NY, NY may be on its way to closing-NY Post- Page 7

[Voter]

Posted: 7/24/23 at 5:22pm

Sutton Ross said: "I work at the theater and found out on Twitter that I’ll be unemployed as of next sunday"

Im incredibly sorry to hear that, there was talk you all found out last week but obviously that was a rumor. I can't imagine finding out one is losing their job in one week, I sincerely hope you find something else immediately.

Theatrefanboy1 said: "I hope this is the point where people realize that LMM is not a god of sorts. I’ve found him overrated since In the heights. (Not saying there’s no talent… just a lot of pretentiousness). Same as Hamilton. Interesting but not the most important piece of theatre. And yet it seemed to have him thrown into anything now to be the creative. Like not every fish New Yorker American, Hawaiian, needs to drop a beat in some sort of hip hop meh style. Anyway. Hopefully this will let him take a break for like a decade."

Delusional, racist and ridiculous. Lin-Manuel is an incredible artist and one of the greatest of our generation. He will be working tomorrow and the next day and for many decades to come. Enjoy!"

Is... not liking LMM racism now?

[binau]

Posted: 7/24/23 at 5:33pm

I don't know why Lin Manuel is getting much or any of the blame really....didn't he just do a few lyrics? Maybe they thought his name would mean something more in this context than it did, fine, but I don't think you can really blame LMM for that....and most other projects he does touch DO seem to be critical/commercial successes, so I don't think we can take that away from him. I mean, I kind of agree as a personality he comes across as a little bit arrogant/pretentious and I'm not sure I like the idea that he essentially gave Sondheim's eulogy on Times Square lol...but this person has talent and has shown that time and time again so I have to give that to him

[David10086]

Posted: 7/24/23 at 6:57pm

Should this go on tour, it will be billed as :  "Direct from Broadway - the HIT musical..."

And those theater-goers who don't read up on Broadway news will assume this was a huge hit musical that ran on Broadway, and is now touring through their town. 
 

 

Updated On: 7/24/23 at 06:57 PM

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 7/24/23 at 8:41pm

this show never made any sense. so much talent, really a group of brilliant artists, the cream of the industry crop, wasting their efforts on an idea that could never work: a story-less, bland watering down of a no-longer-producable movie (that isnt that awesome to begin with).

As I think I said after I saw it, does anyone think this show would have been performed even one time without the big famous song at the end? And if a musical depends entirely on ONE song (that doesnt appear until the last 5 minutes!), what are you even doing? 

Isolated bits of brilliance from Stroman, and I still think Colton Ryan deserves immense credit for what he did with so little, but what a miss. Lets hope this talented cast finds work soon--and lets take a minute to recognize the incredible (i think wasted) talent here. Uzele can singggg. John Clay was phenomenal. I want to see Janet Dacal and Emily Skinner and and Jim Bortelsmann in a mlilion more things. 

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/25/23 at 1:17am

PipingHotPiccolo said: "this show never made any sense. so much talent, really a group of brilliant artists, the cream of the industry crop, wasting their efforts on an idea that could never work: a story-less, bland watering down of a no-longer-producable movie (that isnt that awesome to begin with)."

I think the germ of an idea of an old school New York love story between a singer and a musician with Kander and Ebb tunes is still a great idea. It just wasn’t executed well in the film because the characters are so unlikable. The musical, while vastly different from the film, still missed the mark. The two main characters got lost in an overstuffed spectacle and the creative team couldn’t decide to focus the story on our two leads, the city itself, or the underdeveloped secondary characters populating the city.

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 7/25/23 at 1:22am

I wonder how this show would have done had it come out 20 years ago shortly after 9/11. It seems like the "love letter to NYC" just wasn't an effective marketing tool right now. Not that I thought they were super effective at marketing it that way anyway IMO.

This reminds me of another Stroman/Kander flop plagued in part by a bad book: Steel Pier. I have always wanted to see that show re-worked and I have a feeling that may be my sentiment for NYNY down the road.

[blaxx]

Posted: 7/25/23 at 4:36am

Mr. Wormwood said: "I wonder how this show would have done had it come out 20 years ago shortly after 9/11. It seems like the "love letter to NYC" just wasn't an effective marketing tool right now. Not that I thought they were super effective at marketing it that way anyway IMO.

This reminds me of another Stroman/Kander flop plagued in part by a bad book: Steel Pier. I have always wanted to see that show re-worked and I have a feeling that may be my sentiment for NYNY down the road."

Yikes, Steel Pier at least tried to be something.

NYNY was just a cheap attempt to attract tourism with little to no integrity.

[inception]

Posted: 7/26/23 at 3:03pm

According to a comment on Reddit, this NY Post article was based on a leak from producers of the show aiming to take the St James next.  But the poster didn't say what show wants the St James.  One rumor is Spamalot, but don't see why they would be in such a rush to push NYNY out?  Who has the scoop???

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 7/26/23 at 3:09pm

I have a thought that could be totally wrong, but I think the Wiz has also been rumored for the St. James. I wonder if The Wiz has it booked for the Spring and Spamalot wants it for a limited run in the Fall. And, the sooner that NY NY is out, the sooner Spamalot can open and maximize the limited time they have the theatre available. They also needed the closing notice to be posted before they could announce and be able to start selling and advertising. Honestly, the latter might be the more important part because I don't know how flexible a show can be with their schedule. 

[Skip23]

Posted: 7/26/23 at 3:32pm

 

It's a crime that Ben Davis was so underutilized in this show.  One of the best voices around.

[Up In One]

Posted: 7/27/23 at 1:54pm

Saw last night’s Wednesday evening perf of NYNY whose second act worked much better than its first act. At the intermission it reminded me of Jule Styne’s Sugar in the 70’s which at the time was surrounded by Hair and JC Superstar - dated in so many ways - but assembled by folks who were earlier at the top of their form. Colton Ryan is giving the most original, fascinating and exciting performance in a musical that I have seen in years and worth checking out before Sunday. Sadly the leading lady Anna Uzele is giving one of the most bland performance I’ve ever seen on Broadway. She has a flavorless belt that isn’t up for the classic Kander & Ebb songs. The set while, gorgeous is darkly overwhelming  and the choreography drags the night down with sometimes embarrassing bridges between scenes. There were many empty seats in the back of the orchestra - if second acting is still a thing this show is worth a look - if for nothing other than Colton Ryan’s Jimmy - he’s giving a master class. 

[Dom P]

Posted: 7/28/23 at 9:24pm

It seems readily apparent that the major issue with this production was the book (too many story lines/threads to follow.) I can't believe someone on the production team didn't recognize that before it was even put into rehearsals/production.  

Updated On: 7/28/23 at 09:24 PM

[Kimbo]

Posted: 7/29/23 at 12:04am

Up In One said: "Saw last night’s Wednesday evening perf of NYNY whose second act worked much better than its first act. At the intermission it reminded me of Jule Styne’s Sugar in the 70’s which at the time was surrounded by Hair and JC Superstar - dated in so many ways - but assembled by folks who were earlier at the top of their form. Colton Ryan is giving the most original, fascinating and exciting performance in a musical that I have seen in years and worth checking out before Sunday. Sadly the leading lady Anna Uzele is giving one of the most bland performance I’ve ever seen on Broadway. She has a flavorless belt that isn’t up for the classic Kander & Ebb songs. The set while, gorgeous is darkly overwhelming and the choreography drags the night down with sometimes embarrassing bridges between scenes. There were many empty seats in the back of the orchestra - if second acting is still a thing this show is worth a look - if for nothing other than Colton Ryan’s Jimmy - he’s giving a master class."

A master class in what? Weird mannerisms, pitch problems, off-putting characterization, and possibly the mushiest diction I’ve ever heard on stage?? (On one of the few songs I was able to understand - because I knew it already - the night I saw it I swear he sang the title phrase not once but 4 times as “It’s a quiet think” - [sic] ) 

It was no surprise when Anna Uzele got a much warmer ovation at the curtain call– maybe you think her voice is generic, but at least you can understand her, and she’s playing a solid approximation of an actual human being. 

[perfectpenguin]

Posted: 7/29/23 at 4:43am

Kimbo said: "Up In One said: "There were many empty seats in the back of the orchestra - if second acting is still a thing this show is worth a look - if for nothing other than Colton Ryan’s Jimmy - he’s giving a master class."

A master class in what? Weird mannerisms, pitch problems, off-putting characterization, and possibly the mushiest diction I’ve ever heard on stage?? (On one of the few songs I was able to understand - because I knew it already - the night I saw it I swear he sang the title phrase not once but 4 times as “It’s a quiet think” - [sic] )"

I thought Colton’s character was in the mob for 90% of the show. A mobster who liked music, not a struggling musician. Colton did not play that character correctly at all

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/30/23 at 9:02pm

Really great final show today. I recognize flaws in this show and in how it was marketed and really think it deserved better. I also find Colton to be one of the more interesting performers I’ve seen in a long time. His performance here is divisive, no doubt, but I found it fascinating each time I saw it. He was extremely emotional today and you could tell how much this show meant to him. I hope more opportunities come to him, Anna and the rest of the talented company of the show. 

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 7/30/23 at 10:24pm

A misguided production that should have never happened, alas here we are. Problems abound, but I found them to be with the leading lady and not eh leading man. Whenever I think of this show, I think the following: Into the Woods closed for this? 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/30/23 at 11:06pm

I thought Colton’s character was in the mob for 90% of the show. A mobster who liked music, not a struggling musician. Colton did not play that character correctly at all

No, you just didn't understand the show, obviously. No part of him was mob like or shady. None. 

Anyways, this closing makes me sad. The show had its flaws (Anna's character was so unlikeable and drab) but a beautiful, big, gorgeous new musical are so rare these days and I'm so glad this existed at all. Bravo to all involved!!!! 

 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 7/30/23 at 11:18pm

the way Sutton cannot help but make every single post sound as if they are in charge around here, declaring who is right and who is wrong on literally every subject. It literally make me laugh out loud. 

 

i thought Colton Ryan was one of the few highlights of this production, but i understand perfectpenguin's point. his demeanor, attitude, tone all would have worked wonderfully in Sopranos the Musical-- and since this show was Nothing In Particular the Musical, I thought his shtick worked great, actually. 

[Skip23]

Posted: 7/30/23 at 11:30pm

One BIG problem with this show was the sound design.  Half the time, I couldn't understand what anyone was saying.  So that would certainly handicap Colton who was deliberately underprojecting many times.  

[NotASoundtrack]

Posted: 7/31/23 at 12:08am

perfectpenguin said: "Kimbo said: "Up In One said: "There were many empty seats in the back of the orchestra - if second acting is still a thing this show is worth a look - if for nothing other than Colton Ryan’s Jimmy - he’s giving a master class."

A master class in what? Weird mannerisms, pitch problems, off-putting characterization, and possibly the mushiest diction I’ve ever heard on stage?? (On one of the few songs I was able to understand - because I knew it already - the night I saw it I swear he sang the title phrase not once but 4 times as “It’s a quiet think” - [sic] )"

I thought Colton’s character was in the mob for 90% of the show. A mobster who liked music, not a struggling musician. Colton did not play that character correctly at all"

There was absolutely nothing in the show outside of a strong NY accent and a punch thrown that would indicate that Colton’s character was in the mob. Outside of a 30 second transition, there’s absolutely no mob in the plot of the musical at all. If you sat through the show and interpreted Colton’s character as a music-loving mobster, that’s genuinely a personal problem, and not one of his performance that you very clearly didn’t understand.

[Kimbo]

Posted: 7/31/23 at 12:59am

NotASoundtrack said: "perfectpenguin said: "Kimbo said: "Up In One said: "There were many empty seats in the back of the orchestra - if second acting is still a thing this show is worth a look - if for nothing other than Colton Ryan’s Jimmy - he’s giving a master class."

A master class in what? Weird mannerisms, pitch problems, off-putting characterization, and possibly the mushiest diction I’ve ever heard on stage?? (On one of the few songs I was able to understand - because I knew it already - the night I saw it I swear he sang the title phrase not once but 4 times as “It’s a quiet think” - [sic] )"

I thought Colton’s character was in the mob for 90% of the show. A mobster who liked music, not a struggling musician. Colton did not play that character correctly at all"

There was absolutely nothing in the show outside of a strong NY accent and a punch thrown that would indicate that Colton’s character was in the mob. Outside of a 30 second transition, there’s absolutely no mob in the plot of the musical at all. If you sat through the show and interpreted Colton’s character as a music-loving mobster, that’s genuinely a personal problem, and not one of his performance that you very clearly didn’t understand."

I wasn’t going to weigh in again on this (it’s not worth it), but since for some reason the entirety of the above got incorrectly attributed to me I feel the neee to. (FWIW I wrote the first 2/3 about his acting, mannerisms and diction, but not any of the part about him seeming mobbed-up).

But sorry to break it to you, to have a strongly negative reaction to someone’s performance (and there are a few of us on here) does NOT actually mean that any of us “genuinely have a personal problem” or that the acting was such a next-level master class that we “very clearly didn’t understand it”. It just means we all think he wasn’t very good. 

(And to turn around your own phrasing, to say there was nothing out of sorts other than a “strong New York accent” would imply that the accent was, in fact, “strong” - I would say mumbly, mush-mouthed and not redolent of any part of NYC in any era that I’ve ever heard - but to each their own.)

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 7/31/23 at 2:34am

I really really wanted to like this show (I love the title song and in general like good old fashioned NY set musicals) but I did not like this one. I thought the book was horrific. The design elements were pretty but not always used well and the choreography was impressive but didn't feel like a cohesive whole. I will note that Colton Ryan was out when I saw it and his understudy was pretty bland. I would have been interested in seeing Colton, however weird he might have been.

I'll be curious to see if this tours and what kind of afterlife it has in regional theater. To paraphrase the title song, if I can't make it there, can it make it anywhere?

[perfectpenguin]

Posted: 7/31/23 at 6:12am

PipingHotPiccolo said: "the way Sutton cannot help but make every single post sound as if they are in charge around here, declaring who is right and who is wrong on literally every subject. It literally make me laugh out loud.



i thought Colton Ryan was one of the few highlights of this production, but i understand perfectpenguin's point. his demeanor, attitude, tone all would have worked wonderfully in Sopranos the Musical-- and since this show was Nothing In Particular the Musical, I thought his shtick worked great, actually."

Thank you. His demeanor, attitude, behaviors screamed mob. 
 

But thank you Sutton and NotASoundtrack for accusing me of not understanding the show. Nowhere in my reply did I say I didn’t understand the show. If you would actually read the post I replied to, my comment was about his behavior and mannerisms gave off mob vibes, not struggling musician vibes. 

[windowwaving]

Posted: 7/31/23 at 7:55am

I feel this show would’ve done better in the New York, New York hotel in Las Vegas as a 90-minute one act production/ad for NY. 

I can see why people can find Colton’s character polarizing. But I must say I was actually very intrigued by his performance. It’s one that seems almost impossible to replicate and was just so different that I really enjoyed it. I know I would’ve hated seeing an understudy because this role is written so blandly. So Colton’s weirdness was a plus for me in a show that just didn’t have all that much going for it. 

I really only knew the title song so I hated that it felt like 3 hours of just teasing that the song was coming. 

[inception]

Posted: 7/31/23 at 9:34am

windowwaving said: "I feel this show would’ve done better in the New York, New York hotel in Las Vegas as a 90-minute one act production/ad for NY.

They already have one there, Cirque's "Mad Apple."  Haven't seen it, but they probably wouldn't want to pay licensing fees for the Kander & Ebb catalogue.