PARADISE SQUARE - Broadway Previews- Page 4

[HogansHero]

Posted: 3/18/22 at 11:29am

@dramamama I think you are framing the wrong question. Although I come in somewhere north of JBroadway and south of the standing ovation on Kalukango, this is an imperfect but generally enjoyable evening (and presumably will be tighter than the first couple of previews if you wait a bit). I would put the dancing up there as an attraction (as would JBroadway among others) and there are quite a few other positives that are not obscured by the obviously-not-gonna-change book problems.I am also not a Garth fan-probably farther from one than most people-but I have a feeling this will be seeable in a way that does not enrich Garth (at least without defrauding people again).

Updated On: 3/18/22 at 11:29 AM

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 3/18/22 at 12:10pm

Joaquina Kalukango's performance is extraordinary and unmissable, in my opinion. BUT. It's basically two songs. While she's on stage for most of the show and she's never less than terrific, it's not a sustained, indelible acting performance. The show doesn't really allow her space to create something on the level of the previously mentioned performances I don't think. However, when she's called to deliver it's like being hit by a bus. In a good way.

Is it worth it for the performance alone? What's your feeling about a big solo number that brings down the house? I lean toward it's not worth if it's JUST that performance you're looking to see.

I will say, the show itself has a LOT to offer aside from her performance. The choreography is fantastic and a few of the numbers build to something that's really fantastic. Breathe Easy is also a really wonderful bit of song, staging, performance and catharsis. 

Given her performance and the rest of what the show has to offer, I think it's absolutely worth your time and a discounted ticket.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/18/22 at 12:19pm

Lol....with a discounted ticket!

 

I appreciate the above thoughts, thank you.

[kwoc91]

Posted: 3/18/22 at 1:23pm

KJisgroovy said: "Joaquina Kalukango's performance is extraordinary and unmissable, in my opinion. BUT. It's basically two songs. While she's on stage for most of the show and she's never less than terrific, it's not a sustained, indelible acting performance. The show doesn't really allow her space to create something on the level of the previously mentioned performances I don't think. However, when she's called to deliver it's like being hit by a bus. In a good way."

Agree 10000%. 

[LucasIvy]

Posted: 3/18/22 at 10:40pm

Lottery = flop

[LucasIvy]

Posted: 3/18/22 at 10:46pm

KJisgroovy said: "Joaquina Kalukango's performance is extraordinary and unmissable, in my opinion. BUT. It's basically two songs. While she's on stage for most of the show and she's never less than terrific, it's not a sustained, indelible acting performance. The show doesn't really allow her space to create something on the level of the previously mentioned performances I don't think. However, when she's called to deliver it's like being hit by a bus. In a good way.

Is it worth it for the performance alone? What's your feeling about a big solo number that brings down the house? I lean toward it's not worth if it's JUST that performance you're looking to see.

 

So well said, but I just felt there was not enough substance. Discounted , free , paid for ,however you got your ticket, it was  like a juke box of great numbers with no thread or arc. 

 



I will say, the show itself has a LOT to offer aside from her performance. The choreography is fantastic and a few of the numbers build to something that's really fantastic. Breathe Easy is also a really wonderful bit of song, staging, performance and catharsis.

Given her performance and the rest of what the show has to offer, I think it's absolutely worth your time and a discounted ticket."

 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 3/19/22 at 12:02am

2 technical holds tonight, starting after “Someone to Love,” and totaling about 45 minutes, with the show finally getting out at 11:30 p.m. Long night.

[Synecdoche2]

Posted: 3/19/22 at 12:19am

As TaffyDavenport said, tonight's preview was 3.5 hours long after two extended technical holds.

This was my second time seeing the show -- my first was the very first public performance in Berkeley in 2018. I must say, after many many rewrites I think the material has only gotten weaker. None of the problems have been fixed, plenty of new problems have been introduced, and Bill T Jones' choreography has been slicked up. Props to the very talented cast who are doing so much to make the show work. I hope Mr. Drabinsky is treating them and the crew fairly.

Updated On: 3/19/22 at 12:19 AM

[Mark_E]

Posted: 3/19/22 at 9:24am

This was disappointing. I didn't connect with the show at all and it was a long slog, especially with the two technical holds bringing the curtain down at 11:30pm. 

[broadwayindie]

Posted: 3/19/22 at 1:12pm

Strange to hear that the first act was weak, as I thought it was stronger than the second act in Chicago. Reminds me of the Pirate Queen where they didn't know what to chnange and arguably made it worse when it went to broadway

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 3/19/22 at 2:11pm

At the matinee and the show was paused before it even begun.

[KingOfTheMine]

Posted: 3/19/22 at 6:30pm

I was also at the matinee.  They announced before the show that they would delay five minutes due to technical difficulties, and the show ended up starting some time around 2:15 or 2:20.  Then at intermission, they announced that they would perform Act II without any automation or movement of the set due to ongoing technical difficulties.  The house left tower toward the front of the stage was able to move about five feet on or off stage, but otherwise they performed the whole show as if it was a unit set.  I haven't seen the show before, so unsure how many adjustments were actually made to the staging.  As far as the show itself, there's a lot to like here but also flaws as many posters have already stated.  A couple great songs, but most just acceptable.  Some inspired movement/choreography.  Despite previously mentioned issues with the book, there are high points where you see flashes of what could be a great show.  All the performances were solid, and Joaquina was the obvious standout.  Standing ovation from most of the audience after "Let it Burn" that did feel earned.  Ultimately, this one's a mixed bag.  With some tightening and work on the tech issues, they could take it from just good to great.

[Famebroadway2]

Posted: 3/19/22 at 7:24pm

Was at the matinee today. They ran the full show with no automation. The set stayed stationary and the revolve did not work at all.  This made the show seem even slower than normal…. 

[HogansHero]

Posted: 3/19/22 at 8:43pm

Looking from the outside in, let's try to decipher what do these multi-day automation fails signify. 

Could it be the production did not have enough money to engage top-tier people and entities for its  production/technical requirements?

Could it be that the production does not have enough money to fix what's broken? 

Could it be that no one in their right mind was willing to accept an IOU for as much as a paper clip? 

These are three questions of many that quickly come to mind. 

What is the next shoe to drop? That short preview period is looking awfully short right now, and that's not even addressing the desperately-needed adjustments to the show's substantive problems that have been detailed in this thread. 

One final observation: morale. If audiences members are deflated by being asked to sit through delays and then non-functioning technical elements, imagine how the cast and crew feel. (I have one more but I can't bear to mention it.) 

[LucasIvy]

Posted: 3/19/22 at 10:21pm

HogansHero makes a several valid points. I have seen many shows in previews that had enormous tech issues to overcome before opening night, not to mention Spiderman, but this is not that show. The technical machinations are pedestrian and ordinary, I am not an expert , but in watching this show, I can't fathom t why the show is plagued by these issues beyond having a lesser senior crew attached. More of a concern to the producers should be the flaccid word of mouth problem. When I exited the theatre , i walked very slowly and there was no buzz or discussion about the show beyond the odd reference to a cast member, A  woman seated next to me said : "this is my first Broadway show in two years, and I fell asleep" . And trust me , she slept through most of the show.  

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 3/19/22 at 10:46pm

I have to say, I’m pretty annoyed with this production after hearing about what we missed out on for the set. Mind you, I know that the issues are out of their control but they were not even honest with the audience (maybe they didn’t care because most were comped? Who knows&hellip about the situation. They said they had an issue and there would be a pause and then it started at 2:18. After intermission they said the electronics of the set would not be working for act 2, but the few pieces that already moved were still moving. If they just said “alright, this is what isn’t working and we are going to perform without it” I wouldn’t have minded at all. But dammit, don’t screw over and lie to people that are paying to see your show.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 3/19/22 at 11:04pm

@LucasIvy Well, I see you could bear to mention what I could not.  

 

[inception]

Posted: 3/19/22 at 11:49pm

Will this even make it to opening night?  If it does, how many weeks before it closes?

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/20/22 at 12:07am

inception said: "Will this even make it to opening night? If it does, how many weeks before it closes?"

Yes, it will open, and if it doesn’t receive slam-dunk reviews (which is the most likely outcome), I’d give it between 30 - 50 performances, giving Diana a challenge for musical flop of the season. 

[theatretenor2]

Posted: 3/20/22 at 12:39am

This show is going to get torn to shreds by critics.

[dangeresque49]

Posted: 3/20/22 at 12:42am

It is always a shame to see a show with potential fail because of problems that the creative team weren't able to fix.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 3/20/22 at 1:32am

dangeresque49 said: "It is always a shame to see a show with potential fail because of problems that the creative team weren't able to fix."

I would amend that a tiny bit to say "weren't allowed to fix." The more I think about it, the more I am convinced the blame resides almost entirely in Garth. Clearly, this sort of overstuffed show is his taste as is this creating by committee (and, as well all know, a camel is a horse designed by a committee).

[Smaxie]

Posted: 3/20/22 at 8:06am

I know everyone is on pile-on mode, as is often the case on BWW - it's a phenomenon that repeats itself over and over - but here's a different opinion from critic Mark Shenton who was at the show yesterday. 

https://twitter.com/ShentonStage/status/1505320024856219651?s=20&t=1Z4I_Mm7Jw2H4_pIj9fYkA 

Not strictly speaking meant to comment — as a critic — on @ParadiseSquare on Broadway, as it doesn’t open till April 3. But as a paying punter — and yes, I bought my ticket to today’s matinee — I’m not sure there will be a more powerful new score on Broadway this season! In an age of jukebox shows and film-to-stage musicals, @ParadiseSquare is an original in every sense. And a big, beautiful cast give its kaleidoscopic portrait of a community in Lower Manhattan thrilling life. I can’t wait to see it again when it is ready to review. And the super-charged performance to beat of the season is the majestic Joaquina Kalukango, who provokes a midshow standing ovation. A major diva is born!

[LucasIvy]

Posted: 3/20/22 at 8:26am

Every new show deserves a chance to succeed and this show has some very good elements but as Harold Prince once said; "the success of a show is reflected in the sum of all parts". Based on my research, if this show fails Mr. Drabinsky will blame the critics who are out to get him , given his past. he did the same thing with Madame Souzattka in Toronto in 2017.

[markypoo]

Posted: 3/20/22 at 9:29am

Smaxie said: "I know everyone is on pile-on mode, as is often the case on BWW - it's a phenomenon that repeats itself over and over - but here's a different opinion from critic Mark Shenton who was at the show yesterday.

https://twitter.com/ShentonStage/status/1505320024856219651?s=20&t=1Z4I_Mm7Jw2H4_pIj9fYkA

Not strictly speaking meant to comment — as a critic — on @ParadiseSquare on Broadway, as it doesn’t open till April 3. But as a paying punter — and yes, I bought my ticket to today’s matinee — I’m not sure there will be a more powerful new score on Broadway this season! In an age of jukebox shows and film-to-stage musicals, @ParadiseSquare is an original in every sense. And a big, beautiful cast give its kaleidoscopic portrait of a community in Lower Manhattan thrilling life. I can’t wait to see it again when it is ready to review.And the super-charged performance to beat of the season is the majestic Joaquina Kalukango, who provokes a midshow standing ovation. A major diva is born!"

Parade also had a "powerful score".

So did Side Show.

So did various and sundry others.

A powerful score, as been proven, does not a hit make.

Also, the two shows mentioned above contained seemingly unbeatable performances that were ultimately beaten.