Rocky Previews- Page 13

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 7:05pm

"Oh and did anyone else notice the the "Opening number" of Rocky sounds EXACTLY like "Chasing the Who" from Seussical? LOL it made me chuckle."

Oh yeeeaaaahhhh….

Ugh, I don't care who knows it, when I was ten and that show opened, I begged my parents to take me…then it closed.

[Luscious]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 7:43pm

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

[dented146]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 8:49pm

I'm following these posts and I am very interested to see it when I come out later this spring. People who's opinion I respect differ greatly. But there doesn't seem to be such a huge difference of opinion in some areas, but rather what the creative team aspired to and whether it DESERVES to be a hit.

I am curious about the audience reaction at the end and also whether the electrical problems that delayed the first performance are part of the technical problems which continue to occur.

Updated On: 2/16/14 at 08:49 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 6:05am

^ 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.

[blaxx]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 6:21am

The ring hangs visibly above the stage throughout the show, lifted by four cables.

In the Christmas tree decorating scene, it hangs right above Rocky's apartment and it really started to swing back and forth and shake weird. Knock on wood it never fails when it is up there, as it would crush the actors below.

The people around me were gasping everytime it moved, it was unnecessary to put it up there and it adds nothing to the scene,

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 9:01am

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.

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 9:55am

Can anyone speak to the “Golden Circle” seats? I usually prefer being as close as possible, even with big spectacle shows (I find I get much more out of being able to seeing the performances up close than getting the “big picture” of the show). I know it was mentioned on here that it might not be worth it to sit in the Golden Circle seats because the view during the big fight scene would then not be as good as others’. Unfortunately, the seats just outside of the Golden Circle (ones that would still be close for most of the show and then, likely, the closest rows for the final fight sequence) are the premium priced seats and, while I am willing to pay full price, I just can’t spend that extra money. Any suggestions? As I hear the final 20 minutes are the best part of the show, I wouldn’t want to be relocated to a place that I might not be able to see it very well – has anyone sat in the Golden Circle yet? Would I be better off sitting on one of the first few rows on the side?

[ARTc3]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 10:44am

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.

Posted: 2/17/14 at 12:35pm

Basically.. they make you get up 20 minutes before its over. then you get escorted unto the stage to sit behind the ring- so it makes it look to the audience there's an arena. so you have people sitting on all 4 sides of the ring. the ring then moves down as a thrust (over the orchestra pit -covering them)...and then the theatre is changed into the Philly Spectrum. it's pretty much the Chandelier, helicopter moment of the show. very fun and inventive. it adds to the excitement.

but if you don't want to be moved around- don't get golden circle seats.

if you want to be in on the action. do it.

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 12:48pm

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]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 1:07pm

As far as I remember the ring was only visible when it made sense in the German production. Maybe its a matter of the size of the theatre?

[ARTc3]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 1:17pm

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?

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

[Famebroadway2]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 1:26pm

Re:Onstage Seating.

From my vantage point. There is a lot of action that happens on the stage while the fight is happening. 4 girls exiting and entering the ring, stage crew onstage who spin the ring around AND the actors in the scene stand onstage in-between rounds. If you are seated high up on the bleachers you will be able to see ok, but if you are sitting lower on the bleachers you will have people standing in front of you and you will be looking through the ropes. Not ideal.

[ARTc3]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 1:53pm

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.

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

[James885]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 3:04pm

How does that work when it's time for the people in the golden circle to move to the stage? Do they stop the show for it? I imagine that it must be kind of distracting to have people moving onto the stage while the action's happening.

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 3:07pm

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)

[blaxx]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 3:10pm

They have two sports commentators giving an intro for the fight and they are projected on giants screens above the stage.

The whole thing works really well.

[Kad]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 3:33pm

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.

[SweetLips]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 4:00pm

Love reading everyones comments-the only way I will get to see this.Question-when you buy Golden Circle seats-are you told you are required to go on stage-if not told and you are physically incapable or just don't want to-what happens?

[ARTc3]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 4:05pm

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

[SweetLips]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 4:26pm

Thanks ARTc3..x

[Rabekriegerin]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 4:47pm

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

[Quasi]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 5:10pm

@ ARTc3 I was referring to the posting from blaxx regarding the ring. Never mind!

[Kad]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 6:23pm

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.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 6:27pm

I couldn't imagine young kids loving this, but I was actually just curious about the average age of the audience for this show from any of your experiences?