PARADISE SQUARE - Broadway Previews — Page 4

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.

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%.

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."

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

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

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.

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.)

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.

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

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

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).

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.