How did SA win a Tony?- Page 2

[Weez]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 1:25pm

Well. Once upon a time, there was a chappy called Wedekind who wrote a play. Many moons later, Sheik and Sater (one presumes) got together and turned it into a musical. They got some cast together, workshopped it, opened it off-Broadway, opened it on Broadway, the Tony votes went to see it, the Tony voters thought "I quite like that" and enough of them voted for it in eight different categories that - lo and behold! - it won. SHOCKINGU!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 1:47pm

Michael Mayer went a little nuts the last few weeks before the tour cast left and made LOTS of changes. He "fixed" what wasn't broken. IMHO, most of them did not ADD to the show.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 1:53pm

Like what?

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 1:56pm

I completely agree that the new directorial changes are bad. Really bad. The beating scene is not at all moving anymore. Bad choice.

However, I have seen the show 10 times (5 OBC, 5 NBC) and I have to say that the new cast brings a very believable awkwardness and life to the show that I just did not get from the OBC. This is mostly because they LOOK the proper age (the majority of them are 16-1. Sure, they're not as good as the OBC vocally as individuals, but they blend soooooooooo much better as a group than the OBC, in my opinion.

[Robert Taylor]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 1:57pm

The changes are minimal, and I say this as someone who saw the show four times before seeing it with the new cast (who I enjoyed for the most part). The stick beating scene has been changed subtly, but the most noticeable changes are in the characters' looks: different hair, glasses, clothing etc.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 1:58pm

"Flowery? The two most popular songs are 'The B@#)% of Living' and 'Totally F@#$%ed'"

Those are the two most contrived songs in the entire show. I found the use of profanity in this show to be unnatural (i.e., forced). Its usage, especially in those songs, doesn't come from necessity, but rather to make the creators seem cutting edge and relevant.

"You are entitled to your opinion, but legions of fans disagree, not just Tony voters, but all those who kept the show alive for so long. I love the show."

I found the entire show to be unimpressive at best. It wasn't anywhere near as good as people were saying.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 2:00pm

The beating scene changed (and made it worse!)
Ilse in the conversation with Moritz
Some of the hayloft

I forget what else.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 2:28pm

I think the hayloft scene has been greatly improved. The Melchior/Wendla relationship was a little foggy before and I think the changes made with Alexandra and Hunter have made the musical's interpretation of the relationship much clearer.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 3:22pm

Can you please elaborate on the changes? Only scenes are being mentioned, not how they were changed and it's very vague.

~Steven

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 3:29pm

My favorite duo has always been Swenson and Socha. They are the only ones that I felt TRULY made both the beating scene and the hayloft work. It allowed for Wendla to understand that her touch affected Melchior...even if she didn't totally understand why.

That's gone.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 3:42pm

1) The blocking and acting choices in the beating scene have been altered. Wendla is no longer desperate or, to be honest, emotional. She seems more just like a stupid little girl. And she doesn't grab Melchior's lapel.

2) Melchior and Wendla are much more touchy-feely BEFORE he kisses her. She makes it clear that she knows what she wants but doesn't want to say it out loud. She also turns his head towards her when she says "It was me. All me."

3) This was changed a while ago, but Wendla's mother doesn't slap her anymore before "Whispering." Now, she just gets pushed back in her chair.

4) Melchior is laying on the ground before "The Word of Your Body" as opposed to sitting.

5) Melchior returns to his journal after he says "I don't believe anyone is ever better for it" to Wendla in response to her talking about Martha's beatings.

There are a few more but I just can't seem to remember them all. Yes, they're minute changes that only someone who has seen it way too many times would know. But it's amazing how much it changes the story. Some work (the hayloft scene, Melchior laying on the ground), some don't (the beating scene, the lack of a slap before "Whispering"). It's just bizarre to me that ANYTHING would be changed. The blocking was perfect before. The beating scene never worked, really. But now it's worse. Oh well. I think the show is in great shape besides that.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 3:57pm

Thanks for sharing.

~Steven

[dg22894]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 4:37pm

I thought it was the best Broadway show I saw.

[dg22894]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 4:38pm

I thought it was the best Broadway show I saw.

[dramarama2]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 4:45pm

Leave Broadway alone.

[killertofu333]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 5:33pm

Liza + Jesus = Patti, I strongly feel that you would have liked it a lot more if you had seen the original cast. While I have yet to see the "new class" or the slight changes made to the production, I really enjoyed Jonathan, Lea, Schyler and Lilly Cooper. At the time IMO the vibe of the show was innovative and angsty...which I love

But to say it was PAINFUL? Really? Were you at the point of sticking skewers in your ears, or were you just "over it" right from the beginning because it didn't grab you?

I love this board because so many wonderful opinions are expressed but please don't jump to crap on a show after seeing it once (although from the sound of it, you won't pay to see it again). It takes time to really get into a show. Just find shows that more or less "speak" to you and your interests and B-way can be your new home.

I hope you find a show that you actually enjoy one day.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 6:09pm

Question for KillerTofu (and I love your name btw):

would you pay money to see a show you disliked a second time? I know I wouldn't. In fact, I never have. I bring my HS kids to NY every year...when they see shows I despise I usually grab a different show or just go have coffee somewhere. (I bring tons of chaperones, so it's not a big deal) My time is WAY more valuable than torturing myself.

I'm not suprised that a show like SA doesn't grab everyone, and that's ok.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 6:19pm

It was enjoyable but I liked Curtains more

The Tony for the choeography was unjustified.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 6:21pm

See....and I absolutely DESPISED Curtains. Wanted to shove hot forks in my eyes.

Different strokes.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 6:41pm

That's it.

[kate2]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 6:47pm

I didn't think the new cast was lacking in talent at all! Gerard Canonico was a real stand out and I loved Hunter Parrish. I didn't think I 'd like this show... but I walked out of that theater loving it! Alexandra Socha sounded weak at some points with her singing, but all in all, I thought it was great! I absolutely disagree with it winning some of the Tonys it did (ie best choreography) but it really was a great experience.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 7:05pm

Gerard isn't really new. He was with the show since the days at the Atlantic, as ensemble member. He was the understudy for Moritz. Sadly for him neither Gallagher (original) nor Bashoff (1st replacement) were out very often. He's the only original member left. (Well, Christine Estabrook, but she left for a few months and came back)

I loved the choreography Tony. Just because it wasn't traditional dancing didn't make it less deserving. IMHO.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 7:06pm

I miss Good Vibrations

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 7:12pm

I was going to say somehting smarmy. Came up with nothing.

[killertofu333]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 7:14pm

dramamama611, I wouldn't go and pay for the show again right away if I didn't like it, but I'm not sure I'd completely write it off either. Down the line I'd give it another shot to impress me. If that doesn't work out then I'm pretty much DUNZO with it. But I think I'd still give it a chance. But some shows just aren't for everyone and I totally get that.

And thank you for liking my name. I used to watch "Doug" on Nickelodeon when I was little, and fell in love with the Beets!!!