Pippin previews start tomorrow- Page 9

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 12:25am

^That JCS revival was bad regional theatre.

And Kelly I think you're more than entitled to your opinion and I genuinely appreciate a lot of the insight you contribute here but we can all read your thoughts here that have already been posted and my point was that you don't need to repost your same thoughts over and over again after a new poster writes something. Sorry if my first post came of as excessively bitchy. Reading it over, it was.

[lenstersf]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 12:34am

Ok, then specify that there were aspects that were community theatre-like, not the entire production, which is far from it. And reading why people loved the show should clarify some of your confusion. Why continue repeating that it was all so baffling? Too bad you didn't get the appeal of this show. It really is making many people happy.

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 12:34am

I saw the show tonight and LOVVVVVVVED it. Full disclosure that it's one of my favorite shows and I went in knowing way too many details of the book and score, so it was hard sometimes to just sit back and enjoy without "this is different, this is the same" running through my brain, but I didn't care. I thought the circus elements worked beautifully, and I really liked the book changes. The story has always been weird (especially the ending) but I was really satisfied with what they did with it - i think the circus factor actually made it make a lot more sense. I adored the little nods to the original production, especially the incredible literal interpretation of the logo art. So cool.

If there was one weak link to me it was Charlotte, but I should admit that I've never particularly cared for her in anything. She certainly wasn't bad, just... fine in a sea of brilliance. Oh well. Andrea Martin was ridiculously great as everyone else has said, I thought Patina knocked it out, and I was very pleasantly surprised by Rachel Bay Jones and Michael James Thomas (though it sounded a little like he had a cold tonight). "Love Song" has never been so lovely.

All in all, yayayayayayayayay. I'm so happy I saw this, I really want to go back soon, and I hope it enjoys a really long run. The audience was super-enthusiastic tonight (!!) and the whole thing just left me in a really fantastic mood. Go Pippin!

[Rainbowhigh23]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 1:07am

dramamama611 - spoiler removed. I'll let everyone enjoy the moment for themselves.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 5:11am

Thanks, (although labeling would have been fine) many of us have really tried to keep some suprises as just that.

[StageStruckLad]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 9:26am

I was also there two nights ago for Charlotte's de-wigging, and I thought she handled it admirably.

I share the love for this production and maybe even enjoyed it more than the original. The circus motif was inspired, and I could look at that muscular guy in the shorty-shorts all night long. Woof!

Having just listened to the original cast recording, I have to say that I do like the original orchestrations much better. I don't know if they added strings or other instruments to the cast recording, but it does sound lusher. Is that actually a harpsichord on the recording?

And one thing did bother me about the new production: those ghastly microphones that protrude from beyond the ear all the way to the actor's mouth. Have sound designers just given up on trying to conceal microphones? Couldn't Ms.Paulus have insisted on more discreet microphones? I was in the mezzanine, so they weren't quite as distracting, but up close I'm sure they would have annoyed me more.

[Jamie Pierce]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 9:33am

I agree with everyone about Charlotte as the weak link. But I have seen her be fantastic and commanding and hilarious. So we know she's capable. Even her dancing here, which is usually a sure thing with her, is a bit lackluster. I still think its inspired casting putting her oposite Terrance Mann, however.

But other than that, like I said before, this show is perfectly cast (seems so rare these days), perfectly staged and appropriately updated without sacrificing the classic elements.

And it was nice hearing a bit of "Marking Time" as incidental music during Act II.

[After Eight]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 4:22pm

Kelly,

Stick to your guns and don't let these people try to silence you!

Especially since you're entirely on target here.

To the BWW community,

It's amazing how some people can't abide a differing opinion. This whole concept of "raining on my parade" is beyond ridiculous. How on earth can someone else's opinion, whether in agreement or not, impact a reaction you've already experienced?

For heaven's sake, five-year-olds show more maturity and common sense than some of the crybabies here.

[Rainbowhigh23]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 4:36pm

SPOILER!

"muscular guy in the shorty-shorts..."

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 5:05pm

I am sure Kelly will feel mightily empowered by your support, A8! (I do think people were way too harsh on her review--but as others have pointed out better than me, she always comes across as fair when it comes to a show, and never makes the presumptious mistake of claiming her view is right and others' wrong, merely what her opinion *is*).

Stage Struck--I believe the rolling harpsichord in Corner ofthe Sky and other parts in the original cast album are keyboards --probably an analogue synth of some sort (like the one used in Company which apparently is now next to impossible to exactly duplicate digitially and all the old models are in disrepair.)

I dig the original orchestrations too, but they are dated, I suppose. The cast album does have many moments that sound very different on record than they do on stage (at least judging by the 1981 video)--tempi, less theatrical delivery, using fade outs, etc--Motown and Phil Ramone (RIP) of course made itvery much like a pop album, even recording it as one with the instrumental tracks done first.

I admi I'm often not too impressed with the original pieces of "journalism" BWW does, but I really liked the piece posted the other day here by Kevin Winkler abouthis memoris specifically in regards to the cast album (and it bridging pop and Broadway) when it came out. https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-Special-Report-PIPPINs-Motown-Magic-Returns-to-Broadway-20130403

This surely has been mentioned, but who did the new orchestrations?

[ArtMan]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 7:04pm

I'm seeing the show on my birthday, May 5. I literally know zero about the plot and have, to my knowledge, never heard the score. Would I enjoy it more, with some research about the book? Is it a hard plot to follow? For example, Follies. For me, if I didn't do a search on the book,before seeing it, I would have been confused with some plot points and relationships. The same for A Little Night Music.

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 7:12pm

Hysterical to think of the book to Pippin in the same breath as those for Follies or ALNM. Stay away from any clue to the show you're about to see -- let it wash over you for the first time on May 5th. It's a sublime simple plot, story old as time, very easy to understand on first viewing, with tricks up its sleeve you'll only ruin with prior knowledge.

And most critically, STOP READING THIS THREAD. And have a great birthday.

Updated On: 4/4/13 at 07:12 PM

[SNAFU]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 7:20pm

Whoop, got invited to opening night!

[After Eight]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 7:26pm

"and never makes the presumptious mistake."

In your presumption, you made a most presumptuous mistake.

See, that's what happens when you presume to cast aspersions.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 7:31pm

Advice appreciated. It's also often wise to take your own advice.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 7:36pm

Thank you. Someone in a Tree2.

[HoldThatThought]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 7:57pm

Eric - Larry Hochman did the new orchestrations.

ArtMan - If you want to read up on it, you can go to Schwartz's website here:
http://www.stephenschwartz.com/faq/#q15

or you can read this link someone else posted here in a previous thread:
(warning: it is a bit long, but thorough)
http://www.newlinetheatre.com/pippinchapter.html

[After Eight]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 11:49pm

"Advice appreciated."

How gratifying.

You failed to include one little thing, however:

An apology.

[StageStruckLad]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 9:49am

I looked at my album this morning, and the original orchestrations were by the great Ralph Burns, who also did Chicago a few years later. Why in the world would they replace those?

[Jamie Pierce]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 11:16pm

Charlotte was awesome tonight! They've changed some of her choreography as well as some of the dance arrangements in "Sunshine" and its working much better (there's also one less costume change which i think is a blessing). But I also feel like her characterization is deepening. I'm really rooting for her because I think in general Charlotte is stellar and I want her to be here too.

[East Village]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 11:53pm

Absolutely Extraordinary!
Awed, can't speak.

[442namffug]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 1:13pm

Saw the show last night and absolutely loved it. One of the best things I've seen in years!!! I think Patina Miller is a star and was on the edge of my seat the entire show. As people are saying, Andrea Martin's amazing acrobatic number is worth the price of admission alone. To see a woman of her age do such daring physical stunts makes you want to get off your butt and make something of your life. Sure bet to win the Tony--amazing since she is really only on stage for that 10 minutes. Can't wait to go back and see it again! This thing is ready to open to raves.

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 1:20pm

SPOILER ALERT, 442!

[442namffug]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 1:21pm

Huh?

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 1:25pm

You're ruining that andrea martin moment for people..may want to delete it