Julian Ovenden sings FINDING NEVERLAND- Page 2

[KirbyCat]

Posted: 3/9/15 at 11:36pm

I agree: an accessible score is important for the type of audience Weinstein wants, and hiring a new team for the score was probably a smart move. But I also think that the new score really is not good at all. Certainly hummable, but in an irritating doesn't-make-you-wanna-listen-anymore kind of way. I hated every second of it.
(The orchestrations are also atrocious.)

[LarryD2]

Posted: 3/12/15 at 9:04am

He clearly doesn't have any vocal issues, if that excerpt is any indication.

Ovenden developed laryngitis during previews for DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY and had to withdraw from that production. No permanent vocal damage, but since that show was his most high-profile gig over here to date, it's probably foremost in a lot of people's minds.

He was in glorious voice when he did the NY Philharmonic concert of SHOW BOAT six months ago.

And isn't he something of a name over in your parts, owing to Downton Abbey?

Ovenden is hardly known in the states, aside from certain niche audiences.

[bwayrose7]

Posted: 3/12/15 at 11:02am

Aaaand the link is gone. Boo I wanted to hear that- Ovenden has such a gorgeous voice, and I can just imagine how lovely this must have been.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 3/12/15 at 11:40am

This is the part where I would shake my fist and go *WEINSTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEIN* but who am I kidding, I'm probably gonna end up seeing this again on Broadway if I can.

[Back Row]

Posted: 3/12/15 at 12:09pm

I suspected that this link would disappear (just as links featuring the singing of Jeremy Jordan have disappeared from the A.R.T. site). I am not familiar with these kinds of things, so I'll just ask: How much control does Weinstein maintain over the original (unused) score, and for how long?

I understand the need to focus on on the elements of the show as it exists now, but I wonder how productive it is for Weinstein to so aggressively embargo the contributions of all those he has cast aside along the way. In such a crowded season of new musicals, he seems to be generating an unnecessary amount of negative mojo for his show.

Updated On: 3/12/15 at 12:09 PM

[lotiloti]

Posted: 3/12/15 at 2:00pm

I too saw the original production in Leicester. At the time I described it, as a set looking for a show. The set being the most impressive thing about it. But even that didn't work,as it was overpowering everything else on stage. The only direction I could imagine the actors received was, stand on the front apron for most of the show (and they did) to avoid the bloody set. The score was awful, completely forgettable.But even then, you could see the seeds of a good show. I really hope they have succeeded.