Passing Strange Last Night 4/19

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/20/08 at 11:24am

We saw it last night & while we enjoyed it it was a bit of a letdown

Visually it is almost a bare stage with a huge light wall in the back. The lighting helps immensely. The small band sounds much bigger than it is. The performers were fine. The music however left us cold. Much of the time , the same lyrics were just repeated over & over. The choreography was basically non existent. Probably in the hysteria to crown this the new Tony darling it will get the award over the far superior choregraphy in Crybaby. Truth be told, we enjoyed Crybaby & Young Frankensten more.

One of the ushers told us that after the show closes the Belasco is due to close for a much needed total renovation. Mrs R hurt her foot/ankle & was hobbling around with a cane . She was wondering how she would get upstairs if TDF sat us there. We got seats in the back of the orchestra for wheelchair bound & companion. Downright eerie.

The usher told us that Glenn Close had been there Friday night.The show was good & we gave it an 8.5 . Good but not up to all the hoopla

Updated On: 4/20/08 at 11:24 AM

[jagfkb]

Posted: 4/20/08 at 11:51am

I know what you mean about the rush of it becoming the next Tony darling. This is why i'm afraid of Passing Strange becoming the next Spring Awakening, and not only winning the Best Musical award, but alot of others simply because it was an enjoyable show. Honestly, Curtains really deserved Best Book, and Mary Poppins deserved Best Choreography

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/20/08 at 11:55am

If the non existant Choreoraphy for this wins over Crybaby, there is no justice.

This may prompt an angry letter to Chuck Schumer (NYS Senator)

Posted: 4/20/08 at 12:00pm

How it is Schumer's fault? At least blame Hillary.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/20/08 at 12:58pm

I agree with mostly everything you said...I found it to be half-realized and really underwhelming.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 4/20/08 at 1:04pm

Sorry that it wasn't your cup of tea, Roxy.

Your comment about the set, however, seemed a bit shallow. Not every show benefits from a huge intricate set with lavish costumes and tap dances.

Nothing can kill a show like too much unnecessary visual fluff, I think (that and too much exposition, of course). Anything more elaborate wouldn't have worked for Passing Strange I think.

Just my two cents.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 4/20/08 at 1:04pm

IN THE HEIGHTS has the Choreoraphy award nailed down.

While I liked PASSING STRANGE, I know of members on the nom committee who hated it...

It will be interesting to see what happens.

I'm glad they're going to renovate that theater. It sorely needs it. I just don't want STRANGE to close so soon! They look like their having so much fun up there!

Updated On: 4/20/08 at 01:04 PM

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 4/20/08 at 1:07pm

Yeah, I didn't think there was very much Tony buzz for Passing Strange at all.

I would say In the Heights has this year pretty much rapped up.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/20/08 at 3:53pm

Hopefully somewhere can get some discounted tickets to ITH before the Tonys end all hopes of it happening.

[jbdc]

Posted: 4/20/08 at 6:53pm

The Tonys are going to split up among a lot of shows this year--there won't be a clear winner, because none of the shows are flawless--except South Pacific, IMO.