First preview report: This cast is phenomenal and it was a damn good time.
I was getting a little nervous with the way things were starting. We weren’t let in until about ten minutes past curtain. Then, director Lileana Blain-Cruz came out to walk us through a breathing exercise and said this would only be their second run through.
Luckily there was nothing to be worried about. Choreography, sets, lighting, staging, etc all in very good form - my only gripe was the sound mixing (which is a problem with this venue from my recollection). Frequently vocals were drowned out by the band and it was very difficult to make out a lot of dialogue in the first act, but it was noticeably better in the second. Minimal other tech glitches, lighting spots, delayed transitions, etc - but the actual show is in great shape. Rachel Webb is looking, sounding, and moving beautifully and Kris Kollins is terrific as The Kid. Minneapolis was already hyped for a Prince musical, but his performance blew the audience away tonight. Lots of mid-show & mid-song applause breaks, but not to an annoying degree.
I was surprised by the lack of screens in the first act, but the second uses them much more often and with live filming onstage. The slight issue is that the screen most used is at the very back of the stage, which can be easily obstructed depending on where you’re sitting. Again, tiny gripe that I think can be fixed.
Will revisit a time or two before November 23rd. There is some work to be done, but I have faith that they will tighten up and readjust where needed. I left pleasantly surprised!
Merch: t-shirt, hoodie, two magnets, window card, tote, pins, and hat. Mostly all black with purple & gold accents.
I am big. It’s the REVIVALS that got small.
Updated On: 10/17/25 at 01:54 AM