IF/THEN Musical WITH SPOILERS — Page 7

I pretty much agree with WickedRocks, after traveling down to DC to see it Tuesday. There is a really great show in here, and it just needs to be clarified better to make it easier for the audience to follow.

My only other issue was that there was no empathetic vibe with Idina for me. Like if she did A, this life happened. If she did B, this other life happened. But for the most part, you're just watching it happen without any need for emotionally investing in either one? But given the powerhouse of N2N, I have faith the team can find the powerful show in here.

Idina's 11:00 was amazing, I also liked "Best Worst Mistake," which hasn't gotten much love in here.

Anyway, was very happy to see this, and am curious to see what turns up on Broadway. I hope they nail it. As I never read this forum until tonight, since I wanted to go in fresh (a decision I am still mixed about), the earlier reviews don't really describe the show I saw this week, so if they can morph it that much in DC, and have fun before Broadway, and a preview period on Broadway, there should be time to really find the amazing show that is swimming around in there.

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For those who have seen the show, how was the capacity of the theatre? Did it seem to be filled?

I saw the show on 12/4, and realized that there were lots of changes, even though I hadn't read this thread. The giveaway to the changes was a few stumbles on the lines. As far as the switches between timelines, I noticed the name change and, sometimes, the lighting, but not the handbag. I've been suggesting a wardrobe difference in comments I made on Facebook -- a scarf, perhaps.

The plane crash isn't a crash anymore -- it's a near miss. In act II, Beth and Lucas see each other and talk about why they've been apart for more than two years. She complains that he should have called her after her plane almost crashed into the Atlantic. He says she should have told him (presumably about the abortion). The story line leaves ambiguous whether she had an abortion or lost the baby because of the trauma due to the plane accident. Also, even though the plane scene happens right after Liz's wedding to Josh, the dialogue makes clear that Beth is going to London to give a speech on urban planning; her assistant comments on it before she boards, and another passenger wants to talk to her about her work because he's heard of her. Immediately after the scene, when the shocked audience wonders if Beth is dead, the suspense is carried forward because LaChanze's character walks into a bar and says she's lost someone. I really hope they keep the plane scene in because the ensemble number about fear, regret, and sadness is one of the most searing songs I've heard in a musical.

The one part that doesn't make sense to me in the plot(s) is why the LaChanze character and her spouse are happy in one timeline and divorce in the other. It is really obvious why Lucas winds up married to a man in one and single, in the other -- he's bisexual, with a crush on Elizabeth. He sleeps with Beth, gets her pregnant, and shows he's hurt. In the other timeline, Liz finds Josh and Lucas doesn't get involved with her, allowing him to find David.

If/Then does NOT put down women's choices -- it just makes clear that some lead to one thing (but cause us to sacrifice something else) and others can lead to the opposite. The idea is that Liz has a crummy job because she spent time with Josh and showed up a day too late to get the city planning job. Beth has the job because she went to the office to talk to Steven right away instead of staying to talk to Josh. In the end, the timelines cross -- the widowed Liz changes careers and decides to run for office, while Beth, happy in her career, but unable to find love, meets Josh (who is still alive because he didn't delay his deployment and therefore wound up in a less dangerous spot than Liz's Josh).

I really think (and hope) this show will be a hit. I'm just wondering how they'll manage to sing "WTF" on TV for the Tony awards.

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RW3 - Here are a couple of answers to your questions:

We went on a Saturday night in mid-November during the previews and it was a good crowd - only a few empty seats in the back of the orchestra. Our friends tried to get tickets for last night's show and couldn't get 4 together. We're going back again tonight. (so excited)

When we saw the show it was 2 hours and 45 mins.

PTOPhan, it was Beth that decided to run for office and met Josh--Liz was taking the job with Stephen at the end.

Just an update: Although there is supposed to be very icy conditions tonight, the show is still on. Be careful out there.
All the 'If/Then' reviews in one place on DCMTA

We saw the show again last night and are so glad we did. This cast is so good and Idina was simply spectacular. James Snyder gave a much stronger performance than when we saw him last month. And, I simply love LaChanze in her role as Kate (can't wait for the cast recording with "It's a Sign" and the "Story of Jane.")

We really like many of the changes - the transition between Beth and Liz is clearer between the lights and some wardrobe changes (although the elderly man behind me kept whispering to his wife "it's blue" "it's red" throughout the first Act.) I am also glad that the previous plane crash has been changed to a near miss. The show is still just a bit long...maybe they could trim some of the work dialogue or part of a Stephen song.

Now, we have to plan our trip to see this on Broadway!