HIGH FIDELITY Preview

[being.jeremiah]

Posted: 5/10/06 at 12:09pm

I'm going to see the group sales preview tonight. I'll post something about it later.

~ blurb from bestofbroadway.com
"HIGH FIDELITY is a contemporary musical that follows the adventures of Rob, a record store owner who knows almost everything there is to know about pop music, but almost nothing about how to hang onto a girl. Follow Rob's romantic misadventures as he sorts through his desert-island all-time top-five break-ups and struggles to figure out the difference between real life and pop music.

The show features a score by fast-rising songwriters Tom Kitt and Amanda Green and a book by David Lindsay-Abaire (Fuddy Meers, Kimberly Akimbo, Rabbit Hole). HIGH FIDELITY is directed by Walter Bobbie, the Tony Award-winning director of Chicago."

[BluCat500]

Posted: 5/10/06 at 12:30pm

Ah, I'm so excited for this, I hope its not disappointing.

[being.jeremiah]

Posted: 5/10/06 at 9:18pm

So I went to the group sales preview at the Nederlander tonight.

Will Chase, who played Rob, led the insanely brilliant group of performers. Christian Anderson and Christopher Fitzgerald played his buddies at the record store. Celia Keenan-Bolger, Matt Caplan, Mary Faber, and Leslie Kritzer (and two other guys whose names escape me) were more than amazing. Leslie (who played Rob's good friend) belted out "She Goes" with Will. The opening number (entitled something like "Not Going To Change Anything") was a good mix of varying styles. The powerhouse cast really made the performances awesome.

The lyricist- Amanda Green- is the daughter of the legendary Adolph Green (multiple Tony winner for Wonderful Town, The Will Rogers Follies, On The Twentieth Century, and others) and Phyllis Newman (Tony winner for Subways Are for Sleeping). The producers comprise the team behind Avenue Q, RENT, and The Drowsy Chaperone. The music is a fusion of different blends- from pop to rock to jazz. Tom Kitt, who wrote the music for the show, conducted the band-slash-orchestra and seemed really talented (no, really, he is).

I really liked it! They handed out a selections CD, with four tracks. "Desert Island Top 5 Break-Ups," "She Goes," "Ready To Settle," and "Nine Percent Change" make up the CD.

Looking forward to see it on Broadway! Previews begin November 20th, and opening night is December 7th.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 5/10/06 at 9:22pm

i'm SO EXCITED!!

i love Chris Fitz and Celia!

how is the set/staging?

[BluCat500]

Posted: 5/10/06 at 9:22pm

Aww, lucky bugger, glad you enjoyed it!!

Why am I the only one posting where is the High Fidelity love?

Who sang on the selections cd?

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 5/10/06 at 9:23pm

it's SO great to see Christopher Fitzgerald back in shows. he was so great in Amour...

[commasplice]

Posted: 5/10/06 at 9:23pm

Thank you for the report! I love the book and movie (♥John Cusack), so I'm looking forward to this show like you wouldn't believe.

[being.jeremiah]

Posted: 5/10/06 at 9:32pm

I adore Nick Hornby and his novels!

Well, I think it's Will Chase leading the pack of performers in the CD. I'm not really well-versed in tracking down their voices. Hah!

Set design? They haven't said anything about it. They didn't have the design team behind the show. The performers had their music stands and black books with them.

Though to note, Bobbie is the Tony-winning director of the Chicago revival. I'm thinking they'll have the band-slash-orchestra onstage, similar to the revival and RENT.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 5/10/06 at 9:35pm

ooooh. got it.

sorry.

for some reason i thought this was a full staged preview.

silly moi.

in other news Chris Fitzgerald = love

[almostxfamous]

Posted: 5/10/06 at 9:35pm

That's an AMAZING cast. I would definetely go see it.

[FabalaYero85]

Posted: 5/10/06 at 9:37pm

out of curiosity..how is Matt Caplan. and how big is his part. haha

and YAY I'm excited to see him in a new show. known for a while, but so happy for the guy and eeek between him and Will Chase I'm looking forward to the bway run. I quite enjoyed the movie.

[being.jeremiah]

Posted: 5/10/06 at 9:45pm

Matt Caplan? He was one of the boys- one of the boys in the record store.

Take note everyone, this wasn't "The Cast." It's an assembly of talented performers tasked to bring the songs to life. Though Josh Strickland and Jenn Gambatese landed the leads on Tarzan and they were at the group sales preview too. Joshua Kobak and Kearran Giovanni were there with them, too (and currently they're Tarzan and Kala standbys, respectively).

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 5/10/06 at 10:19pm

Totally did not recognize Fitzgerald...I kept saying, why do I know, why DO I KNOW HIM...adorable as per usual. Guess I'm not used to seeing him without his calves showing

Songs were catchy and inspired.

Will Chase was great, as was Christian Anderson. Leslie Kritzer was a total showstopper!

The "talk show" format of talking to the creative team got old really fast, and quite frankly, the talking put me to sleep. If it was wasn't for having Jeff Marx'x 'fro in front of me to stare at, I would've been a goner. (At least Lestat had slides!)

I kept wanting more music, especially as the songs got more interesting and layered. In all, it was a really catchy score and I can't wait to see what they do with the book.

Walter Bobbie did say something that caught my attention, something to the affect that in terms of theatrical staging, audiences don't want to see the traditional "sing a song, back to the book", that audiences want see performers turn out to them, break the fourth wall, and just rock out. He even mentioned American Idol as an example. Interesting.

[showbiz287]

Posted: 5/24/06 at 6:32pm

I'm gonna catch the show in Boston. I was kicking myself when I didn't see Sweet Charity in Boston

[tophertilson]

Posted: 5/24/06 at 6:47pm

Everything (and everyone) about this show excites me except for Walter Bobbie. I hope he can pull it off. But Green and Kitt are FAB!

TT

[gustof777]

Posted: 5/24/06 at 6:57pm

yay glad to hear its going so well...how were the women? I love Celia and am loving seeing her do all this new work.

[SirLiir]

Posted: 5/24/06 at 7:10pm

I hope Will Chase gets the part. He needs to get back to Broadway in a good show. I wouldnt be surprised though if Norbert is offered the role as well. He did do the workshop and was excellent.

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 5/24/06 at 7:33pm

So anxious to see this show! I'm really happy that Matt finally got another show.

[alliez92092]

Posted: 5/24/06 at 8:02pm

I am so excited for them to come to Boston. If Will, Chris, Celia, and Matt are all still in it than that would make my life. But I would also love if they did end up casting Norbert, Sherie, and Julia like they did for the workshop. Especially Julia. She needs to come back to me!

[gustof777]

Posted: 5/24/06 at 8:12pm

I also really am pulling for Julia to make a return and originating a role would be awesome! She's the sh*t! and if we got her AND celia and the guys in it would be perfect!

Updated On: 5/24/06 at 08:12 PM