NYCC Grand Hotel — Page 6

Jordan Catalano said: "York proved it is possible to fill Jane Krakowski’s very large shoes and was sweet and sad and superb. It feels like someone always says now that every Encores show “needs” to transfer, but this one absolutely does."

I can't echo this enough. What a revelation Heléne Yorke is in this role - or, frankly, in every role. Would love to see this transfer for a limited run and to see her finally get Tony recognition. And then see her make another return in 2019 with "Kiss Me, Kate" - how sweet that would be.

And, yes, Snyder is also bright and magnificent. I really, really hope Roundabout gets their hands on this.

Irina Dvorovenko actually did ON YOUR TOES for Encores a few seasons ago. I think she is fascinating and has a lot of potential, but she is clearly new to the world of acting, and I think needs stronger direction than what she has currently in this production. The two scenes between The Ballerina and The Baron fell unusually flat - though the actors were not helped by the unnecessary ttrims to the script and score.

I thought Irina Dvorovenko absolutely stole On Your Toes and displayed a real natural ability for musical comedy.

Jordan -- My complaint is ultimately with the director of the show, who I think wasn't really able to bring the actors in this large ensemble piece to a unified place of continuity in style, tone, etc. Perhaps it could get there with more rehearsal. I agree that Dvorovensko has a naturalism that is hugely appealing. But - for me - she doesn't yet have natural authority as an actress, which is where I think her inexperience (without the help of great direction) wasn't always an asset in playing this character. But I did like her.

The scenes between the Baron and the Ballerina originally was more thrilling largely because Montevecci had such command (and vulnerability).

Updated On: 3/22/18 at 12:07 PM

Dvorovenko has great stage presence and IMHO sings and acts the part better than Montevecci did. As for Josh Rhodes’ rookie shot at directing and choreographing I would say this is a pretty auspicious debut.

Morosco: I was in the front rows mezz right & the lady who yelled out at the end of the Dance you asked about was speaking in Russian so I'm not sure what it was but it sounded like something like "NOSTROVIA"? I had never seen the show before & found some sections very moving. LIke someone else said here, it does not appear to be an Encore prod. at all because no one was on script & everything was staged & lit fully. I think the show is a bit overrated & the audience response was largely one of nostalgia for the orig. prod. - but that doesn't mean you should pass it by. If you can get seats house LEFT - it would be recommended because the whole set angles in that direction. I missed a good 10% of the show because of my far right seat.

Ben Brantley New York Times review

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/22/theater/grand-hotel-review-encores.html

Sounds to me like the person yelling in the video is saying "na zdrowie"

(https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/na_zdrowie)

I think Brantley killed any chance of a transfer.

I thought the costumes were beautiful but that tiered set was awful. I hated that those glorious dancers were stuck under that scaffolding which kept stealing my attention. The staging felt too crammed and the grand staircase, for the amount of space it took up, did not get a return on it’s investment for me. Maybe I am being too harsh expecting moving sets at an encores production but I found all that scaffolding just way too distracting.

Glad I saw it but not one of my favorites.

It was exciting to see Borle, Block and Arcelus arrive to take center orchestra seats at 7:50ish.