Hands on a Hardbody previews thread- Page 7

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/15/13 at 2:47pm

I'd be really suprised if they re-recorded Matilda.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 3/15/13 at 2:47pm

Wow...I cannot believe someone posted who wins this damn thing! And for no good reason! I read this thread for reviews, not effing spoilers!

[katie_fish]

Posted: 3/15/13 at 3:25pm

this is the most obnoxious message board! for all of you hating on this show, and Amanda Green's lyrics, and Doug Wright's book- when is your musical coming out? would love to see it!

this show obviously isn't a phantom, or les mis, and it doesn't try to be. that's what's great about it. it's a deeply moving story about a middle class suburban dream. and for my group of friends that went to see the show, some of who happen to be from texas, it was just that. it's authentic, it's real. it's not glitz and glamour that a lot of the high production value shows are, and it would be a farce if it was that.

i left the theatre with happy tears, and have had the songs stuck in my head, with a smile on my face, so what does that say?

i say hands on a hardbody rock on, and i hope it does really well. broadway has enough cookie cutter razzle dazzle show's out there. i commend and appreciate a different approach.

[macnyc]

Posted: 3/15/13 at 3:45pm

I think Hands on a Hardbody would have made an excellent Off Broadway show. If I had seen this in a small venue, I would have been delighted with it. The show doesn't really need name stars like Hunter Foster and Keith Carradine. With solid, low-profile performers and a small venue—and a smaller price tag suited to Off Broadway—I think the offbeat quality of the show would come through. The La Jolla Playhouse I imagine was a good size.


Updated On: 3/15/13 at 03:45 PM

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Posted: 3/15/13 at 3:56pm

"At this afternoon's performance, applause was tepid for most of the musical numbers, JOY TO THE LORD being the biggest exception."

I was at the same matinee and I couldn't disagree with you more! I think the audience was on board the entire time and the response was more than "tepid", and yes "Joy..." was the standout. There's a lot of great work going on at The Brooks Atkinson. It won't be everyone's cup of tea for sure, but there is merit to the experimentation and subject matter of the show. Just because it's not wrapped in a neat little bow, doesn't mean it won't be successful- some said the same for "Starcatcher" and the debate continues about "Once" boring vs. innovative. I think, as a review suggested, it is fresh and new. The music is good, not great, but there are real moments and strong performances from the fully committed ensemble. The choreography is limited, but very innovative, and that truck almost becomes another character. It touches on many social and economic issues. For those who think Foster gives the same stock performances, see this show, it's a very different Hunter Foster up there! I found myself rooting for the characters, and it's a shame someone spoiled the ending on here. Time will tell what will become of it, but I think it has a shot at being a sleeper hit of the season. I also disagree with the mention that Foster is introduced as the narrator in the opening, he led the song much like Settle did "Joy..." nothing more. Standouts, Foster, Carradine, Settle, and Soules.

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Posted: 3/15/13 at 3:59pm

^^Furthermore, as soon as the lights went down the crowd was on their feet. I realize to some this has no merit anymore, but I'm from the school of thought, you don't give it unless it's truly deserved and have sat in my seat many times as others stood.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/15/13 at 4:01pm

this is the most obnoxious message board! for all of you hating on this show, and Amanda Green's lyrics, and Doug Wright's book- when is your musical coming out? would love to see it!

So...nobody can have an opinion on a musical they've seen unless they've written one? Or are they supposed to love every musical they've seen because they haven't written one? I haven't seen it, so I don't have an opinion about this show either way, but can you tell me how I'm supposed to feel about the shows I have seen? I haven't written a musical either.

[katie_fish]

Posted: 3/15/13 at 4:26pm

Mister Matt, i'm referring to the people who HAVE seen it, and are picking every piece of it apart, and making their own ridiculous suggestions-- like setting it in the french riviera, or austrian alps! believe it or not that is an actual suggestion someone made on this board. this musical is based off of a REAL contest, with REAL people that took part of it- and guess what, that happened in a dusty old parking lot. the show is about depicting that truth. my guess, based off of these comments are that 99% of people on here haven't seen the hands on a hardbody documentary. to which my advice would be, watch it, educate yourself, expand your mind beyond your current understanding of 'broadway.'

the authenticity and honesty that is alive and well in this show is unlike anything that has driven up to broadway (haha yes pun intended) and i hope that it gets a chance to be enjoyed by people from all over the world who come to NYC.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/15/13 at 5:00pm

and making their own ridiculous suggestions-- like setting it in the french riviera, or austrian alps!

I'm going out on a limb here, but I'm pretty sure they were being facetious. I think you might have been taking them too seriously and too literally. Especially those who make comments like that regarding everything they see, not just this show.

this musical is based off of a REAL contest, with REAL people that took part of it- and guess what, that happened in a dusty old parking lot. the show is about depicting that truth.

Well, it took the idea from the documentary and then wrote in fictional characters and plot into their own musical. But it doesn't mean that people have to like it or enjoy it.

my guess, based off of these comments are that 99% of people on here haven't seen the hands on a hardbody documentary. to which my advice would be, watch it, educate yourself, expand your mind beyond your current understanding of 'broadway.'

I love the movie and I'd love to see the musical (though I may end up hating it, which has nothing to do with how you feel about the show). It's not going to be everyone's cup of tea and it doesn't have to be. Honestly, the musical should not have to rely so much on the audience's prior knowledge of the film.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/15/13 at 5:20pm

Katie -- how does anyone's NOT liking it affect your enjoyment of the show? If they don't like it, SO WHAT?

But Matt is right: the IDEA came from the documentary, but that's where the "real" stops -- but even if was totally fact based, it still doesn't mean everyone is going to like it.

The point of standing o's at this point seems to be rather moot: looking at the grosses, it is HIGHLY papered and therefore hardly an unbiased audience.

I have not seen the show, so I am offering no opinions ON the show -- but getting mad at folks for not liking it is just plain silly.

You go ahead and enjoy it, but that only makes your opinion right for you.

[katie_fish]

Posted: 3/15/13 at 5:27pm

mister matt and dramamama, totally get and appreciate your points. wasn't trying to say people aren't entitled to opinions. just that i was shocked with the criticisms and suggestions that counter what this show is actually about. anyway, would love to hear what you guys think of the show when you see it!

[Born in a Ditch]

Posted: 3/16/13 at 1:12pm

I saw it last night. I didn't hate it, but I certainly didn't love it either. I thought the music was very forgettable, and some of the lyrics were laughable. The biggest problem is that the audience never really knew what they were going for. It's like everyone was kind of looking around to see what other people's reactions were. I felt I never really knew whether certain moments were supposed to be funny, sad, or otherwise. I heard a lot of laughter during parts that, to me, should have been serious. My other huge problem was the ending. As others have said here, it's very unsatisfying. The concept of the whole show is very interesting, but I can't help but think I would've enjoyed it more if it was only 90 minutes.

On the positive side: The whole cast is really dedicated to the piece and you can totally see it, but Keala Settle was the absolute standout. My eyes were drawn to her every second. She truly deserves a Tony nomination.

[WhatIWasBorn2Do]

Posted: 3/16/13 at 1:56pm

Keala Settle's performance is near brilliant. She does and gives SO MUCH to a part that could so easily be forgettable and unnecessary. While I was not a fan of the show, her dedication and talent is stuck in my head, and I would love to see Joy Of The Lord again.

[supportivemom]

Posted: 3/17/13 at 2:57pm

My son saw the show last night. He is a big fan of Phish. Anyway, he said the show started to get tired and that some of the songs were good but the rest were just ok. He was able to get free tickets from his college.

[grumpyoptimist]

Posted: 3/17/13 at 10:50pm

Saw it Friday, now back at home base in San Diego. Also saw it at La Jolla Playhouse in the warm up run. In La Jolla, I liked the show, didn't love it. In fact, I thought Limelight (which became Chaplin on Broadway) was much closer to being Broadway ready when I would compare my reaction to the two. I will say the creative team has brought this show a long way...much, much further than Team Chaplin did with their show.

Maybe I was in a weird mood one of the two nights, or maybe they've changed things enough that this happened, but the one character who struck me less on Broadway than in LJ was Keith Carradine's. I thought he stole the show in LJ, on Broadway I liked him but he didn't completely suck me in as before. Although I like Hunter Foster in this better than in "Little Mary Sunshine" (then again, I despised him in that and wanted to have him banned from the stage for that one) he still just does not do it for me in this production.

The rest of the show is tightened up and smoothed out a lot, choreography (such as it is) is significantly improved, and the set actually adds to the show. But I, too, feel like the undercurrent of the dealership's struggles (save the cheating storyline) could be cut and no one would miss it.

Posted: 3/18/13 at 8:58am

How much have they trimmed? Anyone see it this weekend and share running time please?

[denali.fire]

Posted: 3/18/13 at 12:48pm

Me smells another B&C

[DEClarke]

Posted: 3/18/13 at 12:54pm

Honestly, the musical should not have to rely so much on the audience's prior knowledge of the film.

I couldn't agree more, and it's really important in the case of this show. The original film is pretty hard to come by. Last time I chekced, if you weren't willing to drop $100+ for a DVD on eBay and you didn't have access to a VHS copy, you weren't seeing the film.

As someone who lives in Southeast Texas and attended college in Southeast-ish Texas, my college friends and I used to watch this movie often and really enjoy it. We're all interested in the musical because the concept of making a musical based on he film intrigues us. And I agree that many on the boards may have never seen it, so it's a really weak argument to say that someone needs knowledge of the film to enjoy the musical.

I'm glad to see it is generally liked by people on the board. That's great news. I hope to see the musical.

However, I have to agree with Off-Broadway sentiments. I never saw this being the splashy show that would draw crowds in NYC. With that said, I doubt it will be running the next time I visit NYC. (So, I hope it tours, so I can see it.) However, maybe this is a sign of things to come. Maybe the idea that a show must be spectacle is passing and more inventive and distinctly different theatre will return to Broadway.

[KylePKJP]

Posted: 3/18/13 at 12:56pm

SupportiveMom... It sounds like your son was uneducated and went in expecting a PHISH concert. Are we supposed to feel soory for him for not getting it?

The amount of b*tching about this show when many posters have admitted not to seeing it is dispicable. Even those who have seen it would have been armchair critics and highlighted stuff they did not like about it.

It wouldn't have made it from LaJolla if it wasn't good, so quit your b*tching and let a show stand for once without tearing it down.

As a thread said recently - or the gist of it was - you posters are spiteful, mean-spirited people who can't wait to tear something down.

From the number of posts you make you clearly need an outside hobby and time away from your computer. And, just to add, a few therapy sessions on how to check your bullsh*t at the door and make an attempt to be positive.

For god's sake stay away from the theatre for a while because, when it come to it, you are 100% completely full of sh*it!!!

[newintown]

Posted: 3/18/13 at 1:06pm

And.... scene. Curtain. Sporadic, confused applause. House lights up. Ushers clean the house. All go home.

Updated On: 3/18/13 at 01:06 PM

[grumpyoptimist]

Posted: 3/18/13 at 1:10pm

Mercades, ran about 2:30 on Friday night.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/18/13 at 1:25pm

KylePKJP - For someone demanding only positive responses to a show, your post is entirely negative. By your own description, you must be uneducated, spiteful, mean-spirited and clearly need an outside hobby and time away from your computer. And, just to add, a few therapy sessions on how to check your bullsh*t at the door and make an attempt to be positive.

It wouldn't have made it from LaJolla if it wasn't good, so quit your b*tching and let a show stand for once without tearing it down.

So you believe anything that transfers to Broadway has to be good? You might want to remind the producers of Glory Days. You know what it takes to get a show on Broadway? Money. That's it.

For god's sake stay away from the theatre for a while because, when it come to it, you are 100% completely full of sh*it!!!

Wow. You get really worked up when people don't say what you want, don't you?

The amount of b*tching about this show when many posters have admitted not to seeing it is dispicable.

How much was there? Who was it?

[WestVillage]

Posted: 3/18/13 at 4:56pm

Wow .. KylePKJP really has some anger management issues. Insulting and downright nasty.

I saw Hardbody, and with the exception of the "Joy" number, it was a bore from start to finish. That friggin' truck spinning around made me dizzy. Agree, it should have been off-bway, and a one-act 90 minute show, with half the number of songs. Two acts and two and a half hours (that felt like just as long as the competition lasted) was pretty hard to sit through. One of the dullest shows I've ever seen, and I'm not talking about lack of "glitz", I'm talking about lack of interesting characters, interesting story, interesting music. Better than Nyquil for a good snooze.

[IronMan]

Posted: 3/18/13 at 11:57pm

The cast was good, but despite their best efforts, this just bored me.

Updated On: 3/20/13 at 11:57 PM