How is "Curtains?"- Page 2

[popular_elphie]

Posted: 1/29/08 at 3:57pm

It's amazing. I could see it every day for a week and not get sick of it. I work on my current show and wish I were watching CURTAINS instead.

...I sound a little too in love with it, but it's my favorite musical on Broadway right now (favorite play is AUGUST).

[jv92]

Posted: 1/29/08 at 8:25pm

It's a lot of fun and you don't get pure fun at the theatre anymore. I had a wonderful time. And the score, in my personal opinion, is not second rate Kander and Ebb at all. The critics were dead wrong on that one.

[rcbarron]

Posted: 1/30/08 at 8:16am

Well, how was it? I certainly enjoyed it..very much.

[SNLMedia]

Posted: 1/30/08 at 8:22am

I'm so glad I read this thread. I've been debating FINALLY going to see Curtains and this thread convinced me. Can't wait!

[rcbarron]

Posted: 1/30/08 at 8:27am

You know, I can see how you felt. Because after seeing it a couple of times (because I enjoyed it so much) if you don't go in understanding that it's a plot within a crazy plot and that it's making fun of itself and broadway (and the crazy characters that work on broadway) you might try to take it too seriously. If it's seen for what it is, a zany show within a show, and a Kander and Ebb salute to all the folks they worked with, it really becomes hilarious and uproarious...(sorry for the ious words! lol)
Updated On: 1/30/08 at 08:27 AM

[rcbarron]

Posted: 1/30/08 at 10:41am

It is interesting, a lot of people see Curtains multiple times. I've seen it three times..it's just that kind of show. There is so much humor and so many one-liners...you can't catch them all the first time around

[StageFan2]

Posted: 1/30/08 at 11:51am

I agree with you RC. I think this is the type of production which requires more than one visit. I've seen it six times and enjoyed more each time. I'll definitely see it again. The performances just seem to get more rich and as I've said in my other postings, I've never seen a harder working company nor one that has as much fun in performance. Their enjoyment in what they're doing; is to me, both charming and contagious. I adore them one and all. They are hands down the best company on Broadway right now. (IMO)
Updated On: 1/30/08 at 11:51 AM

[philcrosby]

Posted: 1/30/08 at 1:42pm

I remember when I saw it, I was the only one who laughed at all the Agnes de Mille references in the choreography. I felt like they put it in just for me.

[sparkleplenty]

Posted: 1/30/08 at 4:15pm

I saw Curtains when it tried out in Los Angeles. My friends and I loved it - I'd think theatre lovers would go for the backstage story just because of the ambience, and then the nostalgia angle, and then the cast and fun numbers. Very entertaining night of theatre.
I wondered if anyone knows if there were changes between L.A. and the Broadway premier.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 1/30/08 at 4:45pm

While the LA and New York versions of Curtains are similar on the surface, there were a lot of changes. The songs themselves stayed pretty similar, apart from cuts to "Wide Open Spaces," a rewrite for "I Miss the Music," and the rewritten "I Miss the Music"/"Thinking of Him" reprise. The book was tightened, with the Aaron and Georgia storyline improved and clarified in particular and some scenes rewritten entirely. Rob Ashford newly choreographed a lot of the show between LA and New York and some of the orchestrations and dance arrangements are new as well. Some set pieces, like the proscenium arch in "Show People," the "Dead or Alive" silk drop, the setting for "He Did It," the set pieces for "Tough Act to Follow" were new or changed for New York. Many new costumes throughout the show as well. The show itself lost 15 minutes of its running time between LA and NYC (it was 2:45 in LA and now runs 2:30 in New York). The set had some additional elements in LA... a full recreation of the proscenium arch of the Colonial Theatre, including marble columns, and a passerel, which were cut. But for all intents and purposes, the NY version is an improvement on the LA production in all departments.

[Dover]

Posted: 2/1/08 at 4:50pm

I went in knowing that it wasn't going to be the best musical ever, and I had a great time. It's a very solid show. I have to say the book is better than the score -- lots of layers of jokes and references for those involved in the business. There were a couple that I thought were written just for me! I didn't concern myself too much with whodunit, I just sat back and enjoyed myself, and it was a great night of entertainment.