Rocky Previews — Page 13

What a colossal piece of crap! It'll probably run for years.

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^ From the sound of the posts, it sounds like they are still having power issues. (But only my assumption.) Going on Thursday, will let you know if they mention anything.

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That sounds incredibly distracting. It is kind of like those lessons we learn in acting courses, never place a glass too close to the edge of a table because the audience will spend the entire scene watching it, wondering if it will fall.

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I have not seen the show yet, so I am basing my comment on only what I have gathered reading the posts here and a conversation I had at the box office window. Do not sit front orchestra sides unless you're on the aisle. If you are in the first rows on the side, you will have to either stand (and possibly annoy your neighbors), or watch the final sequence looking sideways.

I don't understand why the seats onstage are reported as less than optimal and I too would like clarity regarding that. I can only imagine that the staging doesn't adapt to the fact that a proscenium production just became an "in-the-round" one. (Someone who's seen the show please clarify.)

Depending on what other say, I think sitting in the Golden Circle should be fine.

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I’m not concerned about the movement – I think that would actually be fun – my only concern is if my view of the fight will be obstructed in any way at that point?

Quasi, the issue isn't whether or not the ring is an obstruction during other parts of the show, but whether or not sitting on the stage during the final sequence offers a decent view. Is there anything about the staging or positioning of the ring that makes it difficult for the onstage audience to see?

Anyone who had Golden Circle seats and sat onstage for the finale sequence, did you have any obstruction? Did you feel the staging favored the front of the house, was the ring vertically positioned in such a way that you couldn't clearly see? Is there any reason to not purchase a Golden Circle seat except the inconvenience of having to move?

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Updated On: 2/17/14 at 01:17 PM

Famebroadway2 thank you! It is now explained and understood. Perfect.

I suspect this is why the first two rows are sold as lottery.

Again, thank you.

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Updated On: 2/17/14 at 01:53 PM

James, I hear it is kind of integrated into the show. I think there it is discussed earlier in this thread.

I will find out as I just got an invite to see it tomorrow evening. (Tues)

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It works as well as it can- they have the sports commentators (with the wildly anachronistic sports show graphics) and move into the entrances of Rocky and his entourage and then Apollo and his. No real "action" happens other than the fighters entering. There's still a distinct feel of vamping- I spent most of the time watching the ushers and stagehands herding people and prepping the orchestra area for the ring. I can't say for sure how long the process lasted on Thursday- it felt like the 3-5 minute territory.

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This one I can answer... Its made very clear on all of their ticket sale locations - from their website to the box office.

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I have not yet seen the Broadway production, but I did see the show in Hamburg and sat in the Golden Circle area.

Immediately following the song "Keep On Standing" ("Standzuhalten" - and I thought that an interesting translation, I was expecting it to be "Go the distance"), the ushers get the Golden Circle ticketholders to stand and file up the stairs onto the wings of the stage. The ring itself moves out over the seats that were just occupied while the Golden Circle people stand in the wings. Then tiered seating slides forward from upstage. When it is locked in place, ushers guide Golden Circle folks to their seats. There is no assigned seating on stage - first come first serve, fill it all in as quickly as possible.

I sat in the front row on the right of the tiered seating. Folks ran and off stage right in front of me, but I found that pretty exciting. I had no trouble seeing due to people standing or due to the ropes, and had a good view of the final fight. Being seated on stage did prevent me from seeing any graphics on the screens flanking/above the stage, and I felt like the choreography of the spectacle was "meant" to be seen by the majority of the audience, ie, best seen out from the main theater space, not from the stage. Granted, being up on stage and so close to the performers had its own unique benefits.

Since I have already seen the show from the Golden Circle, however, I opted to purchase my tickets this time round (March 19th) from center mezz, just to better see that spectacle. Much of the show is quieter and probably better seen up close. Plus I was there to see Drew so...

As to the song list. A cursory glance, and I think all the songs are kept in the Broadway version. I heard some rumor that "Undefeated Man" (Unbesiegter Mann) was going to get replaced, but apparently it's still in.

And for those ragging on the lyrics...
"No one on the streets tonight,
Lonely kind of feeling -
I should count my blessings, right?
Got four walls and a ceiling."

are emblematic for me of the kind of lyric that Rocky presents. Deceptively simple, but surprisingly 'true'. They appealed to me, and are in the spirit of the Rocky films without being ridiculous.

I look forward to seeing what the Broadway incarnation is like.

Edited to add:
For those concerned about disabled folks in the Golden Circle area: in Hamburg, the ushers came by 3 or 4x prior to the show to make sure ticketholders knew what was expected and had instructions on what to do, and when, when the time came. I think concerns would be addressed there.

Updated On: 2/17/14 at 04:47 PM

The audience members in that area all are given lanyards with a tag to prevent confusion, as well.

I'm sure if someone adamantly did not want to (or was not able to) go onstage, they could be accommodated. But not in comparable orchestra locations- there is just nowhere in the center orchestra for them to go.

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