LYSISTRATA JONES -- 1st Preview TOMORROW! — Page 2

I really hope to see this and Bonnie and Clyde. The two musicals I'm most excited about this season. I'm just praying I can get to NYC to catch both along with Carrie. Probably too much to hope for, but a man can dream.

I'm accepting donations.

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I was there tonight. I heard some grumblings and noticed a few walkouts too, but I have to admit I liked it. You really, really need to check your brain at the door and it's possible to have a fun time.

If they do a little trimming that will help, and it probably should just be a one act. The story is thin and there aren't really any surprises in the plot so you can't let anything drag. As Mr. De Bris advised, "Keep it happy, Keep it snappy, keep it gay."

As others have mentioned I had issues with the sound. I get it's an early preview, but some serious attention needs to be paid to the balance between the singers and the band. My second issue may be related because the sound balance could have thrown off the actors, but there were quite a few sour notes from several cast members.

The show benefits from saving the best song for the end and it's pretty hard not to walk out of the theater humming "Give It Up." The score reminded me of Altar Boyz at times, with some Legally Blonde thrown in. The lyrics aren't especially witty and I think it would lift the show if you were able to keep laughing during the songs. The book has some funny stuff in it, but the songs stop the humor. Luckily the cast has boundless energy to mostly put them over.

I enjoyed Patti Murin and think she was a winning heroine. Jason Tam was excellent as well. Liz Mikel steals her scenes and looks like she's having a good time.

I guess this is the [tos] or Bloody, Bloody of this season, but doesn't have the heart of the former or lampooning qualities of the latter. Sadly this show will have an uphill battle attracting an audience, so if you're interested see it now. It does (mostly) succeed at being good, fluffy fun.

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Whizzer, I have to respectfully disagree with you. I honestly found the entire show to be pointless. Besides that one good song the score is a mix of everything you've heard before mixed with what you'd expect a group of 13 year olds to write if you told them to write music for "Broadway". The lyrics are so ridiculously cliche they're laughable. The performances were all fine I suppose, serviceable to the material which isn't saying a whole lot but I suppose they were all fine.

This script is a paint by numbers story where you know everything that will happen before it's even set up so very shortly after it starts you start to wonder what the point is to stay for the rest of it (which a lot of people didn't do).

I will say that this is far from the worst thing I've ever seen. It's nowhere near as bad as BKLYN or THOU SHALT NOT. It's along the same lines as GLORY DAYS though which was another "What's the point" show, and I see this one following down their path. There really is no reason for this show to be on Broadway. Maybe at New World or even Theater Row but this certainly doesn't need to be taking up the Walter Kerr.

(Is it because so much else this Broadway season has been such a disappointment that this was better in comparison?)

WHIZ -- THERE YA GO... YOU NAILED IT !!!

my thoughts are here... if you did not already know...

http://thetheaterbuff.typepad.com/the-theater-buff/2011/11/lysistrata-jones-first-preview-thoughts.html

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Last night I didn't notice any problems with the sound design, actually.

I was also at the show last night and my thoughts pretty much echo Whizzers. I had a lot of fun, and while I agree that the show is slight, I don't think its really fair to begrudge it being on Broadway. I certainly wish it well.

I do have to comment specifically on that sound design which is a major major problem and needs to be fixed ASAP. For anyone sitting in the mezz on the sides, the lyrics (and much of the dialogue when underscored) are almost completely incomprehensible. This is a really tough thing for a show whose charms are in its fast paced humour and quick one liners.

Glad to see a non-movie ispired Broadway show opening.

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I was in the back of the orchestra and thought the balance with the band was terrible at times. My ear adjusted, but the first 10 minutes or so I was straining to make out words.

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In regards to the sound design, it may be the theater because of the three times I've been in that space the sound has been hit and miss.

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Boys having sex?

Any elaboration about this :P?

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A fun show for the whole family!!

Really? Where is it being billed as a family show, bwayfan? Having just seen it, I'd call it PG-13 - I didn't find it any more or less adult than, say, the movie 'Easy A."

Further thoughts: yes, the sound is a problem - I had trouble hearing lyrics over the band, and the whole thing is quite loud. I also found the lighting oddly dark at times. I see the point of those who have mentioned wishing it were a 90-minute no-intermission show - there's definitely 15 minutes that could be cut over the course of the show.

HOWEVER, I walked out of the theater humming and with a smile on my face. The cast's energy is infectious and I found myself laughing more than I have at the theater in a while. Some of the jokes were over the top, but boy do those kids sell it. Lindsay Nicole Chambers in particular kept making me laugh just with her facial expressions. Jason Tam is adorable, Patti Murin sounded great, and Liz Mikel is perfect for her role. Some great dancing too.

I don't see what's wrong with a happy, fun, enthusiastic show being on Broadway. I didn't see it at the Transport Group, but I also would never have guessed that it had played in a much smaller space. I'm wishing this one well, for sure.

Saw it this afternoon, the theater was about 70% full, good amount of walk outs at intermission.

except for Patti Murin, Liz Mikel & Lindsay Nicole Chambers. Lysistrata Jones is TERRIBLE, the book is a mess and has some of the worst jokes I have ever heard on broadway and it is a major issue when your male lead can not sing. Also dear Douglas Carter Beane when your last two shows were movie musicals you do not have the right to take shots at them no matter how bad movie musicals actually are. (line) "All the best theater is a movie first, that way the audience isn't surprised" .... two words Xanadu & Sister Act, Mr Beane.

The obvious reason why this was rushed to broadway is that with only 6 new musicals set to open this season, even if they close super fast they still have like a 70% chance of a best musical nomination, which will help with their licensing of the show in the future to colleges and high schools.