Just back from the first preview of PORGY AND BESS....- Page 4

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 8/20/11 at 12:08pm

"Changing the title to the female character says this is gonna be more about Eliza and she will get her happy ending."

Actually the title makes it Higgins' story because it's from his POV. The "My" of the title the star. Just as in "The King and I" Anna (the "I") is the star - it's her story.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/20/11 at 5:32pm

Good points from all about MY FAIR LADY/PYGMALION, I think what I was trying to say is that MFL is more romantic version of PYG.
Which is what they were attempting, I think. (I don't channel L&L the way Paulus does Gersh.
Shaw's characters in general are not very romantic, unless brittle dialogue and political mumbo jumbo turn you on.
It is a major change but the beauty is that it works like crazy. They somehow figured out how to translate a play into a nearly perfect musical.

I'm a little worried when I hear the word riffing in a review of P&B, but I will still keep an open mind.

[Tom-497]

Posted: 8/21/11 at 11:02pm

I saw the fourth preview. I thought that the first 3/4 of the show had many good things in it. But I found the new ending extraordinarily stupid and vulgar. Just to add a couple of details to what others have said --

In the original, when Porgy gets back from ID'ing Crown's body, he kindly hands out presents, with the ultimate gift being for Bess, who, unbeknownst to Porgy, is already long gone.

In the new version, Porgy is smugly playing Santa Claus when Bess comes out of Porgy's offstage shack and says that she needs to talk to him about something important. Does Porgy hug her or kiss her after just getting out of jail? Does he even politely say, "Of course honey, what is it?" No -- HE BRUSHES HER OFF, actually saying something like, "Darn it, Bess, can't you see I'm handing out presents!" I was appalled -- it was easily the worst thing I've seen on a stage in years, and perhaps ever.

And the stupidity just kept coming. Bess asks Porgy to go with her and Clara's baby to start again in New York, and Porgy says NO!! "I can't run with your kind, Bess." Bess accuses Porgy of killing Crown solely to prove that he, Porgy, is mas macho. Porgy, in turn, throws some money in Bess's face. Bess calls the church ladies bitches, the church ladies take Clara's baby from Bess, and Bess leaves, whining about how she never fit in there anyway.

Within moments, Porgy has started moaning about how much he loves Bess and how he must get her back. But given that Bess has just left about three minutes previously, he probably could have asked someone to run down the block and catch her.

Porgy gives a speech about his love for Bess, which receives an exceptionally brief cold shoulder from the townspeople (who literally turn their backs on him). But then, they turn right back around, all smiles and good thoughts. And with his newly braced legs, Porgy limps (a bit) into the sunset, singing I'm On My Way.

Separately, I'd note that the "little David" and Goliath verse in It Ain't Necessarily So works a lot better when everyone is literally looking down on the crippled man who will eventually kill Crown. It is less meaningful when the limping but tall Porgy, as played by Norm Lewis, is physically looking down on almost everyone else in the cast. (Incidentally, they also cut the "little Moses" verse.)

Also, as someone suggested, some of the music sounds a bit too modern or otherwise ill-fitting, particularly on Sportin' Life's songs, where orchestral overkill seems to be variously compensating for mediocre vocals or trampling on good ones.

And another number really made me think of the bouncy instrumental part of Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" -- just before he sings, "I love you baaaby..." I'm almost positive I've never thought that while listening to any other versions of the show.

Last, I'd note that one of the things that I like about other versions is the abundance of exciting percussion parts. Unfortunately, at least in the mix as heard from my seat, that aspect of the show has been minimized.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/21/11 at 11:33pm

"he probably could have asked someone to run down the block and catch her"
Nice

How is the physical production?
Not much has been mentioned, I'm not judging the whole show, but the press pics make it look rather clean. Is there a slum feel to Catfish Row?
Updated On: 8/22/11 at 11:33 PM

[alliez92092]

Posted: 8/22/11 at 12:00am

I just got back from tonight's show and really, really enjoyed it. Add me to the uneducated group of people who have never seen Porgy and Bess before because this was my first full introduction to the piece. I've read a lot about it and have watched movie clips and knew the songs, but I never saw it live. It's a very powerful show, which stems from it's incredible score. I had chills throughout the entire night just from that score.

Audra McDonald is giving an absolutely stunning performance. In my opinion, she is one of the most talented actors we currently have and she proves that again in this show. Norm Lewis was fantastic as well and doesn't miss a beat. The rest of the supporting cast is equally strong. I just really enjoyed the show and was impressed.

All that being said, I completely and 100% agree that the new ending is crap. Yes it gave for some nice Audra moments, but it ruined the momentum of the piece and didn't drive it home like it could have. Honestly, from what I know of the original piece it is so strong on it's own that the majority of the cuts didn't have to be made. I would've definitely sat there for 3 hours and not have been bored. Doing the original version with minor changes and cuts would allow Audra, Norm, and everyone else to give even stronger performances than they are currently giving. After the show, I was asked to film a testimonial which I did, and if it gets posted I will sound like a raving idiot, but this criticism was very present in my mind. It just wasn't something I could say on tape hahaha.

So yeah at the end of the day, I think the changes (besides the ending) didn't do anything to harm the show, but they didn't strengthen it either. The show is not as good as it could be but because of the stregnth of the original material kept in tact and the power of the company, it is a really great night in the theater.

[Tom-497]

Posted: 8/22/11 at 12:14am

I think "clean" is a fair description. The stage is almost completely bare, with only a very high, long back wall made to look like planks on the side of a shack, except magnified enormously.

But I didn't find the presentation overly clean. For instance, I thought the costumes had just enough color and variety to be appealing, without seeming too artificial.

And some of the visuals are pretty striking, though simple. I thought the scene where the churchladies find the raving Bess, bathe her legs as she stands in a small washbasin, and then put her to bed on the floor was especially well-done.

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 8/22/11 at 6:53am

Thanks for the early reports, guys. Those of us who are thousands of miles from Boston and New York have to imagine the new production for now, based on your posts.

Am I correct in assuming Miss MacDonald is doing 8 shows a week? I haven't heard anybody mentioning other women playing Bess.

I'm asking because Clamma Dale made a legendary Bess for the Houston Grand Opera's Broadway revival in the 70s. That production was over 3 hours, but IIRC Dale shared the 8 shows per week with 2 other Besses.

[pushdabutton]

Posted: 8/22/11 at 8:40pm

For those of you who have seen Porgy and Bess already in Cambridge, Massachusetts, does Audra sign or take photos with you at the stage door? Where is the stage door located at this theatre?

[malletgirl02]

Posted: 8/22/11 at 9:24pm

I read on the All that Chat message board that "My Man is Gone" was also lowered in addition to "Summertime". Is that true? If you it is unfortunate, because "My Man is Gone" is thrilling in its original key.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 8/22/11 at 10:13pm

Actually, do people stage door at A.R.T.?

[alliez92092]

Posted: 8/22/11 at 11:20pm

I waited around in the lobby after the show and all of the actors, including Audra, came out and signed and took pictures. Everybody was incredibly gracious.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/23/11 at 7:11am

I wonder...did Anne Brown stagedoor?

Updated On: 8/23/11 at 07:11 AM

[pushdabutton]

Posted: 8/23/11 at 11:09am

So just to confirm alliez92092, there is no stage door. The actors exit through the lobby? Does the staff of the theatre give you a hard time for hanging around in the lobby after the show?

Sorry for all the questions. I have never been to this theatre before and will be going this weekend!

[MadonnaMusical]

Posted: 8/23/11 at 1:55pm

THE NEW ENDING SOUNDS ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE!!!! All of a sudden Porgy is the bad guy... kicking Bess out???? THAT MAKES NO SENSE!!!! What does this say about unconditional love? Nothing. Why would Bess even take Porgy back when he finds her? This is the worst Idea I've EVER HEARD.

[BroadwayBrat]

Posted: 8/23/11 at 11:48pm

The cast is so wonderful. They all came out and chatted, signed, and took pictures. Audra was so sweet. We chatted for a few minutes and took a quick photo. Everyone else in the cast was equally nice and seemed happy to be getting such an enthusiastic response.

The stage door is just outside the auditorium exit, before you go outside. I asked someone and they were happy to point it out.

Loved the show!

[justoldbill]

Posted: 8/24/11 at 12:31am

I too am disturbed by the reports that both "Summertime" and "My Man's Gone Now" are reset in lower keys. I can't imagine the show having been intentionally cast with singers unable to handle the roles as written. One wonders if this isn't a situation where "No one sings higher than Audra", mirroring that old dictum from the 1960's, "No one kicks higher than Angela".

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 8/24/11 at 1:13am

Interesting theory, justoldbill. I've suggested on other threads that the new ending may be motivated by MacDonald's desire to play a victim of narrow-mindedness rather than a weak-willed drug-addict.

[justoldbill]

Posted: 8/24/11 at 1:21am

I hope we don't have another Kathleen Battle in the making. The next thing you know, she'll be insisting that the other performers on stage not look at her while she's singing.

[alliez92092]

Posted: 8/24/11 at 9:20am

I really don't think it's about Audra McDonald's desire to play the victim. At the end of the day, Paulus and her tam are trying to change things up and make some sort of statement, one I really disagree with. But I wouldn't blame it on the actors.

Oh other random thought, the use of the real baby was dumb and distracting. There was no need.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 8/24/11 at 9:59am

"Oh other random thought, the use of the real baby was dumb and distracting. There was no need."

Exactly, especially since the doll used for the rest of the production was so much smaller. It was just odd. How good was that baby, though? I am surprised he/she got through Summertime and Joshua Henry singing directly into his/her face!

I liked the production quite alot, though I'm not a purist with this material. I thought McDonald and Lewis were wonderful. She is a strong force and did overpower him in parts of their duets.

Joshua Henry and Philip Boykin were standouts for me.

"Summertime" was lowered for Daniels in the opening. I didnt think the reprise by Audra was lowered for her. Is that confirmed?

[justoldbill]

Posted: 8/24/11 at 12:47pm

Lowered for Daniels and not lowered for Audra. Like I said....

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/24/11 at 1:08pm

Oh other random thought, the use of the real baby was dumb and distracting. There was no need.

Fire the baby and bring back the goat.

[justoldbill]

Posted: 8/24/11 at 1:47pm

NOBODY'S going to sing "Summertime" to the goat! That change is just too much! Sondheim's kvetched enough!

[justoldbill]

Posted: 8/24/11 at 1:47pm

Sorry, I lost my head for a moment. But really, nothing would surprise me at this point. What was Audra's response to Sondheim? Artifice isn't easy? Something like that?

Updated On: 8/24/11 at 01:47 PM

[musicalmack]

Posted: 8/24/11 at 3:07pm

What's with the sudden Audra McDonald hate? I don't think you guys are giving her enough credit as an artist. I don't think she'd demand to have parts of the show re-written or transposed to put her in a better light. She's a fantastic, well-established performer, and chances are she doesn't feel threatened by her fellow cast mates or the material. She's never struck me as anything but gracious.

I think Audra's a smart actress and would have found traces of humanity in Bess whether or not the ending was different. She doesn't need rewrites to make her look better. You can hate the changes all you want, but I don't think it's fair to blame a performer for the creative team's alterations.