Ivy Lynn takes Encores by storm!- Page 3

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 5/11/12 at 11:57am

I know it has always tanken months to transfer in the past. I more meant where the Jujamcyn theatres were available and the actors were free until fall they should load up the trucks Sunday.

Updated On: 5/11/12 at 11:57 AM

[AC126748]

Posted: 5/11/12 at 3:50pm

If they transfer, it's looking like it would be in the fall for a short run as Hilty shoots in the summer and York is out on the road in October. - So maybe a brief 8-10 week run in August-October?

Anything Goes begins in Cleveland on October 2, and there is going to be at least a month of rehearsal before they go on the road in New York. I'd imagine that would preclude York from doing a transfer in the time period you propose.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 5/11/12 at 4:49pm

It would actually make more sense for them to wait for the transfer and open in early April. Megan's schedule would be more open (see Christian Borle with Peter and the Starcatcher), and she'll be more of a name by the end of season 2 of Smash. It would also be much closer to the award season, so it wouldn't be forgotten.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/12/12 at 10:31am

I saw the show last night and I have to say I didn't fall head over heels in love with it like most of you guys and Brantley did. Don't get me wrong, it's enjoyable (particularly the second act), but its a fine production of a so-so show. I've seen far better shows at Encores in recent memory (including ANYONE CAN WHISTLE, which is just a complete disaster of a show that they turned into an utter gem). Megan Hilty is, as always, very good and reliable, and the cast is sensational altogether. The dance numbers are extremely impressive. The orchestra sounded phenomenal (Encores always has the best orchestras for their shows) and the show went by quickly for the most part (the first act does drag a bit). Is it bad? No! Is it as rave-worthy as Brantley seems to think? No. I enjoyed myself, but have seen productions at Encores that are far more worthy of recordings or transfers than this one.

I do have to say, the two songs that open the second act (Mamie is Mimi and Diamonds...) were the only time I felt the show bursted to full-fledged exuberance, something I missed sorely in the first act.

[goldenboy]

Posted: 5/13/12 at 2:40pm

I loved every minute of this show. It was old fashioned musical comedy at its best.
Randy Skinner and Hugh Martin are the champions of this Encore's REvival. The choregraphy was superb.

I caught Megan Hilty in Wicked in 2005 and I had never heard of her before.. She blew me away in Wicked and in a long time had I caught a performer of that calibre.
Not since Gwen Verdon or Bebe Neuwirth had I had that feeling in the theatre. I had a feeling she would go far. She was much better than the Elphaba.

I caught her in 9 to 5 and she was perfect. Unfortunately, the critics were bashing that show that year. 9 to 5 wasn't bad and Hilty was perfectly hilarious in it channelling Dolly Parton. (Open your eyes Ben Brantley she was great in 9 to 5 too)

So back to Gentlemen: Hugh Martin's Vocal Arrangements are spectacular. What a joy to listen to those 8 part harmonies of Hugh Martins. Thank heaven there is an article about Hugh Marin in the program and those harmonies are God like.

Rachel York and Megan were a great team! Love them both in this show.

As for the poster who questioned the performance of Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend. I have to agree....... something wasn't quite right there.

When Carol sung it (as I can imagine) it was a tongue in cheek spoof on gold digging. You giggled all the way at its silliness.

When Marilyn sang it it was sex personified. You were amazed at how you were teased by it.

Megan actually sang very differently........and without apology. Or cutesiness. Or sexiness. In fact she sang it a little angry and determined. It was a "I know exactly what I am doing" take on the number. So look out. F*CK you. I'm here. This is the way it is.

Did it work? I'm not sure. It was different.
But at least it was honest.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 5/14/12 at 2:39am

"I saw the show last night and I have to say I didn't fall head over heels in love with it like most of you guys and Brantley did. Don't get me wrong, it's enjoyable (particularly the second act), but its a fine production of a so-so show. I've seen far better shows at Encores in recent memory"

I agree a 100%, I had a great time, but Act 1 was 20 minutes too long. And "Merrily" was far superior than this show, but a great time at the theatre nevertheless! Megan Sikora is a gem, and so is Rachel York. Megan Hilty was great as Glinda(I saw her when she was still an understudy, I think it was her 1st performance as Glinda on Broadway along with Idina Menzel, Jennifer Laura Thompson was out), but I felt like she was singing in the same key the entire show, which is a pitty because she can hit pretty great notes, and even Marilyn, that was a very limited singer, played with "Diamonds" a bit more. Hilty just just belting the whole time...