Runaways at Encores Off-Center — Page 2

WhizzerMarvin said: "CarlosAlberto said: "Awww, my heart just sank. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience at the show Whizzer.



Aww, thanks, but it does seem like I'm the outlier here, so if you were on the fence maybe you should still go see it. The bad audience members around me clearly affected my enjoyment, but my dislike of the show ran much deeper than the distractions nearby. Oh well- here's hoping I like the jamboree and Mr. Rosewater more!

Sorry to go off topic but has anyone heard any rumors about who might be at the Jamboree besides Foster, Groff and Tesori?



"

I saw this tonight, and I genuinely thought it was among the best things I've ever seen onstage. I knew some of the history and concept of the show, but none of the material. I found it all to be incredibly moving, poignant, and relevant. I did not find it to be dated at all (well, maybe the costumes...)

As others have said, the cast is astounding. They have put together a unique ensemble filled with diversity, talent and passion.

I sat in the front row through their Peer2Peer ticket program, and I felt completely part of the action. I can totally understand how someone in the back of the mezz, or even the orchestra, would not be nearly as moved as I was. This is a show that requires you to be really swept up, and I agree that this house might be too big for this show.

I say if you're on the fence, just go. Even if you hate it, I think it's an important piece of theatre to witness.

Updated On: 7/7/16 at 09:59 PM

If anyone would like to be part of the action on Saturday 7/9 at 2 pm, let me know because 2 of my friends cancelled so I have 2 extra tickets in the third row of the orchestra.

neonlightsxo said: ""It is the kind of show that is meant for a small dilapidated East Village theatre. So in presenting it at City Center it becomes more of a concert version than an experience. "



That is basically the point of Encores Off-Center.



But the point is not to observe material from distance. Even though the Encores presentations are streamlined many past productions have ellicitated an emotional response and embraced the audience. The director in my eyes failed to make it work in the larger space. His performers were not connecting to the audience and the monologues were like interpretations of drama rather than experiences. Thus as an audience member I was an observer and walked away without any lasting impressions. The original production must have been really cool since the script was written through the actors own experiences. I imagine some of the monologues were chilling. I must say that I liked a lot of the music and the way the piece was structured all though in this particular interpretation the thread was somewhat weak.

Neonlightsxo: Your comments are always so droll.



"

Updated On: 7/7/16 at 11:54 PM

Just found two photos from the original production, including Diane Lane?!

Runaways was important to me in 1978, when I was young. It's become a somewhat buried memory over the years, and approached the Encores production warily - especially after mixed reports here. This afternoon's performance was wonderfully emotional, and more than did justice to the show. I was impressed by the young cast, and thought they were well-deployed. I understand that the show may not be everyone's cup of tea. It felt meaningful and moving to me today, at the end of this tough week. I'm so glad I didn't end up missing this.

Perhaps the show suffers from so many child actors being primed for Disney? I don't feel like there were any true emotions or grit.

I just wonder, now with Glee and all that, if we'll ever see a really, true "gritty" show on Broadway. It all seems so polished.

SmoothLover said: "A New Brain will always live in my memory."

It's funny you say that because A New Brain is one of my favorite cast albums and I felt very underwhelmed by the production last year, especially Groff's performance which I found incredibly dull and lifeless.

Having come at Runaways with almost no previous relationship to the album, I was blown away. While I agree it may not be as "gritty" as the original production I think the sense of real rebelliousness and the emotional was felt especially during Ripely Sobo's monologue, the spoon monologue, Ren's monologue/slideshow, the spoon monologue, the song of the child prostitute, and the final speech "make laws against regret" which was stunningly delivered.