Jerseys were in vogue this year thanks to the Jellicle Ball and Titanique, so they probably wanted in on that trend."
Lolz. Jerseys were all over New York and Paris Fashion Week in January and February, curated and planned longbefore both flops premiered. Those shows have zero to do with fashion trends worldwide for Fall.
I was at the first preview (comp). The choreography is absolutely stunning. Everything else is quite messy and did not work for me. This is a big, big show that is very expensive. I know he is trying to raise money to take this to Broadway, but I just don't see how this could recoup ever unless Todricks replaces himself with a star which he will never do. Meh."
"lol" yeah, let's mock a fellow theatre fan for thinking the trend has to do with other theatre merch and not a different industry. "lol" so funny "lol" ha ha ha "lol" Sutton is so superior to us all!
"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman
At first, it all seems quite promising but the show massively relies on brilliant singers and after a while you realise that's the depth of the work you're getting. The book has a couple of unaddressed, unresolved things in it (or maybe that's just me but I was confused by some interactions that were very underdeveloped and unexplored, some others were laughably awkward), the songs are 50:50 but it gets repetitive after a while. Choreography is perhaps not surprisingly fun and contemporary and I very much enjoyed the duality of how the musical looks vs how it feels but I wish it was more intentional. One of the leads is an obvious weak link. Kennedy Caughell is brilliant but I wish somebody put her in a part where she doesn't just belt the entire time, she is a great actor as well.
Overall, it's a sometimes enjoyable but mostly meh assault on your senses that never offers much contrast and definitely isn't ready for Broadway. I don't know other original works by Todrick so I want to say that he's a talented writer but this reads more like an imperfect college showcase than a work of a seasoned pro. They should get a good dramaturg on board asap
I'll be more generous than the poster above. It's a work of huge ambition, and while it is overlong and overstuffed, it's got more strengths than weaknesses. Cast, staging and design are all strong, and it is fluid and confident. I enjoyed the score, especially the lyrics, which are smart and playful. I don't know if it achieves everything it sets out to do, but it is never boring, and in many ways, the level of what it achieves in that small space is impressive. Those hoping and praying for a disaster should look elsewhere.
Amy Archer said: "I enjoyed the score, especially the lyrics, which are smart and playful."
Interesting. I didn't think the lyrics were outright bad but I didn't find them particularly clever or dramatic.
Do we know if the show had been changed a lot prior to its current run? Is it fresh from some development? Parts of the show seemed *very* forced to me but I don't know if it's because they were new and under-rehearsed, or if there's some disconnect between the material and how it is currently performed.
SomeOtherMe said: "Did the show not get reviewed by critics?"
Considering it ended up starting performances on Friday, there was no time for critics to attend ahead of their scheduled opening. I’m sure they are trying to get them into performances this week.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
Why do people still give this asshole the time of day?
2018 and 2023- Lawsuit for not paying wages. Settled out of court
2022- Lawsuit for unfair firing and sexual harassment. Reading the accusations give me the ick. Settled out of court.
He is so toxic RuPaul didn't ask him back onto the show.
Kad said: "SomeOtherMe said: "Did the show not get reviewed by critics?"
Considering it ended up starting performances on Friday, there was no time for critics to attend ahead of their scheduled opening. I’m sure they are trying to get them into performances this week."
They changed the opening to October 15th - when the show was delayed 4 times to different preview start dates.
The original opening is now a "gala performance" to save face.
CoffeeBreak said: "Kad said: "SomeOtherMe said: "Did the show not get reviewed by critics?"
Considering it ended up starting performances on Friday, there was no time for critics to attend ahead of their scheduled opening. I’m sure they are trying to get them into performances this week."
They changed the opening to October 15th - when the show was delayed 4 times to different preview start dates.
The original opening is now a "gala performance" to save face."
Lmao that's crazy considering the cast and socials have posted that the show has "opened"
I went tonight and this IS three hours long. We left at exactly 10:30 so be prepared for that, you’re going. I’ll write some thoughts tomorrow, probably.
I went last night too and while the Swiftie in me reeled when I saw the name of the aforementioned producer, after I thought well at least he is trying to redeem himself. I would even consider standing beside him for this show. And Taylor might too.
I had zero idea what to expect but heard snippets while in I believe Pearl this summer and had to go. I immediately followed Todrick and booked early. I love musicals for exceptional voices, songs and storytelling in that order and with this I got my fill and then some. They are angels- and the man who played Clarence (apolgies will add here) has a new fan for life.
It's all about the cast as someone called it- they draw you in early and keep you hooked and in love the entire show. I haven't seen this much raw, sheer talent in a long time. and I will challenge that there NO weak links. There are angels on that stage.
Frankly, I am so proud of Todrick because this is a brave story to tell. I do not know him, but as a mom and a human I'm proud of him and this entire cast. This is clearly his story and for whatever you think of him, he told the story for a lot of people who have probay never felt truly seen. The young couple beside me was weeping, and for that- that is what true art and theater should do.
Todrick, this was exceptional and beautiful- thank you for this more than you know.
So yeah, it's long- I think if they want to think of a long game they need to cut the songs that will be so hard to perfectly execute and replicate night after night. It needs to lose at least 15 minutes. I went into this blind (which is best) and felt the same way I did when I saw Rent at 16. Let that sit.
I do think that the themes are hard and some
audiences will never feel comfortable at this show, but this show might be the catalyst.
As my kid said, she sees so many Tonys in their future and she hasn't been wrong yet. Costumes, dancing (yes, incredible choreo) were fantastic.
There were a LOT of influencers and local celebs there last night so word will get out probably mostly negative about the length and anyone who thinks they are a critic will spew- but beyond that anyone who doesn't go see this is truly missing out. It needs to be on Broadway, it will be on broadway and a selct few will be able to say I saw it in tiny theater in Union Square on a friday night and I fell in love.
jazzicat said: "As my kid said, she sees so many Tonys in their future and she hasn't been wrong yet. Costumes, dancing (yes, incredible choreo) were fantastic.
There were a LOT of influencers and local celebs there last night so word will get out probably mostly negative about the length and anyone who thinks they are a critic will spew- but beyond that anyone who doesn't go see this is truly missing out. It needs to be on Broadway, it will be on broadway and a selct few will be able to say I saw it in tiny theater in Union Square on a friday night and I fell in love.
I don't think Todrick has been posting here for nearly 20 years as a woman.
And I'm sick of people who use the word "Meh" as a review- it's so 1990s lazy tech bro keyboard warrior. Be more creative.I see "Meh" and I think lazy.
When I saw this in London I really disliked it. Save for the performances which I thought were pretty much all very strong, the show as a whole just didn't work for me. I really hadn't even thought of it again since, but figured I'd go check it out to see what's been worked on. And sitting there, I was actually (more or less) enjoying what I was watching for the first act and wondering why I felt so strongly before that I didn't like it. During intermission, people were saying what they hope happens during act two and I chuckled to myself thinking "just wait". And then watching that second act, I thought "Ah, yes. This is where the show totally falls apart."
I'm sure there are people who will say I don't know what I'm talking about but without giving spoilers away, the premise for what happens to the story makes zero sense. And the reason it doesn't make sense is because It's not structurally set up to support the events that take place. So that ends up not only making the "why and how" or act two confusing, but makes the ultimate finale a total headscratcher. I'm fine with things being abstract but there still needs to be an overall feeling that makes me understand the point to what they're doing, which I feel is still muddled. The audience last night may have not been the typical audience because like someone else mentioned, there seemed to be a LOT of "influencer" type people there, but the reactions were STRONG and very vocal. Even Todrick seemed surprised by it.
But in my opinion, the story absolutely still needs to be streamlined and a good 30 minutes needs to be taken off. There's no reason at all this musical needs to be longer than "Gypsy".
Thank you jazzicat and Jordan Catalano for your reviews. I can’t wait to see it for myself and decide how I like it. I’m going very late in October. I’m quite intrigued and excited.
ColorTheHours048 said: "jazzicat said: "As my kid said, she sees so many Tonys in their future and she hasn't been wrong yet. Costumes, dancing (yes, incredible choreo) were fantastic.
There were a LOT of influencers and local celebs there last night so word will get out probably mostly negative about the length and anyone who thinks they are a critic will spew- but beyond that anyone who doesn't go see this is truly missing out. It needs to be on Broadway, it will be on broadway and a selct few will be able to say I saw it in tiny theater in Union Square on a friday night and I fell in love.
Already going again."
Todrick? Is that you?"
very similar review posted on reddit. Todrick, cast or someone from the Midnight team.
Influencers and friends are being comped in en mass right now with the show opening October 15th for review. They are aiming for word of mouth. They have options to extend into first week of January - unannounced). Mr. Hall regularly when "friends" / "celebrities" come to see the show mentions "they paid to see his show" or "bought a ticket to see" - ...and we know it's not the case.
I'm loving this- not on Todrick's team, but maybe I should be. Ha. I'm a 40ish year old mom and have been transparent that I have no skin in the game. I just love musical theater and vouch for the shows that move me. Zero affiliation but I loved this cast.
Just wrapping intermission, but this is so far feels like an indulgent maximalist nightmare - this is PARADISE SQUARE, peppered with THE COLOR PURPLE and CINDERELLA.
I’m my damndest to follow what’s going on, but it’s hard to understand the cast when they are all SAAAAAAAANGING!
Not everything is bad, but Act II has yet to come. I’ll post my full thoughts later
Check out my eBay page for sales on Playbills!!
www.ebay.com/usr/missvirginiahamm
.jpg?format=auto&width=300)
