On A Clear Day First Preview- Page 2

[Miranda3]

Posted: 11/13/11 at 12:57am

Whizzer & Khakis: In the original production, "When I'm Being Born Again" was sung by a middle-aged male Greek character. I heard this character was eliminated from the revival, so who sings that song now? I'm surprised they kept that song in, as it is one of the weakest in the original, IMO.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 11/13/11 at 1:01am

I'm surprised they kept it in too since they cut the Greek (I like the song though, ha). It is now sung by all the students in Connick's class. The orchestrations truly made it sound like something from Hair. It was so jarring you could barely even pay attention to the lyrics. Connick joined them on the last verse. The choreography was especially cringeworthy on this number. Bring back the Greek or cut the thing.

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 11/13/11 at 1:22am

I 110% agree Connick is really underused and not being allowed to really do much of anything.I kept waiting for a big number or show off moment for him and it never came. I've watched his "Hernando's Hideaway" three times since I've gotten home. Now THERE'S some charisma!

I also agree with the choreography being awkward. I didn't mind the placement/use of "Born Again" but the orchestration made me laugh.

You're right, Warren deserves far better.

I told my friend that Melinda is going to come out of this with a record deal on Harry's label or at least a duet with him. Her voice is crazy beautiful.

I am glad you also found the set as hideous as I did. I kept thinking I just didnt understand it or the random giant wheel of fortune thing in act 2. Did you find the costumes as confusing as well? Harry's suit did him no favors and the fact everyone was obsessed with pink tights and yellow shirts was off putting visually. lol

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 11/13/11 at 1:25am

I cannot wait for production shots to come out to see pictures of the set... This whole opt art thing sounds pretty out there. Someone on ATC said that there are lots of geometric patters used on all the surfaces on the set.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 11/13/11 at 1:40am

Melinda had a great voice, and I agree I could listen to a record of hers, but thought she completely lacked presence and chemistry with Connick. It was funny when she said at one point, "I'm not an actress, I'm a singer," I thought, yes you're right!

The set was hideous. I don't know what that wheel was, and the lighting didn't help at all. I was shocked to see Catherine Zuber did these costumes. Normally her work is top notch, but I must agree that they seemed out of place. Way too bright all yellow, pink and orange.

The set was really another of these "non sets." A moving background and built in proscenium, but merely a desk and a couch for the office or the like for other scenes. Really no wowing pieces. Certainly not the SS Bernard Cohn.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 11/13/11 at 1:43am

Was the built in proscenium just more opt art?

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 11/13/11 at 1:44am

Yes it's black and what chess squares. It was just ugly to look at.

[Copperfield2]

Posted: 11/13/11 at 4:27am

I really want to hear more responses to this rewwrite. It's hard to just hear a few responses but Whizzer Marvin obviously hated this version.

I saw the workshop and I found David Turner to be the weakest part of the the workshop. I'm not sure how they're going to make him more charismatic. But I didn't find the rewrite any worse than the original book which didn't work. (I saw the Broadway version with Barbara Harris.)

I do hope Michael Mayer rethinks the way Connick is being used in the show. A lot of the audience is coming to see him and if he doesn't have a few big moments they are going to hugely disappointed. Really, he's the main reason people are seeing the show.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 11/13/11 at 9:00am

Copperfield- Did you see it last night? Have they reworked the book much from the workshop to now?

Having a night to sleep on it, I still hated the rewrite, but I think if they are going to stick with the gay twist they need to fully commit to it. Meaning, I think Dr. Bruckner needs to be at the least bi-curious.

They make mention that he probably has only been with one woman in his entire life. One of his colleagues also jokes that she would have taken him as a 0 on the Kinsey scale, not a 2 or 3. David is clearly head over heels for Bruckner and would leave Warren in a heartbeat. The dramatic tension could be that Bruckner is actually fighting with his realized feelings for David (or realizes it's the only way to be with Melinda).

This is where Bruckner could have his great struggle and the audience really wouldn't know if would take the bisexual plunge. Plus since we like Warren the stakes for everyone's happiness are high. David and Bruckner are the two heroes of the piece. It's natural to want to see them end up together- at least in a Henry Higgins/Eliza Doolittle kind of way. It would be much more daring and dramatically interesting if they got together at the end, or at the least that we have the belief they could get together at the end.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 11/13/11 at 9:14am

Whizzer, not that you are making me want to run out and see it, but did they put in "Go To Sleep," the enjoyable song from the movie?

[Miranda3]

Posted: 11/13/11 at 9:19am

Maybe the giant wheel is supposed to be the kharmic wheel of life on which we keep spinning and returning in different guises. (NOT defendinig it, as I didn't see it, just speculating on intent, whether well realized or not!)

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 11/13/11 at 9:21am

Yes they added "Got to Sleep." It opens act 2 and is sung by David and his best friend Muriel (Sarah Stiles). It is a cute song, but felt like a throwaway here, despite it's placement.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 11/13/11 at 9:26am

How is Kerry O'Malley?

[egghumor]

Posted: 11/13/11 at 9:29am

Much of what has been posted here doesn't surprise me. Those of us already familiar with this show agree the book is highly problematic; and like everyone else I LOVE the score. One thing that helped it at the time (I think) was that the show's idea was original and something not usually explored; similar in that way to Lady in the Dark, perhaps.

What I was not prepared to learn about this new production is the failure to showcase Mr. Connick. That is indeed shocking to me. I had been operating under the assumption that whatever book problems still existed, they would be covered by the fact that Harry Connick, Jr. was front and center and wowing his fans (I mean, wasn't that the primary reason for mounting this thing? To get him front and center on a Broadway stage again???). The fact the creative team has failed at that makes me think this production is DOA. They can tweek and fix and trim and tighten all they like, but if it does not allow Connick to soar then they might as well pack it in.

I really wish I could see this show because I simply can't imagine how this wrongheaded enterprise plays. I also noticed that several folks have problems with the designs. To me, that usually indicates a director's failure to provide a clear and inspiring vision to his design team. This show sounds like something that would have closed in New Haven decades ago.

Musical theater fans should flock to this one as it is likely to go down in history as one of those productions that shouldn't have.

[egghumor]

Posted: 11/13/11 at 9:29am

double post, sorry. Updated On: 11/13/11 at 09:29 AM

[jayinchelsea]

Posted: 11/13/11 at 9:33am

Saw the show at Vassar last summer, and while I agree that the original book never worked, this rewrite (which sounds pretty much as it did last summer) is a mess. Harry Connick Jr. has great charisma, and a great voice, and can really wow an audience when put front and center, as he was in The Pajama Game, but the character of Mark simply isn't that interesting, no matter what they do with him or who plays him. But without the magic of seeing an actress like Barbara Harris transform herself from Daisy to Melinda, and then back again, there really is no dramatic tension. This is really sad, because the score (and even the songs from "Royal Wedding" that have been dropped in) is truly one of the best theatre scores ever.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 11/13/11 at 9:35am

Miranda- That could be what the wheel was. From my seat in the mezz I couldn't make out anything on it, and it just looked like a psychedelic Wheel of Fortune.

PalJoey- O'Malley was in fine voice, but she has perhaps the most thankless role of all. She's the colleague who's not so secretly in love with Bruckner and keeps setting him up on dates to mask the fact. I was surprised they didn't make her double as Melinda so he could fall in love in real life too. She sounded especially lovely in the act 2 quartet of "Open You Eyes."

[PalJoey]

Posted: 11/13/11 at 9:44am

They shoulda kept it one female character and used her.

[Copperfield2]

Posted: 11/13/11 at 9:54am

WhizzerMarvin--I didn't see the show last night. By the way you describe it, it sounds like they are sticking close to the workshop version right now. And they will obviously be cutting because there's no way the show is going to run three hours by opening night.

In the Vineyard workshop, I did feel they skirted around Bruckner's feelings for David. Not sure Connick is strong enough a dramatic actor to add the depth you suggest but maybe he can. It does sound like they need to add a big song for Connick in the first act.

I liked the actor who played Warren and almost wish he were playing David.

I did like Jessie M. a lot in the workshop. She's played Adelaide and other roles in Chicago. I wonder if she's holding back to much as Melinda.

I agree that Kelly O'Malley's role isn't the best. And that Open Your Eyes is repeated too much.

Sounds like the creators of this show have their work cut out for them. After reading Everything is Possible about the creation of Follies, I guess a lot can be changed over the course of a few weeks.

I'm not seeing this until Dec. 2. But if they don't make Connick more central to the piece, I think critics are going to pounce on that. I don't know if Connick has a big ego, but even if it doesn't, it sounds like one of his friends should tell him he's not being presented in the best light here.

Updated On: 11/13/11 at 09:54 AM

[jayinchelsea]

Posted: 11/13/11 at 10:04am

PalJoey, totally agree. But where would they gotten a female star who could sing this score and sell tickets (see "Funny Girl"). HCJ has a proved track record, so I understand this from a business standpoint, but dramatically, no.

[egghumor]

Posted: 11/13/11 at 10:07am

I have to wonder if Mr. Connick is really regretting the NICE WORK debacle about now (if not way before).

[ghostlight4]

Posted: 11/13/11 at 10:11am

Serious question: In this new book, is it stated/implied that David is gay in his present life because he was female in his last life? Is that the notion people will take away from this production? (Because, if so, umm... wow.)

I'd assumed that this new gay twist would have the doctor questioning his own feelings toward another man, and was really kind of impressed that Connick would place himself in that role... but it's not sounding like that's the case. Now I'm wondering what IS the case??

: /
Updated On: 11/13/11 at 10:11 AM

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 11/13/11 at 10:20am

Ghostlight- No I didn't think they were implying that at all. I almost thought they treated Melinda like a combo of a past life and a multiple personality of David's. Melinda had all these qualities that David could use to better his current condition and Bruckner wanted to meld the two personalities. David is simply gay because he is. No psychological reason is given.

I, like you, assumed Bruckner would be questioning his sexuality, and what I suggested he should be doing if they are going to travel down this road. By having him never interested in David as a lover, even in a fit of self-doubting hysteria makes for no dramatic tension. David can either end up alone or with Warren. Those are the two choices from the start. Bruckner can end up alone with his dreams of Melinda or possibly with the O'Malley character, but we should be allowed to believe he's at least so obsessed with Melinda that he would romantically agree to be with David.

Updated On: 11/13/11 at 10:20 AM

[egghumor]

Posted: 11/13/11 at 10:57am

Could it be that they're trying to avoid the ethical trap of having Dr. Bruckner "fall for" one of his clients, be they male or female? In 2011, such missteps would really undermine his integrity (much more so than in 1965 I think).

Posted: 11/13/11 at 12:49pm

I can not imagine that Harry Connick would ever agree to participate in a project that could imply even for a second that he would ever have sex with a man.