Posted: 7/6/22 at 12:36pm
They would never invest all that time and money into something that runs only three weeks. So, Jordan is probably right regarding that being a preview period. So glad my wish came true and so quickly after I said it!
Posted: 7/6/22 at 2:01pm
The current Toronto production is very good. There are certainly many ‘wow’ moments and some stunning visuals. There were even mid-show ovations. I was reminded of the early days of Mamma Mia! when the audiences would just lose it when the first phrase of a song began. It’s very fun in that way.
Stark does read too young, but he makes it work. His part is drastically underwritten (why doesn’t he have a big solo moment? But maybe that’s intentional?)
Betsy is one of the best parts of this production. She lands the comedy. I think she’ll be a real contender for a supporting Tony next year.
Unfortunately, the rest of the casting is not as strong as the original West End company.
Lorna Courtney (Juliet) has a crazy amazing voice, and is generally wonderful in the part. But…there’s something off. Miriam-Teak Lee has such a strong presence and signature look, and that’s what’s missing here. Lorna just sort of blends in as ordinary. They’ve put her in the same costumes as Lee, which don’t fit her proportions as well, and they’ve neglected doing anything special with her hair/wig. I really missed the originality in her styling. She also just doesn’t have that star-quality that Lee has.
Ben Jackson Walker (Romeo) is completely bland and unremarkable onstage. You wonder why everyone, let alone Juliet, wants to be with him.
Poor Paulo…every one of his jokes landed with a thud. And when his rich baritone finally comes out late in Act 2, it’s so drastically different than the tone and sound of the rest of the show.
And perhaps the most miscast in the show is Philippe Arroyo as Francois. He’s fantastic but just totally the wrong type of performer for this role. He’s supposed to be the outsider, and dare I say he’s more suave and attractive than the guy playing Romeo.
The ensemble is working hard, and really bring a great energy to the show. Veronica Otim as Juliet’s mom is a real stand out, and is so delicious in that small part.
I imagine with the timeline there won’t be many changes (or changes in casting). But there’s potential for this show to be so much better.
Also random annoyance, during the curtain call they project character names during each bow. I wish they would put up performer names. It would make more sense.
Posted: 7/6/22 at 2:07pm
Also, what’s with the actual jukebox on stage before each act and at the end of the show? Do we really need the term “jukebox musical” to be spoon-fed to us?
Posted: 7/6/22 at 2:49pm
Lorna Courtney and ensemble performing "Roar"
Lorna Courtney, Betsy Wolfe, Melanie La Barrie, and ensemble performing "Blow"
Lorna Courtney and ensemble performing "Problem / Can't Feel My Face"
Posted: 7/6/22 at 4:11pm
These images seem very similar to the West End version, but there is something interesting about the different scale...
Posted: 7/6/22 at 5:15pm
And here is the corrected email.
“I want to give a slight correction on my earlier email about & Juliet. The production will have an open-ended run starting on October 28. Oct 28 – Nov 16 is the preview period, and opening night is Nov 17, 2022.
I hope you all get the chance to see this wonderful hit musical. As mentioned previously you will be able to purchase tickets on the TodayTix website or TodayTix app beginning at 10am tomorrow.”
Posted: 7/6/22 at 5:57pm
I feel like Broadway hasn’t had a musical this campy since Diana closed, and let’s be honest… we could all use a little camp right now.
Sure, & Juliet will have its naysayers, but for the majority, I’m sure it will be a pink, fizzy blast.
Posted: 7/6/22 at 6:03pm
Miriam had such an iconic look. I really hope they do something with her hair .
Posted: 7/6/22 at 6:54pm
I completely can see where that’s coming from… and this is not a criticism towards you… but Lorna’s performance will speak for itself, because if we are worrying about how the lead looks as opposed to her skill and spirit, then we’ve missed the point of the show. And that’s across the board, including how old or young people read on stage.
Posted: 7/6/22 at 6:55pm
Will tickets only be sold through TodayTix as the primary ticket vendor? Or is that only fir the pre-sale?
Updated On: 7/6/22 at 06:55 PM
Posted: 7/6/22 at 9:27pm
Tag said: "The current Toronto production is very good. There are certainly many ‘wow’ moments and some stunning visuals. There were even mid-show ovations. I was reminded of the early days of Mamma Mia! when the audiences would just lose it when the first phrase of a song began. It’s very fun in that way.
Stark does read too young, but he makes it work. His part is drastically underwritten (why doesn’t he have a big solo moment? But maybe that’s intentional?)
Betsy is one of the best parts of this production. She lands the comedy. I think she’ll be a real contender for a supporting Tony next year.
Unfortunately, the rest of the casting is not as strong as the original West End company.
Lorna Courtney (Juliet) has a crazy amazing voice, and is generally wonderful in the part. But…there’s something off. Miriam-Teak Lee has such a strong presence and signature look, and that’s what’s missing here. Lorna just sort of blends in as ordinary. They’ve put her in the same costumes as Lee, which don’t fit her proportions as well, and they’ve neglected doing anything special with her hair/wig. I really missed the originality in her styling. She also just doesn’t have that star-quality that Lee has.
Ben Jackson Walker (Romeo) is completely bland and unremarkable onstage. You wonder why everyone, let alone Juliet, wants to be with him.
Poor Paulo…every one of his jokes landed with a thud. And when his rich baritone finally comes out late in Act 2, it’s so drastically different than the tone and sound of the rest of the show.
And perhaps the most miscast in the show is Philippe Arroyo as Francois. He’s fantastic but just totally the wrong type of performer for this role. He’s supposed to be the outsider, and dare I say he’s more suave and attractive than the guy playing Romeo.
The ensemble is working hard, and really bring a great energy to the show. Veronica Otim as Juliet’s mom is a real stand out, and is so delicious in that small part.
I imagine with the timeline there won’t be many changes (or changes in casting). But there’s potential for this show to be so much better.
Also random annoyance, during the curtain call they project character names during each bow. I wish they would put up performer names. It would make more sense."
These are my general concerns from the initial casting. Francois, Shakespeare, and Romeo should not come across as interchangeable.
I'm a huge fan of the show on the West End, including the replacement/understudies that I have seen. Their Canadian counterparts just seem underwhelming by comparison. Hope I am wrong though, I will certainly be seeing it!
Posted: 7/6/22 at 9:43pm
Midnight Radio said: "
Their Canadian counterparts
Not sure that there is anything particularly Canadian about the cast. They were all cast with Broadway in mind.
Posted: 7/6/22 at 9:50pm
inception said: "Midnight Radio said: "
Their Canadian counterparts
Not sure that there is anything particularly Canadian about the cast. They were all cast with Broadway in mind.
"
I'm just talking about where the production is.
Posted: 7/6/22 at 10:02pm
Is this another show like Moulin Rouge where the audience feels invited to sing along? That was the most annoying part of Moulin Rouge. The “I know this song” feeling doesn’t mean you need to sing with the cast.
Posted: 7/7/22 at 9:05am
It's official! The Olivier Award-winning original musical & Juliet will have its highly anticipated Broadway premiere this fall. Currently playing a long-awaited pre-Broadway engagement in Toronto, & Juliet will transfer directly to Broadway, with previews beginning October 28, 2022 ahead of a November 17, 2022 opening at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre (124 West 43rd Street).
Tickets are available today at 10:00 am ET exclusively through the TodayTix app or on todaytix.com, marking the first-ever Broadway Musical pre-sale for the digital ticketing platform. Beginning Wednesday, July 13, tickets will be available at andjulietbroadway.com.
Posted: 7/7/22 at 9:43am
This is great to hear!
I watched this in London last fall and again in Toronto this past weekend.
My thoughts:
I preferred Miriam Teak-Lee over Lorna Courtney. Miriam has amazing stage presence and there's a reason why she won the Olivier award for Best Actress. Lorna has great vocals but something seemed off. I agree with Tag's earlier post that perhaps it's the wardrobe? Perhaps I'm also biased since I saw the London production first. Regardless, I do think Lorna has potential and will be better by opening night in fall.
Ben Jackson Walker's Romeo didn't seem like a womanizer to me. I have no idea how Juliet and other maidens in Verona fell in love with him.
Betsy Wolfe, Stark Sands, and Melanie la Barrie were standouts for me.
Rooting for this show and hope it does well and recoup.
Posted: 7/7/22 at 10:01am
I can’t get the app to work. Anyone else able to get through?
Posted: 7/7/22 at 10:11am
Nope - after selecting a date there are no seat options that show up. This is happening for me on the app.
Posted: 7/7/22 at 10:24am
God, I really hate TodayTix.
Posted: 7/7/22 at 10:26am
Not working for me either!
Posted: 7/7/22 at 10:31am
Ditto. Tried the app and web site. Nuthin’. X
Posted: 7/7/22 at 10:32am
It’s working for me now on the app.
Posted: 7/7/22 at 10:38am
Well that one hurt. Wow, today tix blows. But, got forth row Center for the beginning of November. Fun show. Can't wait.
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