Movin' Out - Am I missing something?- Page 2

[EverythingIsRENT]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 4:35pm

As a Billy Joel fan, I HAD to see this show!! At intermission, my friend and I just looked at each other like "WHAT in the heck are we watching??" The dancing was awesome, it just all seemed very random and would have loved more of a plot. But, all i nall it was an enjoyable evening of theatre.

On a similar note, am I the ONLY one who enjoyed Contact?? LOL I thought it was really different and entertaining.

[Chloe]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 4:52pm

I enjoyed Contact too, but didn't feel that it quite deserved all the awards and critical acclaim it got. Maybe that's what people are reacting too - that it was a pretty good show that was greeted as the Second Coming by some.

[Broadwaylady]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 6:32pm

I agree with BlueyedKate. I also loved the show, love Billy Joel and thought the choreopgaphy was well done. I am seeing it again next week.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 6:34pm

I love this show. The dancing is beautiful, and Michael Cavanaugh is insanely talented. I've seen this show four times.

[friesgirl]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 8:01pm

You and I are seeing two very different shows.

I love Movin Out. I think it has a lot to say, especially in the time we are in now. It’s a shame you left at intermission because Act 2 has a bulk of the best scenes, the best dancing, and the most emotional moment of the night: Goodnight Saigon. And by the standing ovations, I think other people are getting the story.

Movin’ Out is NOT just about Billy Joel songs. It is a ballet constructed around the songs in a much more cohesive storyline than I expected. It’s not your regular musical, but it has many merits to it, one being the brilliant performances by Desmond Richardson and John Selya.

I really connected to John Selya’s portrayal of Eddie and part of that made me love the show so much. I have seen his understudy and the show is very different, it’s more about dance than story since Eddie is pretty much the core of the show ESPECIALLY the second act. The other main cast members, Ashley Tuttle, Desmond Richardson, and Nancy Lemanager really formulated their characters well.

If you don’t like dance, then you’re seeing the wrong show. But to say it’s not an art form? Utterly ridiculous. Again, YOU didn’t see the second act. If you had, I think you would have a lot more appreciation for those five dancers that risk so much by doing that show at least five times a week.

If you’re really interested in what you’re missing and want clarification on the show and choices made, there’s an interview http://www.americantheatrewing.org:8080/ramgen/downstage/Episode14.rm there that will really help you understand and will give big insight into the show.

[scotty]

Posted: 11/8/04 at 10:57am

Its pretty crappy. But when you live outside the US. All you have is the CD, sleeve notes, and your own Imagination to what a show could possibly be like. The strength of this particular recording is simply stunning. Everything about it is flawless. (Apart from, most of the songs arent complete. Which Im assuming, has to do with the show?). If one of the Intentions of the musical was to recrute 1 new Billy fan? Intention SUCCESSFUL!

[Plum]

Posted: 11/8/04 at 12:25pm

I only knew about 4 of the songs before I walked into the theater, so I wasn't going to Movin' Out for its jukebox appeal. (If anyone reads my posts here, they'd know that would actually be a good reason for me to avoid the show.)

I went for the dancing, and I got what I paid for. I went a little deaf from the over-amplification, but I had a good time and got to really gawk and the marvels that are professional dancers. If you don't see how dance is an art form, Movin' Out isn't the show for you. And I feel bad for you, because you're missing out on a great medium.

[sean martin]

Posted: 11/8/04 at 12:31pm

>> It's amazing how many people on these boards hate CONTACT, considering it won 4 Tony Awards

Folks who dislike CONTACT seem to dislike it for the fact that it was nominated for an award it should not have been given: Best Musical. That alone tainted it beyond redemption, because, as wonderful a dance piece as it may be, it's not a musical. However, given what a crappy season it was that year, I'm not surprised it won, let alone got nominated.

I've seen MOVIN OUT, and it's a wonderful dance piece. It's Twyla Tharpe, for cryin out loud. But once again: it's a dance piece, and you either appreciate it on that level or you dont. If you're expecting a musical play with a lot of dancing in it, you're gonna be disappointed. But if you dont mind something that, at one point in time, could have been presented by the NYCBallet or the Joffrey, you'll have a great time.

And it doesnt hurt if you like Billy Joel's music. :)

[Jess1483]

Posted: 11/8/04 at 12:40pm

If one of the Intentions of the musical was to recrute 1 new Billy fan? Intention SUCCESSFUL!

Make that two! I'd never heard anything but Piano Man before and (don't hurt me) I'd only heard Garth Brooks do Shameless. Oh, and We Didn't Start The Fire, and now I'm a huge Billy Joel fan. I loved the show, and I've never been a huge fan of dance, I liked it; but not something I would choose over a regular musical. I've also taken three friends now, all of whom aren't huge dance fans (two of them are Billy Joel fans) and they all loved it.

[Broadwaylady]

Posted: 11/15/04 at 7:55pm

I saw it for the second time on Saturday. I found it as refreshing, energetic and wonderful as the first time a year ago. The dancing talent is phenomenal. But it is a matter of taste. There is no dialogue.

[goingagain]

Posted: 11/15/04 at 8:09pm

We saw it Friday night and it was fabulous! Michael Cavanaugh is very talented. The roles of Tony and Brenda were understudies, but I cannot imagine anyone being better than they were. The guy who plays Eddie is amazing! I will definitely try to see it again.