Jane Eyre?

How did everyone feel about this show? I just bought the cast recording and I think its pretty good, and there are a few songs that are exceptional. But I'm intrigued to learn more about the physical production, the cast, critical reception, and everything.

If you saw it what did you think?

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I have to admit I kinda ignored it at the time--it looked like a 3rd rate British Megamusical attempt. Now I've heard some fo the music and regret not paying more attention--John Caird was director and I believe even helped with some of the writing--he of course co directed Les Mis and Nicholas Nickleby as well as directed 1999 National Theatre London Candide I saw which was one of the best pieces of theatre I've ever experienced

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I adore Jane Eyre. I put some of the Canadian tracks on my mp3 player so that when I listen to the Broadway CD I can actually have the opening number and stuff since so much was left off of the OBC, but otherwise it's great.

I worked on the show and really loved it (OK, so I had some bias). Marla was absolutely amazing, and definitely deserved that Tony. The set was really incredible with the rotating carousel grid which allowed the lights, scrims and flying pieces to rotate with (or against) the turntable. But I also think it kind of limited what could be done with the show because everything was kind of floating in space, and often the stage looked very empty. They also had to really cram it into the Brooks because it was designed for a larger theatre, and that probably led to more compromises as well. There were a number of effects that never felt quite finished, like the fire and the scene with Rochester falling off the horse. It was like they were "this close" to making it look amazing, but didn't have the time to figure it out. Personally, the impression I got was that the whole show -- writing as well as staging -- just ran out of time to achieve what it could have.

To sum it up, I would say it was a case of opening at the wrong place at the wrong time. It had taken a long time to get to Broadway, and that was the worst possible season for a serious musical to try to succeed -- people just weren't in the mood. And JE was not alone in being overlooked that season. Just about everything that wasn't The Producers had some talent that deserved a Tony more. Now I walk past the darkened St. James and think, "What was all that about?" It's a shame that such a mockery was made of the Tonys and the theatre in general over what proved itself to be no more than your average hit musical comedy.

Marla Schaffel totally deserved the Tony over Christine Ebersol that year. I found the "setting" to be a bit dark per se, but the performances of Marla and James Barbour were wonderful.

I think the fact that Christine won that year is probably the reason I don't care for her.

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Updated On: 5/15/07 at 03:28 PM

Jane Eyre is one of my favorite books and while I never saw the show, the cast recording gets a lot of play in my house. I can tell you now I'm a sucker for those big belty pop historical shows. But I think the score for this show has so many beautiful melodies that accurately reflect the novel. The cast on the OBC is phenomenal and Marla absolutely emodies Jane, her performance is perfection.

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I saw my HS do it, and to this day remains one of the most gorgeous things I have ever seen on a stage.

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I disagree. I can't speak for the production, but the Toronto cast recording on its own is basically numberless. They were smart to write in some new actual production numbers like "Sweet Liberty" and "Sirens". I'm not sure if those songs were in the original production and just not recorded for the Toronto CD, but they were definite improvements. It's a shame that the complete score has not yet been preserved.

Where can you get the toronto cast recording? I can't find it on amazon.

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sing_dance_love, I believe the Toronto recording is out of print, but it's available for (free) download here (hope this is okay):

http://www.currerwells.net/janeeyre/torontocd.html

Updated On: 5/15/07 at 05:11 PM

Thanks to this thread, I have now been listening to the recording (Broadway) all afternoon. I'm sure my co-workers are about to kill me!

I really regret not making more of an effort to see this show. This is definitely one recording that I have always loved and can listen to all the way through each time.

The Toronto recording is currently on-sale at www.footlight.com.

Having only seen James Barbour and heard Anthony Crivello, I prefer Barbour...but then again, I've always been a fan of his. I don't dislike Crivello at all though. Their two voices are very different. Barbour's is a more straight-forward Broadway baritone, whereas Crivello has an edgier, one-might-say rock sound. They both sound perfectly valid, but having gotten to know the show first with the Broadway cast, that's the one I tend to listen the most.

EDIT: Well, it WAS on-sale this morning, but now I can't find it listed on the site anymore.

Updated On: 5/15/07 at 06:10 PM

I love this cast album. I wish I could see it onstage (or play Jane). Gorgeous music.