PAINT YOUR WAGON! Encores!@City Center- Page 3

[jayinchelsea]

Posted: 3/19/15 at 10:50pm

This is exactly what Encores should be doing, and it is as good as any production they're likely to do. A totally first-rate production for a less-than-first-rate show, which still has one of the most gorgeous scores of its period. Rob Berman conducts the peerless Encores orchestra splendidly, and can we talk about the singing? All the principles are terrific, and Nathaniel Hackmann sings arguably the best song, "They Call the Wind Maria" wonderfully.

If you love musical theatre, do not miss this show!

[Musical Master]

Posted: 3/19/15 at 10:55pm

This sounds like an Encores Production that downright DESERVES to be on Broadway but it tragically won't.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 3/19/15 at 11:37pm

^^^^^^
I actually think it's more of a perfect example of an Encores that shouldn't go to Broadway. The show is pretty creaky by the sound of it, with the score and cast being the real standout. And they would never get an orchestra that big for an open run.

[yfs]

Posted: 3/20/15 at 12:07am

Well, if you're of a certain age, it's a production that makes you wish Broadway was fit to receive it. It wouldn't last long on today's Broadway, but it's a great example of the kind of thing Broadway used to do -- big orchestras playing beautiful music beautifully, wonderful voices, big fat tunes, much more focus on the actors (all terrifically cast here) and singing and dancing than on the scenery and lights, no gimmicky effects (except as cute one relating to the arrival of the stagecoach,which is pure Encores) and a generally sophisticated view of life and love in a very imperfect America.

That said, it's a very imperfect piece of material, too, but a joy to see and especially to hear. Encores! knocks it as far out of the park as this particular musical is ever likely to be knocked, and that's a big enough hit for me.

[forgetmenotnyc]

Posted: 3/20/15 at 7:10am

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Review-Roundup-Encores-PAINT-YOUR-WAGON-Starring-Keith-Carradine-Opens-at-City-Center-20150319

[jayinchelsea]

Posted: 3/20/15 at 7:37am

It's been many years since Encores was a specific springboard for a move to Broadway (the last one I recall was THE APPLE TREE, which was terrific at Encores, and mostly a broad, boring mess at Roundabout), and of course CHICAGO is the cornerstone of that concept. But Encores' mission was never to produce shows that were "fit" or commercial enough to move to Broadway, but rather to find those shows that were largely forgotten and breathe new life into them for their limited run at City Center. This is an admirable mission, one that has nothing to do with making money, and we must applaud Rob Berman (and earlier, Rob Fisher) for doing just that. Yes, some times the shows feel undercast, but it must be difficult to get actors to commit to a project for only one week that has little chance of extending or moving into a Broadway house. With PAINT YOUR WAGON, all the right aspects were in alignment, and the show is a gem, no more and no less, imo.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/20/15 at 7:47am

I think the last Encores production to move to Broadway was Finian's Rainbow, and as lovely as that revival was, it turns out that there was no public outcry for it to move to the St. James.

Encores shouldn't be (and isn't) used as a try-out.

[LarryD2]

Posted: 3/20/15 at 7:52am

VIOLET is the most recent Encores-to-Broadway transfer, if we're counting the summer series.

[AC126748]

Posted: 3/20/15 at 9:39am

It's a shame no one ever revived SHENANDOAH for Carradine back when he was age-appropriate and his voice was in better shape. He would have been absolutely perfect.

[wexy]

Posted: 3/20/15 at 9:56am

I'm going Sunday afternoon and it is on TDF.. Looking forward..

[yfs]

Posted: 3/21/15 at 11:57am

Heard a rumor last night that this version will be recorded. I sure hope it's true! It sounds great.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 3/21/15 at 2:42pm

^^^^^^
YES!

While I don't think it downright deserves to be on Broadway, it does downright deserve to be recorded!

Updated On: 3/21/15 at 02:42 PM

[jv92]

Posted: 3/21/15 at 6:27pm

It was announced at this afternoon's talkback that there will be a recording.

Lovely score, despite a few uninspired lyrics from Lerner. Mess of a book! But what a really charming, fun production! This is what Encores! is all about. It definitely shouldn't move to Broadway, but I am glad a recording is in the works.

[Fantod]

Posted: 3/21/15 at 6:31pm

Yay! So happy!

[jv92]

Posted: 3/21/15 at 6:53pm

I hope Justin Guarini gets even more work in New York after this. He was the standout for me, and I'm the last person to heap praise on American Idol remnants. He was charming in WOMEN ON THE VERGE... and truly terrific in this.

[Noel&Cole]

Posted: 3/21/15 at 7:37pm

I'm so happy ENCORES is doing EXACTLY the kind of show they should be doing again. Showcasing a beautiful score by major musical talent, that otherwise wouldn't have a live performance life. This was a lovingly mounted and presented. It was well worth my ticket price. I would never once mentioned a further life was needed for this, but for one weekend it was a special evening to share in!

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 3/21/15 at 7:58pm

Where's the pre-order button????

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 2:38pm

I have never been to New York City Center before so I had no idea what to expect. First of all, it's just a beautiful venue and it felt like a real privilege to watch the show there. As the show, it was magical. I'll admit that a good chunk of the reason I enjoyed it was that for a Lerner and Loewe show, it felt a lot like Rodgers and Hammerstein. But putting that aside, it was just a great night of theatre. The orchestra sounded fantastic. I don't know what it was but these are the violins I'm always harping on and asking for. They sounded lush and gorgeous and romantic. Speaking of gorgeous, the strapping miners weren't hard to look at.

The story is a little thin. It's hard to know where to cut as there's a lot of fun to be had with the score even if it doesn't contribute as much to the furthering the story as it could. Could you cut the Mormons entirely? Probably. But they provide some nice moments in the show. The part of the show that really needs to be bolstered is the love story. It's fine for the rest of it to be a little thin if you really believe that core love story. All the songs devoted to it are gorgeous but I never bought that relationship fully. Again, some of the bite was taken out of it given the similarity to South Pacific (Oh, all hope is lost. Sure, I'll go with you on this dangerous mission. Will he come back? Of course he will.).

The performances were generally very solid though of course they could be improved upon. I think a lot of that would have happened naturally if they had a longer run and could really find the depth in the characters. For me, Justin Guarini was a slight letdown. Not a major one by any means but his character was the one I really wanted to sound incredible and have that depth and he just wasn't there at that level. I don't think this should transfer to Broadway, but if it did, he'd be the one I'd replace.

This was an excellent choice for Encores and I can't wait to get my hands on the recording.

[wexy]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 7:29pm

Saw it this afternoon and really enjoyed it.

[goldenboy]

Posted: 3/22/15 at 10:33pm

I wasn't going to go to this because the movie was so odd and so long. I am grateful to Whizzer and others for raving about it because this was a delightful production and it reminded me why I love musical theatre; lush orchestras, lush voices and the book to this musical was so much better than the movie book which was plain embarrassing.

I am so glad the raves were warranted.

They are recording it as someone else said. Anyone know who is cast in Zorba?

[iagowasframed]

Posted: 3/25/15 at 5:55am

Not sure what you guys are talking about, this production had work done on the book.