PARADE On Broadway - Reviews & News Thread- Page 16

[Voter]

Posted: 2/24/23 at 8:12am

Bettyboy72 said: "Saw this tonight. An exceptional production. Really well done. Most every actor is pitch perfect but I had the most issues with Platt. I felt the show highlights his lack of range as an actor. I felt he lacked the gravitas of the other company members. I found his performance very “Evan” -even using the same hand gestures and body language at times. He seemed like a teen at times, not a grown man in the middle of a harrowing tragedy. Are directors afraid to give him notes? His vibrato wore on me as well. He had some solid moments but he left me cold overall. He was serviceable.


Diamond is exquisite. She’s just exceptional. The supporting cast and ensemble are impeccable. The staging is really effective. I recommend only seeing this show from the mezzanine to get the full scope of its power."

They really need to get a vocal coach to work on his vibrato, it’s distracting from the music at this point. It’s really apparent in the filmed advert I see on social media. It’s a turn off.

[Pashacar]

Posted: 2/24/23 at 11:23am

^ That's what makes horse races, I guess. I love the vibrato, and it makes for my favorite rendition of the song in that promo.

[60'splayoff]

Posted: 2/24/23 at 1:39pm

PipingHotPiccolo said: "What are the extreme sides of orchestra like? The end of the rows are "partial view" which suggests to me the far sides are generally a no-go?"

I went for a pair of these when they were released, however my performance is in March so I can't comment on the view. While they're not listed as PV online, the very kind woman at the box office did inform me they are in fact PV. She also advised going with house right, because (as other users have pointed out) there's a lot of action w/ Leo at his desk on stage right. They're also $15 cheaper if you go to the BO! We're further back so hopefully we won't miss too much but already expecting to miss a lot of the projections.

[LuminousBeing]

Posted: 2/25/23 at 9:10am

There are no performances today, Saturday 2/25.

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 2/26/23 at 10:41pm

what a fantastic production, my issues with the book aside.

maybe i know too much about the source history, but seeing this for the first time in a full live production, i found many of Uhry's choices frustrating in telling such a complicated, tragic story. Maybe its a reflection of being written in 1998, but the need to constantly return to the white Georgians' singing about good ole Georgia seem like such a blind spot. The show is strongest when the Franks are allowed to emote over their quirky places in society, and when the African Americans are given license to sing about the insanity of the sudden national interest in an unfairly convicted white guy.  The amount of time Hugh Dorsey and Tom Watson and the Governor and the Judge and the Confederate Soldier all get to sing about Good Ole Georgia- it continues to grind the story to a halt, in my view. I want to hear from Minnie, bullied into testifying falsely. I want to hear from, I dont know, the Jewish citizens of Atlanta, privileged in this society on the one hand, but vulnerable at the same time. 

THAT SAID... Arden makes the other parts of the show sing and sing well.  Special shout out to Paul Alexander Nolan, Jake Pedersen, Danielle Lee Greaves who all make the most of their relatively small roles. Courtnee Carter and Doug Lyons are perfection at the top of Act 2. Alex Joseph Grayson's vocals are simply other worldly. 

But the show belongs to Micaela Diamond-- and I dont mean that as a ding against Plat, but Uhry writes Leo's transition so clumsily, that Diamond's character grounds the show in ways Platt's can't. She Is Perfect, in singing, in emoting, in every single moment.

Someone earlier said that Platt is doing some Evan Hansen mannerisms, and thats true--but I actually found it very powerful, and I wonder if its an accident of his mannerisms or a deliberate choice. Leo Frank was awkward and didnt fit in-- and he was lynched for it. This recall to another awkward character underscored, to me, the way that an Evan Hansen (or a Ben Platt, or me) could so easily be swept up in a mob of hate. Keeping Platt on stage during intermission had a similar effect. This is only my second time seeing him perform live (the last was Book of Mormon, a very different performance) and I thought he sounded incredible tonight. His final scenes were very low key, very deliberate and very very devastating.

Some of Arden's touches work better than others-- i don't want to be accused of spoiler crime here but I thought he did something rather beautiful with Mary Phagan, but then used her in a way I found cringey later on. But its such a tight, earnest, production, and the cast is so strong/committed, it winds up knocking you back in your seat. 

The opening "turn off your phones" bit was by Senator Warnock, which was a very clever touch, and grounded a chatty audience perfectly. I wonder if he is aware of the dig at modern Georgia that closes the show (which i found somewhat clunky). 

I do have to say that the raised set baffles me. I havent seen A Doll's House with Chastain, but the idea that a director would stage a show that a quarter of the audience will miss-- it truly offends me. Yeah, the challenge is how to use this sacred, confined space to tell a story. Thats what makes it hard. Finding some cool trick that 1/4 of your audience cant see-- well, you failed your task. And while I think I mostly saw everything tonight, the choice to put so much action on this raised platform over the orchestra audience's heads-- why? To what end? If you're charging people hundreds of dollars--minimum!-- how dare you not make sure they can, at the very LEAST, see everything? 

I was right orch, a few over from "partial view" and my seat was fine as far as the Jacobs (one of the best) goes. But even my full view seat couldnt make out all the projections on the back of the stage, and time/place is often projected on the platform in way that many audience member surely cant see. Would be so easy to project the same image elsewhere to make sure cast members dont block it, and everyone can see it. But that seems of no interest to this production. 

Anyway that pet peeve aside, i thought the show flew by, the second half of Act 1 being near perfection, a perfect meld of actors, with director, with score and book. And Diamond and Platt's two Act 2 duets will stay with me for quite some time, as will Platt's recitation of the sh'ma, which elicited numerous choked sobs tonight. Moments like those are why we see live theater, right? Well done.

Updated On: 2/26/23 at 10:41 PM

[inception]

Posted: 2/27/23 at 5:33am

Good review. I'm a couple weeks away from seeing this for myself.  Have only listened to the recordings of the Original & [edit Donmar not Denmark - spell check???] productions, but I agree with all your comments about how the book seems unsure of where to focus at times. 

Also, I wonder if the poor stage design might become a big factor in keeping this from winning best revival at the Tonys?

Updated On: 2/27/23 at 05:33 AM

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 2/27/23 at 8:59am

inception said: "Good review. I'm a couple weeks away from seeing this for myself. Have only listened to the recordings of the Original &;Denmark productions, but I agree with all your comments about how the book seems unsure of where to focus at times.

Also, I wonder if the poor stage design might become a big factor in keeping this from winning best revival at the Tonys?"

I, too, had only seen snippets and concert performances. It works as a full show, dont get me wrong! But one of the characters is the actual killer and he gets.... the same stage time as unnamed, fictitious, old Confederate war veteran. 

I'm not much for predicting awards-- its all so political--but it DID occur to me that critics (and now that you mention it, Tony nominators) will be in the orchestra, not the front mezz. 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 2/27/23 at 9:01am

I love this show. I'd heard of it because a little while ago someone on a different platform kept talking about how much they wanted a revival-now I totally understand why. Powerful, incredible performances from the leads. Obsessed with the score. Kind of drags a bit in the middle, I found myself kind of zoning out, but otherwise such a beautiful revival. I haven't stopped thinking about the duets, Diamond truly does run away with the show in the second act. So amazing-I hope I get to revisit it soon. 

[yyys]

Posted: 2/27/23 at 9:30am

my friend's review:

"I enjoyed it overall but didn’t find it especially moving. I don’t know if it’s JRB or Ben Platt, but I wasn’t moved by Evan Hansen either, so I’m edging toward Platt. I want to like him, but he’s just sort of…blah. Some good notes in his voice, but I feel like he has an emotional range of A to maybe D."

[Pashacar]

Posted: 2/28/23 at 4:18pm

Anyone else rushed yet? I saw the posts about the speaker-obstructed seats and wonder if other folks have had better luck.

[yyys]

Posted: 2/28/23 at 8:36pm

they seem to be selling all extreme right/left mezzanine seats and boxes last Sunday. Also, rush ran out after the 8th or 9th person...they did sell standing room soon after rush tix sold out.

Pashacar said: "Anyone else rushed yet? I saw the posts about the speaker-obstructed seats and wonder if other folks have had better luck."

 

Updated On: 2/28/23 at 08:36 PM

[Jmuep2]

Posted: 2/28/23 at 11:28pm

I went to the box office tonight about 75 minutes before showtime and got "an upgraded rush" ticket. Center orchestra. Row N. Great view. Lovely evening. This hit me tonight a lot more than when I saw it in November. 

[nativenewyorker2]

Posted: 3/1/23 at 12:13am

bwayobsessed said: "On the bus on the way home from the show now, I think it’s in pretty good shape. I did not see it at NYCC but as everyone stated Mikaela runs away with the show. Her voice magnificently fills the space. That said I thought Ben did a great job as well. I think Paul Alexander Nolan and Howard McGillen were the supporting standouts. I know the show mostly from the OBC-I find the choice of cutting the Judge’s song sorta weird-I like the song they have in its place but I think both could have existed. I also think cutting Big News really reduces the feeling of the presses involvement in the case which seems a bit confusing. I didn’t love the scenic design but thought it was adequate. The ensemble as a whole I think really shines. There was unending applause after curtain call-we wanted another ovation we didn’t get."

I remember a song called Big news when I was there tonight in act one

[perfectpenguin]

Posted: 3/1/23 at 4:08am

I have a seat on the extreme sides in mezz row g. Any reports on the view from the extreme sides? I’ve seen a view from my seat but no photos yet from Parade. I didn’t see anything here yet (I could have missed it if there was)

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 3/1/23 at 4:54am

nativenewyorker2 said: "bwayobsessed said: "On the bus on the way home from the show now, I think it’s in pretty good shape. I did not see it at NYCC but as everyone stated Mikaela runs away with the show. Her voice magnificently fills the space. That said I thought Ben did a great job as well. I think Paul Alexander Nolan and Howard McGillen were the supporting standouts. I know the show mostly from the OBC-I find the choice of cutting the Judge’s song sorta weird-I like the song they have in its place but I think both could have existed. I also think cutting Big News really reduces the feeling of the presses involvement in the case which seems a bit confusing. I didn’t love the scenic design but thought it was adequate. The ensemble as a whole I think really shines. There was unending applause after curtain call-we wanted another ovation we didn’t get."

I remember a song called Big news when I was there tonight in act one"

Yes. But, in the original, the song that is currently featured (creatively titled "Real Big News" was a follow-up to a different song called "Big News," which has been cut. What bwayobsessed is saying is that, without both songs being featured, Britt Craig doesn't feel as consistently part of the story in the way he did in the original and the press's involvement with the vilification of Leo seems minimized. 

[Cory Schimmoelelr]

Posted: 3/1/23 at 1:47pm

Has anyone sat first few rows of orchestra?  I'm not too worried because i don't mind craning my neck a bit. I don't go to the theatre to be comfortable

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 3/1/23 at 11:33pm

Cory Schimmoelelr said: "Has anyone sat first few rows of orchestra? I'm not too worried because i don't mind craning my neck a bit. I don't go to the theatre to be comfortable"

I was in Row F, right, and i didnt find myself craning my neck-- stuff that happens back of the platform isnt worth craning your neck for, you just wont see it. But regardless, if you're paying for front Orch seats, I cant fathom why you wouldnt pay the same amount for front Mezz, which is without a doubt the best way to see this production.

[perfectpenguin]

Posted: 3/2/23 at 6:53am

perfectpenguin said: "I have a seat on the extreme sides in mezz row g. Any reports on the view from the extreme sides? I’ve seen a view from my seat but no photos yet from Parade. I didn’t see anything here yet (I could have missed it if there was)"

I was able to exchange with Telecharge and now have a front orch seat! It’s partial view but better than being jammed next to a wall. 

[binau]

Posted: 3/3/23 at 11:58am

I’ve been looking close to curtain and they seem to be successful at moving most tickets before curtain. Hopefully it’s not papering and just TKTS, same day etc. makes me happy! 

[Leaf Coneybear]

Posted: 3/3/23 at 3:13pm

Just made an impulse decision and booked a flight to NYC to see this. Parade is one of my favorite shows and I'm so excited to see it in person with Platt!

[binau]

Posted: 3/3/23 at 3:28pm

How is Howard singing the final section of ‘Old Red Hills of Home’? I was hoping his dark powerful voice would be chilling. 

[Pashacar]

Posted: 3/6/23 at 12:03pm

binau said: "How is Howard singing the final section of ‘Old Red Hills of Home’? I was hoping his dark powerful voice would be chilling."

Funny you ask; to me he stood out from the rest of cast, and not in a good way. They have him in this absurd, cartoonish beard and he seemed to be doing this histrionic old man impersonation where everyone else was playing very natural. I really didn't get it.

[yyys]

Posted: 3/6/23 at 12:17pm

It was not a powerful voice. 

binau said: "How is Howard singing the final section of ‘Old Red Hills of Home’? I was hoping his dark powerful voice would be chilling."

 

[schubox]

Posted: 3/10/23 at 10:56pm

Saw this tonight and really loved it, but did anyone else find Diamond’s accent really bad? Like almost distractingly bad in spots. I thought maybe it was me but my wife said the same thing when we were walking out. 

[Leaf Coneybear]

Posted: 3/10/23 at 11:10pm

schubox said: "Saw this tonight and really loved it, but did anyone else find Diamond’s accent really bad? Like almost distractingly bad in spots. I thought maybe it was me but my wife said the same thing when we were walking out."

So funny you said this, I also just left the show and thought the same thing. Everytime she said “Leo” I was like… really? Odd choice.