MasterVoices will present Sondheim's THE FROGS, Korie-penned GRAPES OF WRATH, and more- Page 2

[leefowler]

Posted: 11/4/23 at 9:17pm

I’m biased, as I wrote the dance and incidental music for the 2004 production. However, I saw it this afternoon, and I thought it was simply tremendous! I hear it’s sold out, but if you can get there, you’ll have a wonderful time!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/4/23 at 10:03pm

I saw it this afternoon and had just the best time. It’s a score that I’ve had so much trouble “getting into” over the years but seeing it done made me a real fan. Terrific performances throughout (Marc doing a full on split was something I never knew I needed to see until today) and was just the best way to spend the afternoon. 

Updated On: 11/5/23 at 10:03 PM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 11/4/23 at 11:15pm

After the underwhelming "Anyone Can Whistle" last year, this was so refreshing. Great performances top to bottom, with the highlights being the aforementioned Marc Kudisch, and Peter Bartlett from the original Bway cast doing Hades (which should probably be added to Hadestown and Hercules, too). Quite a lot of influence from Sondheim's other scores in this show, and I heard people humming Forum and Merrily as I was leaving.

I was also pleasantly surprised to see Nathan used throughout. I figured "host" meant he'd give a curtain speech and leave.

If any concert production from the past week had to move to Broadway, I vote this one ;)

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/4/23 at 11:39pm

Yup, I mentioned that I heard “Merrily” in there quite a bit which is fascinating to hear where Sondheim’s head was at musically, at that time. 
 

And I love that this weekend we had four (sold out/close to sold out) Sondheim shows playing in the city. 

Updated On: 11/4/23 at 11:39 PM

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 11/4/23 at 11:42pm

I saw the matinee today and also enjoyed it quite a bit!  Excellent performances all around, but I especially loved Douglas Sills's energy as Dionysus.  This was my first time seeing/hearing the show in any capacity and I think it would be quite refreshing to watch a full scale production of this.  It's fairly light and frothy for the most part but has some take home messages if you care to pay attention to them.

Also, I was sitting in the balcony and I was quite impressed at how well I could understand the chorus when everyone was singing together.  Probably a joint effort by the sound design and the members of the chorus, but the words were all very clear.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 11/5/23 at 12:02am

I'm kind of surprised this one doesn't get done more regionally or at high schools. I think it could be great in small spaces and audiences might have a blast.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 11/5/23 at 9:23am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "I'm kind of surprised this one doesn't get done more regionally or at high schools. I think it could be great in small spaces and audiences might have a blast."

 

There are no roles for girls, although you could easily gender bend any of them.

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 11/5/23 at 12:20pm

Wow! I REALLY loved this! I too was much more enamored by the score in person than just on an album. I thought the entire cast was sublime. Some fantastic casting here. The dancing was also superb. I loved that they saved their introduction until "The Frogs," but used them throughout the show after that. 

This show was hilarious, but I also found it very poignant. It makes sense considering it was written during Watergate and at the tail end of the Vietnam War and then expanded during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. But, it still worked so well for our current moment. Definitely some lucky scheduling too.

I would agree that it's surprising that it isn't done more. A bit of gender bending and it would be perfect for regional theatres. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 11/5/23 at 6:23pm

TotallyEffed said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "I'm kind of surprised this one doesn't get done more regionally or at high schools. I think it could be great in small spaces and audiences might have a blast."

There are no roles for girls, although you could easily gender bend any of them."

Yeah, I think it might even be funnier with an all-female cast.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 11/6/23 at 10:35am

I’m biased - I was in it - and from the first rehearsal through the final performance, it was a thrill.  
MasterVoices posted photos on Facebook for those who’d like to relive the memory of this performance.  
 

[seeseveryshow2]

Posted: 11/6/23 at 1:25pm

NYadgal: I am also in the MV chorus and delighted in performing at the Rose Theater this past weekend.

So do we know each other?

I was in Box 6, mid level tier, 4th chair. You can find my name on the seating plan. Where were you seated?

see you tonight! 

[Melissa25]

Posted: 11/13/23 at 6:28pm

MasterVoices Puts on a Starry Show With a Shoestring Budget

NYT gift article.