Moulin Rouge Colonial Theatre Previews- Page 14

[LightsOut90]

Posted: 7/13/18 at 3:47am

Ladybug101 said: "Theater Darling and Ellie Rose comments on bootlegging:

I am so sorry that I disturbed you both. I am a New Yorker who in the past was able to pay top dollar for theater but who is now 10,000 miles away and probably will never see another thing on Broadway -- life can play very unfortunate tricks -- I was photographed years ago with Hillary Clinton when I was a VP and now .........well, she is still doing better than me even with her "loss".

i dont give a flying fig who you are or your financial or geographic or political position, dont boast or post about bootlegs of shows, especially one that LITERALLY just started

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 7/13/18 at 4:31am

theaterdarling said: "not to see what was perfectly (or otherwise) executed in the movie precisely recreated on stage. A theatrical version will have its own delights and exploits which I am (and I bet others) are looking forward to. It seems to me that if people are going to the theater to see perfect recreations of all or certain scenes in the movie, then disappointment will be inevitable (and, clearly, no point in waiting to see the show in its entirety to register that inevitable disappointment).



I guess I would hope that even in a jukebox musical, there would be some respect for the original. This is the one song choice from the movie that I really wouldn't change. It's not that I need the exact staging (the entrance through the audience might be tough depending on the theater) but the moment should be just as meaningful if not more so. The Circle of Life in Lion King, All That Jazz in Chicago. The stage and screen versions weren't identical but they captured the same magic in their own ways. That's all I want.

[msmp]

Posted: 7/13/18 at 5:57am

Manages to see the second preview last night and I was absolutely blown away. The music, the sets, the costumes, the singing, they were all phenomenal. I thought Aaron and Karen had their roles down pretty well and had some definite chemistry, and Danny Burstein stole the show for me; I just wish, and this is really my only major criticism, that he got another featured and/or solo number at some point. One minor thing I would add, though:

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

After Satine's death, I really think they need a bit of a segue to the grand finale/encore. Even just Zidler giving us another "The show must...go on!" would work. The finale is fantastic but it's jarring to go from the Come What May reprise and the mournful note of Satine's death/Christian's last monologue straight into that wild encore.

The energy in the crowd was unbelievable too. Someone else commented on it, but there was a genuinely electric feel in there, and it was not a crowd of predominantly young people (which is what I was expecting). My just-before-retirement parents were probably only a little over the average age and everyone seemed to be really enjoying themselves.

Honestly, I found it good enough to want to go back after the official Boston opening.

[ren598]

Posted: 7/13/18 at 8:41am

msmp said: "Manages to see the second preview last night and I was absolutely blown away. The music, the sets, the costumes, the singing, they were all phenomenal. I thought Aaron and Karen had their roles down pretty well and had some definite chemistry, and Danny Burstein stole the show for me; I just wish, and this is really my only major criticism, that he got another featured and/or solo number at some point. One minor thing I would add, though:

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

After Satine's death, I really think they need a bit of a segue to the grand finale/encore. Even just Zidler giving us another "The show must...go on!" would work. The finale is fantastic but it's jarring to go from the Come What May reprise and the mournful note of Satine's death/Christian's last monologue straight into that wild encore.

The energy in the crowd was unbelievable too. Someone else commented on it, but there was a genuinely electric feel in there, and it was not a crowd of predominantly young people (which is what I was expecting). My just-before-retirement parents were probably only a little over the average age and everyone seemed to be really enjoying themselves.

Honestly, I found it good enough to want to go back after the official Boston opening."

I agree with everything you said.  I too found it phenomenal.  That is why I don’t understand all the nit picking.    It would seem those who saw and loved the movie dearly are the ones with issues with all the changes.  They don’t want anything changed from the movie which isn’t always feasible.  I didn’t care much for the movie so I had no interest in seeing the exact same thing recreated on stage.  I actually like all the changes they did.  I liked all the new songs they’ve added and it’s refreshing they have two leads who can sing the hell out of those songs.  I curious to hear from those who haven’t seen the movie and see what they thought of the show.

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 7/13/18 at 8:45am

"Elizabeth Moore said: "unlike in the original movie, the songs are basically sung as recorded by the pop artist and not reimagined to meld into the story being told." 

This is very disapointing. Makes me much less interested in buying a ticket.

Also don't think they cut Like A Virgin due to rights issues if they have Material Girl. They're off the same album.

[MadsonMelo]

Posted: 7/13/18 at 8:50am

ErikJ972 said: ""Elizabeth Moore said: "unlike in the original movie, the songs are basically sung as recorded by the pop artist and not reimagined to meld into the story being told."

This is very disapointing. Makes me much less interested in buying a ticket.

Also don't think they cut Like A Virgin due to rights issues if they have Material Girl. They're off the same album."

But they are from different songwriters and that's what matters, right?

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 7/13/18 at 8:55am

"But they are from different songwriters and that's what matters, right?"

Probably

[robskynyc]

Posted: 7/13/18 at 9:23am

RippedMan said: "Sad to hear about the design! I thought Timbers direction of Rocky was gorgeous and some really interesting stage pictures, so would have thought he’d have come up with something more. Maybe they couldn’t get the rights to certain songs? Also, it seems like they picked some cheesy songs to throw into the show, which could be why they are getting laughs. Why not take something a bit obscure - and reimagine it."

i vaguely remember but didnt the boxing ring like come OUT into the audience?

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 7/13/18 at 9:41am

Clearly, the film is very divisive. Many people say it gives them a headache, and that it's all style, no substance. That's their opinion, and that's OK. Others, like myself, absolutely love the movie, and think that it transcends its music video style because of the emotions it evokes. It's one of the most wildly romantic films I've ever seen, and a large part of this comes from Ewan McGregor's performance. From the moment he opens his mouth to sing "Your Song," I'm immediately invested in his quest to find love, and he maintains that kind of unabashed romanticism throughout the remainder of the movie. If the audience doesn't care about Christian and Satine, the film is pointless. Don't get me wrong, Nicole Kidman is great, but Ewan does the heavy lifting in this regard. He's the heart and soul of Moulin Rouge! Now, as far as the stage version is concerned, I'm not expecting a duplicate of the movie. What I am hoping for, though, is something that moves me in the way that it does. From the reports so far, it sounds like this isn't happening, yet. I'm assuming that part of the problem is the casting. Aaron Tveit has a great voice, but if he can't make me care about Christian through his acting, then, in my opinion, the show won't succeed as a love story. It's the love story that makes the film special, and so much more than its stylized visuals. Everything else (the scenic design, the new songs, etc.) is secondary. For me, if the romance doesn't work, then, ultimately, the show won't work.

Updated On: 7/13/18 at 09:41 AM

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 7/13/18 at 9:57am

I can’t recall where The Show Must Go On falls in the sequence of the movie, but I do wonder if it would (based on early reports) work better to replace the Lady Marmalade reprise with The Show Goes On. I know they probably not using the song due to licensing issues, but maybe if they invited the members of Queen to the show and explained how they’d like to use the song...maybe seeing how the ending doesn’t currently work and envisioning how their song would help fix it...I don’t know. Just a thought I woke up with this morning. It’s an energetic song still, but much more in line with the tone of the end of the show. It’s such a bittersweet song off the last album before Mercury’s early death.

[Elizabeth Moore]

Posted: 7/13/18 at 10:10am

I honestly think the dramaturgical structure of the piece is what is making it difficult to care about Christian and Satine, or more accurately, feel invested and satisfied by their relationship. The performers are doing a superb job in what they're clearly being directed to do. Even with varying preference for casting choices, the book is working against the performers, not with them.

[gray_area]

Posted: 7/13/18 at 10:14am

Part of my problem with Christian's character in this stage version is I feel his character takes the backseat somewhat? Apart from having to share Satine with the Duke from the get-go, he also loses his charm as the bohemian writer embodying those ideals since that part is largely given to Toulouse on stage. They only address his writing songs for the show during one piece of narrative with him holding sheet music as a prop. Christian didn't truly come alive for me until he goes mad with jealousy in Act 2. Whether that is due to the material he's given or Tveit's portrayal itself, I can't really tell from one performance. Would love to compare once I get to revisit the show later on in its run.

[Ladybug101]

Posted: 7/13/18 at 10:37am

CT2NYC said: I'm assuming that part of the problem is the casting. Aaron Tveit has a great voice, but if he can't make me care about Christian through his acting, then, in my opinion, the show won't succeed as a love story.

You are going to think this is an off-the-wall apples and oranges comparison but it includes AT and Ewan Mcgregor so here goes plus I find it fun considering it includes the two Christians.  And this thread needs a little fun.  The ML staging is supposed to alot of fun.

On the short-lived series "Braindead" AT and Mary Elizabeth Winstead played love interests.  One of the most positive things critics found from the series was the chemistry between AT and Winstead.  One critic said he would watch anything that both were in together.  It was an off-and-on relationship though. The creators, the Kings (Good Wife, Good Fight, etc), agreed that the chemistry was terrific. 

Winstead's next series was Fargo 3 where Ewan was her love interest.  Guess their real-life chemistry was good enough for them both end their marriages and are now a couple. 

I just wanted to point out that AT can do things thru his acting.  Also, a previous poster complained about his broad acting--midwest, square and clean-cut -- not bohemian, etc.  Timbers and John Logan, the book author, have mentioned in an interview that Christian is an innocent. And that innocence is what makes Satine love him.  McGregor used his real and cute Scotch accent rather than the American one he used in Fargo-- maybe Aaron needed his southern accent from his London "Assassins" where he got excellent reviews for his acting but then they would have lost that Lima, Ohio-Glee connection. Oh, well.  

Disclaimer:  I have already stated in previous posts that I am obviously an Aaron Tveit fan.

Updated On: 7/13/18 at 10:37 AM

[schubox]

Posted: 7/13/18 at 10:45am

Listening to the audio from night 1, and you people weren’t lying about the crowd. You can feel the energy just from the audio. They seem to be walking the mine between enthusiasm and annoying though. Screams and cheers over the songs gets old quick

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 7/13/18 at 10:52am

Listening to snippets from Volumes 1 $ 2 of the movie soundtrack, I’m just full of creative (and probably bad) ideas.

During the pre-show when the cast is just roaming across the stage, is there currently music playing during? I’m wondering if the Closing Credits track: Bolero would fit well here?

[scripps]

Posted: 7/13/18 at 1:07pm

Let's recast Christian. I dig Aaron, he's a nice guy with a great voice, but even upon hearing his casting for this I wasn't buying it. I don't look at Aaron and think "innocence." Maybe I would if it was 2008, but not today. Suggestions? 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 7/13/18 at 1:25pm

Yeah they built a ring over the existing audience's seats. It was a cool idea, but what I meant was he had a boxing ring on stage that would fly all over the stage and flip around and it just made for some beautiful stage pictures, or when the entire pet store set was spinning during "Raining," etc. It was great stagecraft. So kind of surprised to hear it's so stagnant here. 

And, to me, narration NEVER works in a musical. Just like in Catch Me If You Can. If the lead is narrating to use then we aren't invested because we know the outcome.

[KatVer]

Posted: 7/13/18 at 1:26pm

scripps said: "Let's recast Christian. I dig Aaron, he's a nice guy with a great voice, but even upon hearing his casting for this I wasn't buying it. I don't look at Aaron and think "innocence." Maybe I would if it was 2008,but not today. Suggestions?"

Corey Cott

[scripps]

Posted: 7/13/18 at 1:37pm

I love Corey, and he can grow those sideburns he had in Gigi again, but I don't know if he projects the naivete and innocence required. Maybe Stark Sands? 

[EllieRose2]

Posted: 7/13/18 at 6:31pm

"You haven’t been to Harry Potter then. We have them there as well as multiple dogs and a large security force."

No, I don't go see shows about child wizards.  

Corey Cott is deeply involved in Rebel Genius, and therefore unavailable.  Aaron is great in any role, and he will bring this to Broadway, where people will love him even more.  

[schubox]

Posted: 7/13/18 at 6:47pm

EllieRose2 said: ""You haven’t been to Harry Potter then. We have them there as well as multiple dogs and a large security force."

No, I don't go see shows about child wizards."

So edgy 

[Solipsist234]

Posted: 7/13/18 at 6:49pm

EllieRose2 said: ""You haven’t been to Harry Potter then. We have them there as well as multiple dogs and a large security force."

No, I don't go see shows about child wizards.

Corey Cott is deeply involved in Rebel Genius, and therefore unavailable. Aaron is great in any role, and he will bring this to Broadway, where people will love him even more."

Wait, you're NOT a child!?!?!? Who would have thought??? :O

[Elizabeth Moore]

Posted: 7/13/18 at 6:57pm

There is a pretty terrible bass beat on repeat the first twenty minutes of the pre show. It also looped during intermission. It was not from anything popular and lasted about four seconds before repeating so it was incredibly frustrating....

Updated On: 7/13/18 at 06:57 PM

[EllieRose2]

Posted: 7/13/18 at 9:02pm

Wait, you're NOT a child!?!?!? Who would have thought??? :O"

Nah, I'm not a 10 year old weirdo that has temper tantrums when people reject their new thread, Sweetie. That's allllll you.   

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1110860

 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 7/13/18 at 9:05pm

Doing movie double feature at home tonight. First up was West Side Story. Now starting Moulin Rouge.