LEMPICKA: The Musical - News & Discussion Thread- Page 2

[kingjames2]

Posted: 6/23/22 at 7:11am

RippedMan said: "Not the look I was expecting. I thought it was going to be more of a period piece."

If you're responding to the clothes, the first picture is from the finale, which takes place in the 70s. The other picture is from the 1930s, where the bulk of the show is set.

[LarryD2]

Posted: 6/23/22 at 9:26am

The production photos here are very similar to the design of the Williamstown production. It is deliberately anachronistic.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 6/23/22 at 9:45am

Any scuttlebut on a theatre or when it could be opening in NY?

[OhHiii]

Posted: 6/23/22 at 10:30am

LarryD2 said: "The production photos here are very similar to the design of the Williamstown production. It is deliberately anachronistic."

Huh? The design represented in these photos is nothing like what was on stage at Williamstown. There was no turntable, the entire set was basically a white curtain along the back and the large apartment platform that got wheeled on and off at Williamstown. And to an earlier point, the one photo that show much of the cast is a shot from the final number that takes place in California in the 70s when the majority of the show takes place in the 30s, when art deco and futurism were prevailing.

So...no?

Updated On: 6/23/22 at 10:30 AM

[OhHiii]

Posted: 6/23/22 at 11:16am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Any scuttlebut on a theatre or when it could be opening in NY?"

I'd say if we don't get an announcement next week immediately following their official opening (the 25th) my guess would be the Spring with a Fall announcement. These producers are Shubert-loyal, so wouldn't be surprised if this goes into the Jacobs.

[ag2222]

Posted: 6/23/22 at 11:30am

I was at the show last night, glad I got to see it but definitely some work to be done. First of all, Eden is incredible in the role, she scarcely leaves the stage over the course of an over 2 and a half hour show and constantly puts her all into what is quite the vocally demanding show. As far as the show itself goes, the first act is very promising, with the exception of some pacing issues to be expected from a show still in tryouts. The scenic design works very well, using a turntable and projections on moving set pieces along with multiple sets brought out for different locations. It's a good combination of practical sets and the more projection-based ones we've been seeing lately, and you can definitely tell Chavkin has a distinct vision for the show. The biggest issue for me was a messy act two where the show somewhat loses its footing, struggling to find a thesis and in turn, it ends up being about everything and therefore nothing. By the time we got to the closing number I was very confused as to what was supposed to be the takeaway from her life, which is unfortunate seeing as I think they were going somewhere in the first act, it just never really got resolved. (I'm gonna discuss some show details/maybe spoilers so stop reading if you don't want those :)) I also very much disliked the way they handled Lempika's more questionable actions. Throughout the show, she cheats on her husband, barely trying to hide it from him, yet is enraged when he does the same, and gets so engrossed in her work that she neglects her child leading to a broken family. The issue is that they address all of these problems, telling the audience that they know they're issues, yet they fail to resolve a single one and still try to make her a hero even after her life fell apart by her own actions. Anyway, those are just some of my morning-after thoughts. Overall I think it's a gold mine of potential that just needs to be fine-tuned, and an absolute star vehicle for Eden who was quite Tony-worthy. It should definitely be on your radar when it comes to broadway transfers

[OhHiii]

Posted: 6/23/22 at 11:48am

SO great to hear the show is still in great shape after evolving into a full scale production. At Williamstown, Act 2 struggled to find footing too, trying to wrap up a lot of loose ends too quickly. I do think (if the song is still there) "Blasted California Sun" is meant to be a way of allowing Tamara to reconcile her choices and that they've landed her in a place she isn't entirely happy with and married to someone she doesn't love, but was necessary for survival. A key theme from the beginning as she fled Russia. So maybe as you say the POV and just needs some honing. 

I'm so thrilled to see this show continue on, the score is one of the strongest in years. And I already have chills thinking about Eden performing Woman Is on the Tonys.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 6/23/22 at 3:21pm

I would love to drive down to see this. Any discount codes or anything? Just curious. Never been down there before.

[Popular]

Posted: 6/23/22 at 3:34pm

RippedMan said: "I would love to drive down to see this. Any discount codes or anything? Just curious. Never been down there before."

I haven’t seen any discounts but straight off the La Jolla Playhouse website they are a few $25 seats in the back ($30 after fees, and more seats available for that price if you are military). Keep in mind ComicCon is in San Diego final weekend of the show in July as I’m assuming everything will be more crowded and expensive. I learned that the hard way but it’s the only weekend I’m free to go! 

[Mickey3309]

Posted: 6/23/22 at 3:36pm

Updated On: 6/24/22 at 03:36 PM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 6/23/22 at 3:39pm

Popular said: "RippedMan said: "I would love to drive down to see this. Any discount codes or anything? Just curious. Never been down there before."

I haven’t seen any discounts but straight off the La Jolla Playhouse website they are a few $25 seats in the back ($30 after fees, and more seats available for that price if you are military). Keep in mind ComicCon is in San Diego final weekend of the show in July as I’m assuming everything will be more crowded and expensive. I learned that the hard way but it’s the only weekend I’m free to go!"

Thanks! I wasn't sure if the $25 were only for the military or not. So I'll hunt some of those cheaper options down and make a day trip out of it.

[ag2222]

Posted: 6/23/22 at 10:56pm

There are also $25 tickets (plus $5 fee) for under 30 for anyone that applies to! As for the song list there, unfortunately, wasn't one, but the score itself was very solid, and if anything they'd only have to remove songs for time's sake, there doesn't seem to be anything lacking.

[conealpetterson]

Posted: 6/26/22 at 5:49pm

I saw Lempicka yesterday.  I didn’t see it in Williamstown but have heard some snippets and was looking forward to the show based on the creative team and cast.   I enjoyed it so much and have been thinking about it since.  The longer I have let it sit and thought about it, the more I like it.  Those are my favorite type of shows - the ones that continue to make me think. There are definitely some ways in which it could be tightened to make it even more powerful.  The second act does lag a bit and there are some pacing issues throughout.  But it is a beautiful piece of art.  

First for the performances.  Eden Espinosa and Amber Iman were the biggest standouts .  Their chemistry together is strong and their acting and vocals were great.  Lempicka is a tough role vocally and Eden’s voice remained strong throughout.   I loved the score.  “Stillness” has such a quiet and raw power and intensity.  “Woman Is” sung by Eden did not disappoint.  Amber’s vocals on “The Most Beautiful Bracelet” and “What She Sees”  (I think that is the name.  There was no song list) stood out.  The actress playing Susie Sodimor has so much charisma.  My eyes were drawn to her whenever she was on stage.  George Abud and Andrew Samonsky were good - but the men are not the central focus of the show.  

The pictures of the set design do make it look super modern - but in person it feels like a period piece.  The set has a very industrial feel combined with projections and a turntable.  They work well together and feel cohesive.  The costumes are the colorful part with purples, pinks, greens and and bright colors in the ensemble actors’ hair.  They feel like the paint colors sitting on the more muted and industrial palette of the set.  

As for Tamara de Lempicka’s choices in life being questionable - Carson Kreitzer said in an interview that she was attracted to Lempicka because she wants to highlight unknown women’s stories - even those who are messy and imperfect - because so many women’s stories have been ignored.  So I don’t see the story as problematic.  Lempicka was between a rock and a hard place in many ways.  She had to make compromises as a woman artist that men didn’t have to make.  And she would have risked her career and possibly death if she was open about her relationship with Rafaela.  There was also so much upheaval in her life with 2 world wars and the Russian Revolution. Yes she chose to focus on her career more than her child - which wouldn’t have been questioned had she been a man.  It is very similar to George in Sunday who focuses on his art over his relationships.  The show doesn’t glorify this and acknowledges the damage her refusal to make clear choices did.  There are ways she is an anti-hero and it’s about time we had more women anti-heroes.

As an aside - my son and I went to dinner at a random small Thai restaurant we found in La Jolla.  We discussed the show at dinner and how much we liked it.  Little did we know that Rachel Chavkin was sitting back to back with my son eating dinner with friends.  I am certainly glad we said nice things about the show and actors.  Goes to show, you never know who could be listening.  And we had no idea it was her until she got up to leave.  We are huge fans of her work - Hadestown and Great Comet are 2 of our favorite musicals. 

[charles91]

Posted: 6/27/22 at 6:19pm

First review is out... sounds very promising!

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/theater/story/2022-06-27/review-la-jolla-playhouses-lempicka-an-eye-popping-study-of-enigmatic-baroness-with-a-brush

"George Abud is another ideal hand-in-glove fit for the role of Italian pro-fascist modernist Filippo Martinetti. His edgy performing of the high-flying song 'Perfection' is one of those moments in a show where thoughts of future Tony nominations dance in the head -- for him, as well as for Espinosa and Iman."

[Mickey3309]

Posted: 6/27/22 at 10:09pm

Can someone who has seen it confirm whether or not we still get their wedding/happily ever after song in the beginning? 

[conealpetterson]

Posted: 6/27/22 at 10:42pm

It starts with her sitting on a bench in Los Angeles in 1975 looking back on her life and then it goes to Russia in 1917 - I believe.  They don’t show the wedding and I don’t believe that song is still in there.  It shows them already married and discussing the revolution.  

[BritCrit]

Posted: 6/30/22 at 11:00am

The first three reviews are two very positive reviews and one mixed one. Eden Espinosa is getting plenty of positive notices - I get the sense that she could be the main attraction if/when Lempicka announces it's going for Broadway...

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 6/30/22 at 12:20pm

This show has no solid Broadway plans for the 2022/23 season as of now. It is hunting for a theatre like a lot of other shows. Stellar reviews from major publications will help bump it up on the priority list; mixed reviews will hurt.

I don't know that Espinosa should be considered a "main attraction"...no doubt she's good, but it's always an interesting narrative when someone who's been around a while has their breakout role, as opposed to someone exploding onto the scene like Ben Platt and Sutton Foster and Frost and Spivey. Could be more of a Billy Porter in KINKY BOOTS situation, though for KB the show itself and Lauper were the real stars.

LEMPICKA will need mega money reviews and awards attention when it eventually hits Bway.

[BritCrit]

Posted: 6/30/22 at 12:36pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "This show has no solid Broadway plans for the 2022/23 season as of now. It is hunting for a theatre like a lot of other shows. Stellar reviews from major publications will help bump it up on the priority list; mixed reviews will hurt.

I don't know that Espinosa should be considered a "main attraction"...no doubt she's good, but it's always an interesting narrative when someone who's been around a while has their breakout role, as opposed to someone exploding onto the scene like Ben Platt and Sutton Foster and Frost and Spivey. Could be more of a Billy Porter in KINKY BOOTS situation, though for KB the show itself and Lauper were the real stars.

LEMPICKA will need mega money reviews and awards attention when it eventually hits Bway."

I wonder what Billy Porter did before Kinky Boots...

With Espinosa, I think the fact she's been around for a while without gaining major awards recognition could be an interesting narrative. I also think that nowadays we pay a lot more attention to the "frustrated maverick" roles Espinosa specializes in - the mixed review noted that Lempicka's story is definitely worthy of a larger stage, but the musical itself needs to be tighter and really get under her skin. 

I came to be a fan of Espinosa for her work in Tangled: The Series, but that was a cult fave at best, and hasn't led to more public work such as live-action TV. However, I am really wishing the best for Espinosa, and hope that Lempicka can provide her with the "moment" she deserves...

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 6/30/22 at 12:37pm

Do they list the songs in the playbill (I'm guessing not, as it's likely still changing)?

I saw this at Williamstown (and absolutely loved it) and I'm interested to hear which songs are still in the show. 2 of the 3 songs they have released on their EP so far ( "Perfection" and "Stay" ) are new - and from the posts above it sounds like the Wedding/Happily Ever After song is no longer in the show - so it sounds like they might have done quite a bit of cutting/adding. Very much hoping not too many of my favorite songs in Williamstown were cut (but I'm also so looking forward to hearing the new ones)!

Specifically, does anyone who has seen it know if "Burn it Up" and "Don't Move" are still in it?

Updated On: 6/30/22 at 12:37 PM

[ashley0139]

Posted: 6/30/22 at 2:20pm

GilmoreGirlO2 said: "Do they list the songs in the playbill (I'm guessing not, as it's likely still changing)?

I saw this at Williamstown (and absolutely loved it) and I'm interested to hear which songs are still in the show. 2 of the 3 songs they have released on their EP so far ( "Perfection" and "Stay" ) are new - and from the posts above it sounds like the Wedding/Happily Ever After song is no longer in the show - so it sounds like they might have done quite a bit of cutting/adding. Very much hoping not too many of my favorite songs in Williamstown were cut (but I'm also so looking forward to hearing the new ones)!

Specifically, does anyone who has seen it know if "Burn it Up" and "Don't Move" are still in it?"

I am not sure about Burn it Up, but I have heard that Spinning was cut from unofficial sources. Those are two of the best songs so I am hoping they are both in still.

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 6/30/22 at 5:00pm

I am not sure about Burn it Up, but I have heard that Spinning was cut from unofficial sources. Those are two of the best songs so I am hoping they are both in still."

Thank you for the information (and actual song title!). I was afraid "Spinning" might be cut - fingers crossed "Burn it Up" remains! It's an excellent song and a great turning point moment for the character, so it would be a real shame if it is no longer in the show.

[conealpetterson]

Posted: 6/30/22 at 7:29pm

Since we didn’t have a song list on Saturday, I am not completely sure of all the song names.  But ai am pretty sure neither Let it Burn or Spinning were in this iteration. 

[MsPiety&Rectitude]

Posted: 6/30/22 at 9:19pm

GilmoreGirlO2 said: 
“Thank you for the information (and actual song title!). I was afraid "Spinning" might be cut - fingers crossed "Burn it Up" remains! It's an excellent song and a great turning point moment for the character, so it would be a real shame if it is no longer in the show."

Sorry to tell you, but Burn It Up is no longer in the show. I saw it in Williamstown and in La Jolla - they have done MAJOR edits and revisions. Some main songs remain - Stillness, Woman Is, The Exchange - some are used differently or expanded - The Most Beautiful Bracelet, Starting Over, Give Back My Life, etc - and then a lot of cut (Burn it Up, Happily Ever After, My Kingdom) songs and new songs. I loved the show in Williamstown but recognized that it was still in development and needed work. They have gone above and beyond what I hoped for in terms of improvement. I’m sure they will continue to tighten up the show and maybe go deeper into characterization, but I’m so happy to say that, to me, it is on track to be a major and successful Broadway musical.

 

[ashley0139]

Posted: 7/1/22 at 12:11am

MsPiety&Rectitude said: "GilmoreGirlO2 said:
“Thank you for the information (and actual song title!). I was afraid "Spinning" might be cut - fingers crossed "Burn it Up" remains! It's an excellent song and a great turning point moment for the character, so it would be a real shame if it is no longer in the show."

Sorry to tell you, but Burn It Up is no longer in the show. I saw it in Williamstown and in La Jolla - they have done MAJOR edits and revisions. Some main songs remain - Stillness, Woman Is, The Exchange - some are used differently or expanded - The Most Beautiful Bracelet, Starting Over, Give Back My Life, etc - and then a lot of cut (Burn it Up, Happily Ever After, My Kingdom) songs and new songs. I loved the show in Williamstown but recognized that it was still in development and needed work. They have gone above and beyond what I hoped for in terms of improvement. I’m sure they will continue to tighten up the show and maybe go deeper into characterization, but I’m so happy to say that, to me, it is on track to be a major and successful Broadway musical.

"

Thanks for the info! I'm a little devastated about the cuts though. I would give almost anything to go back in time and see it at Williamstown with Burn it Up and Spinning, and I really wish I could have seen Carmen as Rafaela (I'm sure Amber is amazing too but I love Carmen). So excited to see this version in a couple weeks though.