I wonder if they'll be building out the set a bit more, considering that it was fairly bare bones downtown. The production at the Ahmanson had a few more set pieces as seen here: https://playbill.com/article/photo-call-leigh-ann-larkin-and-shayne-kennon-star-in-barry-manilow-bruce-sussman-musical-harmony-at-the-ahmanson-theatre-com-215940

This is our time, comrades!

At long last, Harmony begins Broadway previews tomorrow night (October 18) at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, before a November 13 opening. The decades-in-the-making tuner stars Chip Zien, Sierra Boggess, Julie Benko, Sean Bell, Danny Kornfeld, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman, Steven Telsey, Allison Semmes, and Andrew O’Shanick. Harmony features an original score by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, a book by Sussman, and direction and choreography by Warren Carlyle.

“Berlin, 1927. Six remarkably talented young men form a singing group who become international sensations: The Comedian Harmonists. They sell millions of records, star in major motion pictures, and play the biggest theaters around the world. By 1935, they were never heard from again. What happened? That’s the extraordinary true story of Harmony.”

Who’s going?

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "It's possible, but worth noting that the Ahmanson production had a different director and design team."

Ah yeah, I wasn't saying that it would be an exact replica of the Ahmanson production, but more that I felt downtown the set was confined by the theater itself (I haven't seen any other production there so not sure if you can really do much with the stage itself) with all the set pieces being smaller things that could be brought on by the actors, so the Ahmanson was more of a point of reference for how the same story could scale to a larger theater

I sat 6 rows from

barry manulow!!!!!!!!!

Wow!

The first act is a brilliant golden age musical. The show that would have been written about The Comedian Harmonist’s if the second act had not occurred. It’s a fantastic rag to riches showbiz tail that is very funny and very moving. The big love song in act one got an ovation, however it’s the closing number of act one that I cannot forget.

What is so powerful and heartbreaking about this show is the audience knows what is coming (though there are a few twists)– the people in the story do not.

Act two is breathtaking, that ultimately climaxes with a meeting on a train – THAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED IN REAL LIFE. If you could change the course of history, would you? And if you didn’t what would the price be even greater.



Sierra Boggess has never been more glorious and will finally get her Tony nomination.

Julie Benko is haunting and most likely will win a Tony for the first role she has ever originated on Broadway.

Chip Zien is a treasure and getting to play the part of a lifetime. His solo turn in act two is one of the greatest performances I have ever seen on stage.



But – the real stars of the show are the six remarkable young men who play The Comedian Harmonists – 5 of whom are making their Broadway debuts,



Manilow and Sussman’s score is one of the best in recent memory. These two know how to do this – however, it is Sussman’s book that shines the brightest. After seeing the show, you will understand why he won the Drama Desk beating out two Pulitzer Prize winners.

I'm kinda moved reading your reviews! Guess I better grab tickets before word gets out!

Saw this opening night Off Broadway. It was a complete bore; cant remember one song, but the word “Harmony” over and over again being sung. The best is the last ten minutes of the show. Chip is great thou. Hope it finds an audience

Since Benko is absolutely supporting I could see them petitioning Boggess for leading, even though I think an argument can be made either way for that role.

Can someone post spoilers of what happens at the end? Curious to know what’s got people sobbing.

What an exceptional first preview. It feels like a classic you already know but you're still on the edge of your seat through all of act two. There's just a timelessness to the style. Its classy and elegant, its big, brassy and fun when it needs to be and subtle and poignant in all the right spots. The music, staging, book, costuming, and performances were all wonderful. Everyone gets a moment to shine and each one delivers. The big power ballad in act one is a total showstopper. Julie Benko is doing beautiful and powerful work. Chip! Sierra! All the boys!

And for the person wanting to know why everyone is sobbing at the end - I don't think it's any spoiler - but it's about a musical group that was basically erased from history by the Nazi party. And the show, unintentionally, is incredibly relevant without having to try. And, because of the artistic merits of the piece, on top of its relevancy, it delivers quite a punch.