Has anybody seen the musicals in concert that they put on at the Hollywood Bowl?
Has anybody seen the musicals in concert that they put on at the Hollywood Bowl?
Phan#24601
Stand-by Joined: 11/29/11
#1Has anybody seen the musicals in concert that they put on at the Hollywood Bowl?
Posted: 7/4/13 at 7:15pmJust wondering if they are worth it. It is a pretty local venue for me, an I just want to know how they put them on. Is there ever really choreography or acting, or is it strictly a concert, like the 10th Anniversary Concert of LES MIS? I am intrigued by their casting choices for CHICAGO, love the music, love Samantha, but would not want to see it without choreography. Thanks!
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#2Has anybody seen the musicals in concert that they put on at the Hollywood Bowl?
Posted: 7/4/13 at 7:20pmI can't answer your questions directly except to say: we have a number of CA folks here, many of them have seen the shows at HB.
#2Has anybody seen the musicals in concert that they put on at the Hollywood Bowl?
Posted: 7/4/13 at 7:28pmI saw Les Miz at the Hollywood Bowl, and it was not at all like a concert. I'd expected it to be like the TAC, but it was fully staged. (The bleachers were the barricade, but they made it work.) A lot of material was cut, so it felt like a tribute to the show rather than a performance of the show itself, but I'm a huge Les Miz fan, and I had a good time.
#3Has anybody seen the musicals in concert that they put on at the Hollywood Bowl?
Posted: 7/4/13 at 8:01pm
Like the Encores series, these productions have become more fully staged over the past few years with sets and choreography. This is hit or miss since the Bowl doesn't allow for a huge playing area with the orchestra onstage.
I missed THE PRODUCERS last summer but the other recent ones I've seen (RENT directed by Neil Patrick Harris, GUYS & DOLLS with Jessica Biel and Stokes) left a lot to be desired. They should stick to basic concert staging and hire a cast based on talent regardless of celebrity.
#4Has anybody seen the musicals in concert that they put on at the Hollywood Bowl?
Posted: 7/4/13 at 8:02pmThe venue is so large that it could be fully staged and I'd still go in with no expectations other than seeing (hearing) a concert. That's just me personally. For others it may make a difference.
#5Has anybody seen the musicals in concert that they put on at the Hollywood Bowl?
Posted: 7/4/13 at 8:24pmI Saw Hairspray at the bowl- The set was basically nothing and a lot was cut out. The place is huge but they have giant TV screens that film the stage so that no matter where you sit you can see everything. With a show like Chicago, which really has no set, I would imagine it would be VERY easy to stage the show to look like Broadway- don't know how the orchestra will be set up though. It seems to me that ever Musical I have seen, the Broadway performers always outshined the so called Stars. I agree that they should cast based on talent, not star power- yes, I know, it's to sell tickets, but still...
#6Has anybody seen the musicals in concert that they put on at the Hollywood Bowl?
Posted: 7/4/13 at 8:35pmSaw Hairspray at the Bowl and had a great night, the venue is huge. But the whole night is truly wonderful, great venue, can be magical. Go see it, if I was not in London at te time Chicago was on, I would be there.
#7Has anybody seen the musicals in concert that they put on at the Hollywood Bowl?
Posted: 7/4/13 at 9:16pmI saw Rent, and thought the show was pretty good. They staged the production, but I kinda felt that it was crazy to be watching the screens the whole time because they looked like ants from where I was sitting. The nice part is you can bring food and drinks in, so we stopped at Trader Joe's, got some snacks and had a picnic while we watched. Beautiful venue, just not one that's really conducive to a Broadway-type production.
#8Has anybody seen the musicals in concert that they put on at the Hollywood Bowl?
Posted: 7/4/13 at 9:37pmI saw The Music Man when I lived in LA, years ago. It was costumed, had limited choreography. More like a smaller production than a concert.
TheatreDiva90016
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#9Has anybody seen the musicals in concert that they put on at the Hollywood Bowl?
Posted: 7/4/13 at 11:15pmIt will be fully choreographed.
Phan#24601
Stand-by Joined: 11/29/11
#10Has anybody seen the musicals in concert that they put on at the Hollywood Bowl?
Posted: 7/4/13 at 11:31pmThat's awesome! I might have to think about it; no idea if it's sold out this late in the game, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was.
jwsel
Featured Actor Joined: 8/2/05
#11Has anybody seen the musicals in concert that they put on at the Hollywood Bowl?
Posted: 7/4/13 at 11:33pm
They used to be very minimal in terms of staging and the musicals were mostly selections, such as the Porgy and Bess they did years ago with Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Wayne Brady, to now doing full casts and more staging. You can go to YouTube and look at the recent productions of Hairspray and Les Miserables to get a sense of what the productions look like.
I'm tempted to go to Chicago, but for a show that really depends on dancing, I wonder how well choreographed it can be with the minimal rehearsal time the Bowl musicals receive.
#12Has anybody seen the musicals in concert that they put on at the Hollywood Bowl?
Posted: 7/5/13 at 2:25amI think the limited rehearsals are another reason the past few shows have been mediocre. They're trying too hard to stage a full production and end up underrehearsed. Vanessa Hudgens was completely lost as Mimi in RENT but with a bit more time she might have been really good.
Funny Girl
Swing Joined: 11/10/11
#13Has anybody seen the musicals in concert that they put on at the Hollywood Bowl?
Posted: 7/5/13 at 3:15pmI attended The Producers last summer at the Hollywood Bowl starring Richard Kind and Jesse Tyler Ferguson. The production was fully choreographed, and had a set and costumes. They shortened the show, most noticably cutting "Betrayed" from the 2nd Act. If you are not seated in the Pool Circle or Garden Boxes, you are so far back, you end up watching the show on the large video screens on either side of the stage. So consider that when purchasing tickets for $100+.
Wilmingtom
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/18/11
#14Has anybody seen the musicals in concert that they put on at the Hollywood Bowl?
Posted: 7/5/13 at 3:24pmIt's a very special, even unique experience, whether you think the production is dreadful or not. Go for the overall experience and if you get lucky with a great production, all the better.
#15Has anybody seen the musicals in concert that they put on at the Hollywood Bowl?
Posted: 7/5/13 at 5:08pmEven if you live across the street, the Hollywood Bowl in not local. It takes 40+ minutes to get in. It is a fully staged musical (almost) - but expect to make a night out of it. Bring wine, some good food, some blankets- and don't expect to get home anytime soon.
#16Has anybody seen the musicals in concert that they put on at the Hollywood Bowl?
Posted: 7/5/13 at 8:21pm
We've been to 4 shows at the Bowl over the years-- a mixed bag that usually compares favorably to the kind of staging you'd get at the Encores shows at City Center.
HAIRSPRAY was spectacular-- amazing cast, huge ensemble, knockout night that made us love that show a lot more.
RENT was surprising -- never thought it could work with an ensemble of 50 or more, but it almost did. REALLY mixed results on the casting front.
GUYS AND DOLLS and SOUND OF MUSIC were much closer to good community theater. Adequate but totally uninspiring.
As long as you snag a seat in section P or closer we never felt too far away from the action. As others have said, the experience in the open air with good friends, good food and wine is worth all the hassle to get in.
#17Has anybody seen the musicals in concert that they put on at the Hollywood Bowl?
Posted: 7/6/13 at 6:51pmAnd whatever you do, DON'T pak in their lots. Many are stack parking and way too expensive for the hassle. The park and ride busses (they used to have one that picked up by the zoo) are cheap and do much faster!
#18Has anybody seen the musicals in concert that they put on at the Hollywood Bowl?
Posted: 7/6/13 at 8:24pmIf you park in the Bowl lot, make sure you won't have to leave early, and are prepared to stay at the Bowl for up to 2 hours after the show is over, if you're unlucky.
#19Has anybody seen the musicals in concert that they put on at the Hollywood Bowl?
Posted: 7/7/13 at 4:40am
As others have stated, avoid parking at the Bowl - especially on popular nights that sell well - like this one surely will. The Park & Ride lots are a much better alternative. Even better take - gasp - public transport. We actually have a subway and busses in LA. And you can show your TAP card to get free bus shuttle service to and from the Bowl. That way you can REALLY enjoy your picnic.
It's an iconic venue and a wonderful summer ritual, but folks aren't kidding about it being big. It seats more than 17,000 and because it's an ampitheatre carved deep into hills, the upper sections are like being in another country.
Get a view from ea seated section at the Bowl
Phan#24601
Stand-by Joined: 11/29/11
#20Has anybody seen the musicals in concert that they put on at the Hollywood Bowl?
Posted: 7/7/13 at 7:36amI have been to the Hollywood Bowl about 5 times for various concerts in my lifetime; just never one of the musicals in concert, but thanks for all the advice.
#21Has anybody seen the musicals in concert that they put on at the Hollywood Bowl?
Posted: 7/10/13 at 9:20pm
Don't expect great production values. The show will probably be trimmed down too.
Bring a picnic, go with good friends and just enjoy the summer enviroment and alwasy fun audience energy.
#22Has anybody seen the musicals in concert that they put on at the Hollywood Bowl?
Posted: 7/10/13 at 9:34pmI've seen Guys and Dolls, Les Miserables and Rent at the Bowl. Guys and Dolls was a bit boring but I really enjoyed Rent and Les Mis. The venue is fantastic and definitely picnic beforehand. Don't park in their lot, shuttling over is the easiest option.
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