PARADISE SQUARE Chicago Pre-Broadway Tryout - Previews & Reviews- Page 2

[Amy Archer]

Posted: 11/4/21 at 11:17am

>My sister has spent 25 years working as an executive director  of a Chicago theatre company - so your comment of "suddenly a sister" is easily dismissed. <

And so are you.

>Your comments below seem like brochure copy. If you watch the news and examine the algorithms - the public is bored and tired of this topic. This is not about foot stamping - its about reality and a missed opportunity to invent versus copy something else.<

I don't need to ape brochure copy. I have my own eyes and ears, which are fully open. Unlike yours.

> a missed opportunity to invent versus copy something else.<

It's an original story. What is it copying? 

And seriously, a new musical trying out, with no marquee stars and opening a theatre during a pandemic. Of course it's papering. Any show in its position would be doing the same. That's not a stick with which to beat it. 

[coopsbiz]

Posted: 11/4/21 at 11:29am

slam souzatzka ? lol - that show was universally panned and considered dreadful - that is not an agenda - that is a cold, hard fact, the only person that made money was Drabinsky. Anyhoo - this is not a forum for bickering, I am prepared to be wrong is this show finds an audience but when the press is being hyped by the paid flacks to call this a Drabinsky come back - that my love is an agenda         

[Tag]

Posted: 11/4/21 at 11:37am

Amy Archer said: "I have my own eyes and ears, which are fully open. Unlike yours."

Anyone supporting a Drabinsky show, is the one with their eyes closed.

[Amy Archer]

Posted: 11/4/21 at 11:40am

coopsbiz said: "slam souzatzka ? lol - that show was universally panned and considered dreadful - that is not an agenda - that is a cold, hard fact, the only person that made money was Drabinsky. Anyhoo - this is not a forum for bickering, I am prepared to be wrong is this show finds an audience but when the press is being hyped by the paid flacks to call this a Drabinsky come back - that my love is an agenda"

Yes, it was slammed. Maybe deservedly so. I did not see it and that's beside the point. My point is that YOU only emerged then to go after Drabinsky, as you are doing now, and clearly trying to bring the show down in the process. Only this time, the show appears to be vastly more successful, artistically, as posts from KJ and UncleVictor attest. Plot points and pacing are items easily fixed. 

And 'my love'? Condescend to someone else, not to me. I'm having none of it. 

[coopsbiz]

Posted: 11/4/21 at 11:45am

Hey everybody - go see Paradise Square - Amy hears it's great ! 

[Amy Archer]

Posted: 11/4/21 at 11:48am

Tag said: "Amy Archer said: "Ihave my own eyes and ears, which are fully open. Unlike yours."

Anyone supporting a Drabinsky show, is the one with their eyes closed."

Throughout history, great art has been created by some pretty terrible people. Despite their failures as human beings, one can still appreciate work by Richard Wagner, Marcel Proust, Roman Polanski, Jerome Robbins, David Merrick and the list goes on and on. You can choose to vote with your wallet - or not. 

[Amy Archer]

Posted: 11/4/21 at 11:51am

coopsbiz said: "Hey everybody - go see Paradise Square - Amy hears it's great !"

And now mockery? What a gem you are. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 11/4/21 at 1:23pm

Don't even acknowledge this misogyny, Amy. These men are not worth your valuable time.

Thank you for your insight on this show.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 11/4/21 at 1:40pm

Amy Archer said: "Tag said: "Amy Archer said: "Ihave my own eyes and ears, which are fully open. Unlike yours."

Anyone supporting a Drabinsky show, is the one with their eyes closed."

Throughout history, great art has been created by some pretty terrible people. Despite their failures as human beings, one can still appreciate work by Richard Wagner, Marcel Proust, Roman Polanski, Jerome Robbins, David Merrick and the list goes on and on. You can choose to vote with your wallet - or not."

In a 2019 interview, Judi Dench said in response to the countless allegations of sexual misconduct Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey received that while she doesn't defend the sinful actions they've committed, she does defend the creative work they've done over the years. She said "You cannot deny somebody a talent. You might as well never look at a Caravaggio painting again just because he was a murderer. You might as well never have gone to see a Noël Coward play just because he was accused of predatory behavior."

Updated On: 11/4/21 at 01:40 PM

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 11/4/21 at 1:54pm

Tag said: "Amy Archer said: "Ihave my own eyes and ears, which are fully open. Unlike yours."

Anyone supporting a Drabinsky show, is the one with their eyes closed."

Besides defrauding investors of Livent what has Drabinsky done? Perhaps it’s the communist in me, but stealing money from wealthy people should legal.

[uncamark]

Posted: 11/4/21 at 1:54pm

coopsbiz said: "My sister has spent 25 years working as an executive director of a Chicago theatre company - so your comment of "suddenly a sister" is easily dismissed. Your comments below seem like brochure copy. If you watch the news and examine the algorithms - the public is bored and tired of this topic. This is not about foot stamping - its about reality and a missed opportunity to invent versus copy something else.

"The show doesn't have to try hard to be relevant. It IS relevant. It's a show about racial harmony coming undone by a wave of right wing-fueled hysteria, based on what actually occurred during the NY Draft Riots. After the events of last summer, the show is incredibly timely. All your foot-stamping and hand-wringing about Drabinsky can't undo that fact."

"

Well, I just checked every Equity company that has been around for 25 years or more in Chicago.  There are three women who are in managing director/executive director positions.  Two of them just came aboard in their positions last year and the other has been MD for only 15 years. I think we can call BS here.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 11/4/21 at 1:59pm

Correct.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 11/4/21 at 2:20pm

Does anyone know the official opening night date for the Chicago run?

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 11/4/21 at 3:47pm

Call_me_jorge said: "Does anyone know the official opening night date for the Chicago run?"

Wednesday, November 17.

 

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 11/4/21 at 3:58pm

For the second night in a row, Wednesday evening balcony ticket holders who arrived early were offered a free upgrade to the main floor. Thank you, production staff.

I spotted a friend: she and her 2 guests had been comped.

The dance contest is clearer, sorta. Nelly announces a practice in Act 1, but early in Act 2, Nelly is about to award the prize money to the Irish dancer, when Washington Henry says he should be given a chance to dance, too.

Why does Nelly invite the Irish dancer to go first? Nelly’s earlier remark about the prize money hints that he already performed.

I’ve mentioned this earlier: the orchestrations really glow from the unseen 14 or so pit musicians. Love the music for this show!

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 11/4/21 at 11:41pm

Smaxie said:  I also heard that Joaquina Kalukango and Matt Bogart are getting a new Act 1 number, going in sometime this week."

The lovely new duet SINCE THE DAY I MET YOU between Nelly and Willie was added Thursday night, replacing the previous Act 1 tune LARRY’S GOODBYE.

For the third night in a row, the production invited early arrivals with balcony tickets to upgrade to orchestra seats for free. 

 

 

 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 12:23am

BalconyClub, how often do you plan to attend? You were the one who saw TOOTSIE many times in Chicago too, right?

You're a valuable asset to the board!

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 1:06am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "BalconyClub, how often do you plan to attend? You were the one who saw TOOTSIE many times in Chicago too, right?

You're a valuable asset to the board!"

Now, now, I’m only a nerd who likes watching the creation of a show. I’m likely not going to identify the small changes in PARADISE SQUARE from night to night like I did during the many nights of TOOTSIE.

BUT, in the third preview Thursday of PARADISE SQUARE, there WERE some small changes:

1. At the top of the show, the words “Paradise Square” appeared on the show curtain scrim in white lettering for just for a few seconds before the scrim flew up and away. Maybe the production was testing the look of it?

2. When Nelly offered a drink to Milton, he said his line about not refusing an offered drink BEFORE downing the drink tonight. During the previous 2 nights, Milton drank first, then shared the line. (Oy vey - a detail not worth journaling about, but there it is.)

3. Nelly’s line about PRACTICING for the dance contest was different tonight. Instead, Nelly remarked that the saloon attendees - for now -should enjoy the dancing of Washington and Owen and the music of Milton.

4. A patron two seats to my right was quietly sobbing after the new Act 1 love duet tonight. It’s a great song. “ SINCE THE DAY I MET YOU.”

I have balcony tickets for 16 previews/performances in Chicago.

Updated On: 11/5/21 at 01:06 AM

[trinbgvsu2]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 3:37am

I was there Wednesday night with 35 of my theatre’s patrons. The group loved it.

I thought act one was long and some easy cuts could be made. The orchestrations, orchestra and choreography were fantastic.

We were sitting in a place where we could see stagehands off stage left the whole night and their flashlights were distracting.

Act two worked extremely well for me.

I hope this finds an audience. The cast is excellent and it’s a story that needs to be heard. I am still haunted by the idea of the show…a perfect future that hasn’t happened yet.

[BobbyLA]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 10:30am

hope this show finds an audience but excessive marketing funds that could go to the homeless in Chicago seems like a better idea than outdoor advertising when these people are sleeping at bus stops with ads for this show. It seems like overkill to me    

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 10:39am

You joined today to post this bizarre take? Excited to see what comes next!

[BobbyLA]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 11:12am

Hi Groovy - why so negative? I love theater and have my tickets to a performance next week! Just an observation, have a great weekend!       

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 11:34am

Why did you spend money on tickets when you could have used that money to help the homeless?

[unclevictor]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 11:55am

KJisgroovy said: "Why did you spend money on tickets when you could have used that money to help the homeless?"

Seriously?  Why did u post this when u could be giving your $$ to the homeless? Or better yet, your phone and computer? 
 

[BobbyLA]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 1:36pm

happy to compare what I gave to the homeless this year versus what you gave. Regardless, I just joined this site and the messages like yours groovy are nasty. it was an honest observation about a marketing budget. take a chill pill groovy