MJ Previews- Page 6

[RippedMan]

Posted: 12/12/21 at 2:33pm

Carnestoltes said: "TaffyDavenport said: "Carnestoltes said: "As a newbie, all the previews thing is new to me and I'm really interested in knowing to what extent this phase, prior to the official premiere, can reshape what they will present to the world.

Do critics really refrain from watching anything before Feb 1st?"

Prior to opening night, usually about a week before, the show will be “frozen,” meaning no more changes will be made before it opens. At that point, the critics will start attending, and they’ll review during the final previews, then publish them on opening night, February 1st.

"

Thanks for the answers, it's really interesting.

BTW, how do they know what works in the previews? Does the director attend every show to read the audience's reactions or does the public fill out some kind of form like they do in film test screenings?"

The creatives are usually in the back of the house watching the performance and seeing what works and what doesn't work. Because of technology and how shows are designed there usually isn't anything too drastic once the show starts previews. Usually a cut here or there, maybe some added dialogue, and occasionally a new song. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 12/14/21 at 10:21am

Digital lottery announced today for all performances beginning tomorrow: a limited number of $35 seats will be available. 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/MJ-Announces-Digital-Lottery-For-All-Performances-20211214

[Carnestoltes]

Posted: 12/14/21 at 10:29am

"The creatives are usually in the back of the house watching the performance and seeing what works and what doesn't work. Because of technology and how shows are designed there usually isn't anything too drastic once the show starts previews. Usually a cut here or there, maybe some added dialogue, and occasionally a new song."

 

Ok, thanks!

 

[Lot666]

Posted: 12/15/21 at 9:16am

The report that there's only a truncated rendition of "Billie Jean" is disappointing. The creatives for Summer did the same thing with "MacArthur Park". When developing a jukebox musical, why take what is arguably the artist's signature song and whittle it down to a throwaway?

 

Bettyboy72 said: "Highland Guy said: Michael Jackson was acquitted of all charges that he had molested a 13-year-old boy. That means he was found NOT GUILTY. "

If only the criminal justice system were an accurate measure of guilt or innocence. As we are very aware, it is heavily influenced by race, class, money and privilege. Someone being acquitted does not mean innocence."

If only the media were an accurate measure of guilt or innocence. Salacious headlines and allegations do not mean guilt.

And, my goodness, all the "undisputed facts" in this thread! I'm glad someone among us was actually in the room where it happened, to tell us what to believe.

Updated On: 12/15/21 at 09:16 AM

[HogansHero]

Posted: 12/15/21 at 11:44am

Lot666 said: "If only the media were an accurate measure of guilt or innocence. Salacious headlines and allegations do not mean guilt.

And, my goodness, all the "undisputed facts" in this thread! I'm glad someone among us was actually in the room where it happened, to tell us what to believe."

I don't know why we have to keep going round and round on this but:

1. The issue is not guilt or innocence. It's disapproval and condemnation.

2. There are plenty of admitted and acknowledged instances of conduct worthy of disapproval and condemnation. 

3. If you are ok with the conduct that is admitted or acknowledged, or don't think it should keep you from patronizing this show, fine. Some others feel differently and some of those think that one's patronization (at any level) is itself worthy of disapproval and condemnation. That's their right, but as (imo) it is your right to feel differently and advocate/promote the show. We don't all have to agree about everything. Because we don't all agree about everything. 

4. Were there adjudicated guilt here (we have no measure of innocence), the posture would be different but that is a red herring. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 12/16/21 at 1:41pm

Matinee today is cancelled... evening performance is still on at the moment.

[carnzee]

Posted: 12/16/21 at 1:56pm

Lot666 said: 


If only the media were an accurate measure of guilt or innocence. Salacious headlines and allegations do not mean guilt.

And, my goodness, all the "undisputed facts" in this thread! I'm glad someone among us was actually in the room where it happened, to tell us what to believe."

Trouble is, there were boys (now adult men) who were "in the room where it happened" and have told us what went down; you just choose not to believe them. 

[Lot666]

Posted: 12/16/21 at 3:29pm

carnzee said: "Trouble is, there were boys (now adult men) who were "in the room where it happened" and have told us what went down; you just choose not to believe them."

Trouble is, the accused (now deceased) was "in the room where it [allegedly] happened", and told us what went down; you just choose not to believe him.

The difference between me and you is I believe the accused is innocent until proven guilty (as does the law), and you believe the accused is guilty until proven innocent.

 

[carnzee]

Posted: 12/16/21 at 3:38pm

Lot666 said: "carnzee said: "Trouble is, there were boys (now adult men) who were "in the room where it happened" and have told us what went down; you just choose not to believe them."

Trouble is, the accused (now deceased) was "in the room where it [allegedly] happened", and told us what went down; you just choose not to believe him.

The difference between me and you is I believe the accused is innocent until proven guilty (as does the law), and you believe the accused is guilty until proven innocent.

"

I guess Robert Durst and OJ Simpson are innocent of the murders they've been aquitted of, too. 

Whether or not someone was prosecuted successfully has NO CORRELATION to their guilt or innocence. The innocent are found guilty, and the guilty are aquitted all the time.

The difference between you and me is I don't think the law functions as it should 100% of the time. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 12/16/21 at 4:46pm

8 PM preview cancelled as well. Performances hopefully resume tomorrow.

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 12/17/21 at 10:28am

Lot666 said: "carnzee said: "Trouble is, there were boys (now adult men) who were "in the room where it happened" and have told us what went down; you just choose not to believe them."

Trouble is, the accused (now deceased) was "in the room where it [allegedly] happened", and told us what went down; you just choose not to believe him.

The difference between me and you is I believe the accused is innocent until proven guilty (as does the law), and you believe the accused is guilty until proven innocent."

Trouble is, you and others are willing to ignore the FACT that he slept with little boys, just because you like the music.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/17/21 at 4:00pm

All performances cancelled through December 26. I wonder if they'll push their opening?

[PinniGig]

Posted: 12/23/21 at 4:47am

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "I stil would like to understand how Christopher Wheeldon ended up as the director on this..."

I have a feeling he's sat wondering the same thing

[PinniGig]

Posted: 12/23/21 at 5:02am

@rpvee2  Not gonna lie that very detailed and thorough review made me go from thinking it'd be hard to go wrong with a musical featuring the best music from the last time MJ was at his peak / prime in terms of live performances to thinking I could not be more wrong.  It sounds terrible. 

Everything sounds terrible.  I was willing to overlook the timeline they chose to set the story and expected some glossing over the facts to keep it light and loyal to the fans that don't want or need one of music's true legends picking and pulling apart but God in Heaven that sounds dreadful.

[rpvee2]

Posted: 12/23/21 at 4:35pm

PinniGig said: "@rpvee2 Not gonna lie that very detailed and thorough review made me go from thinking it'd be hard to go wrong with a musical featuring the best music from the last time MJ was at his peak / prime in terms of live performances to thinking I could not be more wrong. It sounds terrible.

Everything sounds terrible. I was willing to overlook the timeline they chose to set the story and expected some glossing over the facts to keep it light and loyal to the fans that don't want or need one of music's true legends picking and pulling apart but God in Heaven that sounds dreadful. "

Weird my positive review would give you such a negative opinion without even seeing it, but… okay.

[PinniGig]

Posted: 12/23/21 at 4:49pm

rpvee2 said:

Weird my positive review would give you such a negative opinion without even seeing it, but… okay."

I'm not saying your review wasn't a positive one at all – it read more as a neutral but really good, well written and detailed insight into what the show involved. I'd just imagined something else entirely and quickly did a full 360 because to me, it suddenly sounded like it was a good idea and well meant but for me personally would land like a wet fart.

[PinniGig]

Posted: 12/23/21 at 11:44pm

MJ The Musical - "He is one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Now, Michael Jackson’s unique and unparalleled artistry has finally arrived on Broadway in a brand-new musical that takes audiences inside the creative process of one of the greatest entertainers in history. Featuring over 25 of Michael Jackson's biggest hits, MJ allows us to rediscover the man in the mirror – with an explosion of music and theatricality as unforgettable as the artist himself"

When I first heard about this and read the brief details, it conjured up a mental image that sounded potentially brilliant as a live show and tribute to MJ's best work and greatest achievements.  Similar to the first part of “Moonwalker” it gave me the idea audiences would go through his career from late 60's as a young child right through to his solo career leading up to where they want to end on a high with his Dangerous world tour in 1992.

Different cast and costumes to reflect each immediately recognisable era, simple but clever set and scenery changes / lighting and use of projection in parts is what  thought would carry it flawlessly from start to finish.

Given his videos featured live footage, cardboard cut outs and stop motion animation used all together as seen in "Leave me Alone" and "Dancing Machine" that too would be superb brought to life on the stage.  

It's also why I was so disappointed and did a U-turn after reading the very detailed review by @rpvee2.

Sounds like someone has the right idea and is trying hard to give audiences the music, dance and legend but also want to make sure it's known how much he endured at the hands of his abusive father.  That's where it loses me completely.

Described as a dazzling show taking audiences through MJ's creative process that defined him – so what is Joe Jackson doing in it?  What does it want or hope to do?

Link to clip for anyone unfamiliar but this is how I saw it in my mind with full cast, projections and some nifty stage props and costumes that bring to life.

Over the Years (from Moonwalker)

https://youtu.be/ixJxfRpRjbU
 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

 

 

Updated On: 12/24/21 at 11:44 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/27/21 at 7:25pm

The full description of the show is pretty clear. Joe Jackson played a very big part in all of the Jackson's lives. It would be odd if he was not included. 

The show does go back and feature a lot of he and the Jacksons' best music. It also features his creative process. There are also different costumes to reflect the era. PinniGig, I am assuming you have not seen the show.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 12/29/21 at 12:10pm

Previews resume today at 2; opening night is still set for February 1 at the moment.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/29/21 at 10:55pm

I’m really enjoying the show. However after a 30 minute intermission they swapped out the lead guy and now Act Two has been stopped for 20 minutes because they lost sound. I’d be ok if they just swapped out our tix for another night at this point. Im tired and want to go home. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 12/29/21 at 10:56pm

Updated On: 12/30/21 at 10:56 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/29/21 at 11:58pm

All the f*ck-ups aside tonight I truly enjoyed the show. And MAJOR MAJOR props to Aramie Payton for jumping into Michael for Act Two. Has he ever performed the role before? Because if not than damn, dude. You’d never know he hasn’t been doing it for a year. There were actually elements to HIS Michael I thought played better than Myles. A very interesting thing to be able to compare two different actors in a role like that, in one night. 
 

Im not going to defend Jackson as a person because I can’t. And I won’t. But the music is undeniably some of the greatest ever recorded and the man was one of the greatest performers who ever walked the earth and both of those things are represented in this show. As far as bio-jukebox shows go, I honestly think this one might be the best one I’ve ever seen. It avoids the horrible writing that plagues/plagued “Tina” so you’re never taken out of the show with moments of eye rolling ridiculousness. 
 

Also, Quentin Earl Darrington is one of the sexiest men God ever created. JFC. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 12/30/21 at 12:22am

Updated On: 12/30/21 at 12:22 AM

[sethepstein12]

Posted: 12/30/21 at 12:23am

Jordan Catalano said: "All the f*ck-ups aside tonight I truly enjoyed the show. And MAJOR MAJOR props to Aramie Payton for jumping into Michael for Act Two. Has he ever performed the role before? Because if not than damn, dude. You’d never know he hasn’t been doing it for a year. There were actually elements to HIS Michael I thought played better than Myles. A very interesting thing to be able to compare two different actors in a role like that, in one night.


Im not going to defend Jackson as a person because I can’t. And I won’t. But the music is undeniably some of the greatest ever recorded and the man was one of the greatest performers who ever walked the earth and both of those things are represented in this show. As far as bio-jukebox shows go, I honestly think this one might be the best one I’ve ever seen. It avoids the horrible writing that plagues/plagued “Tina” so you’re never taken out of the show with moments of eye rolling ridiculousness.


Also,Quentin Earl Darrington is one of the sexiest men God ever created. JFC."

I was there tonight as well. I texted my friend at intermission (the first one haha) and said that Frost was great, except for his falsetto. I actually said that Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough was embarrassing. Due to this, I was not surprised to hear that someone else was going on for Act 2, and boy was he INCREDIBLE!!! I'm glad to hear that Frost has been universally praised on the boards, because that means that the falsetto thing was just a fluke tonight. 

The standout to me was Tavon Olds-Sample as Michael (the middle version of Michael Jackson). He is a star in the making. It's great to see so much new talent coming through!

About the show itself, Act 2 dragged (and I think it would have even if it weren't for the double long intermission, and then the sound issues), but I overall enjoyed myself. The people around me were loving it. But what was with the sequence at the top of Act 2 after Billie Jean? It was so unnecessary.

Like Jordan, I will not defend MJ as a person, and I will agree that his music is some of the best and he was a wonderful performer. This ranks in my top tier of bio musicals. Below Jersey Boys and Ain't Too Proud. Right there with Beautiful. And Myles (pun intended) above Tina, Summer, Cher.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 12/30/21 at 5:44pm

Tonight’s preview is cancelled. Perfs resume New Year’s Day