Posted: 2/6/25 at 3:26pm
The people that vote will only be seeing the show from good seats, so I find it hard to believe that will kill his chances. I can imagine it going to Jamie Lloyd just because I think it's suite shocking and impressive how he completely transformed Sunset Boulevard.
Updated On: 2/6/25 at 03:26 PM
Posted: 2/6/25 at 4:50pm
But the sightline issues would be a problem in most theaters... Longacre, James Earl Jones... still, you'd have a very deep stage design with side views that will miss something. The stage design and subsequent direction are the issue here. Arden will get a nom, but not secure the award.
Posted: 2/6/25 at 9:09pm
Jarethan said: "I do not see this until June (I now believe it will be opened then), but I have a question. With a lot of complaints about the staging -- that you have sightline issues if you are not pretty close to the center -- should Michael Arden be a serious candidate for Best Director? What people describe seems like it should have been completely avoidable with a slight redesign of the set. Failure to do that seems like disregard for a sizable segment of the audience."
The entire experience is about Arden’s exquisite direction.
Posted: 2/7/25 at 1:16pm
"The entire experience is about Arden’s exquisite direction."
I wouldn't go that far. The simplicity of the piece itself is a rarity these days, and Darren Criss is giving a beautiful performance.
Arden's direction is effective. The production design is exquisite. I sat slightly house right. The show did not suffer at all.
I can only assume someone obsessed with Lloyd or Wolfe winning a Tony is looking to stir up some trouble.
Updated On: 2/7/25 at 01:16 PM
Posted: 2/7/25 at 1:39pm
The SET and LIGHTING designs are the biggest winners here. The rom com plot is simple and robot love stories have been seen on film & tv. This is a very simple show elevated to "Broadway level" production with expensive design.
The direction is fine but derivative based on multiple Asian productions (10+ awards, including Direction) and the Korean film 'My Favorite Love Story'.
The only truly new musical this year is "Dead Outlaw", with its world premiere off-Broadway. It had no previous productions, director or films to draw from. It's macabre with a more interesting plot. It's less family &/ tourist friendly than MHE. It does not have to add flash to work.
Jamie Lloyd or David Cromer deserve Best Director this season. It should not be for distilled direction from previous productions with more money to hide the simplicity with 'everything and the kitchen sink' designs.
MHE is a cute date night, family friendly, 'nice' show - but not the most original this season. Nor is the direction. The show, the DESIGN and direction will probably get nominated. But here comes the spring and more original musicals.
Updated On: 2/11/25 at 01:39 PM
Posted: 2/7/25 at 1:50pm
Describing any of the work in this show as pedestrian is profoundly unserious.
Posted: 2/10/25 at 4:52pm
I wanted to avoid this thread completely until I saw the show.
I have been going to the theatre longer than most of you have been alive. :) This show moved me more than anything I have ever seen onstage. I think I cried for the last 20 minutes of the show and it continued for several blocks. I'm glad the wind was in my face as if I ran into anyone I could blame it on the wind.
MHE is a truly special show and I hope it wins all the awards it deserves.
One last thing. I was telling a friend how much I was moved by this production and the response was "You are crying over robots?" :)
Updated On: 2/10/25 at 04:52 PM
Posted: 2/11/25 at 1:37am
Our group and friends I've spoken to all found it 'cute' but not moving.
One calling it "a distilled robot rom com with a budget."
Updated On: 2/11/25 at 01:37 AM
Posted: 2/11/25 at 6:16am
You had the knives out for this show all Fall, gleefully predicting it would shut down immediately. Who knows what your relationship to it is? I can't quite figure out if maybe you're somehow involved with another production & figure this is s cool way to do your own viral marketing by writing anonymous bs about this show?
Posted: 2/11/25 at 6:46am
It's weird to call this "derivative" because it's a transfer of a Korean production with the same writers that thry also based a movie on. That's like saying Six or Operation Micemeat are derivative because they ran on the West End first.
Posted: 2/11/25 at 9:41am
CoffeeBreak said: "Exactly. Our group and friends I've spoken to all found it 'cute' but not moving.
One calling it "adistilled robot rom com without a budget.""
To each his own as it not being "moving" to your group but when leaving the theatre pretty much everyone around me in the orchestra had a Kleenex or very wet eyes. I would need some new friends if any of mine said they weren't moved by this production.
As for as the "without a budget" Have you seen the show? Have you seen some of the stage wizardry taking place on the stage? I can't believe anyone who has seen the show would think this show was "without a budget."
Updated On: 2/11/25 at 09:41 AM
Posted: 2/11/25 at 11:14am
CoffeeBreak said: "Exactly. Our group and friends I've spoken to all found it 'cute' but not moving."
Is this meant as a response to Huss417's post? If so, it looks like you didn't really read it.
Posted: 2/11/25 at 12:02pm
Finally saw the show. It is exactly as described by others ... cute.
That score, though, is the most meh thing I've heard in a very long time. I wish they could've re-written the score for the Broadway production because everyone else does a great job in it. Shame.
Posted: 2/11/25 at 2:58pm
I have a feeling some perceptions of the score will change once there is a cast recording. It is very well written.
Posted: 2/11/25 at 3:08pm
kidmanboy said: "I have a feeling some perceptions of the score will change once there is a cast recording. It is very well written."
A cast album justifies it being boring in the actual musical?
Posted: 2/11/25 at 6:29pm
SingingEachtoEach said: "It's weird to call this "derivative" because it's a transfer of aKorean production with the same writers that thry also based a movie on.That's like saying Six or Operation Micemeat are derivative because they ran on the West End first."
No. They arent the same. SIX annd Mincemeat are original productions with the same original director who developed the show and production with the writers. MHE is a tertiary production.
MHE borrows much and many ideas visually and the developed script from Korean production and a different director’s work who’s create with the writers and an additional film adaption and direction.
Updated On: 2/19/25 at 06:29 PM
Posted: 2/11/25 at 6:31pm
kdogg36 said: "CoffeeBreak said: "Exactly. Our group and friends I've spoken to all found it 'cute' but not moving."
Is this meant as a response to Huss417's post? If so, it looks like you didn't really read it."
No not a response to their comment.
Posted: 2/11/25 at 6:34pm
Huss417 said: "CoffeeBreak said: "Exactly. Our group and friends I've spoken to all found it 'cute' but not moving.
To each his own as it not being "moving" to your group but when leaving the theatre pretty much everyone around me in the orchestra had a Kleenex or very wet eyes. I would need some new friends if any of mine said they weren't moved by this production.
As for as the "without a budget" Have you seen the show? Have you seen some of the stage wizardry taking place on the stage? I can't believe anyone who has seen the show would think this show was "without a budget.""
Meant WITH a budget.
And people around us did not have the same reaction as you, nor did my friends. And we have good and theater savy friends. Not everyone feels the same way including others on this board and those seeing the show. People are different and it's a review thread.
Updated On: 2/11/25 at 06:34 PM
Posted: 2/11/25 at 6:38pm
inception said: "You had the knives out for this show all Fall, gleefully predicting it would shut down immediately. Who knows what your relationship to it is? I can't quite figure out if maybe you're somehow involved with another production & figure this is s cool way to do your own viral marketing by writing anonymous bs about this show?"
Nothing gleeful about it. The show is cute but management friends and those connected to Shuberts had their doubts about its survival with the month delay, loss of funding and poor response early on. That's just facts. It's barely breaking even now.
It's cute and a nice evening out, if not overrated for us.
Not involved with another production but follow the money on shows. We have no connection to the show. Perhaps you do.
Updated On: 2/11/25 at 06:38 PM
Posted: 2/11/25 at 7:00pm
The over the top praise and emotional outpouring from the MHE stans (e.g. "I was crying so hard at the end I could barely walk down the street" to paraphrase just one of them) is REALLY becoming tiresome. It's a cute (but forgettable) little show, with a big budget and some great direction.
If it was running at New World Stages, it could become the next "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change".
Posted: 2/11/25 at 7:38pm
JSquared2 said: "The over the top praise and emotional outpouringfrom the MHE stans (e.g. "I was crying so hard at the end I could barely walk down the street" to paraphrase just one of them) is REALLY becoming tiresome. It's a cute (but forgettable) little show, with a big budget and some great direction.
If it was running at New World Stages, it could becomethe next "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change"."
Thanks for belittling my feelings about the show. I really appreciate it.
Posted: 2/11/25 at 8:09pm
CoffeeBreak said: "No not a response to their comment."
Then to whom? Your beginning your comment with "Exactly" indicates you were agreeing with some antecedent comment.
Posted: 2/11/25 at 9:10pm
TimeToDither said: "kidmanboy said: "I have a feeling some perceptions of the score will change once there is a cast recording. It is very well written."
A cast album justifies it being boring in the actual musical?"
On the contrary, I think the score is pivotal to how well the show works and I think that will become more apparent with additional listening. But judging by your commentary, I'm assuming you and I look for very different things in a musical.
Posted: 2/12/25 at 1:33pm
For those who can't make it to tonight's fan performance, the post-show Q&A with Michael Arden will be livestreamed on the show's Instagram.
Also, HwaBoon is live right now :)
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