I saw the show on broadway shortly before the tony awards from the far left side of the front mezzo, from that vantage point I could see that the pleather wasn't actually getting cut in step one. It just has pre cut pieces within the roll.
I'm seeing it for the first time tonight, I've heard it's awesome so I'm super excited!
Broadway Star Joined: 12/31/69
ACL2006 said: "isn't the tour now on a SETA contract?
"
I'm not an expert on the different types of touring contracts, but I thought this tour was always on a SETA contract?
I really miss the actual sliding factory walls... the painted drop just looks cheap.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/25/05
245601 said: "ACL2006 said: "isn't the tour now on a SETA contract?
"I'm not an expert on the different types of touring contracts, but I thought this tour was always on a SETA contract? "
It was originally on a Production Tier D contract, and now it's a SETA Category 2.
Leading Actor Joined: 7/20/09
I just got back from seeing the matinee in Chicago. I didn't mind the new scrim much. Yes, I prefer the old piece, but if it helps keep the show running smoothly, I'm all for it. I noticed they've also gotten rid of some smaller set pieces here and there (i.e. the benches at the Milan fashion show).
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
Hmm. I'd be curious to see the new version of the tour.
... Those benches were a bit awkward from day one with how the actors had to maneauver them.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
That's very interesting. I liked the benches but I guess they aren't essential. Do people just stand on the side of the runway now? What, if any, other set pieces have been modified.
Intermission. No other physical changes so far. Just the front of the factory and the back wall is now also a drop. J. Harison Ghee is killing it!!!
Leading Actor Joined: 7/20/09
Yep, they just stand on the sides now. I didn't notice any other obvious set pieces missing.
The London apartment is now just a wall. I believe it used to be a bedroom (with a murphy bed). It also seemed that they had smaller ensemble.
just checked their website & except for one additional swing in the Broadway cast, the tour has the same size cast.
also, just noticed their tour schedule. The tour will be playing in Japan from Oct. 5 - Nov. 6. Also, majority of their stops are still one or two weeks long.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
ACL2006 said: "also, just noticed their tour schedule. The tour will be playing in Japan from Oct. 5 - Nov. 6. Also, majority of their stops are still one or two weeks long.
"
So...why is the tour going to Japan anyways? Didn't it just have/still is having a Tokyo sit down production?
I just saw the tour in Chicago tonight. It exceeded my expectations, but I still think Matilda is superior.
When just be started all I could think of was that just pee video.
Also I noticed the entire orchestra traveled with the show. Has that always been the case or was it a recent change?
In Boston, there were six local musicians joining the traveling orch.
The Japanese production is actually closing this Sunday. It only was scheduled to run from July 21 - Sept. 4. The US tour will (of course) be performed in English. I'm guessing the US tour was scheduled in occurrence with the Japanese production.
I should have also mentioned they were collecting money for the Red Cross for the flooding sun Louisiana.
I always thought the show looked cheap even on Broadway. I don't love Scott Pasek's designs at all. And I don't think Mitchell has a good eye for design/stage pictures.
RippedMan said: "I always thought the show looked cheap even on Broadway. I don't love Scott Pasek's designs at all. And I don't think Mitchell has a good eye for design/stage pictures. "
David Rockwell designed Kinky Boots.
Oh shoot! I loved his work on She Loves Me and Legally Blonde, but his work with Mitchell has been awful. Not sure if that's because of Mitchell's involvement, but both Kinky and On Your Feet are horribly designed.
RippedMan said: "Oh shoot! I loved his work on She Loves Me and Legally Blonde, but his work with Mitchell has been awful. Not sure if that's because of Mitchell's involvement, but both Kinky and On Your Feet are horribly designed.
"
Mitchell directed legally blonde.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
RippedMan said: "I always thought the show looked cheap even on Broadway. I don't love Scott Pasek's designs at all. And I don't think Mitchell has a good eye for design/stage pictures.
"
I completely disagree with this. I'm not sure how you could have seen Kinky Boots on Broadway and gotten "cheap". On the contrary, I think the sets look great (especially the Milan setting for the finale). The use of the factory set is spot on, especially when it is used for the drag scenes. Very creative set use in my opinion.
And the notion that Jerry Mitchell doesn't have a good eye for stage pictures is...laughable, to put it mildly.
Broadway Star Joined: 1/24/14
I saw the show tonight in Vancouver and loved it. I knew what to expect having seen it a couple years back with Billy Porter. First off I didn't mind the scrim and had I not read this board prior I probably wouldn't have noticed. It did feel like the set was a bit smaller but that might be cus the QE stage is massive and the theatre is a giant barn.
I thought J Harrison Ghee was really good. On par with Billy Porter. Curt Hansen grew on me and his accent wasn't as forced as others. As a kid of Brits fake British accents make me cringe but there weren't really any cringe worthy performances. The weakest link unfortunately was young Simon. The kid sounded off key and it was slightly uncomfortable to hear.
Overall I thought the cast was great. If it comes to your town go see it. The message is super relevant and you'll find it hard nit to leave with a smile.
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