KING KONG - Previews — Page 12

The preview on Wednesday had a song in the middle of Act 2 that was quite good, something along the lines of "The Show Must Go On", though I could not find it in my Playbill afterwards. Could this be it? It seemed like the best song of Act 2.

Well, it's not as bad as many have said, but it's a bit of a jumble.

Biggest problem to me was the puppet. Really, that's what everyone comes for. Apart from a few quick head jerks there's no real threat. As someone said, it's like a moody Thanksgiving Day parade float. It does more air work than Sandy Duncan in Peter Pan. and none of it particularly effective or impactful. (Also: I have NO idea what happens in Skull Island when we first meet the ape. Ann seems to get caught in a left over Kiss Of The Spider Woman web.)

The second problem was the tone of the show. SPOILERS

It's really about Ann's ambition and what she will give up to be famous. There's lots of snappy choreography and about five "I Want" numbers. But in the end, I didn't really care about any of her concerns. The ape seems like a prop to wrap a tired show biz story around. Maybe that's why he looks so gloomy. He's not really the star.

Also, sorry to say, the actress just isn't strong enough to compel. She's only adequate in every way. And needing diction lessons. Maybe that's the point, but again, I couldn't muster up any interest in her. And her dialogue is needlessly, annoyingly, anachronistic.

The snappy choreography is well done, but it's hip-hoppy, edgy style doesn't seem to work for the 42nd Street tried-and-true story being hoisted on us. Can't wait to see the choreographer's work in something else, tho. And the songs are generic and bland. White noise-y. Audience response was tepid, at best.

Another one bites the dust....

Updated On: 10/26/18 at 06:34 PM

Attending the 11/7 matinee performance, seated front mezzanine and hoping to enjoy the show. That same evening will be attending Jeff Daniels in To Kill A Mockingbird. Quite a contrast in tones.

Will the ape get the bird from me or will both be opposable thumbs up?

Attended the matinee performance on Saturday, October 27. Although I didn't hate it I certainly didn't love it either. I always ask myself a bunch of questions to see how the answers compare:

1. Would I buy this recording and listen to it again? No, I didn't enjoy the music.

2. Would I recommend this to family and friends? Yes, with the explanation that this is a spectacle (the puppet) with very dry periods (the story). Takes a LONG time to get to the puppet which is visually the most exciting part of the production.

3. Would I sit through this again? On the fence about this because the great parts were amazing but the rest of it music/story/choreography were the complete opposite. Therefore, were the parts I didn't enjoy worth sitting through waiting for the parts that I absolutely loved...yes but not for full ticket price. If I could score a discounted ticket.

4. Was the price of my ticket worth the value? My front row ticket was $109 using an email offer. I felt that I received a $109 value for what I paid specifically because of the performance of King Kong.

5. Not considering King Kong (the puppet) were there any other worth while performances? Not really...only Christiani Pitts (as Ann Darrow) gave an enjoyable performance. Unfortunately, no other performers/roles were worth remembering or saying "you have to see X actor in this role".

6. Will this last on Broadway? Yes for a while because it has wow factor. However, this will not go down as a long run nor would I ever imagine this being a revival.

7. I took my 8 year old daughter. She is an animal lover. We explained to her that he dies at the end. That is not a spoiler if you know anything about the King Kong story. What I was NOT anticipating was the incredibly violent visual demise. I loved it! Unfortunately, it devastated her animal loving, naive little heart.

I am glad I saw this. I was looking forward to seeing it since it premiered in Australia. I am glad I did not spend time and money to go all the way to Australian for this. It was not the bomb that I was anticipating.

"The theatre was packed it was not all papered either. There were TONS of tourists paying full price."

Did you see their tickets?

HunterK said: "Have you seen this show yet DRAMA MAMA? Cause it the most physical thing I have seen a very long time. She barely leaves the stage and is thrown and tossed all over the place. Plus she dances full out and belts out songs when you thought it was done. So I am just backing up my statement, that was out of my own opinion, that role is the most demanding in the show (next to the “Kong Company” that are running, jumping and climbing the puppet with cords and hooks.
So yes this role is more demanding then some other roles currently running."

Ditto'ing this - it's a very demanding role! I didn't love her performance very much though. :

I saw it Saturday night; despite the audience's enthusiasm throughout the show, there was no immediate standing ovation (as is all but commonplace on Broadway nowadays) until the very end, and Kong/its puppeteers got the biggest applause of all, as they should!

No, I haven't -- I was LITERALLY looking at your statement. The way another poster explained it (though it was refuted by another) made MUCH more sense in your intent. YOUR words (originally) didn't make your argument -especially to someone that hasn't yet seen it.

dramamama611 said: "No, I haven't -- I was LITERALLY looking at your statement. The way another poster explained it (though it was refuted by another) made MUCH more sense in your intent. YOUR words (originally) didn't make your argument -especially to someone that hasn't yet seen it."

Take a breath, no reason to be getting upset. I apologize my post didn't support my statements. Just my opinions for a public message board. Just expressing my thoughts on a production that I physically saw.