Nine??

[Guido Contini]

Posted: 8/20/04 at 7:31pm

I am having problems appreciating the musical "Nine" with Antonio Banderas. Does anyone else have any problems with it, or maybe something specific to recommend for a better appreciation of it?

[POLisPOL]

Posted: 8/20/04 at 7:35pm

I didn't like it the cd until I saw the show...
Now I like a lot the musical!

[NightLaughs]

Posted: 8/20/04 at 11:12pm

I had to see the before I could really get into it, and then I adored it. The few songs I started out listening to at first were "Bells of St. Sebastian" (Sp?) "Unusal Way" and "Simple..." and the rest just came along. It's a really beautiful show if appreciated. :)

[cvapb]

Posted: 8/20/04 at 11:15pm

hmm.. interesting that you are just now having a problem with it. But to answer your question. I saw the show 3 times with Antonio, and I loved it. The original cast was a group of very talented people, and I am happy I got to see them all.

[little_sally]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 12:30am

Hum, the score to "Nine" is my favorite of any musical.

Have you heard the original Broadway cast recording with Raul Julia? It may help you in appreciating the music more.

[Glebb]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 12:38am

I saw the original 1982 cast and adored the show from the minute it began until the final curtain.
I was very excited and worried about seeing the Banderas version.
Thank God it was even better than I expected. The weeping wall, the frankincense, the radiant presence of Antonio Banderas, Jane Krakowski, Mary Stuart Masterson, and the legendary Chita Rivera. What's not to adore? I saw the new NINE twice and would see it again (yes for another one hundred and one dollars).
I own CDs of both casts but listen mostly to the new cast these days.

[BWayBoy88]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 12:45am

I am still bitter that Antonio didnt win the Tony

[Glebb]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 12:48am

I am still bitter that I am not Melanie Griffith.

[BalletGirl85]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 2:43am

I did the show from March to May and it took me awhile to appreciate it. At first it just seemed long and boring, but that was me in rehearsals being little Guilietta sitting in the back row of the stage being bored to tears at tech rehearsals. Once we finally got into actually PERFORMING it, it is a gorgeous show and the music is some of the most beautiful music I've heard. I definitely think it's something you have to see on stage to fully appreciate, however, with all of the dialogue and emotion.

[chelvis]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 2:48am

The women get the best songs in the show. Guido may be the lead, but he is best when he functions as the glue that holds everything together.

[ScarletFever]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 3:43am

I loved this show as well and caught it 3 times with Antonio. I really did not expect much going in; I was expecting yet another movie star who did not belong on Broadway. I was very pleasantly surprised. This show had a lot of depth and Antonio was superb at bringing out the many layers that exist behind the surface of Guido Contini, bringing alive many emotional and psychological levels that wouldn't be there in the hands of a wrong actor. While Harvey Fierstein was hysterical, I thought Antonio's performance exceeded his by light years. Antonio really deserved that Tony, he was brilliant.
Some of the score I loved instantly (The Bells of St Sebastian I thought was gorgeous the first time I heard it, for example), but some of it had to grow on me. Once it did, however, the CD became one of my favorite scores to listen to. I don't think I'd feel that way if I hadn't seen the show.

[CK2]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 4:01am

I just loved this show. I went to see it with both casts (wanted to see my fave actress Mary Stuart Masterson with both, Antonio Banderas and John Stamos). Antonio definitely had the better presence and voice. Chita and Eartha were both great. How awesome is it to see such legends....... As for the role of Carla, I thought Jane Krakowski was just perfect. Sara Gettelfinger has a nice voice but it was Jane's Carla that I liked better. Laura Benanti and Rebecca Luker were both convincing with the song "Unusual Way".

[Guido Contini]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 4:08am

so it sounds like I better see it soon...

[MusicalDirector109]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 11:20am

I had to see the show twice before I really appreciated it. What a beautiful score. Antonio Banderas was really wonderful. I was really looking forward to seeing John Stamos, but was really disappointed in his performance. Too much acting and not being Guido Contini.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 2:33pm

My favorite song from NINE is most definately "Be Italian". Everything else I just really really like. It also took me awhile to love the show. Like others have said, it's not a show where everyone can enjoy it for the first time.

[Glebb]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 3:20pm

There's a wonderful song in the original production that is cut from the current incarnation of the show. The current show is darker and THE GERMANS AT THE SPA would not be a good fit. But it's a wonderful song. Tommy Tune also had the principle singers of the song take a pose that was right out of one of the most famous 18th century ballet lithographs.

[cvapb]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:08pm

Antonio got robbed

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:28pm

I have to say, when I saw this show, I thought the actors were phenomenal, the songs were lovely, but I did not get into the story at all.

[Guido Contini]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:33pm

I think that's my main problem with it...the story just isn't exciting to me. I enjoy Banderas' performance, but something's missing...must be the storyline.

[BWayBoy88]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 11:35pm

I didnt really love the music when I saw the show. I dont have the CD so it hasnt grown on me. Maybe if I heard it more, I would like it.