On The Twentieth Century Previews- Page 2

[rcwr]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 2:59pm

Very excited to hear about this from folks who see it! Especially interested to hear about Chen, and Michael McGrath, and the ensemble.

[newintown]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 3:13pm

I'm greatly disgruntled that they aren't using the great Hershy Kay orchestrations, but rather a new set by Larry Hochman (who is often hired to shrink better charts).

[newenglandgal]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 5:49pm

Round About is selling HipTix and HipTIx Gold to On The Twentieth Century. I know the picking are already starting to get slim for the first few months. Also, the website is "glitchy". After getting error page after error page telling me to call the box office that is what I did and they had no problem arranging everything.

[Cesare2]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 6:07pm

Saw the original production on Broadway and on tour in Chicago. Saw understudy Judy Kaye and liked the show so much I went back two days later and saw Madeline Kahn. (Top ticket price was $19.50 back then.) What a great show! I really have my doubts Roundabout will be able to pull it off, though. Hoping someone who sees it in previews will be able to tell us:
Do they use the same overture? With the blasts of "steam"? (Credits indicate new orchestrations, alas.)
Does the show still begin with the scene from the "The French Girl" a/k/a Joan of Arc with the house lights going up in the middle of the scene?
What is the additional material credited to, among others, Amanda Green?
How is the "She's a Nut" number staged?
What is the staging of "She's a Nut" like? I doubt the original "cross-cutting" staging of that number will ever be topped.

[ColinSchaffer]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 6:32pm

I'm not going until April, but let us know what you think! :)
The Poor Man's Guide to Broadway

[victorg]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 7:21pm

going in mid-march. LOVED the original. lucky to have seen Madeline Kahn before she so quickly left the show. but it was Imogene Coco that stole the show for me.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 9:27pm

Any reports from intermission?

[Smaxie]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 9:52pm

>I'm greatly disgruntled that they aren't using the great Hershy Kay orchestrations, but rather a new set by Larry Hochman (who is often hired to shrink better charts).<

It may be an unpopular opinion but I don't love Hershy Kay's 20th Century orchestrations. His writing sounds a bit basic and rudimentary to me, and I wonder if the health problems that set in a few years later (when his work had to be replaced on Barnum) started around that time. I think Burton Lane also was unhappy with Kay's Carmelina orchestrations and had them replaced for that show's cast recording. I'm actually really looking forward to hear what Hochman does with the score and think he might be able to bring more color to it, even with a smaller orchestra.

Updated On: 2/13/15 at 09:52 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 10:38pm

http://talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/d.php?id=2262094

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 10:54pm

That's very encouraging!

[Anthony12]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 11:09pm

I will see you there Bway Phreak! I got my tix through Gold for $25 in the Orch!

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 11:18pm

My friend (who is VERY discerning and a sophisticated theater-goer of many years) is LOVING it! Raves for Chenoweth, Gallagher and Karl! He says he can't stop laughing. I can't wait to see this!

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 11:20pm

Another early rave from ATC. That's usually a good sign.

http://talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/d.php?id=2262113

Can't wait to see it tomorrow night.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 11:27pm

And another ATC rave. Wow....

http://talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/d.php?id=2262114

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 11:28pm

My friend ended his comments with "I haven't been this happy in the theater in a long time!" I'll post more when Act II is over, I'm sure.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 11:38pm

I really, really wanted to like it, but didn't, didn't. I'm not a fan of the show (saw the original) and I don't understand why people think the score is so great, for Coleman, there's not a real "tune" in the lot. Cheno will probably have a success with this, she sings it wonderfully, but there's no developed character and her comedy is so forced, but she looks pretty. Gallagher can act it but he doesn't have the money notes required. He's OK. Andy is also OK, His performance (like Klein) is very physical and will get smoother and funnier. Wilson is the best of the lot cause she's, well, a nut. Baker and McGrath are strong but they could play these roles in their sleep. The ensemble is sparse (no surprise) and the Bell Hops are the best thing in the show. The set works just fine, some nice period details and Long's costumes are smashing, the fabric choices are choice. If you love this show you'll probably like it better than me, but I thought it was messy and belabored. Some things will tighten up but I think the lack of great material make it hard going for me. The audience obviously liked it more than me but there were definitely lulls which this kind of old fashion musical comedy needs plus more zip. But that's just me.

[Jingjo2]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 11:44pm

The production is spectacular!! I enjoyed it. Very old school, remind me of London's Top Hat a lot. The best moments on stage were all the times Kristin and Andy are together. They are hilarious.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 2/14/15 at 12:00am

CPR, I respect your reviews. I always have.

The friend I mentioned earlier who loved it tonight also loved the original. We'll see. I'm going on April 5.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 2/14/15 at 12:07am

Can anyone go into further detail about the set? I'm VERY intrigued. If Todd's 'hard sell' has any weight to it...

[Polka Dot2]

Posted: 2/14/15 at 12:27am

I saw it tonight. Loved Andy, the tap dancing, and MLW. Cheno has some good moments (of course she sounds wonderful, too). Overall, it was fine. There were some really great moments but one song in particular felt like someone was trying to shove comedy down my throat. I enjoyed it. Just not the show I'm going to rave about this season. Just my two cents.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 2/14/15 at 12:27am

Why do people love tapping so much? I don't get it, ha.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 2/14/15 at 12:32am

The set is very shiny it's a train then it turns around and it's the inside of the train. There are some wheeled on windows that represent other things, not always sure what. The fun part for me was some of the small details but that's not a good sign for the show. There is one wonderful background drop of NYC that was a delight. Lot's of doors, of course. It's kinda tight and Andy get banged around a lot. There's also an interesting nipple thing between Cheno and Andy and Cheno almost dropped a boob at one point. It needs more of both.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 2/14/15 at 12:46am

Ooh, sounds like fun!

This is a random question, but... Are there footlights or any visual obstructions downstage? I'm looking to get a seat at the front of the house. I'm assuming there's not, but just figured I'd ask, anyway.

Also: What was the running time?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 2/14/15 at 1:15am

It ended at 5 to 11. It doesn't seem too long, but it is a little longer than it should be. There are no footlights but there is a steam thing I won't spoil.

[mamaleh]

Posted: 2/14/15 at 1:24am

Really looking forward to seeing this production tomorrow. (Another thank-you to Access10.) I remember it as pure fun, both the '78 production (saw Kaye, not Kahn) and the very enjoyable Actors Fund one-off about a decade ago. Anybody remember Cheyenne Jackson as one of the porters in the latter? I do!