Jagged Little Pill preview thread — Page 7

This is when I wish creatives were more involved with like the message board - I know they'd never do it they're way too busy - but I'd love to pick their ear about what they changed or why they didn't change it. I'm sure a lot of it is $ already spent, etc.

But like, the band rolling on stage and off, was just so pointless to me? I didn't get it. Why use that same trope again?

Miles2Go2 said: "It seems like major changes from out-of-town try-outs and previews are pretty rare these days. Musicals like Wicked and Next to Normal and Hello, Dolly! had significant changes (songs cut, replaced added; plots tweaked) prior to opening. Pretty rare these days. Seems like they mainly use try-outs and previews now to make minor tweaks and to build momentum and hopefully good word-of-mouth. "


For what it’s worth, Hadestown is monumentally different than it was at NYTW. Not just in design - the characters of Hermès, Persephone and Orpheus were rethought, the entire narrative was streamlined, and the majority (if not all?) of the 40 songs were rewritten/updated. It’s the gold standard in my opinion of when an artist is able to take advantage of time and grow the show, willing to cut things, add things, and shake it up all in service of the show.

For the most part though, you’re right. Very few shows actually make enough changes.

I guess they just thought it was a perfect show?

The scenic design alone could have used some rethinking.

uncageg said: "dramamama611 said: "I'm not sure, but isn't Alanis ON the creative team? (I just don't remember)"

Pulled out my Playbill. I don't see her listed as contributing anything other than the music and lyrics. I am just wondering how much or even if they consulted with her about the arrangements.

"

There are a lot of little lyric changes to help make the songs live in the show better, and I’m assuming either she wrote them or approved of them.

Minority opinion on one element: the set. I don't really feel it's ugly or cheap (it's likely far from cheap; the panels are all lined in neon, which reminded me of the original "Carrie," oddly enough.) But the set isn't a friend of the storytelling, since its busyness feels contrived to make the plot seem more driven. And so much of the resulting reconfiguration leave us back with a down center spot to hold the subequent scene. The set breaks apart, pushes back, and reveals ... a new couch. MILD SPOILER. When the protagonist goes to church, we get a strangely ornate presentation, complete with flickering votives. It makes the sequence feel more important than it is, as if religion plays a role in the story. It doesn't really. The set doesn't have a true concept, other than that aggressive insistence on forcing actors to get out of the way. If the message in the design is: life shoves you around, okay, understood. But it leaves Paulus with little squares to stage confrontations and too many songs down center with that snippy chorus creeping in around the periphery to add their two cents. When you add that band, smashing into itself, everything feels too kinetic for kinetic's sake. But it looks damned costly and the show must have had a nightmare tech. If you're in the wrong place, that set will hurt you, badly.

brando193 said: "Hey Everyone! Looking to potentially see this when I’m in town in a few weeks (despite the lukewarm reactions) and had a question about seating for those who’ve seen. How obstructed would you say that seats 13-17 or 14-18 in Rows B-F would be? And is there a preferred side of the theater to sit on your recommend? They just released some cheaper seats for various performances up close on the sides, but if it’ll be too obstructed I’d rather test my luck for Rush tickets. Thanks!"

Only lukewarm reactions are on here and not from the other 1000 people at the show every night.

Rush tickets are basically the same seats.

GreasedLightning said: "Not exactly... Not a single person I know who has seen this has enjoyed it. On or off the boards. "

On the contrary, everyone I've spoken to outside the boards has raved about it. It just seems like this will be another very divisive piece.

Gee treblemakerz, it’s almost like you and GreasedLightning were talking to two completely different groups of people.

n2nbaby said: "It really comes down to one thing. There are people that LOVE manipulative forms of entertainment (Crash, American Son, this) and people who see through it and hate it."

You seem like a fun dude!

GreasedLightning said: "Not exactly... Not a single person I know who has seen this has enjoyed it. On or off the boards. "

I disliked In The Heights, Hamilton and barely liked Hadestown as did many of my friends. Wont say it's a lukewarm reception because of those people.