Murder Ballad returns, first new preview- Page 2

[GatorNY]

Posted: 5/21/13 at 9:37am

This is one of those shows that I liked, but didn't enjoy as much as I hoped that I would. I agree that the performers were all fantastic.

My friend who went with my bought me the cast recording which I have been enjoying. I definitely would have liked it more if I had listened to the recording a few times before checking it out. I would love to go back again, now that the music is familiar to me.

[macnyc]

Posted: 5/21/13 at 10:36am

I wasn't understanding all the lyrics, as I mentioned, so I guess I missed that plot point.
Thanks for the explanation!

[allinsparetime]

Posted: 5/21/13 at 10:57am

Saw the show last night...I thought it was a case of style over substance. Talented performers, lots of potential there, but ultimately left me cold.

Brantley and David Cote were both there last night, as was Michael Friedman.


All In Spare Time: Murder Ballad Has Lots of Sexy Style, Not Much Substance

[macnyc]

Posted: 5/21/13 at 11:22am

^^^ I agree with you, All in Spare Time. I really wonder how the production transferred.

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 5/21/13 at 11:29am

Isn't the whole thing supposed to leave you cold and emotionless? Case in point, the first and last songs.

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 5/21/13 at 11:45am

My friend who went with my bought me the cast recording which I have been enjoying. I definitely would have liked it more if I had listened to the recording a few times before checking it out. I would love to go back again, now that the music is familiar to me.

Gator, it's funny you say that, because after I saw it I really wanted to listen to the cast recording and spend some time with the music to become more familiar, particularly to catch some of the lyrics that I missed.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 2:57am

I saw MURDER BALLAD this weekend and really, really enjoyed it. A lot more than I expected. First off all, the show had chunks of scattered empty seats (mostly on the sides of both of the sections with long rows) and I'm not sure why. And a LOT of people were comped. Especially playing down by NYU, I would've thought this would be doing a lot better than seems to be. It's a really strong rock opera with some great music, clever staging, and absolutely incredible singing. I hope word of mouth catches on. I really hope to see it again!

Caissie Levy's voice is just un-freaking-real. She absolutely kills it...and she's looking sexier than ever. Swenson and Conlee are both strong as well. But best of all is Rebecca Naomi Jones. G*ddamn, that girl can SING. Wow...she is giving 150% and kicking ass in this show.

*SPOILERS* Sure, the storytelling is rough around the edges, and the pacing is uneven. And the twist is surprising, but does feel unsatisfying. It's pretty exciting in the moment, but after I digested it, I kinda...didn't care. The relationship between the narrator and any of the other characters has been so thinly fleshed out by that point that the murder is of no real consequence and seems extraneous. *END SPOILERS*

But, look, this isn't aiming to be Shakespeare. It is what it is, and it is damned entertaining. Sexy, dark, steamy, energetic, and rollickingly entertaining. I had a blast.

On an unrelated note, there was a woman sitting at one of the tables in the middle of the stage who was clearly on something. She was obnoxiously bobbing her head and raising her hand in the air for the first few minutes of the show, making faces at the people sitting on the long rows of risers and waving her arms and hand around distractingly. Swenson took her by the hand during one of his exits and swiftly dragged her off the stage. She practically put her brakes on and seemed to tell him to let her go, but he pushed her off the stage until she was out of the theater. And then he went on with the rest of the show. It was cool to see him handle is so cooly and swiftly. Major props to him. Updated On: 6/10/13 at 02:57 AM

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 12:16pm

I revisited the show again over the weekend. I had seen it closing weekend at the City Center and was bummed because I wished I had seen it multiple times.

This new production still is every bit as good as the previous. The way the theatre was transformed to turn it into the bar was fantastic and I don't think there would be a bad seat in the house. I was sitting behind the bar which seemed like the most preferable choice based on how much of the actors' attention was focused there. Thankfully they seemed to have solved the band volume problem because I had no problem making out the lyrics.

Caissie Levy was fantastic as the replacement for Karen Olivo. I might even go as far to say that she was better than Karen. Rebecca Naomi Jones continues to be the most amazing part of the show. I cannot wait to see her this summer in LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST.

Based on Wicked's account and some behavior I witnessed, I hope this doesn't start drawing the same crowds that have turned me off to seeing other shows like FUERZA BRUTA. I highly recommend it.