It's a good show. Everyone is hilarious and I love the addition of the tap-dancing porters. Every one really got a kick out of them in the intro and at the rise of Act II.
"Mostly, I loved the size of these people's emotions. Nobody has emotions this size anymore. Outsized emotions. Operatic emotions. Kushemski and Vanda are like Tristan and Isolde, they're Paolo and Francesca. Nobody's in total thrall like this anymore. Nobody's overcome by passion like this, or goes through this kind of rage." Thomas, Venus in Fur
"Carson has combined his passion for helping children with his love for one of Cincinnati's favorite past times - cornhole - to create a unique and exciting event perfect for a corporate outing, entertaining clients or family fun."
Can anyone share the best way to get tickets for this? I'm willing to splurge to see it super close (I love Cheno and this will be my first time seeing her on a Broadway stage and not in a concert hall). I know people are saying Hiptix are giving out side orch. and mez? Has anyone used TKTS?
Kristi Dawn was born to play Lily Garland. I told her that and I'm sure so did 500 other theatre queens.
About 10 years ago Cheno and Sills were announced to do OTTC in LA but due to political machinations, the show starred Carolee Carmello and Bob Gunton (both of whom were excellent BTW).
Cheno will not get a TONY however. This is Chita's year even if Kelli and Cheno give bravura performances.
"It does what a musical is supposed to do; it takes you to another world. And it gives you a little tune to carry in your head. Something to take you away from the dreary horrors of the real world. A little something for when you're feeling blue. You know?"
I believe Hiptix for this are only in the mezzanine. Also curious as to if anyone has sat in those seats yet… any preference for location? Not many options, for all things considered. Seems mostly side mezzanine row E-F house right.
OTTC will get a Tony nomination for best musical revival. What a delightful Comden-Green & Coleman score classic Broadway at its best but the orchestra sounds tinny compared to the OBC album. Why does Roundabout ALWAYS have small orchestras playing their musicals? Honeymoon in Vegas only has 14 in the orchestra and they rock the house sounding like a 28 piece orchestra! It's a first class revival that glistens...smooth & glossy, fast paced & funny, solid cast...elegantly designed with gorgeous costumes. Sexy Andy Karl is a highlight and looks dashing...he will land a tony nomination as well as Cheno, she was born to play Lily and is FABulous but won't win it! Pretty much filled theater but many scattered seats available. Surprised that tickets are not selling out with Chenoweth involved. I found the bar-railing row to row in the mezzanine a bit distracting and terribly ugly as it's in front of each and every row.
"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new."
Sunday in the Park with George
Hi newintown- I just saw this last night, actually. When they canceled the first preview my schedule got all out of sorts. My thoughts are a little scattered; there's plenty to like (love even), but there things holding this production back too.
Sadly the night starts out with a disappointment, and one this production will never be able to overcome. The overture begins and the orchestra of 13 is just too thin for this score. I have to hand it to Larry Hochman for maximizing what he has to work with, but even the greatest magician can't turn a string quartet into a symphony. Plus, it's not even the full overture! The Our Private World section has been cut.
My ear adjusted to the smaller sound, but especially during the big ensemble numbers/reprises of the title song the bigger sound was sorely missed. It really makes you appreciate when we treated to full orchestras in other revivals or Encores.
Luckily the leading lady is more than up to the task of anchoring the show. Chenoweth is smashing, both vocally and in her acting choices. The difference between her performance here and in Promises, Promises is quite stark. She is totally at ease, relishing every trill and bit of physical comedy. Veronique, Never, I've Got It All, her portion of the Sextet and Babette were all A+ in my book.
Peter Gallagher doesn't quite match Chenoweth's perfection, but he acquits himself well enough. I enjoyed his characterization, but vocally he sounded a little tired. This was most evident in Our Private World. He has also been robbed of the 11 O'Clock number he deserves- The Legacy. The new song is fine, but The Legacy is so hysterical and has the potential to be a showstopper. Now it's just another song.
Mary Louise Wilson is a gem. Loved Repent and her antics during She's a Nut.
Andy Karl was fine, but sadly I can't say he made much of an impression. Maybe he'll be able to find more the comedy during previews.
I enjoyed McGrath and Linn-Baker.
The biggest thing for them to work on during previews is honing in on the style of the piece. The score is a spoof of operetta, and sometimes this production lacking that quality. Our Private World should have an element of being a spoof of something like Strange Music from Song of Norway. Right now it's missing.
The set is nice and the costumes are lovely.
Overall it made for an enjoyable evening (my favorite musical revival so far this season). Hopefully they work on capturing the style during previews, but it's definitely worth the price of admission for Chenoweth's performance.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
Do people who saw it think it's a decent show to bring parents/older people to who don't really get to Broadway? I would rather bring mine to The King & I but tix are too expensive and with OTTC you can bring guests of any age with Hiptix. So it's the best deal that way. But am I missing a better option (that's not too pricey)?
Thanks, Whizzer, for the as-always articulate evaluation.
I'm more and more disappointed by the choice to reduce the orchestrations for this show, which is, as you note, a valentine to operetta. Coleman's work has inspired great work from the best orchestrators, and it's a shame (at least to those of us who care about orchestration, few though we might be) to jettison them merely to economize. (But then, when did the Roundabout not do this? Have they ever used the full orchestrations for any revival? Cabaret is the one example I can think of where the new orchestrations were actually good.)
I don't understand why "The Legacy," Oscar's 11:00 number, has been eviscerated. Did this team think there was something wrong with it? I thought it worked before...
"This is Chita's year even if Kelli and Cheno give bravura performances."
At this rate Kelli's going to end up a Julie Andrews. Or God forbid, a Susan Lucci.
rjm516, I've only listened to the OBC album but I'd say it isn't as easy a sell as The King and I. It really depends on your parents' taste. Try listening to some of the album yourself. It's available on Spotify. You'd be a better judge of whether they'd like it than any of us would.
I have no idea why The Legacy is gone. It is indeed the true 11 O'Clock number (not Babette) and it deprives Oscar/Gallagher of a real showcase moment.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
I had Hiptix seats in the rear mezz, row E on far house right. Amazing view, didn't miss a thing.
This show, which I admit I knew little about besides that Madeline Kahn & John Cullum had been in it, was just such a joy. The entire cast gave it full tilt and did not disappoint.