High Fidelity- Early Christmas Present

[SirLiir]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 1:39am

Yeah another High Fidelity thread but I haven't posted in a while...

I don't get how a show this smart, energenic, and just plain fun closes so fast. The nature of the business is indeed perplexing. First off, the music was very catchy, with fun and clever lyrics, and I happily plunked down the $20 dollars for the upcoming CD (they are recording it in 2 weeks btw). Second, the actors were all fantastic, with Will Chase especially being the usual dynamic self. The rest all performed so well that it would be a waste of time to write out every name. They were all uniformly excellent, very into the show, had fun with their characters, and their timing was perfect in every scene. Thirdly, the sets were a quite a treat in both their ingenious setup and their flexibility. I do hope they are remembered come Tony time. Finally, I found the book worked well. It was not Shakespeare but I felt it told the story effectively enough to hold the audience's attention. The same audience was jumping tonight and there was real energy in the air.

I believe I understood what an acquaintance of mine who saw the show (and loved it) told me. The show didn't define its audience well enough and that was its problem. It's not sterile enough to be a family show because the cursing, while overly minor, would be too much. It is not gritty enough for the hardcore theater fan and way too modern for the old fashioned theater lovers. Overall, this show was like a good episode of Seinfeld, the 'show about nothing but not quite'. It's a down to earth and humbling story and I loved that aspect. So what if nothing life changing happened in the end. I felt more than pleased with this slice than life story than another tired spectacle musical.

On a final note, I went tonight with my best friend and while she LOATHES musical (never got her to DRS ), she is a fan of Will Chase and Matt Caplan from the Rent days. To my relief and plesant surprise, she loved the show and together, we both lamented that as much as we were having a good time, we also knew we would never be able to see it again. That was my only disappointment with the evening. I am proud to say that High Fidelity was my favorite musical of the year and I shall miss it. Of course, I have a guilty love of In My Life and Thou Shalt Not so take what you will from my tastes and review. High Fidelity was an early Christmas present and I hope it has another life somewhere down the road.

Updated On: 12/16/06 at 01:39 AM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 2:40am

Wait. Hold the phone. So you already paid for the Cd? Are you positive it is being recorded?

Thanks for the review also, but I don't how people are always just like "it's just a fun loving show, isn't that what people want?" Obviously not. Look at the success of Grey Gardens and Spring Awakening. Even Spelling Bee, Avenue Q, and Drowsy are "fun" but they're also clever. Fluff doesn't sell.

[SirLiir]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 2:42am

Yes, Rentboy. The gentleman told me the cast is recording in two weeks. $20 down, cash or credit.

[broadway_show_fan]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 2:50am

Not to completely threadjack or anything... though it is somewhat Will Chase-tangental...

But how is it that High Fidelity can nab a cast recording for a 14-show stint but Lennon which I and a few others out there enjoyed, cannot?

I am going to see HF tonight (Sat. eve.) and will most likely like it. I like fun, musical comedies. I like Will and much of the rest of the cast. I'll probably end up buying the cd too - but I'd much rather hear him and the Lennon cast cover John Lennon's work in that OBCR.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 9:15am

Great news re the CD

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 9:22am

Great news about the CD and I am glad to read a positive review. Thank you

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 9:27am

Any idea re release date to stores?

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 11:08am

CD? Awesome.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 11:13am

It's being released to stores the on the same day as the "Lestat" CD........Better get in line now.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 11:14am

Glad you enjoyed it.

And I'm sure if they're taking cash down then they have a definite plan.

[antiandrewx]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 11:21am

I'm happy you liked it!

I can't wait for the CD. I already ordered mine.

[antiandrewx]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 11:21am

Sorry, double post. Updated On: 12/16/06 at 11:21 AM

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 11:29am

On the top5breakups.com site, they say the cast album is coming soon.

But they are also advertising tickets for after Christmas.

[SirLiir]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 12:03pm

As for why Lennon didnt get a CD, I am not sure. For HiFi, perhaps the website has seen a good amount of individual song downloads that would warrant a release. There may also have been enough support from emails, inquiries, etc I really enjoyed the score so I am quite excited about getting the CD. At least that part of its legacy will live on.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 12:11pm

Was Professor Harold Hill or Elmer Gantry selling those CD's? I hope you didn't pay cash.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 12:16pm

"But how is it that High Fidelity can nab a cast recording for a 14-show stint but Lennon which I and a few others out there enjoyed, cannot?"

Because only you and a few others enjoyed it.

[AlreadyDressed]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 12:24pm

I hope no one REALLY has their hopes up about this CD coming out. Lestat's CD was recorded and ready to go but it still didn't come out, and they lasted even longer. I'd love to have this cast recording, but realistically I'm not expecting it.

[wicked_mimi]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 12:46pm

I really want to know what happened to the Lestat CD, but that doesn't mean that they won't get this one out. The I Love You Because CD plus others have been recorded after shows closed and still came out.

As for Lennon not putting out a CD, I would guess it's because it was old songs just rearranged. High Fidelity and Lestat had completely new songs and completely new soundtracks. Not to mention that Lestat had Elton John writing for it and that name carries some weight, even though it didn't at the box office.

[SirLiir]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 1:17pm

The CD reserves were handled at the merchandise stand and had several signs posted for it. I also have a receipt. It's all legit.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 1:17pm

They may be taking orders to gauge the interest. They could always refund the money if they feel the interest is not there

Updated On: 12/16/06 at 01:17 PM

[Sylar2]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 12:02pm

Re-posting a response I put on another thread...

I saw this show last night to support a friend who is in it and I had a good time. Is it brilliant theatre? No. Is it a fun time? Yes. Is it better than pieces of crap that stayed open longer (All Shook Up, Lennon, The Wedding Singer, Times Are A Changin', Good Vibrations and on and on and on) ? DEFINITELY.

What DOES amaze me is that they would pull the plug before the end of the year instead of at least trying to recoup some money during the busiest time in NYC, the holidays.

Also, if you live in NY- have you seen or heard ANY marketing/advertising for it? This show didn't really have any buzz built up around it. The show just sorta opened.

Also, the show is in too big of a theater. We're talking about a theater that even Hugh Jackman couldn't consistanly fill to capacity. This show is unknown, has zero buzz and no stars. How they expected to actually fill this house is beyond me. It should have been in a smaller theater.

My friend in the show, like Will, is in shock and very angry at the producers. It's sad to see a friend this upset at the holidays.

[tourboi]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 3:32pm

I believe it is because Sh-K-Boom was signed on to record it before it even came in.

LENNON had no record compay set before it came in to my knowlege.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 3:34pm

How is the show smart?

[To The Stage!]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 3:56pm

I enjoyed the show very much during yesterday's (sat) matinee. I was shocked at the amount of people there! The theater was pretty full. I don't think they really gave this show a chance, but as Sylar2 said, there really wasn't much advertisement. The cast was so so talented, and I hope to see them all in great and successful shows in the future.