NETworks BatB

[non-stop26]

Posted: 5/1/16 at 6:56pm

I saw this in my hometown recently and was VERY unimpressed. The acting seemed too overdone and plain stupid. The beast was played off as goofy and the Lefou had this annoying continuous gag of falling on the ground and wailing. Anyone else see it and feel this way? Was the original like this? 

Updated On: 5/1/16 at 06:56 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/1/16 at 7:08pm

It's a mixed bag. I can't speak for the current cast and I disliked the cuts and some of the new costumes and scenery but I did enjoy how bright, colorful and silly it all was. I thought "Be Our Guest" was well done. I imagine it plays better to children and people who did not see the original staging. I missed the pyrotechnic effects most of all, but the heart of the show for me is the music and even the reduced orchestrations couldn't keep me from enjoying that gorgeous score.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 5/1/16 at 7:11pm

A friend who saw this said that they'd seen a better high school production of the show. 

Updated On: 5/1/16 at 07:11 PM

[non-stop26]

Posted: 5/1/16 at 7:12pm

Scarywarhol said: "A friend who saw this said that they'd seen abetter high school production of the show. 

 

"

That's what I was thinking while watching

[tourboi]

Posted: 5/1/16 at 7:49pm

You're missing a lot if you avoid all NETworks shows as they either co produce or GM many of the tours going out. The thing is, this show, while playing big markets along the way, is mostly designed to play short stints in smaller markets as well. 

Some other NETworks shows are glorious. Without them, the Lincoln Centre SOUTH PACIFIC would never have toured, especially using the original orchestrations. To write off an entire company because you didn't like ONE production seems a bit foolhardy. You're gonna miss out on some lovely stuff. 

[non-stop26]

Posted: 5/1/16 at 7:59pm

tourboi said: "You're missing a lot if you avoid all NETworks shows as they either co produce or GM many of the tours going out. The thing is, this show, while playing big markets along the way, is mostly designed to play short stints in smaller markets as well. 

Some other NETworks shows are glorious. Without them, the Lincoln Centre SOUTH PACIFIC would never have toured, especially using the original orchestrations. To write off an entire company because you didn't like ONE production seems a bit foolhardy. You're gonna miss out on some lovely stuff. 

 

"

You're right, I was being a bit overdramatic.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 5/1/16 at 8:01pm

It's a fine rule of thumb, though. I'd do some real research before buying tickets to any NETworks production. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 5/2/16 at 9:51am

I just don't like the business model of NETworks. I also don't see the need why beauty and the beast needs to be non-equity. It could be at least a tier C or B