#126
Posted: 10/15/17 at 11:49am
Glad you liked it! Any reviews from the press?
PRINCE OF EGYPT will finally premiere! — Page 6
#127
Posted: 10/15/17 at 9:35pm
I saw PRINCE OF EGYPT this weekend and enjoyed it. Is it what it could and should be? No. Is it brilliant musical theatre? No. It is Storyteller Theatre. But it has a strong story and a strong score. Scott Schwartz's approach works for what it is considering there is really no set. As discussed here the performers create set pieces with "blocks of stone" and help with action. But they don't resort to the heavy use of actors narrating action that I felt hurt HUNCHBACK when I saw it in La Jolla AIN'T TOO PROUD, the Temptations musical at Berkeley Rep, suffers more from the "and then we did this" first person narration than PRINCE.
You have to take into account that this is a theatre with smaller budget and stage facilities than the larger tryout houses. I live in LA but have been long familiar with TheatreWorks in Silcone Valley. They are a regional theatre which does a fair share of quality productions. And they have long running New York and national theatre ties which are impressive for a small theatre. MEMPHIS was presented there pre La Jolla Playhouse. I saw the first production of SIDESHOW post Broadway there with the understudies for Alice and Emily, and it was pretty good. Stephen Schwartz and Scott Schwartz have done productions there in the past.
I am not familiar with the film so I can't comment on how they handled the story or how the adapted and expanded the score. Some people in the cast are stronger than others, but everyone does well. I was not fond of the set which is a large floating abstract backdrop with projections. I felt the projection imagery was not strong enough and the backdrop was too high above the cast and therefore didn't truly connect with the performers to create a full stage picture. The musical does scream out for a unique and striking physical production, and yes, people like Julie Taymor and other directors who have more of a visual sense might have done something more unusual and impressive with the musical. I liked the dance movement for the ensemble, but the choreography during the actual dance numbers was not great. And I did not like the costumes - in particular for the Egyptians which felt a little Rocky Horror Show science fictiony vs elegant or grand - and was surprised to see they were by Ann Hould-Ward.
Not to denigrate anyone involved but we're really seeing a professionally presented workshop production here. It's an opportunity to put a show on its feet in front of an audience. And I'm very glad and thrilled to be able to see this production under the circumstances. It will be interesting to see where the show goes and how it developed from here.
Updated On: 10/16/17 at 09:35 PM
#128
Posted: 10/15/17 at 10:45pm
Thanks for the great review and insight, StageDoor! And I agree it does feel like a workshop here. I do hope they up their game.
Mixed to positive review:
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/10/15/review-prince-of-egypt-musical-gets-world-premiere-at-silicon-valley/
#129
Posted: 10/15/17 at 11:21pm
Karen D'Souza is a solid reviewer, easily the best at San Francisco Bay Area newspapers, and she is unafraid to pan shows she doesn't like and point out flaws in those she thinks are good overall. She shredded the Berkeley Rep's new play by Daniel Handler of Lemony Snicket fame, Imaginary Comforts, and gave Ain't Too Proud, the Temptations jukebox musical, a qualified rave. (She also didn't like Something Rotten for many of the same reasons I found it increasingly tiresome as it went along.) Given some of the comments I have seen on this thread, this is a much more positive review than I expected.
I'm still not all that interested in seeing it myself, even though I don't live far away. But that's me.
#130
Posted: 10/19/17 at 8:10pm
Here are the highlights and they really really really need to work on this. It is beautiful though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEYF4Fh3PN0
Updated On: 10/19/17 at 08:10 PM
#131
Posted: 10/19/17 at 8:50pm
What can one say after watching that ........
‘’oh vay
Well I didn't want to get into it, but he's a Satanist.
Every full moon he sacrifices 4 puppies to the Dark Lord and smears their blood on his paino.
This should help you understand the score for Wicked a little bit more.
Tazber's: Reply to
Is Stephen Schwartz a Practicing Christian
#132
Posted: 10/19/17 at 9:03pm
What community theatre nonsense did i just watch? Yikes
#133
Posted: 10/19/17 at 9:35pm
that teeny tiny orchestra is ****ing sad.
#134
Posted: 10/21/17 at 3:29am
The material is great and considering Scwhartz have to add new songs....was a great feat...coz it really works. It is not too religious if you don't take it seriously and it actually presents a secularized story that focuses on the love and brotherhood of Ramses and Moses and it doesn't proselytize either. In the end....it was shown that Moses was saved because of Ramses love for him.... by letting him go against the advise of his priest and the ghost of his father...by being the weak link.
As far as the orch...i think they only have 15 piece orch but imagine if they get more....
As for the cast...they are mostly regional but imagine if everyone is actors equity
There can be miracles when u believe 
Even Moses have a great Voice and be will reprise his role in the Denmark production!
Tzipporah will then go to London in Dreamgirls after this engagement.... Congrats Brennyn!
And Gotay will be in Broadway as Fiyero in Wicked.... (hopefully) just wishful thinking but they are great!!!
https://youtu.be/SY44Y0halJY
See the show for yourself and make suggestions to improve it....
I would really like to see them succeed
Updated On: 10/21/17 at 03:29 AM
#135
Posted: 10/22/17 at 12:34am
I saw the matinee today. I stopped reading the reviews here after the first few, and I didn't see the videos that were posted because I wanted to be surprised. But, I did go in with very low expectations so that I might enjoy myself a little bit.
This production really needs work...a real set, some special effects, a full orchestra, song rewrites, less people walking around carrying blocks all the time (distracting). I have seen a few youth productions at this venue, and those (Mary Poppins and Seussical) had better orchestras, sets, lighting, acting, and effects. I thought that there could be potential here, since the story of the two brothers was interesting enough. The actors playing Moses and Tzipporah did have nice voices. Sometimes the music would play while the characters were talking (okay, maybe it was leading up to a song eventually, but it was too much music too soon) and took away from the serious moment of conversation.
I recently saw another TheatreWorks production in Palo Alto, The Four Immigrants. That was excellent and professionally done. This production of The Prince of Egypt wasn't on the same level at all. I'm trying to remember something that I have seen that might have been less entertaining, but nothing comes to mind at the moment. It seems like the cast is working hard, and I wish them the best and hope that this show gets reworked somehow.
The venue is nice, with free parking. I had a great aisle seat, F1, with a full view of the stage.
#136
Posted: 10/22/17 at 1:48am
So sad that this is the fate of this show. Such great music. But alas. I guess they have "Wicked" money.
#137
Posted: 10/22/17 at 8:45am
NYfanfromCA said: "I saw the matinee today. I stopped reading the reviews here after the first few, and I didn't see the videos that were posted because I wanted to be surprised. But, I did go in with very low expectations so that I might enjoy myself a little bit.
This production really needs work...areal set, some special effects, a full orchestra, song rewrites, less people walking around carrying blocks all the time (distracting). I have seen a few youth productions at this venue, and those (Mary Poppins and Seussical) had better orchestras, sets, lighting, acting, and effects. I thought that there could be potential here, since the story of the two brothers was interesting enough. The actors playing Moses and Tzipporah did have nice voices. Sometimes the music would play while the characters were talking (okay, maybe it was leading up to a song eventually, but it was too much music too soon) and took away from the serious moment of conversation.
I recently saw another TheatreWorks production in Palo Alto, The Four Immigrants. That was excellent and professionally done. This production of The Prince of Egypt wasn't on the same level at all. I'm trying to remember something that I have seen that might have been less entertaining, but nothing comes to mind at the moment. It seems like the cast is working hard, and I wish them the best and hope that this show gets reworked somehow.
The venue is nice, with free parking. I had a great aisle seat, F1, with a full view of the stage."
I have no rooting interest in this production, having already stated my own personal lack of interest in seeing it (despite the fact that it's local for me too). But NYfanfromCA, this has got to be the most brutal 'review' of it yet, as you went in with low expectations that didn't come close to being met. Nice venue, though!
#138
Posted: 10/22/17 at 9:30pm
Finally saw it yesterday y'all....in the words of that tumblr..."How do you botch Prince of Egypt??" SERIOUSLY THOUGH...Honestly, I don't have much to add as everything wrong about this has already been said. I have a few more I could add, but I don't think it's necessary. It's either super underwhelming or outright BAD. The only things I can forgive are the lone trumpet to start the show off (THANK GOD, if that wasn't done, there would have been no hope for the rest of it) and the fact that Scottie boy didn't go story theatre "story-in-a-story" format with this. This story only needs to be shown, THAT'S IT. There's NOTHING extra needed in terms of changing things up, because the film already does the work of some of the best through storytelling, complex characters we can actually care about and/or root for, Schwartz's magnum opus of his compositions...I just don't understand how creative teams are missing the mark on so many new shows these days!
Just do what the shows needs to be good, don't try to be "oh so different" from it's source that audiences love, find the shows's identity, run with it and done with it!! They want so much to be different from the source material to be "new and different", that this idea fails...trying too hard is a sure way to have a flop. Sometimes new and different isn't what's needed for the shows integrity, and creative teams better figure this out fast other wise we'll have a crap ton more flops that could be hits on our hands.
I went with my family, and as I have in the past, I didn't tell them anything about these things I'd been hearing so as they could decide for themselves. When we all told each other our thoughts, they surprisingly agreed with everything I said in response to their own thoughts, as to explain to them WHY they think the show is weak, design is bare and underwhelming, actors miscast but also dealing with terrible writing, etc. More thoughts came today and they each have said in some variant, "The more I think about it, the more I almost hate it because we all know and love this movie, the movie is GREAT, and obviously this show could be great too! What went wrong??" This is my family who aren't necessarily experts and only really know what they know because they've seen me wade though this business and learn what good art is. No prompting from me and they still are immensely disappointed and at times shocked at how this potential major hit, could miss the mark so completely. The audience reaction at curtain call said it all too. Almost no one in the balcony (where I sat) stood at all (not that they should have anyway but you get the point) and from what I could see in the orchestra, not too many people were enthusiastic down there either. It was a VERY lukewarm response everywhere.
This show packs no emotional gut punch whatsoever, has too much extraneous moments that have no bearing on the story at hand about two brothers in a broken relationship, orchestration was thin, sound quality was thin (multiple potential reason for this), almost everyone was miscast in this, though there was some better casting than others, but NO ONE was completely right for their role, none of the new songs were great, One of Us was a COMPLETE oddball and not in a good way, and I could go on about the story format and structure problems and very misguided and juvenile writing and mishmash of staging styles that Scottie has come up with...I hate avant garde where it shouldn't be used but, if you're going to go that direction then go full force, but don't mix with traditional staging, and even that was just boring and undynamic. The film is a highly emotional and HUGELY powerful piece that gob smacks you with walloping feels, and this show has none of that, it has nothing going for it whatsoever.
Whoever said this was better than B and the B...I'd LOVE to know what you're smoking, because I'm tempted to get some of it myself, because maybe this show would have been more enjoyable that way. Then again, I wouldn't want any because I don't want artistic standards to slide either.
If the rumor is correct that they don't have Broadway plans for this, then so be it because if this is their end product then this has no right be moving forward at all. But if they do...they better fix this then, because this tripe will get panned for sure. The Brits would have a filed day if this were over there...I don't regret seeing it, because I've been waiting and waiting fro years to finally see this masterpiece come to the stage, but that's the only reason I'm glad I went, is to say I saw it.
Updated On: 10/22/17 at 09:30 PM
#139
Posted: 10/22/17 at 9:34pm
Well, damn. You were so excited about it and I was honestly hoping you would be that positive review. Sigh.
#140
Posted: 10/22/17 at 9:41pm
Disneybroadwayfan-If you're referring to me, trust me, I would have loved to be positive but if I can't, I can't. I'm a blunt ass truth teller. I've gotten better over the years at enjoying certain things for what they are, but this is literally a high school/community theatre quality show right now. I'm glad I'm not alone in this thought either.
Of course I was excited, any fan of the film would be and I'm a SUPER fan of it, but I'm also not an idiot. I was gravely disappointed by Hunchback (Thanks Scott) but didn't know what I was in for, and ended up very upset. But since I knew what I was getting into with Scott once again directing, my level of "upset" was VERY low because again, I knew what I was in for. My family is better at the "see the positive" thing, but even they couldn't get past this and that's telling to me.
#141
Posted: 10/23/17 at 4:42am
Reading the program...scott mentioned that there will be more changes as part of the show's "journey" and it just makes sense that it will get better. It wil be interesting to see the difference in the upcoming Denmark incarnation.
#Hastags
The show gets better and better!
#LetMyPeopleGo #3rdTimesACharm
A knee hokshih oyeye hashi ami oyeye hashi I am free, I will be free...i will be free
#F*CKMaat #HasaDiga #HasaDigaMaat
#PrinceOfEgypt #PrinceOfEgyptMusical #POEmusical #WorldPremiere #TheatreworksSV
@brennynlark #BroadwayStar #VocalPowerhouse #BroadwayDiva #WestEndDreamgirls #LesMisEponine @jasongotay #SixPackForDays #FutureFiyero #MethodActing #EmotionalDepth #TripleThreat #GreatVoice #Great Personality
@dluck.jr #IndianIdol #IndianStar #IndianSuperstar #AsianStar #AsianIdol #AsianSuperstar #DanishStar #DanishIdol #DanishSuperstar #VoiceForDays
@tleland20 @theatreworkssv @fteater #StephenSchwartz #ScottSchwartz
Great musical adaptation for stage! Will be super interesting to see #FutureDevelopment
Run to see the show before they fly to #Denmark #VisitDenmark #CopenhagenDenmark #Copenhagen
#142
Posted: 10/23/17 at 10:54am
I'm curious.. can anyone tell
Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content
how the Angel of Death sequence (the part where the Egyptian first borns were killed) was done?
#143
Posted: 10/23/17 at 12:06pm
antonijan said: "Reading the program...scott mentioned that there will be more changes as part of the show's "journey" and it just makes sense that it will get better. It wil be interesting to see the difference in the upcoming Denmark incarnation.
#Hastags
The show gets better and better!
#LetMyPeopleGo #3rdTimesACharm
A knee hokshih oyeye hashi ami oyeye hashi I am free, I will be free...i will be free
#F*CKMaat #HasaDiga #HasaDigaMaat
#PrinceOfEgypt #PrinceOfEgyptMusical #POEmusical #WorldPremiere #TheatreworksSV
@brennynlark #BroadwayStar #VocalPowerhouse #BroadwayDiva #WestEndDreamgirls #LesMisEponine @jasongotay #SixPackForDays #FutureFiyero #MethodActing #EmotionalDepth #TripleThreat #GreatVoice #Great Personality
@dluck.jr #IndianIdol #IndianStar #IndianSuperstar #AsianStar #AsianIdol #AsianSuperstar #DanishStar #DanishIdol #DanishSuperstar #VoiceForDays
@tleland20 @theatreworkssv @fteater #StephenSchwartz #ScottSchwartz
Great musical adaptation for stage! Will be super interesting to see #FutureDevelopment
Run to see the show before they fly to #Denmark #VisitDenmark #CopenhagenDenmark #Copenhagen"
I think this person is Scott Schwartz. LOL
#144
Posted: 10/27/17 at 2:32am
I will be selling or trading programmes....pm for details
#145
Posted: 10/27/17 at 9:27pm
im finally making it tomorrow night to see prince of egypt
im open and curious to see the show and listen to the score
i think the posters have done an overall good job of highlighting the pros and cons to look for in the production
im open and curious to see the show and listen to the score
i think the posters have done an overall good job of highlighting the pros and cons to look for in the production
#146
Posted: 10/28/17 at 3:04am
Mostly positive reviews from goldstar
https://www.goldstar.com/events/mountain-view-ca/the-prince-of-egypt-tickets/reviews
https://www.goldstar.com/events/mountain-view-ca/the-prince-of-egypt-tickets/reviews
#147
Posted: 10/28/17 at 6:17pm
Tiann Nerng Chong said: "I'm curious.. can anyone tell
Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content
how the Angel of Death sequence (the part where the Egyptian first borns were killed)was done?
"
Figured I'd make it spoiler just in case.
Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content
So...it was a little weird but, much of the ensemble just stood behind the blocks they've been moving around the entire show already and they have these rolled up long white cloths in their hand that they let unravel with accompanying sound effects of exhaling breaths (like the film does).
Sidenote-My family and I watched the film last night to cleanse our palette of this community theatre-ness.
#148
Posted: 10/29/17 at 5:02am
Great IG takeover by TSV...check the instagram live b4 it expires in 12 hrs from now
https://www.instagram.com/theatreworkssv/
The dance routine is actually more complicated and technical that requires a really solid core of training since there are lots of lifting, acrobatics, twisting and much more.
Incorporating this technical dance moves really showcases the dancers abilities on their craft and just like in Hamilton...you can really appreciate those who are primarily dancers but with these world class productions.... The beauty of triple threats are seen!!!
And kudos to the cute sheep dinah, sarah, micah, tzipporah and daniel!!!
https://www.instagram.com/theatreworkssv/
The dance routine is actually more complicated and technical that requires a really solid core of training since there are lots of lifting, acrobatics, twisting and much more.
Incorporating this technical dance moves really showcases the dancers abilities on their craft and just like in Hamilton...you can really appreciate those who are primarily dancers but with these world class productions.... The beauty of triple threats are seen!!!
And kudos to the cute sheep dinah, sarah, micah, tzipporah and daniel!!!
#149
Posted: 10/29/17 at 11:15am
saw prince of egypt last night and left the theatre after the show feeling not very much
i was entertained overall and the choreography was mesmerizing when it was at its best. the top songs from the movie were well performed and its clear stephen schwartz and the bookwriter wanted to create a bromance between the brothers similar to the girl power of wicked
the new songs fleshed out the characters more
it all fetl just kind of flat and didnt get me emotionally connected or charged
getting to know moses more didnt get me to care about him or connect with him more. same with ramses
the very minimal set didnt really bother me, the cast seemed fine and the orch was fine
i think the book would need a ton of work and
stronger leads to think about a bway run
prince of egypt the animated musical seemed to be a spoon fed way to tell kids about a pivotal story in the bible and history of judaism
i dont feel like this is a kids musical i dont know who the ideal audience is for this musical other than stephen schwartz fans
i paid 220 to see wicked for the umpteenth time in may on broadway and it is still incredible and i feel like i got more than my moneys worth
i paid 90 for my ticket for prince of egypt and feel like i got about 50 of entertainment value....
i root for all musicals to succeed and hope they can make this into a great musical someday. im still glad i went....its always interesting to see a work in progress...
Updated On: 10/29/17 at 11:15 AM
#150
Posted: 10/29/17 at 4:59pm
The $25 todaytix $35 under 40 and $40 c11 and c12 and p seats are great for the #BudgetConcious #TheatreOnBudget
There is another instagram live event right now at theatreworkssv IG
One last week to see #PrinceOfEgypt #PrinceOfEgyptLive #PrinceOfEgyptInPerson #PrinceOfEgyptMusical @ScottSDirect @TheatreWorksSV & hear new songs for the #TheatricalAdaption of @composerstephen #PrinceOfEgyptAnimation #SandsOfTime #NeverInAMillionYears #AllIEverWanted #OnMySide
Don't knock down local or regional theatres. Bway shows doesnt come out of thin air...it is a collaboration
There is another instagram live event right now at theatreworkssv IG
One last week to see #PrinceOfEgypt #PrinceOfEgyptLive #PrinceOfEgyptInPerson #PrinceOfEgyptMusical @ScottSDirect @TheatreWorksSV & hear new songs for the #TheatricalAdaption of @composerstephen #PrinceOfEgyptAnimation #SandsOfTime #NeverInAMillionYears #AllIEverWanted #OnMySide
Don't knock down local or regional theatres. Bway shows doesnt come out of thin air...it is a collaboration
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