Priscilla First Preview- Page 4

[frapperia]

Posted: 3/5/11 at 3:59pm

If you're not a fan of jukebox then it's not hugely surprising you had some ambivalence towards it - but I'm glad you did have some fun. I haven't seen it in America yet, though I hope to at some point, so I can't comment on the actors, but I would expect no less than top work from Tony Sheldon, and excellent Diva vocals. Also, do bear in mind it's early days - chemistry can come in time, when things are more settled.

Honestly, in the UK I felt that the understudy I saw for Tick (and the most recent replacement, Ben Richards) had much better chemistry with Oliver Thornton (who plays Adam here) than Jason Donovan ever did. The understudy (the one I saw was Craig Ryder) made their relationship feel like a completely different thing from how Donovan played it.

I love this show - it's still packing the punters in here over two years in. I hope it gets the same chance on Broadway...

Updated On: 3/5/11 at 03:59 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/5/11 at 4:20pm

frapperia, I was thinking that it is only a few days into previews but this cast has performed this show together for a while in Toronto. Not sure if the entire cast did but I think the 3 leads did Toronto together.

I am sure people are going to love it and I hope the show does well. It is obvious the cast is having a good time up on the stage. As mentioned elsewhere, of the few Jukebox musicals I have seen, I would actually buy the recording for this one if it is as good as it is live.

[frapperia]

Posted: 3/5/11 at 5:41pm

uncageg - fair enough! Let's hope the situation improves in that case, if there is a lack of chemistry. I saw Will Swenson in Hair and really enjoyed his performance, so will be intrigued to see how he does as he gets more into it.

PS do tell - how does the audience react to Hot Stuff? I know in the UK it gets a BIG reaction from the audience when the bus turns around and that outfit is revealed... Updated On: 3/5/11 at 05:41 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/5/11 at 5:53pm

They just about ate up everything. They loved it. Wasn't that the scene where he goes to the bar and runs into some trouble? Adams in that skimpy outfit got hoots from the audience. I really enjoyed "Color My World". Loved how they did that with the bus. I really enjoyed McArthur Park. I didn't look at the entire song list but I knew what was coming as soon as that cake came out of the bus and I just started laughing uncontrollably and then found myself singing along. Also liked the top of Act II. I am a big John Denver fan and lived in Denver for 19 years. He was big out there, of course. I also think they could shorten the curtain call, although I guess they need some time for the costume changes. I also found the Casino "speed" performance a bit, I don't know...odd. I know what they where doing and they actually flubbed it a bit last night near the end. It was a cool idea and was fun visually.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 3/5/11 at 5:54pm

I just came back from seeing this show, it was just ok. A true crowd pleaser, the audience gave it a standing O and my friend loved it. It was good entertainment, but my favorite fluffy show, Bombay Dreams, was a masterpiece compared to this. I also prefered Mamma Mia! over Priscilla.
This was a good jukebox musical and I hope the straight audiences embrace it. Because all these gay stereotypes and jokes have been seen and heard by the LGTB community for years.

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/5/11 at 6:08pm

"Because all these gay stereotypes and jokes have been seen and heard by the LGTB community for years."

That was my thought as I was watching it.

Oh, and I forgot to add...there was a minor ping pong ball malfuntion last night. But the bus was fine!

[bjh2114]

Posted: 3/5/11 at 7:17pm

It was good entertainment, but my favorite fluffy show, Bombay Dreams, was a masterpiece compared to this.

Let's be fair... you think Bombay Dreams is a masterpiece compared to most things.

(It's not.)

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/5/11 at 7:25pm

Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 3/5/11 at 7:31pm

LOL!!! No, I said it was a masterpiece compared to Priscilla. I think Rent was a masterpiece, or A Chorus Line, or West Side Story.

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/5/11 at 7:59pm

muscle, I understood what you meant.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 3/5/11 at 10:15pm

"I also found the Casino "speed" performance a bit, I don't know...odd. "

Agre. Totally get the point, just found it went on abit longer than was neccessary for the joke. Most people seemed to like it tho.

[hushpuppy]

Posted: 3/7/11 at 7:46am

I saw PRISCILLA in Sydney and my main criticism still stands. That is, there is no reason for Act II. At the end of of Act I, every good musical has either 1) a conflict that needs to be resolved (eg. Albin tearing off his wig and marching up the aisle, Sarah Brown slamming the door on Sky Masterson, Nellie walking out on Emile after finding about his two children) or 2) a life-changing event that the audience wants to see how it happens (eg. Dolly deciding to rejoin the human race, Rose is going to make Louise a star, everyone converging at the Armfeldt's for the weekend). PRISCILLA has nothing at the end of Act I to make you want to come back for Act II. I say, cut out several unnecessary numbers, trim it to 2 hours and do it in one act.

Speaking of unnecessary numbers, I really hated the Act II opener. 'Thank God I'm A County Boy'. I don't go to Broadway to see poorly dressed tourists awkwardly stomping around the stage. Beware to those in aisle seats.

In Sydney, Tony Sheldon got the final bow and he deserves it here. He does more with a raised eyebrow than lesser actors do with a page of dialog. I'd love to see him in LA CAGE once Harvey hangs up his wig.

I fear this is just one more example of the dumbing down of the Broadway musical. Just where is style, where is wit, where is forethought?

[After Eight]

Posted: 3/7/11 at 8:58am

Hushpuppy,

I agree wholeheartedly with your comments about the second act of "Priscilla." I liked the first act of this show, disliked the second. I don't like the song "Thank God I'm a Country Boy," thought it was a bad way to start the second act, and thought the scene was bad as well. There were one too many bar scenes n this show.

I did like "True Colors." I thought it was one if the best moments in the show.

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/7/11 at 2:03pm

I actually liked the second act better. I enjoyed the top of the second act, as I mentioned, but I thought it was a bit out of place since they were in Australia. But I thought John Denver was known all over the world so maybe it was ok.

[The Pud]

Posted: 3/7/11 at 4:37pm

"In Sydney, Tony Sheldon got the final bow and he deserves it here. He does more with a raised eyebrow than lesser actors do with a page of dialog."

I totally agree with this, saw the show in Toronto and fell in love with Bernadette/Tony, Will Swenson IMO is miscast, I don't believe him. Nick Adams is just OK, Guy Pearce was my favorite
from the movie version. But overall, I got carried away by all
the fabulous costumes and music, those Divas are fantastic.

[The Pud]

Posted: 3/7/11 at 4:42pm

Speaking of final bow, how is it determined? Is it some random
decision made by the director or does it have to do with an actors experience or the character he plays in the show or is it negotiated by contract? I think that the part of Bernadette
is as important to the show as Tick, just different. It is not as though there is a clear male and female lead in Priscilla.
Updated On: 3/7/11 at 04:42 PM

[frapperia]

Posted: 3/7/11 at 6:51pm

I think the top of the second act is a bit out of place, but it's fun and makes the audience feel involved in a weird kind of way! I disagree about Act 2, though, that sounds a bit mad to me - of course you want to come back for Act 2, if you know the story or even if you didn't, you want to see who Bob is, what's going to happen and how Tick's son will react to him when they finally meet!

[mee.who]

Posted: 3/7/11 at 7:15pm

I assume this was determined because Tick's journey drives the show. They go to Alice Springs because of Tick. The show starts with Tick and essentially ends with Tick's reunion with his son. It makes sense that they would consider Tick the main character and give him the last bow.

(Personally, I wish that instead of giving the three leads separate bows, they just had one group bow with all three of them together. I think that would solve a lot. But then, I'm all for group bows in general.)

I think what makes the bow order seem strange as it stands now is that compared to the others, Tick is an extremely passive character throughout most of the show. Things happen to and around him, but other than getting the three together on this road trip, he doesn't really DO much. On top of that, most of the time he stands back while his more colorful friends take center stage and have all the fun.

I think the production team has had issues with the development of this character in the past, because I remember reading that they felt that something wasn't working, which was why they made changes to the show prior to the move to Toronto, introducing Tick's son at the start of the show and bringing him back periodically throughout to kind of remind the audience of the primary reason for Tick's journey. I honestly cannot remember WHERE I read that, but if I find it I'll make sure to link back.

All that said, I absolutely do not feel that Will Swenson is miscast, that he doesn't care, that it seems like he's in a different show, or that he is too uncomfortable with the material. I've seen the show three times now (once in Toronto, twice in NY) and every time I leave so confused by the issues that people are having with Swenson. I think he's pretty perfect in the role. I'm seeing a layered and heartfelt performance from him every time. I didn't see the show in London or Australia, but having recently rewatched it, his portrayal seems consistent to me with Hugo Weaving's in the film. The only discomfort I've seen onstage is the discomfort of a character confused and conflicted about a reunion with a son he barely knows and a secret he's kept from his friends.

It has me wondering if some of the issues people are having are actually with the conflicted and passive nature of the character and not with the actor, in which case different casting might not have made a difference.


Updated On: 3/7/11 at 07:15 PM

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 3/8/11 at 9:19am

loved the show when i caught it in London and if my dance card wasnt so full seeing new theater, I'd catch it again when im in NYC

Its one of the best times I've ever had at the theater...

if some of the other shows i'm planning on seeing get awful reviews or bad buzz, i will see this again.

LOVED THIS SHOW