I agree that Act II is the whole point of the piece. Without it, Act I wouldn't have nearly as much power or resonance.
But I also think much of the plot and the points made in Act II could be made more succinctly and it could be tightened up considerably.
Putting It Together, Move On, You Would Have Liked HIm, and Sunday are the musical moments that I can't forget. They're the ones that if cut would hurt the overall piece. But I"m fine with shortening or cutting some of the other material.
And of course the end, where they all bow to him, should have us all in tears if it's done right.
I think in the right directorial hands (no one with a conventional approach should be allowed anywhere near it), and with Lapine adapting, it could be a movie masterpiece.
I also hope the visual effects team would get to shine. In addition to walking around in the paintings, I can see the individual dots and paint brush strokes coming to life and moving around the canvas.
So many possibilities.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22