Pippin previews start tomorrow- Page 8

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 4/2/13 at 9:27pm

Charlotte lost her wig tonight during Spread a Little Sunhine! She ripped off her wig cap and triumphantly ended the number blonde. The audience went ape sh!t and she was truly brilliant. Brava Charlotte.

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 4/3/13 at 7:59am

Eta: because I'm an idiot

Show was fantastic! I can't wait to go back.

Updated On: 4/3/13 at 07:59 AM

[madbrian]

Posted: 4/3/13 at 8:10am

I loved the show, but if I had to pick a weakness in it, it would be Charlotte. For me, her big dance number reminded me too much of her Cassie in A Chorus Line, and once again, she disappointed. Still, I loved the show.

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 4/3/13 at 8:33am

WhizzerMarvin TrinaJasonMendel on 4/2 at 9:27 pm: Charlotte lost her wig tonight during Spread a Little Sunhine! She ripped off her wig cap and triumphantly ended the number blonde. The audience went ape sh!t and she was truly brilliant. Brava Charlotte.

Blockhead24 on 4/3 at 7:59 am: ^same thing happened last night.

[Kbradstein]

Posted: 4/3/13 at 10:49am

I was also there last night 4/2/13, and WOW. This show is incredible, with a stunning, killer cast. When the wig came off, Charlotte handled it perfectly and through off the wig cap, with the mic! the players did a great job of trying to get their mic's close to her mouth so she could be heard, but at the end she finished it no mic, no wig, and amazingly.

And there was another midshow standing ovation for Andrea Martin. Breathtaking. This show was absolutely wonderful, and i loved every minute of it. It deserves to be a big blockbuster- hit!

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 4/3/13 at 10:54am

I was there last night as well for the de-wigging. We were in the second row, which I dont recommend. It was great to see the cast so close, but we missed one bit at the end of Act 1 with Charles. Knives were being thrown around right above our heads, which was a bit unnerving, and I think Miller's performance played better to those further back. She was spot on, but a bit strained at times.
I'll agree with mb that Charlotte was disappointing, and I give her points for dealing with the malfunction in her one big number. She did break character and took a while to get back into the choreog and get comfortable again...and lost her mic so we were probably some of the few who heard her at the end of the song. I saw the original tour with Carole Schweid as Fastrada and remember her being my favorite...which included Michael Rupert as Pippin.

The rest of the cast was wonderful from top to bottom. They are all having a ball! Bouncy balls! Thomas was increadibly charming as Pippin, Mann a strong and funny Charles and all praise to Martin who is wonderful as Berthe...but the standout for us was Jones as Catherine. Very quirky, funny and almost odd, but it worked beautifully, especially when things begin to turn dark. Her "I Guess I'll Miss the Man" was beautiful. The tension between her and Miller was the most palpable of the evening. "Love Song" was lovely and intimate and the connection between Jones and Thomas was very sweet. We loved the second act.

I cannot say enough about the players...acrobats, dancers and singers, they were all terrific...and right up in our faces!

[Rainbowhigh23]

Posted: 4/3/13 at 11:10am

I was further back last night in Row K and the view was stunning. I saw the "de-wigging" and Charlotte handled it great - I could hear her loud and clear even without her mike. I was really looking forward to Andrea Martin singing "No Time At All" and was so happy it's a sing a long - she did not disappoint! EDIT: you have to see it for yourselves! Sorry for the spoiler.
Updated On: 4/4/13 at 11:10 AM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/3/13 at 11:21am

I liked it better when people were trying to let those who haven't seen the show yet be surprised by Andrea's work.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 4/3/13 at 11:24am

I'm not sure if this read as much from futher away, but Charlotte with the wig was a dead ringer for Jennifer Grey!

The guy in front of us almost got hit with the cane Pippin dropped.

[Rainbowhigh23]

Posted: 4/3/13 at 11:30am

"The guy in front of us almost got hit with the cane Pippin dropped."

I was at Matilda and when she threw her bag down her ruler flew into the lap of the woman in the front row - love sitting close for shows!

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 4/3/13 at 8:56pm

I've had a few hours to digest the show and collect myself because THAT SH!T WAS AH-MAZING!

People talk about KINKY making you smile the entire time and I say pisha to that. This show had me beaming for an entire 2.5 hours. I will say that I knew nothing of PIPPIN going in so I have nothing for comparison.

One thing I did find interesting after a little research was that Ben Vereen was the original Leading Player and that would have been something to see. Patina was beyond amazing though and I didn't care for her in SISTER ACT. I thought she was kind of one note in Act 1 but she really evolved the character during Act 2. Matthew James Thomas was nice to look at but also a really great actor/singer. I was actually thinking throughout that I would have liked to see him switch roles with Stark in KINKY because I think he could have done a lot better with that character.

Words can't even express how phenomenal Andrea Martin was. Luckily I didn't read any spoilers about her performance because it definitely comes as a pleasant surprise. It's been said before but she seems to have a lock on Featured Actress even though she is in the show for a short time it leaves an impression.

All of the circus stuff was really engaging although I do feel like there were a few places that had a little too much going on like the opening of Act 2 and the beginning of the finale. Maybe it's because I was too close but it seemed like there were too many acts vying for my attention. The same people that did TRACES are involved with this production and it shows. This was like TRACES with an engaging story...and that is most certainly a good thing.

I think the thing that shocked me the most about the show was that I got emotional at the end. I didn't think there was a way for me to care about Catherine in such a short time but I certainly did which has a lot to do with Rachel Bay Jones.

I would definitely say this is the best musical of the season having seen everything but MATILDA. Don't see how that could be any better though.

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/3/13 at 9:09pm

I was there also. Upstairs in row K. Wasn't sure if the wig mishap was intentional or not but realized after that it wasn't. Fantastic view from upstairs and the show left me floating on a cloud.( I think I was sitting in front of a BWW person as I noticed the site up on his phone while standing in the doorway behind him).

Patina blew me away and On the Right Track almost had me out of my seat. Best musical I have seen so far this season and I have seen Matilda and Kinky. I do plan to see it again. Andrea got a partial standing O upstairs.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/3/13 at 9:55pm

Hey, Rainbow --- PLEASE go back to your comments about Martin and label it with SPOILER -- you are ruining a wonderful moment for lots of folks.



And again, I'm tickled so many of you love it as I did in Cambridge!

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 4/3/13 at 10:10pm

All in all, it's a piece of theatrical heaven -- and I don't particular like the material, per se. At my advanced age, I think I have the right to say to everyone: SEE IT! SEE IT! SEE IT!

[Kelly2]

Posted: 4/3/13 at 10:48pm

I really am completely mystified that I seem to be the only person who completely did not get the appeal of this show or revival. Ah well, glad others are enjoying it. Though I am surprised to hear that people consider Rachel Bay Jones a highlight, she was possibly the worst part for me.

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 4/3/13 at 10:54pm

Kelly, do you have to keep shltting on everyone else's parade? We get it, you didn't like it. Thankfully you're in a small minority and you're opinion is more than welcome but you don't need to keep reasserting your view on this thread and in every thread about Pippin. Go back to singing the praises of Jessie Mueller before you become the board's next After Eight.

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 4/3/13 at 10:58pm

^ THANK YOU!!!

[Kelly2]

Posted: 4/3/13 at 11:00pm

I'm just confused, I've never really disagreed with the popular wisdom on a show quite as noticeably as with this one. I'm sure after pages of raves, there's room for a differing opinion. And I'm pretty sure I've had plenty of positive comments for shows I've seen recently (The Last Five Years, Peter and the Starcatcher, Kinky Boots, to mention a few), so your point about JM is pretty irrelevant.

And I do believe, despite not understanding the appeal of the show, I did find things to enjoy about Pippin. As I said in my earlier post, the performances are for the most part fantastic (though as I said, I did not enjoy Rachel Bay Jones), I just don't think the theatrics change the fact that the book, especially in the second act, has always been weak and more than a bit befuddling.

I promise, Pippin will survive my lack of enthusiasm. And if my insulting the precious show has struck such a nerve, perhaps rereading the 7 pages of gushing praise will soothe you.

Updated On: 4/3/13 at 11:00 PM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/3/13 at 11:05pm

Oh, please. Kelly is hardly "the next After Eight."

[Kbradstein]

Posted: 4/3/13 at 11:11pm

Andrea Martin got about 3/4 of the orchestra to stand. Myself included. She is spectacular.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 4/3/13 at 11:20pm

I disagree with most of my fave posters on BWW, and Kelly is one I disagree with here, but her views are completely valid. We agree about the wonderful revival of "Drood" and I joined her in my standout of Jesse Mueller in that production.

At this point, with a crowded field, I'd put Jones in Mueller's spot for a supporting tony, but that's me. I actually don't think either will be nominated.

BUT, Kelly always gives an informed opinion and I like to read her reviews, if I agree or disagree.

Updated On: 4/4/13 at 11:20 PM

[Kelly2]

Posted: 4/3/13 at 11:39pm

Aw thanks doodlenyc, I don't post criticism to be mean spirited, I like to think I love things about as often as I don't, and I try to balance posting negative reviews with posting things I feel more positive about. I do agree that it's unlikely Mueller or Jones will be nominated, supporting is a tough category this year and there are many great performances. Luckily, I think we have many reasons to believe both will make many more appearances on the New York stage in the coming years.

[lenstersf]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 12:05am

I think the problem with Kelly's criticism of Pippin is that it's so negative compared to the majority of raves that it's difficult to take seriously. Comparing it to bad community theatre is laughable, and based on the many reasons people have cited for loving the show, why is she so completely mystified and confused? It's just too incongruous. I'm thinking the rude tweens she mentioned in her review really ruined the show for her. Feel free to negatively review a show but don't make those who love it feel silly for doing so.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 12:12am

^Some of the critics may compare Pippin to bad regional theatre as well. Some of them seem to have a stick up their a$s about regional productions transferring to Broadway. They said the same things when the last Jesus Christ Superstar was brought in.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 12:23am

"Feel free to negatively review a show but don't make those who love it feel silly for doing so."

If you feel silly then that's on you. I compared it to bad community theatre because the rag-tag props and costumes in the second act felt amateurish and lacking in intention and cleverness to me. Whereas the ragtag props and costumes in, say, Peter and the Starcatcher felt charming and purposeful. In Pippin, it felt lacking and like it wasn't thought through. It stuck out specifically because the circus sequences were so thought through and meticulously planned that the part of the show from Rachel Bay Jones introduction through the end felt sloppy and silly and unfocused to me.

I'm sorry that you don't think it's valid criticism, but I've seen amateur productions that play the farm scenes in very similar drag.