Posted: 4/2/15 at 9:07pm
i kind of want to see Matilda. I live in CT and usually go into NY for the shows I want to see. I only have a mild interest in Matilda. My question is... Has anyone seen the touring production? I never go to touring productions. Are they typically the same as the Broadway show or do they take things out? Is it worth seeing here or should I just suck it up and see it in NY? Thanks in advance.
Posted: 4/2/15 at 9:14pm
Doh!
Well, touring productions in general. Are the the same as the Broadway versions?
Posted: 4/2/15 at 9:28pm
Touring productions vary widely, from Broadway-like full productions that run for weeks in each city to minimized non-union productions that usually play for a few nights.
If you care a great deal about a show or want to see a particular performer, go to Broadway (since NYC isn't very far). But if you're seeing a show just out of curiosity, you will probably be fine with a first-class (i.e., union cast) tour.
I've only see one non-union tour (HAIRSPRAY) and, actually, it was pretty good. But I admit l'm leery of non-union shows where the major parts are adults. A non-union GYPSY came through town and the lead may have been wonderful, but I had to wonder why she didn't have a union card at the age of 50. So I skipped that.
(One possible answer is that LA-based actors don't always join the stage union because there isn't enough West Coast stage work to justify the cost and the inability to take non-union jobs.)
Updated On: 4/2/15 at 09:28 PM
Posted: 4/2/15 at 10:26pm
True, many non-union tours are very good (i.e. Christmas Story, Addams Family), but there are a few that aren't (i.e. West Side Story, Ghost). I'm sure the material of Matilda will stay exactly the same, but changes in the physical production have yet to be seen. All of the equity tours I have seen have been great and I'm sure Matilda will be no exception. If it counts for anything, I just saw the show for a second time last week (the first was in 2013 a few months after it opened), and it is still top notch. Seeing it again actually rekindled my love for the show itself. Plus Chris and Lesli are worth the price of admission alone.
Posted: 4/2/15 at 10:43pm
The Matilda tour is beginning with a week of previews in New Haven CT. It will be a preview week so it won't be as smooth as it will be later in the tour. Link to tickets is below.
The only people who will know what the changes if any will be before then will be the company/crew/creatives. And it is a Union tour. At least for now.
http://www.ticketmaster.ca/Matlida-the-Musical-Touring-tickets/artist/2019437?tm_link=edp_Artist_Name
Posted: 4/2/15 at 11:12pm
From my experience seeing Union tours compared to their Broadway counterparts, the tours are the almost identical. Where they differ is in the technical spectacle (at least most obviously). Tours tend to have smaller orchestras than Broadway productions. So, if you're someone who likes to enjoy the score as intended (and Matilda's score is beautiful) then I would see it on Broadway. I think that Matilda is a show that isn't so dependent on the technical spectacle of the show to make it enjoyable, I obviously don't know what they are going to change, but I'm sure there are going to be some cut backs there. Sets also tend to be sized down, or not as elaborate for tours. Matilda's set on Broadway comes all the way out of the proscenium and covers the front wall of the auditorium. It's really a great set, fun. I'm positive that they won't have that for the tour. I personally would see it on Broadway instead (in the Front mezz or orchestra), but if you're going just for the over all effect of the show, the tour should suffice.
Posted: 4/2/15 at 11:18pm
I would see it on Broadway. There are things in the show that they might not be able to do on the road. Or due as well.
Posted: 4/3/15 at 11:37am
The only tour show I saw that I felt was better than the Broadway version was Miss Saigon. Their non-union tour from over 10 years ago was amazing (and starred Jon Jon Briones as the Engineer as he is doing in London right now in the current revival).
That said, if you could come to NY, I would do so. CT is not that far away and as was mentioned before, Christopher Sieber as Ms. Trunchbull is worth the price alone. Plus even though Matilda is based on this little book... it's really a BIG show so why not see the original version if you can.
Posted: 4/3/15 at 3:06pm
Thank you all so much. You're all very informative. I knew it was coming to new haven next month, but didn't realize it was beginning its previews here. I kind of feel like a philistine seeing a show here when I could see it on broadway. There are several shows I really want to see first in ny. Maybe I'll wait and check it out over my summer vacation. Thanks again.
Posted: 4/3/15 at 4:57pm
Though it's not essential to the show itself, the proscenium design on Broadway is breathtaking and will obviously not be of the same scale on tour. I'll be seeing the tour in Chicago, but I'm glad I saw it on Broadway as I don't know how much will be scaled back. It's a wonderful show.
Updated On: 4/3/15 at 04:57 PM
Posted: 4/3/15 at 6:13pm
I will be seeing the tour in New Haven next month, can't wait! I saw the show shortly after it opened on Broadway...I'll be interested to see the differences.
I DO wish they'd announce the cast!!!!
Posted: 4/4/15 at 12:04am
Maybe I will check it out then and if I like it, I could always catch it on Broadway this summer. That's my plan. Thanks again!
