Keep the CORAM BOY Alive- Page 2

[Theatreboy33]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 8:42pm

As for the newspaper critics, I agree about them missing the boat on this one. The utter disparity in the London reviews and the New York reviews for this show demonstrate exactly what David Hare recently accused New York (especially The Times) critics of: they hate theatre. Coram Boy is certainly not a show for the cynical. This is an absolutely earnest play in the old melodrama fashion. And in that it succceeds beautifully. However, for a Broadway audience obsessed with tongue in cheek humor, self commenting, and the utter fear to really go for any emotional impact, of course it is obvious that such an English melodrama would fail. I just think its a shame that Americans have grown so cynical of theatre in just a short 230 years, while England has been thriving on this (and other) types of theatrical entertainment for over 400 years and has yet to grow so cynical and above it all. So while I'd love to see Coram Boy do well on Broadway, the simple reality is it never really had a chance to begin with. Better it go back to England and thrive amongst their wealth of theatrical options.

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 10:18pm

Well so I just saw this today. I'm not really sure how I feel about it. It was simultaneously beautiful & horrifying, with some techniques that I loved (the turntable effect when Alex's voice cracks was brilliant! I didn't see that coming and I thought it worked to great effect.) and some parts that I couldn't help but giggle at. It's definately an experience and if you can see it I would recommend it for sure, but while I'm glad I saw it once I wouldn't want to go again. (And since I was sitting in row A, the last scene of Act 1 was really intense & creepy. I wonder how the rest of the show looked from the mezz though, as I don't think I got the full effect of the water scene in Act 2.)

[bythesword84]

Posted: 5/21/07 at 12:19am

I've seen it from both the front row and the Mezz and while I always prefer to be up front, the underwater effect from the Mezz is gorgeous. I think the show gets better with each time I see it, and it bothers me that this show is going to be waved away as something that didn't make it.

[Fantabulous428]

Posted: 5/21/07 at 1:19am

Where are their student rush seats?

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 5/21/07 at 1:43am

Student rush seats are second row orchestra, if you get there when the box office opens. I had row A seat 7.

Updated On: 5/21/07 at 01:43 AM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/21/07 at 1:43am

Anything they have left. That's why it never runs out.

[bythesword84]

Posted: 5/21/07 at 1:56am

Munk is right, I got a rush on Saturday night at about 5:30 and had a center rear Mezz seat.

[jochang621]

Posted: 5/21/07 at 2:55pm

My rush seat was front row to fairly extreme stage left. They were still full view, and great seats IMO. I could understand how the water scene could be amazing from the mezzanine, but I always love being close up and to even see Xanthe Elbrick play a brief scene in the ensemble.

She is truly amazing.

[FrancisGumm]

Posted: 5/21/07 at 6:16pm

most likely there will be no cd for this show, correct? is there one for the london one? its beautiful!

[jordangirl]

Posted: 5/21/07 at 6:19pm

The CD is of Handel's Messiah. I haven't looked to see which recording they're selling.

[TBone]

Posted: 5/21/07 at 6:22pm

I couldn't agree more with you about Xanthe, Jochang. The scene between Aaron and Meshak in the garden during act two was practically played in my lap yesterday, and it was beyond incredible. She amazes me everytime I see this show.
Updated On: 5/21/07 at 06:22 PM

[jordangirl]

Posted: 5/21/07 at 6:25pm

TBone...were you in A12? I scooted over there because a REALLY TALL person was crammed into the front row seat and I couldn't see over them.

That scene is amazing ~ even moreso up close!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/21/07 at 6:25pm

I was in the third row, and I honestly feel that you need to be at least half way back to appreciate the show.

For one, the girls are NOT passable as boys. Not at all. The illusion is ruined up close (not that they try very hard to make them look like boys, but still).

[TBone]

Posted: 5/21/07 at 6:27pm

Jo, I was in AA2. There were only two of us in the row (I think there are 4 seats)

[jordangirl]

Posted: 5/21/07 at 6:35pm

Very cool!

I saw it Saturday night and AA was full.

I saw it the week before and was in row G. I liked the different angle thing...and being close worked well for me!

[TBone]

Posted: 5/21/07 at 6:42pm

I'm hoping to catch it from the Mezz. Maybe I'll get lucky on sunday.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/21/07 at 6:44pm

Just ask them to sit in the mezz. If they have it, they'll give it to you.

I always ask for an aisle seat when I get rush, and they always find something.

[TBone]

Posted: 5/21/07 at 6:55pm

Thanks, Munk. I'll have to give that a shot. I always feel weird asking for certain seats when I get student rush, though. I always feel like it's one of those "you get what you get" type things.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/21/07 at 6:58pm

Well if it's something that people aren't knocking down doors to see and there's no big line, you shouldn't feel weird asking.

[FrancisGumm]

Posted: 5/21/07 at 9:09pm

So if i go any day this week before it closes, i should be able to obtain a rush seat for 26? and if possible to sit in an isle somewhere in the middle?

[sundaymorning6am]

Posted: 5/23/07 at 2:46am

I saw this show tonight and I have one word for it: AMAZING.

It's something I've never experienced in a theatre before! Keep it alive!

[Testing1232]

Posted: 5/23/07 at 7:09pm

Just got back from today's matinee- Couldnt see the entire Mezz, but the Orchestra was packed !! (Frank Wood was there)

Was in 2nd row ! (thanks, TDF !!)

Show was great- decided to stagedoor after the show, and just about the entire cast came out- Xanthe was just about last, but I was not leaving without seeing her !! Told her and Brad Fleischer that this was the 10th time I had seen the show (had shirt and cap on, so they could see I was a little obsessive !!)

Brad Fleischer is one of the nicest people that I have met in theatre !!

The entire cast still cant believe the show is closing - You can see them tear up towards the end of the show today. I heard a woman walking down the street after the show telling a friend that she hopes what she heard about an extension is true, but the cast seemed to be resigned to the fact that Sunday is it.

Will be back tomorrow night--- couldnt catch Charlotte Parry, so will try again- Btw, would have given her the Tony nom over Maxwell.

[TBone]

Posted: 5/23/07 at 7:20pm

I just bought my ticket to final performance on Sunday.

This makes me so very, very sad.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/23/07 at 7:59pm

As per the box office, Handel will hear his last Hallelujah definitely on Sunday.

[mikem]

Posted: 5/23/07 at 8:07pm

I have to say that based on the reports from this week, I'm a little surprised the show isn't giving it another week or two. If reports from both Tuesday night and Weds matinee were of a full orchestra, the week as a whole should do much better than the 45% to 50% capacity the show has been doing recently.