My Thoughts on Coram Boy

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/28/07 at 7:23pm

In a word, bizarre. Very, very, very bizarre.

Yes, that's it.

More to come later...maybe...depending on whether or not I can figure out what the hell it was about. Updated On: 4/28/07 at 07:23 PM

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/28/07 at 9:06pm

I dont know why this show seems to be floating over everyone's head ! Others, I can understand---- Not you, Yankee !!

Please say it ain't so !!

[TomMonster]

Posted: 4/28/07 at 9:26pm

I saw it this past week and loved it!! I had no problem following the story or themes...

Considering that the play is based on a "children's" novel, I'm shocked so many people have claimed to be baffled by it.

I'll admit it's very shocking and powerful, but I found the storytelling to be very clear.

I can't wait to hear the rest of your thoughts, Yank, after you've had some time to digest.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/28/07 at 10:32pm

Okay, so I pretty much understand it all, having replayed it in my head over-and-over. Rather than use complete sentences, I'm just going to bullet my thoughts.

Visually stunning - Melly Still has directed one of the most beautiful productions I've ever seen (perhaps the most beautiful). This show is the modern definition of Wagner's "Gesamtkunstwerk" idea. A complete combination of every theatrical art form.

What baffled me about Act I: having read the brief summary of the play before hand, I kept expecting for....that to happen. I didn't realize that the summary on the back of the fliers refers to Act II. It's very Grey Gardens-esque. Act I, as a whole, seemed to be very disjointed. The applause was very tepid, at best.

Heart-stopping musical elements - choir + orchestra = heart palpatations

Tony-worthy performances: Not Jan Maxwell or Bill Camp, like everyone's been saying, but Xanthe Elbrick and Brad Fleischer, both giving the supporting-performances of the year.

Baby-killing: Gasp-inducing. I overheard one woman saying during the intermission "God, I'd hate to have given my child up for adoption after seeing this...you know, thinking they gave them to the right place to keep their babies safe..."

Family factor: where the hell do the producers get the balls to bill it as a family show? how the fu*k is it family fare? There were more children in the audience today than I saw last summer at The Lion King. How on earth can this be considered a "family show?"

Lastly, the money-making factor. Orchestra was 95% full, front mezzanine was 90% full, rear mezzanine was empty. Half of the audience got tickets from TDF. It's certainly not a tourist show....even with great reviews, they wouldn't be able to recoup.

Overall, I think I enjoyed it. It's the kind of show you have to go back and see again.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/28/07 at 10:37pm

Very, very lastly.

The thought I had as I left the theater this afternoon: "could this show stage a coup at the Tony Awards?" It's certainly not the Best Play (Coast of Utopia has it in the bag) and doesn't have the best sets (CoU, again), but when it comes to the other 2 technical elements - costumes and lighting? I'd give it to Coram.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 4/28/07 at 10:45pm

Yankee, I must first thank you ever-so-much for sharing your thoughts and opinions ... Believe you me, they matter a heckova lot to this fellow right here. I'm looking into June (once I'm not swamped with my own production), and I can find some time within the schedule to see others perform. CORAM BOY has been on 'the list' since I first heard about it. I checked BroadwayOffers, and they're offering Center Orchestra, Row Q, Seats 107 and 108 (and) Center Front Mezz. Row A, Section 2, Seats 4 and 5? Being legally blind and all, I can't seem to go by the seating charts provided, I'm sure it doesn't do much justice. I am curious as to whether or not you can point me in the right direction with this one?

Thanks in advance, my friend!

Best,
- Mike

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/28/07 at 10:50pm

Mezzanine all the way.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 4/28/07 at 11:07pm

Thankin' ya kindly!

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/28/07 at 11:13pm

Yankee,

Excellent review !!! Its definitely a show that you have to see a second time-

I understood it the 1st time, but it REALLY made sense the 2nd time around- Agree about Elbrick and Fleischer !! Both are excellent-

From what I HEAR (because I haven't seen "Coast...", "CB" could give it a run for its money come Tony time-

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/28/07 at 11:30pm

Thanks for your kind words.

[Steve2]

Posted: 4/28/07 at 11:36pm

Thanks for the review. I am considering adding Coram Boy to my upcoming trip based on reviews like yours.

Since you just gave advice on seat locations, would Row A (2nd row) and Row C (4th row) be OK? Are they too close?

Thanks

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/28/07 at 11:45pm

Steve,

Row A might be too close (and cramped)--- Sat in row C last week--- excellent seat !!!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/28/07 at 11:48pm

This is a show you must see from the mezzanine.

Testing, I recommend getting a rear mezz. seat for your next trip. It's breathtaking from up there.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/28/07 at 11:54pm

Thanks, Yankee---

Got a rear mezz for the opening on Weds--- also have tix from Tdf, so unsure of that location--- will see which is better, I guess.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 12:55am

How was the set? Minimalist at best considering the size of the cast? Was there a show curtain? My friend spend a semester in London last year and I asked "what was your favorite show"? Out of the 20 she saw, she said this was her favorite, so I'm excited to hear more about it.

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 3:23am

I sat mezz and it was great. I did not consider the set minimalist.

I think it is a good play for children and I would take them age 8 or up, depending on the child. Yes, there is baby-killing in it but if you look at fairy tales, they have terrible things happen in them, too. Kids are atuned to the good guys and bad guys theme, even in cartoons. Just think of Hans Anderson or the Brothers Grimm. The young children wouldn't get the sex scene and even for the older ones, the actors stay fully clothed.

I did think the addition of the secondary plot of the African boy in the second act came too late and seemed like surplusage in storyline, perhaps marginalizing him.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 8:12am

Huge set, no curtain.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 11:12am

Really? It seems all the photos I've seen haven't show much set. I hope they have some "show preview" vids or something up soon. I want to see more of this show.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 2:32pm

It doesn't look like much....but it is.