Has anyone seen QUEEN OF THE NIGHT at the Diamond Horseshoe at the Paramount Hotel? Having seen and enjoyed SLEEP NO MORE and THEN SHE FELL I got a ticket to see it in a few weeks, and I'd love to hear any experiences people here have had with the show.
Saw the show last week. It's more along the lines of The Donkey Show than it is Sleep No More. It's a beautiful production. My only issue with the show, and only because I'm a lazy fatass who doesn't expect to have to work when i've paid that much for a ticket, is that each table gets one main course (for example, my table got suckling pig. Other tables got lobster, or ribs), and if you don't want what's at your table, you have to get up and barter (their word) with other tables for what you do want. They also made one of the people seated at my table get up and actually carve the pig. So, again, for a $155 ticket, I'd like to at least have the paid staff serve my food?
I didn't get up to barter (lazy fatass, remember?) but a few people at my table came back with food, so I'm guessing other tables weren't possessive about their food. But there was A LOT of it, so I don't see why people would get greedy.
As for the performances, it's just very centered on your normal circus-tricks. Knife throwing, acrobatics, and such. Always impressive, but I can't imagine you can't see the same things at La Soiree for a lot cheaper. For people who are expecting Sleep No More-type one-on-ones, I can't really speak for them. I only had two instances of something similar: The first was as I walked in, one of the waitresses slips me a piece of paper that said "Find (someone who's name I can't remember) and give her a kiss on the cheek." With no explanation of who this person was, I never was able to find her, and since none of the characters had names, to my knowledge at least, I never figured out who she was. The second experience was only one other waitress chastising me for causing trouble, because "the Queen hates trouble." Then another waitress showed up and whispered in my ear "...but she loves mischief." And that was it.
There was a thin storyline to follow about the Marchesa naming her successor. Apparently it's based on The Magic Flute, but since I don't know the story of The Magic Flute, I can't vouch for it. All I can say there was no flute, magic or otherwise.
To say Queen Of The Night at The Golden Horsehoe is ambitious doesn't begin to scratch it's gilded surface. The team who brought us decadent downtown hotspot "The Box" and off broadway experiential theatre super-hit hit "Sleep No More" has upped the ante for theatrical fusion. Enlisting cast of creative cohorts from fashion designer Thom Browne to food-artist Jennifer Rubell, the've set their sights on nothing short of the perfect evening's entertainment. Is this Studio 54 with theatre, acrobats, magic, and fine dining or are those $450 "ultimate" tickets just pricey bottle service for a Busby Berkeley sex-show, find out in the full review. Click for Full Review of Queen of the Night
It figures the squared Andrews would be sticking their tongues directly down the back of Randy Weiner's trousers. I say leave The Theatre of the 1% to the people who don't give a crap what they see.
To say Queen Of The Night at The Golden Horsehoe is ambitious doesn't begin to scratch its gilded surface. The team who brought us decadent downtown hotspot "Ruptured Spleen" and off-broadway experiential theatre super-hit "Not Without My Lipgloss" has upped the ante for theatrical fusion. Enlisting a cast of creative cohorts, from dog groomer Ciao-Ciao Teabag to churro artist Muffin Loredo, they've set their sights on nothing short of the perfect evening's entertainment. Is this the Chelsea Piers men's room with acrobats, magic, and midgets, or are those $450 "thanks daddy" tickets just bib service for a Red Lobster sex show? My lips are sealed!
AndrewAndrew... hilarious YouTube review. I wonder if we were at the same show. I respectfully disagree with you both more than words can describe.
First off...if you wanted to dress down and not be noticed by the Queen then why did you wear the loudest possible Olympic sweaters when this was a dress up event! The only thing possibly as noticeable as those sweaters might have been Johnny Weir draped around your neck in a bright neon outfit. You were very noticeable in the entire crowd.
Didn't you feel the food was rushed? It was far from an OMG notable experience or even worth commenting on.
I agree that there was no story line but not "every" patron got the one-on-one experience you mentioned happens for all. While you were let in "on time" the general audience with a timed admission of 7:30 waited outside in the cold to receive sarcasm from the 'bouncer' when asked if and when we were going to be let in - it was 7:45. His actual response was "get back in line. The curtain is not until 8pm. Thanks for letting me know it is cold out here. I wouldn't have known otherwise." I showed up on time, as I always do for theater to be respectful of the actors and my fellow patrons, in particular because of the emails I received from Queen of the Night to show up ON TIME I got there at 7:10.
Loved the construction zone coat check! How much did that scream $75 million restoration?
Doubt you were detained on the stairs to further build up the "anticipation" of entering the building. I'll let you know - the buildup was a let down. So an usher "brushed off my shoulders and tugged on my shirt collar as I entered the door finally."
Oh but I was wrong...I did get a one-on-one experience. When I asked where the bathroom was I was stopped because there was another patron receiving a one-on-one experience in the hallway leading to the bathroom. I had to go to the bathroom so bad I was frustrated and voiced my opinion to the manager standing there. A performed put both hands on my shoulder and said "calm down. we will get you to the bathroom as soon as possible but you are going to have to continue to wait."
Curious - were your tickets comped because based on the price I paid I would not feel comfortable recommending that any of my friends, who work hard for their money, actually pay to go see this.
The "ante" is far from upped. This is a complete polar oppoosite of Sleep No More. Queen of the Night as dinner/performance art (to put it politely) was a terrible disappointment. I am glad I ate as quickly as I did because before I knew it the food was being carted off the table by the waiters. The girl who was throwing the knives was lucky if she actually got them to stick into the wood...half the time and I am being generous...unless her schtick was bending over to pick them up.
The waiters dance a bit around the tables, throw their arms around your shoulders and look seductively into your eyes. Now and then a circus performance takes place. The German Wheel performance was enjoyable as was the "Suicide Clown" but not worth the entire night (and admission price).
P.S. No one noticed the rhinestone on your eye with the Olympic hat on your head. Ralph Lauren or not the entire ensemble should be left in Sochi.
OH MY CHRIST, Brian. I can't thank you enough for that post. I can't believe I once, for a New York minute, found AAholes's schtick "cute." Now I don't know how anybody prevents themselves from smushing their faces into the nearest brick wall. OF COURSE they were comped.
Randy Wiener will continue to find expensive ways to present strip shows and to continue to try to convince people it's worth it. But the returns are already starting to diminish.
Wow...this was a pretty good review. As polite as I could imagine.
My favorite comment was "The overall effect of “Queen of the Night” feels a bit like being frog-marched into the middle of a Super Bowl halftime show..." Comical NY Times review
BrianJ, I am LIVING for that response to the Andrew Sisters! They need to be knocked down a couple pegs because they're not as cute as they think, as funny as they think and damn sure not as smart as they think.
Sorry followspot but you're a pretty close runner-up.
"Pardon my prior Mcfee slip. I know how to spell her name. I just don't know how to type it." -Talulah
Andrew Andrew has the right to their own opinion. If you actually follow them, they're the biggest cheerleaders that the theatre community could ask for. Yes sometimes, they come from a slightly 1 percent perspective, but I find them to be thoughtful and intelligent. They're well meaning and don't deserve this petty bitchiness.
Absolutely I agree with you. They are entitled to their opinion however they need to disclose several things which can slant their review... - were the tickets comped - are they friends with the producer(s) - did they receive general or VIP tickets/treatment - are they associated with the production - are they able to provide an unbiased review
Since I've never followed them - have they been cheerleaders with actual neutral and negative reviews mixed in or are they always positive to everything?
Oh come off it, Broadwayboy. If those two clowns are the biggest cheerleaders that the theatre community could ask for then the wishes must be pretty low. If you think they're intelligent and thoughtful then I wouldn't care to speak with you on the subject of theatre.
These two talk out of their @sses and act like they are knowledgable when they are far from it. I've only been able to stomach a few of their "reviews" but they are always filled with misinformation and endless babble. They're not well-meaning, thoughtful critics. They're wannabe socialites who want comp tickets to all shows.
"Pardon my prior Mcfee slip. I know how to spell her name. I just don't know how to type it." -Talulah
They are also quite rude in person. But that was three years ago, so maybe they have different attitudes now that they get over 30 YouTube views on their little reviews.
Saw this Sunday night (03/16) and enjoyed it. On the heels of three Broadway shows in two days, it was an interesting diversion.
We arrived at 7:20 for our appointed 7:30 entry time. We didn't appreciate getting there and having to queue up outside in the freezing cold. I was amazed at the number of people who didn't come with coats (especially the poor females in skimpy cocktail attire) and were made to stand out there as well waiting for the doors to open. Perhaps the producers are trying to garner interest from passersby on the street by making it look like some exclusive event. Several tuxes, and suits and ties for men--but mostly sports coats or suits without ties. Most females were very decked out in their finest gala attire. The being turned away by The Queen for not observing the dress code warning was a ruse as I saw a few males in t-shirts and ratty jeans.
Upon entering and winding through a maze of plywood and unfinished sheetrock, we checked our coats. We were then given a cocktail and placed on a beautiful marble stairway to wait for the next 20 minutes or so while the staff tried to make small talk to pass the time and a woman dressed only in a thong, heels, and Venetian mask wrote things in lipstick on the opposite side of a glass wall. Well, OK.
Upon entering the venue (which I must say was quite impressive), we enjoyed a nice cocktail period with passed hors d’oeuvres, individual and duo cirque-type performances, and getting whisked away for one-on-one interactions with the cast. Mine involved a private space full of cushions, pillows, and prying questions about my relationship status; my partner ended up having several sessions (he credited eye contact) but the most memorable one involved knives. Lots of sharp knives. We both agreed this was our favorite part of the evening.
When the seating areas finally opened up, it was a mad rush to secure good seats (i.e. one where your back wasn’t facing the stage) and we managed to score excellent ones. Tables are pre-set with loaves of bread, butter, grapes, walnuts, and carafes of wine and water to get you started.
Dinner was (for my table) a whole suckling pig on a spit, roasted potatoes, an excellent kale salad. and pan de jamon. We had to carve our own meat and members of our table took plates of it to other tables in exchange for the lobster or ribs (this seemed to make other tables more receptive to giving up their entrees).
The show was a mixed bag. Some excellent acts and some so-so ones. I’ve seen nearly ever Cirque du Soleil show so I can attest to some of the excellent talent on display here. Whatever thin excuse there was for a story was lost on me but overall, it was all very entertaining considering the height limitations of the performance space. What was missing for me was a live orchestra. It would have really made the evening.
Kudos to the staff for their ingenious method of clearing tables while the show winded down—and for their creative way of serving dessert.
Overall, a fun evening and a welcome respite from our other option: sitting in a theater for another 2.5 hours.
Saw this Sunday night (03/16) and enjoyed it. On the heels of three Broadway shows in two days, it was an interesting diversion.
We arrived at 7:20 for our appointed 7:30 entry time. We didn't appreciate getting there and having to queue up outside in the freezing cold. I was amazed at the number of people who didn't come with coats (especially the poor females in skimpy cocktail attire) and were made to stand out there as well waiting for the doors to open. Perhaps the producers are trying to garner interest from passersby on the street by making it look like some exclusive event. Several tuxes, and suits and ties for men--but mostly sports coats or suits without ties. Most females were very decked out in their finest gala attire. The being turned away by The Queen for not observing the dress code warning was a ruse as I saw a few males in t-shirts and ratty jeans.
Upon entering and winding through a maze of plywood and unfinished sheetrock, we checked our coats. We were then given a cocktail and placed on a beautiful marble stairway to wait for the next 20 minutes or so while the staff tried to make small talk to pass the time and a woman dressed only in a thong, heels, and Venetian mask wrote things in lipstick on the opposite side of a glass wall. Well, OK.
Upon entering the venue (which I must say was quite impressive), we enjoyed a nice cocktail period with passed hors d’oeuvres, individual and duo cirque-type performances, and getting whisked away for one-on-one interactions with the cast. Mine involved a private space full of cushions, pillows, and prying questions about my relationship status; my partner ended up having several sessions (he credited eye contact) but the most memorable one involved knives. Lots of sharp knives. We both agreed this was our favorite part of the evening.
When the seating areas finally opened up, it was a mad rush to secure good seats (i.e. one where your back wasn’t facing the stage) and we managed to score excellent ones. Tables are pre-set with loaves of bread, butter, grapes, walnuts, and carafes of wine and water to get you started.
Dinner was (for my table) a whole suckling pig on a spit, roasted potatoes, an excellent kale salad. and pan de jamon. We had to carve our own meat and members of our table took plates of it to other tables in exchange for the lobster or ribs (this seemed to make other tables more receptive to giving up their entrees).
The show was a mixed bag. Some excellent acts and some so-so ones. I’ve seen nearly ever Cirque du Soleil show so I can attest to some of the excellent talent on display here. Whatever thin excuse there was for a story was lost on me but overall, it was all very entertaining considering the height limitations of the performance space. What was missing for me was a live orchestra. It would have really made the evening.
Kudos to the staff for their ingenious method of clearing tables while the show winded down—and for their creative way of serving dessert.
Overall, a fun evening and a welcome respite from our other option: sitting in a theater for another 2.5 hours.
Well...I experienced it. The "show" is Cirque close up. However they put their spin on it. We had the table to the left of the stage. We were a bit rushed during dinner as they needed our table for the show.
Walk in, after the cocktails on the stairs, is very confusing. But they make it that way. Heads up, it is a cash bar when you get inside.
