Took the train up to Boston for the matinee today (and briefly met CT2NYC in person!).
Mostly echoing the same things people said on this board, except I'm not attached to the songs in the movie as much as others seem to be. I'm indifferent on the old vs new songs.
The theater was stunning but fyi the seats are TIGHT like the tightest broadway theaters (the people around me who were taller were really squashed). Costumes/sets were all spectacular spectacular, even better in person.
Really liked what they did with the Duke character, it was much more realistic to make him desirable, offering Satine the finer things in life while bringing her into the 'upper class' society.
No chemistry between the 2 leads at all. They basically said "oh, we're in love now". My husband loved my dog more than Christian loved Satine in this show (and he did not like my dog).
I think the highlight for me was Roxanne. Finally in the 2nd act we see some deeper emotion from Aaron. Wonderful arrangement. Really looking forward to that on the cast recording.
The people around me were losing their minds. The theater was probably only ~70% filled but the crowd reaction rivaled with the full house of Harry Potter fans early in the run.
Hoo boy, they really need to fix that ending though.
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Satine proclaims she is choosing the Duke, they do the show (sort of), Aaron runs on stage and threatens to kill himself, they kiss and she dies in his arms. No shock or outcry from Aaron (he should take note from Jamie Parker), no altercation with the Duke or so much as a reaction from him. The Duke isn't even in the scene. And then it just ends.
And a narrator is usually not necessary but there are 2 narrators which is extremely unncessary.
All in all a fun show, but if you don't know the movie, there are some pretty gaping plot holes.