"On the Town" Preview Thread- Page 16

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 10/11/14 at 3:24pm

Saw the show last night, and I thought it was gorgeous. The dancing and the music were absolutely wonderful, and the comedy was so sweetly retro. Tony Yazbeck and Jay Armstrong Johnson were definitely the standouts, as I felt that Clyde Alves was good, but I wasn't invested in his story. His girl had more opportunities to shine than he did. Tony's voice is butter, and J.A.J is just so much fun.

Speaking of the girls, I thought Hilde's voice was great, but her acting was just so-so. Felt the same way about Miss Turnstiles (dancing was gorgeous, the acting was so-so). The "researcher" is the one I haven't heard people talk about, but I thought she was great. Those high notes, the scene at the museum, and others gave her the chance to stand out. I also thought Hilde's roommate was hysterical! Their characters aren't very developed, but they were doing a great job with what they had.

The projections and menu items weren't an issue for me. Thought the projections were supposed to be simple as the show itself is kind of easy, breezy. I didn't see anyone ordering anything, but the people walking around selling their snacks like cigarette sellers was also a cute throwback.

An extra bonus was seeing Hal Prince at the show. Got a chance to speak to him briefly and realized I was speaking to Broadway royalty. Such a great night at the theatre!

[ShakinBaconGirl]

Posted: 10/11/14 at 3:45pm

Did Hal say what he thought of the show?

[Tigger]

Posted: 10/11/14 at 4:15pm

How happy I am to see another thumbs up for the show. I have been digesting it all week since seeing it last monday.
I also feel mention must be made of the small but welcome amusing character turn by Michael Rupert as the judge fianceed to Claire De Loone, Rupert being the original Marvin of March Of The Falsettos and Falsettoland. How well I remember weeping at the end of Falsettoland as he sang "What Would I Do" back in the early nineties.I now more than ever want to go back and see OTT and bask in it's joyous glow.

[After Eight]

Posted: 10/11/14 at 8:54pm

"I stand by my statement."

Since your statements keep changing, I don't know which one you're standing by. And neither, apparently, do you.

Perhaps you should stop making statements altogether. Then you won't feel the need to keep altering them.

[Baileyboo]

Posted: 10/11/14 at 10:53pm

Saw the matinee today. Great show on most every level. A small sound issue early, but after that, great day at the theater.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/11/14 at 10:56pm

I think this is going to be a very, very good week for On the Town.

[lovebwy]

Posted: 10/12/14 at 12:15am

I can't wait to see the reviews and I can't wait for a 70 year old show to be a big fat hit!!!

The more I think about it, the more I love it. The entire creative team were firing on all cylinders here, as were Bernstein, Comden and Green when they wrote it.

And I keep forgetting to mention that the much criticized "Gone with the wind" line from Hildy to Lucy had been axed when I saw it.




Updated On: 10/12/14 at 12:15 AM

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 10/12/14 at 12:53am

ShakinBacon, Mr. Prince said he thought it was either great or beautiful. Can't remember which adjective he used, but he enjoyed it either way.

[lynnetoomey]

Posted: 10/12/14 at 2:08am

A TOTAL TRIUMPH. THIS IS GOING TO GET RAVES.

Updated On: 10/12/14 at 02:08 AM

[ShakinBaconGirl]

Posted: 10/12/14 at 6:11am

I have a feeling this will get great reviews, but I think most will say it lost something on the road to Broadway. Most of the people here who loved the show still have said it was more special at barrington.

Updated On: 10/12/14 at 06:11 AM

[Tigger]

Posted: 10/12/14 at 8:23am

A show that originates successfully in one place is always special to those that see it there. I can think of lots of shows I have seen in their original state that blew my socks off in their initial incarnations before transferring and being adapted for Broadway. As far back as 1993's Damn Yankees at the Globe, San Diego as an example to the more recent Billy Elliott and WarHorse, both which I saw in London shortly after they first opened and felt were very special as compared to how they ended up on Broadway. I still enjoyed them hugely when I saw them again on Broadway, but not as viscerally as when I saw them originally.
It's kind of like remembering a first kiss. You may be kissed many times after, but the first always stands on its own.
I haven't seen the Barrington production and so have nothing to compare with what I saw last monday night. Happily what I did see delighted me, so I respectfully salute The BarringtonStage Company's taste and intelligence in producing this defining version of a great American classic broadway musical.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/12/14 at 9:02am

I have a feeling this will get great reviews, but I think most will say it lost something on the road to Broadway.

"Something's lost and something's gained," as Joni Mitchell wrote, "in living every day."

Updated On: 10/12/14 at 09:02 AM

[lynnetoomey]

Posted: 10/12/14 at 10:45am

yup....the show just isn't the same as it was in Barrington. It's too bad they had to add that damn orchestra, a world-class ballerina, an ensemble of some of the finest dancers in New York City, sumptuous costumes by Jess Goldstein, Philip Boykin's voice opening the show, etc., etc., etc.

[ShakinBaconGirl]

Posted: 10/12/14 at 10:50am

From what it sounds like, the theatre is the biggest problem. And for the record, while people have praised Morgan's amazing dance skill, they were left wanting more with her acting.

[Tigger]

Posted: 10/12/14 at 2:31pm

I don't recall having a problem with the theatre. Yes it's big, but so is the show.
As for Megan Fairchild (not Morgan) I agree that she's no Helen Mirren in the acting department but the part's not exactly a Blanche Dubois where you had better have the acting chops to carry it off. If anything the part is kind of vapid to begin with. The fact that Fairchild is a heart-stoppingly accomplished dancer more than compensates for her lack of acting skill.

[lynnetoomey]

Posted: 10/12/14 at 5:26pm

Spot-on, Tigger. Anyone who is wondering why there isn't more of an "actress" playing Ivy is ignorant. Megan Fairchild will get a Tony nom for her performance. Mark my words, folks.

[lovebwy]

Posted: 10/12/14 at 10:18pm

I'm having that thing where right after I see a show I think "That was perfect. I never need to see it again", but as the days go on I have the urge to replicate that experience and go again. Alas, I'm back in Los Angeles so I suppose I'll have to wait for the touring company.

Seeing Pippin at the Pantages in a few weeks.

[starcatchers]

Posted: 10/12/14 at 11:15pm

The fact that Fairchild is a heart-stoppingly accomplished dancer more than compensates for her lack of acting skill.

This. Exactly this. That Coney Island ballet BLEW MY MIND. I had seen her do a couple of ballets at NYCB in the past, and this was so different for her, but she absolutely stunned me.

I've seen this production twice now, and completely fallen in love with it. The performances are stellar. Tony Yazbeck is a true song-and-dance man, giving one of my favorite performances I've ever seen.

The first time I saw it was the day that Sono Osato was there. It was her 95thbirthday, and the whole audience sang to her during the club scene in the second act. There ws also a "Miss Subways" reunion in the audience that day, followed by an event where Megan Fairchild was made an honorary Miss Subways.

[lovebwy]

Posted: 10/12/14 at 11:53pm

A fun day to get tickets for will be December 28, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the opening of the original show.

I'm starting to feel melancholy over the fact that I won't get to see this cast again in this time. And obviously the experience of seeing it with my uncle was unique.

I'll tell you one thing- the cast album should be spectacular. Maybe they can even film the show for Great Performances.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/14/14 at 8:23am

So who's seeing the final previews this week?

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 10/14/14 at 8:59am

Due to unforseen circumstances, I won't be able to make the trip up from DC this weekend to see it. I sent an email to the box office this morning in hopes they will exchange my tickets for a future date. Fingers crossed.

[ShakinBaconGirl]

Posted: 10/14/14 at 9:53am

Is it too early to talk nominations? What are the chances all 3 sailors get a nomination?

[lovebwy]

Posted: 10/14/14 at 10:51am

I have to think Tony Yazbeck is a lock. Mayyyyybe Jay Armstrong Johnson. Clyde Alves is great but I don't think it's the kind of role that would get a nomination.

[haterobics]

Posted: 10/14/14 at 10:53am

"Is it too early to talk nominations?"

On this site?! Kelli O'Hara was already given the 2015 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her work in The King & I on here.

[ShakinBaconGirl]

Posted: 10/14/14 at 10:56am

^ Haha true, Haterobics.