Reflections of Pacific Overtures
Reflections of Pacific Overtures
twogaab2
Broadway Star Joined: 5/19/03
#0Reflections of Pacific Overtures
Posted: 12/6/04 at 11:54am
Just saw the new production of Pacific Overtures.
It was a good news-bad new sort of thing.
Good news-one of Sondheim's best scores is back of Broadway. The production is superb and has a great stlye and imagination.
Bad news-the reciter is badly cast-this is a fatal flaw becaue the reciter interprets the play for the audience. Because of this flaw the show NEVER land emotionally. The ending of the original version was chilling with Mako's cold and dry reading of the last line "Welcome to Japan". (The sense of loss was overwhelming). I saw this production at Lincoln Center in Japanesse and it was emotionally fantastic.
Also the current production was somewhat ragged at times, this did not help matters (the peice needs sharpness).
If you havn't seen it, you should, because, even though it has many problems, it is not often revived.
Just my opinion, I may be wrong.
TWOGAAB
"A Class Act" will never die!
Updated On: 12/6/04 at 11:54 AM
Plum
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/4/04
#1re: Reflections of Pacific Overtures
Posted: 12/6/04 at 11:56am
Don't be afraid to state your opinions in a reasonable way, especially when you rationally give the reasons behind them.
What did you think of the elements other than the Reciter and direction?
twogaab2
Broadway Star Joined: 5/19/03
#2re: Reflections of Pacific Overtures
Posted: 12/6/04 at 11:58am
The cast overall was very good, but it seems like they need a couple of more weeks of rehearsal time. The choreography (also by the director) is beautifully styalized.
By the way, I saw the orginal Hal Price production in one of it's final previews. It was one of my great theatrical experices. This production was telecast in Japan and there are many copies of it floating around on the internet. Hopefully, this version will be released commercially.
TWOGAAB
"A Class Act" will never die!
Updated On: 12/6/04 at 11:58 AM
Borstalboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/9/04
#3re: Reflections of Pacific Overtures
Posted: 12/6/04 at 1:03pm
What a pity. Everyone I know who saw the production at the Donmar Warehouse said it's a forgotten masterpiece.
There was a recent production in Chicago that was a smash as well...
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
~ Muhammad Ali
Plum
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/4/04
#4re: Reflections of Pacific Overtures
Posted: 12/6/04 at 1:07pm
I saw the show a bit before opening, and hoped that some tightening would happen by that night. I guess it didn't. But there's things to like about this production other than that lovely score. The staging of "Is There No Other Way" was really affecting, and except for the masks, "Please Hello" was nicely done as well. The only piece of staging I really didn't like was part of "Four Black Dragons."
Oh, and anyone who thinks Sondheim doesn't write hummable tunes didn't see my seat neighbors complaining during intermission about the earworm that is "Someone in a Tree." :)
rayoflight104
Stand-by Joined: 8/15/03
#5re: Reflections of Pacific Overtures
Posted: 12/6/04 at 1:14pmIs Pacifit Overtures in a limited run? Is that the reason behind the posted closing date on Theater Mania?
#7re: Reflections of Pacific Overtures
Posted: 12/6/04 at 1:24pmActually, the Donmar production was a transfer of the Chicago production. I saw it in Chicago and it was beautiful.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
leomaxfrank
Broadway Star Joined: 3/19/04
#8re: Reflections of Pacific Overtures
Posted: 12/6/04 at 4:24pm
I am still really confused why B.D. Wong is playing the Reciter and not Kayama or Manjiro. It seems so wrong for him.
I must add that I hate when I read reviews like this:
http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm/story/5404
His reasons for not turning this into a musical are awful -
and it seriously irritates me when reviewers don't see the need for something of this scale to be turned into a musical.
especially when -no offense- there are much more ridiculous musicals around, and/or being created...
yeah Japanese westernization...who cares - rolls eyes -
But I won't live alone in a house of regret.
Updated On: 12/6/04 at 04:24 PM
#9re: Reflections of Pacific Overtures
Posted: 12/11/04 at 9:32pm
So joey took me last night as a late birthday surprise and we loved it. The staging was superb and though it may have had its minor flaws (and what production doesn't??) I felt it was/is one of the strongest productions I've seen on a NY stage this year.
**spoiler**
When the samurai found his dead wife's body waiting for him at home, and the Reciter voiced the samurai's anguish and torment, it seemed to me that the reciter's voice was full of the anguish of the entire Japanese society for the horror of the American invasion...I wept openly at the deep emotion in B.D.Wong's Reciter's voice...it was so very moving.
I think it is a beautiful production and wish it could run longer for everyone to have a chance to see it.
My friends Eric Bondoc and Paolo Montalban were both wonderful in their respective roles, and I applaud them and congratulate them for making it in this very difficult business.
Lets support this production, people. Sondheim still has the strongest voice on Broadway.
"I don't really get the ending,all i can go with is when after several months,Judith saw Pat sang,and later she kissed him on the toilet,after that the story back to where Pat went down from the stage after he'd sung,and he went to the italian lady.I just don't get it,what Judith exatcly meant when he kissed Pat that she had seen,and did Pat end up together with The Italian Lady?Please help me,thank u very much!"
Quote from someone on IMDB in reference to a movie he/she didn't understand. Such grammar!
GovernorSlaton
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/14/04
#10re: Reflections of Pacific Overtures
Posted: 12/11/04 at 9:54pm
That moment you mentioned, redhot, was so emotional the night I saw it; many audience members were crying. I think the consensus is that B.D. is miscast and there are a few flaws, but it's worth seeing because it's beautifully directed, and doesn't get revived all that often.
By the way, I'm wearing my Pacific Overtures shirt right now. :)
#11re: Reflections of Pacific Overtures
Posted: 12/11/04 at 10:02pmGovernor- Studio 54 seems to have some sound problems and that was the hardest part - simply trying to hear Sondheim's brilliant lyrics was a chore, but all in all, it was completely worth it. I was mesmerized by the style, conceptualization, direction and performances all the way around.
"I don't really get the ending,all i can go with is when after several months,Judith saw Pat sang,and later she kissed him on the toilet,after that the story back to where Pat went down from the stage after he'd sung,and he went to the italian lady.I just don't get it,what Judith exatcly meant when he kissed Pat that she had seen,and did Pat end up together with The Italian Lady?Please help me,thank u very much!"
Quote from someone on IMDB in reference to a movie he/she didn't understand. Such grammar!
#12re: Reflections of Pacific Overtures
Posted: 12/11/04 at 10:23pm
"Lets support this production, people. Sondheim still has the strongest voice on Broadway."
And that is why I regard you so highly, redhot. 
Can't wait to see it on the 29th.
"One no longer loves one's insight enough once one communicates it."
The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.
The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.
#13re: Reflections of Pacific Overtures
Posted: 12/11/04 at 10:33pm
i know that even though it might have it's flaws it will be wonderfull!
1) this is the first out of two shows that i am seeing this winter break, out of the trillion i wanted to see i picked this 1
2) its sondheim, people, its gotta be brilliant!
"Picture "The View," with the wisecracking, sympathetic sweethearts of that ABC television show replaced by a panel of embittered, suffering or enraged Arab women" -the Times review of Black Eyed
Plum
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/4/04
#14re: Reflections of Pacific Overtures
Posted: 12/11/04 at 11:23pmRedhot, despite this production's flaws (and there was quite a few, for me), I agree that "There Is No Other Way" and its consequences were beautifully done.
#15re: Reflections of Pacific Overtures
Posted: 12/20/04 at 9:34am
Priest (and all others yet to see PO) -- you will be in heaven on the 29th...I saw this last night and had a wonderful time -- any flaws were minor -- I thought BD was terrrific as well as the entire cast.
Sound at 54 was working just fine last night -- I was able to hear each lyric perfectly...although diction has more to do with the cast!
Also, be prepared -- Act One is a little on the long side
"Sir K, the Viscount of Uppity-shire...." -- kissmycookie
Updated On: 12/20/04 at 09:34 AM
#16re: Reflections of Pacific Overtures
Posted: 12/20/04 at 9:47am
I am very excited to see this.
Saw the Broadway revival and the Chicago production.
I can't wait to love every minute of this incarnation.
" ...the happiness in the tune convinces me that I'm not afraid."
#17re: Reflections of Pacific Overtures
Posted: 12/21/04 at 7:32am
This is one of my favourite Sondheim scores. The music is simply superb, and Someone in a Tree, Pretty Lady and Chrysanthemum Tea are among my favourite songs Sondheim has ever written...and well...all my favourite songs were written by Sondheim.
I wish I could see a production of it, any production...I would give my left testicle to see this production...
You guys really have no idea how lucky you are to have Broadway, and the tours that it creates. Sondheim is very rarely done in Australia, and for me that is hard to cope with.
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