MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Previews- Page 3

[MezzA101]

Posted: 9/20/23 at 6:07pm

I found the character of Mary to be particularly unlikable last night. She's needy, vindictive, hard to like. Nothing about the final scene should let her feel so entitled for everything we witness until then. I find it odd that her character shares the same name as Sondheim's dear friend who taught him everything he needed to know about marriage to write the songs for the couples in "Company," and, more important, shared with him the quasi-autobiographical period of time covered in "Opening Doors."

[Jumpin_J]

Posted: 9/20/23 at 6:28pm

Dylan Smith4 said: "BdwyFan said: "This will be a hard ticket to get I’ve a feeling."

More like costing an arm and a leg! But probably."

$150 for obstructed view in the balcony. 

[Jumpin_J]

Posted: 9/20/23 at 6:50pm

Jumpin_J said: "Dylan Smith4 said: "BdwyFan said: "This will be a hard ticket to get I’ve a feeling."

More like costing an arm and a leg! But probably."

$150 for obstructed view in the balcony."

And as a PS, that's going to the box office and avoiding the service fees. 

[RAR85558]

Posted: 9/20/23 at 7:54pm

I was disappointed by the "stapled playbill" for sure, but the expensive merch was quite nice. Also, the photo booth in the lobby was pretty great, for those who were willing to wait for the chance to jump in and get a picture. 

I was on the side in the second row of the Dress Circle, and found the sound to be quite lacking. Could have been where I was sitting, but it didn't sound great to me.

Nothing will ever be as amazing as the NY Theatre Workshop version, but this was still quite an event. What was wonderful was the "rock star" like response to pretty much everything. Seriously roaring applause at the end of every song. Not sure other's thoughts, but I was thrilled that they kept so many people from the Off BWay cast.

However, after seeing it three times at NY Theatre Workshop and again last night, I'm not sure that I would run back due to the ticket prices. I'll play the lottery as much as possible, but living in Phila requires more planning to get to NYC. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/20/23 at 8:48pm

jpbran said: "I LOVE that Radcliffe walked away with his $100m or so from the Potterverse and has reveled in weirdo indie films/TV and a wide variety of theater projects since. Good on him."

Yes and by all accounts is a total pro, directors love working with him, and he genuinely likes working on stage...he wouldn't keep returning to the theatre if he didn't want to be there.

[leefowler]

Posted: 9/20/23 at 11:01pm

I thought this was tremendous, and am a little surprised by some of the cooler responses here.

[kingfan011]

Posted: 9/20/23 at 11:08pm

leefowler said: "I thought this was tremendous, and am a little surprised by some of the cooler responses here."

 

Will the reviews be good though.? Sounds like an extremely divisive production with a not great performance at its center.

 

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 9/20/23 at 11:41pm

kingfan011 said: "leefowler said: "I thought this was tremendous, and am a little surprised by some of the cooler responses here."



Will the reviews be good though.? Sounds like an extremely divisive production with a not great performance at its center."

Did any of you read the reviews from the off-Broadway production last season? The skepticism on this thread is almost laughable lol.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 9/20/23 at 11:47pm

dramamama611 said: "He was perfection in Equus, delightful in How to Succeed, and interesting in an otherwise wordy play of Lifespan of a Fact.



He's a hoot and a half in his series Miracle Worker .



I havent seen this yet, but he's more than earned his right to tackle it."

He was also excellent in The Cripple of Inishmaan.  He definitely sells tickets, if not at the Jackman / Gyllenhaal / Groban level.

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 9/20/23 at 11:47pm

kingfan011 said: "leefowler said: "I thought this was tremendous, and am a little surprised by some of the cooler responses here."



Will the reviews be good though.? Sounds like an extremely divisive production with a not great performance at its center."

What's up with the trolling? Literally no one in this thread has said anything negative about Radcliffe's performance except you, and you haven't even seen it. 

 

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 12:07am

What kind of merch?  What’s the window card like?

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 12:08am

kingfan011 said: "leefowler said: "I thought this was tremendous, and am a little surprised by some of the cooler responses here."



Will the reviews be good though.? Sounds like an extremely divisive production with a not great performance at its center.

"

I don't know what you're really talking about. But, this was a beloved production by critics and audience alike last year. I doubt anything's changed much in either the production or its reception despite what you're trying plant. 

Jesse Green Critic's Pick: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/12/theater/merrily-we-roll-along-review.html

BroadwayWorld Review Roundup (11 positive, 2 mixed, 0 negative): https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Review-Roundup-MERRILY-WE-ROLL-ALONG-Opens-At-New-York-Theatre-Workshop-20221212 

Show-Score (91 "Must See" score, 98% reviews positive): https://www.show-score.com/off-broadway-shows/merrily-we-roll-along-new-york-theatre-workshop 

No link (it's only an app), but the NYTW production has an average rating of 4.8 stars on Mezzanine. 

[bear88]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 12:19am

As near as I can tell, about 7 or 8 people on this thread have actually seen the show thus far, and some of them were just commenting on the absence of Playbills or praised it.

A couple of those people either don’t like Sondheim shows in general or Merrily in particular. That’s fine, as they’re entitled to their opinions, but it’s not really a wave of negativity from people who expected to like the revival but didn’t.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 12:50am

dramamama611 said: "I guess you didn't bother to pay close attention to what you viewed. Charley is a playwright and lyricist. Frank is a composer turned film producer. I hadn't heard any of this was changed for this production."

I didn't say that the character is a movie star, I said Daniel Radcliffe is. 

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 1:25am

Theatrefanboy1 said: "What kind of merch? What’s the window card like?"

https://broadwayworldshop.com/search?q=Merrily 

I believe I saw pictures of the window card online (but can't find them now) and it's just the standard art with the photo booth pictures and "it started out like a song."

[Ensemble1695258691]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 2:19am

saw the show tonight - loved it - BUT why are the ensemble roles not listed in the Playbill? was trying to figure out who was who afterwards but the program grouped everyone together. I’ve never seen this before - especially with so many featured roles - is this a producer decision? Even the couple next to me was trying to figure out who was who with no success ..?

Loved Radcliffe. Wanted to squeeze him. All the leads were perfection. 

[yahyahyah]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 9:27am

I have to be honest. I love this musical very much. Seen it at various theatres over the years, the documentary, etc. including the Roundabout revival, and this at NYTW last year. 
 

I think Groff is giving a spectacular performance. I am colder about the folks supporting him. Perhaps it’s audience nostalgia for Harry Potter, but, I don’t believe Radcliffe would have ever scored that role without his box office appeal. He’s quite wooden. And I agree with Mary being unlikeable, not giving a deeply shaded and nuanced performance— I feel like Jonathan is the only one up there who “gets” the show and who has the skills and depth to serve up this story and writing. The show is tricky waters for any actor at the top of their game— and even the smallest roles impact the production. 

From an actor/director, I was expecting more. I hope the cast around Groff will keep working to match what he is bringing. But truthfully, those skills are hard-earned by years and years of challenging work— and probably a lot of work outside MT—and not sure that ensemble has that in their bones. 

[Ensemble1695285572]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 9:43am

Hey guys, last minute plan change and I have one spare ticket for tonight 21/09/2023 - paid 220 so happy to accept that or more. It's Balcony H 110. :) Let me know by replying to this comment, have also listed on stubhub but said I would say here.

[kingfan011]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 10:53am

yahyahyah said: "I have to be honest. I love this musical very much. Seen it at various theatres over the years, the documentary, etc. including the Roundabout revival, and this at NYTW last year.


I think Groff is giving a spectacular performance. I am colder about the folks supporting him. Perhaps it’s audience nostalgia for Harry Potter, but, I don’t believe Radcliffe would have ever scored that role without his box office appeal. He’s quite wooden. And I agree with Mary being unlikeable, not giving a deeply shaded and nuanced performance— I feel like Jonathan is the only one up there who “gets” the show and who has the skills and depth to serve up this story and writing. The show is tricky waters for any actor at the top of their game— and even the smallest roles impact the production.

From an actor/director, I was expecting more. I hope the cast around Groff will keep working to match what he is bringing. But truthfully, those skills are hard-earned by years and years of challenging work— and probably a lot of work outside MT—and not sure that ensemble has that in their bones."

Sounds like people are being overly nice and grading on a  curve with Radcliffe.

[spicemonkey]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 11:00am

You have not seen the show but can’t stop trolling Radcliffe. Had he done anything personal to you?

 

I saw this production twice at NYTW last year. I would rank the three leads by: Groff > Radcliffe > Mendez 

 

Radcliffe’s performance was above my expectation. His vocal also improved since How to succeed …..

 

As someone else said, Radcliffe does not need to work at all. he still keeps coming back to the stage, which I really admire and respect. 

 

 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 11:01am

ACCOUNT > SETTINGS > Ignore Message Board Users > User Name to Block > Type name of troll > Block User

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 11:07am

I am so excited to see this on Saturday. I have never seen the show live. I did see the filming of the West End production in cinemas years ago, but I don't remember a ton. Looking forward to finally seeing this cherished show live!

[MezzA101]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 11:36am

I feel the Frank character is the only main character of the three that has any kind of arc or depth and Groff's doing a great job of owning and selling this reverse arc. I'm fine with the singing and chemistry of the other two. They just have so much less to work with as to creating a character we care about.

My history of seeing the show live is the 09/30/2002 original cast reunion (Sondheim and Prince sitting together, hugging and hopping up and down in place when the show ended, oh for a picture of that), at the Kennedy Center that previous July, and Tuesday evening. This last time was the first I had a clear sense of all the characters, making it easier ironically to have a better sense that Frank is the only developed character. But kudos to all three for doing a good job of acting younger as the show progressed. Even sensed shifts in their voices.

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 11:55am

bear88 said: "As near as I can tell, about 7 or 8 people on this thread have actually seen the show thus far, and some of them were just commenting on the absence of Playbills or praised it.

A couple of those people either don’t like Sondheim shows in general orMerrilyin particular. That’s fine, as they’re entitled to their opinions, but it’s not really a wave of negativity from people who expected to like the revival but didn’t."

I can see being cool on this production. I haven't seen it since it was on the West End, but discussion of things like the sparkly curtain make me think that the production itself hasn't changed. I agree that it's a bit hampered by what feels like an overwhelming desire to create a "respectable" version of this show, which highlights a lot of the show's issues as it currently stands. Frank Jr being wheeled out for cuteness points is particularly schmaltzy.

On the other hand, it plays down the schtick as much as possible, which gives the actors a lot of room to create subtleties with their characters (I remember thinking it was apropos that it was at the Pinter in London), so it's very intimate and detailed. I'm very curious about the chemistry between Groff, Mendez, and Radcliffe, who are all terrific performers and they have a lot to play with.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 12:34pm

Scarywarhol said: "dramamama611 said: "I guess you didn't bother to pay close attention to what you viewed. Charley is a playwright and lyricist. Frank is a composer turned film producer. I hadn't heard any of this was changed for this production."

I didn't say that the character is a movie star, I said Daniel Radcliffe is."

Sorry for misinterpreting what you wrote... but you seem to criticizing sight unseen.