Rocky Previews- Page 8

[eperkins]

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

I'm with Kad. I was there and it did seem like Sly was onstage for more than a minute and a half. Nobody in the audience whipped out a stopwatch, I'm sure.

[BudFrump23]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 4:15pm

"It's clear to me that regardless of "clarity," the creative team (and producers) were banking on that final sequence to overpower any negativity and end the experience on a high note."

This made me think of Kinky Boots.

I really enjoyed Rocky. Pretty much in the same boat as Kad with this show. My only annoyance were the pair of "bros" sitting next to me who'd huff and sigh every time a character would start singing. I mean, this is Rocky: The Musical, right?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 4:18pm

Is this lyric still in it?

"My nose ain't broken
It still looks nice
Don't need no stitches
Don't need no ice"


Also, amoni2 exists to be a cucking funt, so I wouldn't pay him any mind.
Updated On: 2/14/14 at 04:18 PM

[eperkins]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 4:21pm

Technically, it's just "Rocky" not "Rocky: The Musical." I suppose if one didn't know this was a musical, the advertising wouldn't necessarily let you know that fact. The ads I've seen say ROCKY BROADWAY.

[EricMontreal22]

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

Gonna Fly Now (Rocky I theme) is in some of the cues on the German recording, so I assume it's still in.

Did anyone who saw it know the German recording? I've listened to it a few times and was wondering if any songs were replaced between the productions, etc.

[Pammylicious]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 4:46pm

Just bought a pair of tickets for next Friday to it. Was waiting to hear general opinions and Whizzer's "this is going to b a great big hit" sold me.

[eperkins]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 4:52pm

Is this lyric still in it?

"My nose ain't broken
It still looks nice
Don't need no stitches
Don't need no ice"

Yes, it is.

[Kad]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 5:31pm

That was actually one of my favorite songs in the show. It told you everything you need to know about the character. It was well-suited for him.

[BrerBear]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 5:40pm

I guess since they spent their penny by using "Eye of the Tiger" in this, the creative team is going to have dig really deep for Rocky The Musical 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. I admit I had zero interest in seeing this, but hearing that they took the cheesy 80s song and made it an earnest dance number sounds delicious.

Like others, I expect this will do tremendous business. It's what husbands will be able to drag their wives to after they are required to endure Mamma Mia.

It's clear to me that regardless of "clarity," the creative team (and producers) were banking on that final sequence to overpower any negativity and end the experience on a high note.

That's bothersome, though. Instilling excitement in an audience is the easiest reaction of all to achieve, only slightly less difficult than putting innocents in harm's way. Recipe for excitement: flashing lights, rhythmic beats, shouting or chanting, quick movements, loud noises. I am going to go out on a limb and guess the the Rocky finale employs most or all of these. A technique mastered by many a tribal chieftan or pep rally cheerleader, but depressingly... easy.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 6:19pm

Just curious. How well staged was the actual fight? Will a sports fan think it actually looked somewhat realistic?

[Kad]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 6:21pm

I mean, it won't be confused for an actual boxing match. There were clearly theatrical liberties taken. But I thought it was a good facsimile.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 6:28pm

Kad - As long as it was good facsimile then that is pretty good IMO.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 6:46pm

Just picked up two tix for me and my son for Thursday night on TDF. Pretty excited!

[FutureDirector]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 6:48pm

To clear up the "is it good or not?" question:

It is a good show if you are a fan of plot/character driven, intellectual storytelling and highly stylized visuals when you go see a musical. If you are one to go see a show and want to be simply entertained, tap you toes along to a few good numbers, and see lots of visual flair then it makes sense why this show feels flat. think of it as more of a Matilda than a Kinky Boots.

Also, to address the best musical predictions floating around. Most tony nominators of recent years are not looking at After Midnight as a musical, it is a spectacular dance piece, just not a musical. and they also look at Gent's Guide as a lot of fun but lacking some theatrical merit. Therefore I think the guess is that the category will consist of "Rocky" "Bullets Over Broadway" "If/Then" and "Bridges of Madison County" with a potential "Big Fish" surprise.

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 6:58pm

so, if someone says it's good, then you'll see it, but you won't if they say it wasn't good?

This question is for anyone who acts based on others' opinions.

[dramamama611]

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

I don't think it's that black and white for most folks, Jane. For me, it might be WHAT is said, or whose opinion it is. People that know me very well, might be able to convince me to see something that was not on my must see list. And "just" having people like it wouldn't sway me....I look as to what is praised, and if those are things I value.

Can others enthusiasm make me reconsider? Sometimes. Just as it can sometimes make me re-think I DID have an interest in. While I see quite a bit on Bway, I certainly try to spend my money wisely. How often do others sway me? I would venture a guess to that only being 10-20% of the time.

(I'm not talking about this show....I've been feeling curious about this one for quite some time, and SO glad to have picked up TDF tix.)

[Stevie72]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 7:17pm

delete



Updated On: 2/14/14 at 07:17 PM

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 7:18pm

For myself, and I suspect most regular theatre goers/fans do the same, I try to read a variety of reviews. On a forum (as I would with a critic) I keep in mind what I remember about past opinions by a certain poster, if I agreed, etc. I mean if there's a thread about a show and everyone thinks it's awful, chances are (unless it has something or someone in it I'm particularly interested in) I'd write it off. Doesn't seem that strange to me...

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 7:20pm

"It is a good show if you are a fan of plot/character driven, intellectual storytelling and highly stylized visuals when you go see a musical. If you are one to go see a show and want to be simply entertained, tap you toes along to a few good numbers, and see lots of visual flair then it makes sense why this show feels flat. think of it as more of a Matilda than a Kinky Boots. "

You have GOT to be kidding me!! This is simply too rich for words: I doubt even the musical's creative team consider this "intellectual storytelling"!! And if ever I've seen a show designed to simply entertain, it was this. Not that anything's wrong with that premise, but please, let's not pretend this is anything more than a show designed to entertain and make people leave the theater feeling like they got their 125 bucks worth. Intellectual, it is not.


Edit:

And Eric....it's not strange at all -- I do the exact same thing for shows I'm on the fence about.
Updated On: 2/14/14 at 07:20 PM

[FutureDirector]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 7:45pm

"This is simply too rich for words: I doubt even the musical's creative team consider this "intellectual storytelling"!! And if ever I've seen a show designed to simply entertain, it was this."

Sure, I agree it isn't groundbreaking Like "Fun Home" or "Natasha/ Pierre" last year. but in terms of getting tourists and non theatre people to actually see a show with artistic merit the team has done their jobs.

Alex Timbers... Steven Hoggett... they are two of the most respected people in all of New York theatre. While this may not be as adventurous as some of the other pieces they have worked on (Once, Peter and the Starcatcher, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Glass Menagerie come to mind) this material is presented more artistically than anyone else in New York could have done it. It is a big scale show that requires you stay engaged, it doesn't spoon feed you visuals all the time, You care more about the characters than the music, the choreography is justified, unique and purpose based, and the biggest show stopper isn't because of sheer vocal power or something simply spectacle driven like a falling chandelier, its the character behind Adrian's "I'm done" and the energy, not the visual behind the final fight. Before calling something a piece that was just meant to entertain try seeing Motown or Spiderman. Rarely you see shows of this size where every element seems to speak from the same voice like they do in this show.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 8:00pm

"intellectual storytelling" is a characteristic/description that never once came to mind while watching the show last night. I guess the standards of what is 'intellectual' varies...

[justoldbill]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 9:02pm

How far out does the stage extend for the "Let Me Entertain You" number?

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 9:25pm

Future Director:

I'm not being facetious when I say I'm glad you liked the show, but I simply cannot share your enthusiasm, much less understand it.

Rocky shares many cheap, crowd-pleasing, devices as the shows you seem to dislike: overwrought songs ("I'm Done"); rousing (and at this point, cliche) crowd pleasing montages (er..."Montage"); and absolutely wretched lyrics, including the cherry lyrics mentioned earlier...

"My nose ain't broken
It still looks nice
Don't need no stitches
Don't need no ice" (The creative team thought it so nice, they repeated it twice! A la reprise...)

I'm not going to spar with you on the issue of intellectual art, and I agree with you that Timbers and Hogget are some of the freshest young minds in the business (and to add to your list of their achievements, Timbers' amazing Here Lies Love). But the work on stage at the Winter Garden Theater feels less like a labour of love or art (for all involved...), but a nice means to a fat paycheck.

More power to 'em...but let's just call a spade a spade, shall we?

[smallworld]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 9:26pm

I hate to be that guy, but were they selling window cards? I really want one.

[ARTc3]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 9:59pm

Stopped by the box office tonight at about 7p to see if I could grab me a ticket to tonight's performance. No go. They are clearly doing well if the second preview is sold out.