HEAD OVER HEELS Previews — Page 8

Saw this last night. I grew up with my older sister playing Go-go records as I played with my Star Wars and He-man toys and then in college, my guy friends and I would dance around to Our Lips Are Sealed as one by one, we realized we were all gay.

So the show last night. It is campy with a capital C and it gleefully winks at the audience all night with a “we know that you know that we know that this is all just big fun!” Which is not a bad thing.
Yes, lots of the dialogue went on for too long. Characters would speak in a faux-Elizabethan speech pattern and then be ridiculed into “speaking English” but then they would continue with the fauz Shakespeare speech pattern. That got weird.
I enjoyed the hidden identities and the play on gender which is right out of Shakespeare’s comedies. I kept thinking gee, if somebody is confused about the gender and identity politics in Shakespeare, this show could serve as a severely dumbed down explanation lol.
The choreography was fun, but there were some scenes where it was awkwardly staged. There was a water scene where I could see what the creatives were going for but it still appeared amateurish.
Overall I enjoyed the show for the Go gos music. The plot and staging were no better than ok.
The ushers at the Hudson were terrible. As the lights went down, I saw ushers walk right past people taking pictures, texting, and recording videos. I complained at intermission and an usher just shrugged his shoulders in a wordless response.

Head Over Heels is surprisingly very good. But it's just obscenely long. Like, this is a show that should have been 100 minutes without an intermission and would've been an explosive, fun time. Right now, at two and a half hours, it's just way, way too long.

With my main complaint out of the way, I'll say that I really enjoyed what's at the Hudson right now. The highlight of the show is easily the production design, which is weirdly stunningly beautiful. Top-notch lighting, gorgeous scenic design, incredible costumes, and kickass choreography cohere perfectly. The design team clearly worked excellently together. They really, really nailed it.

The cast is excellent as well, with Bonnie Milligan running away with the best lines of the night. Pamela's poetry scene was the best of the night. Andrew Durand as Musidorus and Alexandra Socha as Philoclea were also fabulous. The ensemble is sensational.

I think my problem with the material itself is that I was just expecting it to be more bitingly funny. It's fun as it is, but sort of pedestrian in its comedy. I wish they could get a writer with laser-sharp wit to come in and just tighten the whole thing. They're working with a great foundation; I just think they need to screw it in more. Act II becomes an utter snoozer after "Heaven Is a Place on Earth," and that's only halfway through the act. 

I hope they make the best out of their next few weeks of previews. I'd love to go back and see a show that focuses its scope a bit more. 

Saw Sharon. She was an utter superstar. Felt like she had been playing the role since beginning of previews - according to some fans outside, she had a 45 minute put in right before half hour (leading them to open the doors late last night) and barely any notice that she was going on. Didn't notice that at all - what a talent.

KitKatBoy24 said: "Just arrived for tonight’s show and Rachel York is out. What’s with this cast and so many people missing during previews? I hope she’s okay!"

Well, Alexandra was out for a while because her mother was dying. I follow Rachel on Twitter and she is very active, yet she has not posted anything about her absence. Seems odd she would not post. 

Are actors prohibited from posting their unexpected absences on social media? I thought I recall hearing about that in the past, since the only Equity-approved way to announce absences are the cast list in the lobby, program insert and/or announcement pre-curtain. 

I'm making a return visit to this tonight. I am hoping Rachel York is back on as she was my favorite part of the show the first time I saw it!

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At Happy Hour now and going tonight! Super excited!

I have mixed emotions. I went to happy before, and was in good spirits - they have frose - and enjoyed it for the most part. But it didn't have any oomph. I wanted an exhilarating moment, and that never came. I'd be curious to see the original show at Oregon Shakes. I mean, with a cast of Bonnie M. Rachel York, and Rachel Iman, and yet none of them screlt it to the roof?! Like, c'mon. It was campy, but not campy enough. The ending was too heavy handed. It should have ended with a very camp rendition of "We Got the Beat" instead of using that as the curtain call. Peppermint should have had a moment to slay. Girl can do a death drop, let's see that. Let her work. The actors were all fine and great and talented, can't deny that at all, and the story wasn't bad, but I think a bit misguided. That said, I enjoyed myself, but can't see this lastly too long. 

I was actually surprised at how little music there was. I wanted it to be, like in most musicals, every scene. There just wasn't enough and what there was wasn't all that interesting, and it didn't build to a finale like it should have. 

Just got back from tonight's show and had a freaking blast. It's pure camp. Yes it tries too hard at times, but I don't even care. I was smiling the entire time. The choreography is bangin' (I think Spencer Liff has actually outdone himself here), the costumes are super cool (especially the ensemble costumes), the cast is riotously funny, and the songs actually feel like they fit into the story while matching the humorous tone. I'd say it's one of the better jukebox musicals of the last few seasons honestly. Just go in with an open mind and don't look for it to be a serious night of theatre.

The Go-Gos performed tonight!!

As for the show, I loved it! Not perfect, but what a fun night out.

oh man this show hasnt even opened yet and already the producers are dragging The Go Go's out at curtain call for a surprise performance/press grab, this show is so beyond doomed folks. 

FYI, quite a few $49 balcony seats are available for opening night, Thursday 7/26, at 6:30 p.m.

 

RippedMan said: "I have mixed emotions. I went to happy before, and was in good spirits - they have frose - and enjoyed it for the most part. But it didn't have any oomph. I wanted an exhilarating moment, and that never came. I'd be curious to see the original show at Oregon Shakes. I mean, with a cast of Bonnie M. Rachel York, and Rachel Iman, and yet none of them screlt it to the roof?! Like, c'mon. It was campy, but not campy enough. The ending was too heavy handed. It should have ended with a very camp rendition of "We Got the Beat" instead of using that as the curtain call. Peppermint should have had a moment to slay. Girl can do a death drop, let's see that. Let her work. The actors were all fine and great and talented, can't deny that at all, and the story wasn't bad, but I think a bit misguided. That said, I enjoyed myself, but can't see this lastly too long."

 

I feel like this is EXACTLY the SAME issue as their advertising campaign. Its not nearly campy or frothy enough to really sell this show as an 80s musical mixed with a medieval tale for a 2018 audience. 

 

I keep PUSHING this show to anyone asking for recommendations because I think its the most FUN on Broadway and sadly most affordable.