I missed Gilmore Girls for this? (Ring of Fire - Final Invited Dress)

[AugustusGloop]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 9:33am

Last night, I was able to attend the final dress rehearsal of Ring of Fire before it begins previews today. The Barrymore was packed full of my fellow invitees. Now before anyone gets upset...yes, I of course realize that it's still a work in progress.

But this was easily one of the worst shows I've ever seen. Directed by Richard Maltby, Jr, I was expecting something along the lines of Ain't Misbehavin' or Fosse. What I saw last night was far, far from it.

The best analogy I can come up with is Johnny Cash meets the Disney Country Bears Jamboree. It's supposed to be a revue of Cash's songs, which I have always enjoyed. However, they just don't seem to work on a Broadway stage. It's a country show, and I couldn't help but feel it'd be more at home at the Grand Ol' Opry.

I believe they use almost 40 songs in the show, and it's just far too many. The running time was about 2 hours and 20 minutes--too long. But worst of all, it was boring. The show opened with the song "Hurt," a ballad of depression and regret. It was a dud. When it failed to capture my interest, I knew I was in trouble. There were a couple of bright spots (but without a Playbill I'm lost as to which song was which, there were just too many), and Jarrod Emick certainly gives it his all. But it lacks any real structure, so it's more like a concert than a true revue. There wasn't even any dialogue for about the first 20 minutes of the show.

With some work (I'd start by cutting at least 20 minutes), the show could be fun. Sadly, I don't think New York audiences will like it, though it may sell well with tourists. I hope it finds its niche, but I don't think there are enough Johnny Cash fans out there.

Go see Walk the Line, and buy yourself a CD of Johnny and June Carter Cash's greatest hits instead!

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 9:57am

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it, but I do love your thread title.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 10:03am

Seeing it this Saturday night...at least I'm being warned in advance. Thanks for the review. Sorry you missed Gilmore Girls.

[ElphabaRose]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 11:52am

SPOILERS (Gilmore Girls)


The people at the Yale paper don't want Paris to be editor. Roro convinces her to resign. The staff of the paper can't decide on any of the three people who are running fo editor, and then they pick Rory. Paris gets pissed and kicks Rory out. She calls Logan to ask for help. He gets her to move in with him. Meanwhile, Rory takes her father on a tour of Yale, since he is now paying for it. After the tour, Chris wants to see Rory's apartment. She takes him over and tells him that she is living with Logan and makes Chris promise not to tell Lorali. Chris does anyway, but at the end of the episode, Rory tells Lorali herself.


By the way, sorry the show was that bad...at least you didn't miss an amazing Gilmore Girls.

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 4:24pm

Had a friend that went last night, 2/9, and left at intermission. AS did a lot of people he said. He also said that people were actually leaving during the 1st act. Not a good sign.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 4:31pm

oh my god, could this show actually be worse than Good Vibrations? i'm so excited for tomorrow night...and I will *not* be leaving at intermission.

[Bluewatergables]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 4:45pm

a better title would be Ring...of no Fire

Posted: 2/10/06 at 4:48pm

Wow.

That was witty.

[umgeoboy]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 5:42pm

Well that is...sad. I love Jarrod and hope that he can get out of this show when the next production of Waiting for the Moon happens. He was incredible in the show and needs to continue with it!

[Katurian2]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 6:00pm

Aw- I would love for this to be a hit....that's too bad it isn't working out. Even though it is still a work in progress, an investment of this magnitude shouldn't have people leaving in the first act the night before public previews.

[DAME]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 6:01pm

And Gilmore Girls was fantastic last night.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 6:03pm

When is it not awesome?

[DAME]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 7:29pm

I hope the new formed network picks it up.

[QMAN03]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 7:33pm

How about Ring of...STUPID Fire? HEHE!!!!!!!1

[thisdude]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 7:41pm

Glad it skipped SF now. Don't think we could handle another Pre-Broadway dud

[musicalfandukie]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 7:42pm

no Tivo?

[tourboi]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 7:53pm

Worse than VIBRATIONS? Yes, about a thousand times. The difference between the two? At least GOOD VIBRATIONS wasn't boring.

[defygravity2]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 2:26am

How about "Ring of...Ready, Aim, FIRE!"

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 8:02am

haha! :)

too bad it wasnt good- personally, this wouldnt have been a show i would like either- almost 40 song?!? i just think after hearing about 10 Johnny Cash songs, they all start sounding the same...oh dear. just my opinion though!

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 12:36pm

i'm going to brave the winter storm tonight and go to Ring of Fire...there will probably be no one in the audience. should be interesting.

[QMAN03]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 1:34pm

May the force be with you Withoutatrace.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 2:00pm

lol- Saturday night TV stinks anyway.

[Jon]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 2:14pm

Gilmore Girls is the highest rated show on the WB. The new "CW" will definitely pick it up.

[AugustusGloop]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 3:02pm

I knew this comparison was inevitable.

As someone who saw Good Vibrations three times (not because I have bad taste, but because I knew someone in the company and was trying to be supportive), I can honestly say that Ring of Fire is MUCH worse. I have never been as bored at the theatre than I was seeing Ring of Fire.

[pennylane2]

Posted: 2/12/06 at 8:07am

I love the title of this thread. I was there that night in the mezz. I liked 3 songs and was waiting for it to end the whole rest of the time.