Porgy And Bess 1st Preview — Page 3

BLAXX! "I guess we'll have to wait until real posters we trust go see it."!!!

I'm crushed!

(And let's face it, you know I'm not a shill because I thought the production was awful!)

---

Oh, Blaxx! <3

BTW, my darling WITHOUT A TRACE was supposed to be there for first preview, but he couldn't get a ticket, so he's going on Wednesday night. I am also extremely interested in what others have to say.

---

Having seen this production, I can confirm it is excellent.

Yeah I went to the first preview and I'm probably going to go back in a few weeks. The performances are not to be missed!

Has anyone in this thread actually seen the show? I just want to hear people's thoughts on the production.

RippedMan, I saw it and it was very good. Definitely worth a visit, especially with all of the great discount codes floating around.

What many people don't realize about PORGY AND BESS is that a great percentage of focus, cohesiveness and other attributes found lacking by many posters here is, like most great operas, provided by the music. Not the melodies- the MUSIC. If you cut the recits, the glorious orchestrations and connecting under-melodies where this story LIVES, less than half the story is being told. Get the Houston Grand Opera recording, the London recording by Lorin Maazel, or the eternally glorious 1951 recording by Lehman Engel to truly understand this currently undernourished work. It will be an education.

---

Saw it last night and really enjoyed it. justoldbill, you may have hit that nail on the head for me regarding what I found lacking with the production.

People have talked about not liking the set. I wasn't crazy about it at first but after a bit really liked what they did with it. The lighting was beautiful.

If there is a "weak link" in the show/cast, it is David Alan Grier in my opinion. His acting was fine but he was outsung by the rest of the cast. In his big act two song it was obvious that the amplification on his mic was turned up at certain points during the song. The ensemble is vocally INcredible. A few things they may need to work on like the song in the scene where they are **Spoiler?** collecting money for the funeral. It was just off and she sounded garbled and off key. It really needs to be tightened up.

I was very excited to see Nikki Renee Daniels again. (Saw her 3 times in "Dorien" in Denver). She opens the show with "Summertime" and sounds just as wonderful as she did when I saw her years ago.

Audra is probably looking at another Tony nomination. Her tranformations throughout the show were pretty flawless and the island scene with Crown and her "breakdown" scene in Act II were enough to get that nomination. Norm Lewis was also wonderful.

From what I was hearing with the people I attended the show with, it is selling pretty well. Last night was sold out. I would see it again.

The curtain looks like a huge bedsheet with the logo on it. They have 2 merch stands with mugs, 2 tee-shirts, the window card, a magnet, David Alan Grier's book and Norm Lewis' cd. They are taking e-mail addresses on a list to let you know when the recording and the program will be available.

I don't normally stagedoor, but it was Audra. Nikki Renee came out and signed. She was very nice. Got to chat about "Dorian". The ensemble members were all very nice. David Alan Grier signed on one side, ignored the other side and walked away. He seemed to be really annoyed at something. Wasn't pleasant at all. (Just a note...Ms Daniels signed on one side and went to leave, I guess thinking the other side didn't want signatures. When they called out to her she smiled said "sure!", and ran over to the other side to sign. In the rain. Really nice lady.) Audra came out and signed and chatted. She also took pics. (I got a pic with her and am quite happy!) I left before Norm Lewis came out as I had to catch a bus.

---

Saw it with my ex husband last night!
He loved everything about it, but he is a trained musician and loves the piece anyway. I knew nothing about it going in- I felt it was a little bland.

I have, however, been a big fan of Audra's since Private Practice! I hope she didn't leave the TV series for this.

Namo, I seem to remember him bending over. Not sure for how long though. But maybe that's why he seemed so cranky at the stage door!

I enjoyed "Ain't Necessarily So" much better than the train song. But even that could have been a bit better. He may have been having an off night.

---

^ someone who chooses the positive. a rarity indeed here.

My Oh My, not sure if your response was for my comment but, he was clearly not in a good mood. It was obvious.

---

Caught this Xmas eve matinee. I really enjoyed many many aspects of the show. While I'd never seen a production of this , I was familiar with the story and much of the music.

Can't say I LOVED it, but I was moved and would reccommend it to friends.

---