#1
Posted: 7/6/15 at 5:12pm
Did anyone catch the first preview last night? I'm curious to hear about this production.
SAYONARA at the Clurman Theatre
#2
Posted: 7/6/15 at 5:45pm
Is this the old musical version that never made it to Broadway.?
Poster Emeritus
#3
Posted: 7/7/15 at 9:28am
Yes, this is the musical that never made it to Broadway, with music by the composer of the GEORGY musical than had a 4-performance run.
Since what I saw was the first preview, I don't want to be too harsh on the cast. The voices are good, but the acting covers all levels from collegiate amateur to almost professional.
It's definitely worth seeing (when will you have a chance again?), and I was never bored, but this is strictly for family, friends, and the true aficionados of all things musical.
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#4
Posted: 7/7/15 at 10:08am
Lordie! Was this the same show that played Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre during their 1992/1993 season? If so, in the twenty years of being a season subscriber, that was the worst production I ever saw there. Once again, a good cast (June Angela recorded a few songs from the show on her 2002 CD) but the show itself was hard to sit through. Some shows just need to go away forever.
#5
Posted: 7/7/15 at 11:14am
The L.A. Times gave the '94 revival a very positive review.
Wanky!
#6
Posted: 7/7/15 at 11:19am
Will see it if we get a good deal. If not, nope.
Poster Emeritus
#7
Posted: 7/7/15 at 4:59pm
This show was supposed to be Gower Champion's next production following 42nd Street. It stated such in his bio in the early playbills.
It was eventually produced at the Paper Mill Playhouse and was kind of a bore. However, twenty years later there must have been some revisions along the way, so who knows what's it's like now.
It was eventually produced at the Paper Mill Playhouse and was kind of a bore. However, twenty years later there must have been some revisions along the way, so who knows what's it's like now.
#8
Posted: 7/10/15 at 11:32am
My verdict on the Pan Asian Repertory's "reimagined" production: wonderfully choreographed, unevenly acted, not reimagined enough.
Sayonara Review: A Musical of Michener’s Midcentury Tale of Marriage Equality
#9
Posted: 7/24/15 at 7:55am
I happily caught Sayonara before it closes this weekend and urge everyone else to do the same. I honestly went in thinking it could be pretty bad; a forgotten flop that the Pan Asian Rep was surely only putting on out of novelty and for the curiosity of the 10 Georgy fans out there who want to hear another George Fischoff score. And yes, the villains are very poorly drawn and we get a lot of "Racism 101" in the book scenes, BUT the three American/Japanese couples are more subtly and affectionately drawn and when their stories kicked in about 20 minutes into the show I found myself first with a huge grin on my face and ultimately very moved by their tales.
Fischoff was able to write some fun melodies, as well as a gorgeous final ballad called "Where You Go." "L'amour" was a great showstopper (for such a small space the choreography was elaborate and well-executed) and "Here, Really Here" was a beautiful duet for the leading couple that closed out act one. Some of the lyrics were clunky, but others were surprisingly deft. The tone of the music, while not as authentic as Pacific Overtures, didn't sound out of place. I left the theater humming tunes which is a rarity these days.
The performers were green, but had nice voices and the three couples acted their roles convincingly. The female ensemble was terrific and their show within a show portion was excellent- great costumes for that too.
I'm sure the budget was small, but they made the most of what they had to work with. I was beyond impressed and wish all MUFTIs could be at this caliber. I hope and pray that Pan Asian Rep will now tackle Shogun, Lovely Ladies, Kind Gentlemen, and both version of Chu Chem!
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
#10
Posted: 7/24/15 at 12:18pm
"I hope and pray that Pan Asian Rep will now tackle Shogun, Lovely Ladies, Kind Gentlemen, and both version of Chu Chem!"
Be careful for what you wish.
#11
Posted: 7/24/15 at 12:33pm
I saw Shogun and Chu Chem.Allegedly Shogun started out as an opera but was cut down so it just wound up as a musical.
Beautifully staged but totally incomprehensible. Chu,I thankfully remember nothing of.
Poster Emeritus
Updated On: 7/24/15 at 12:33 PM
#12
Posted: 7/24/15 at 11:28pm
Wasn't Lovely Ladies, Kind Gentlemen the musical version of Sayonara? I think it did run on Broadway for one or two performances.
#13
Posted: 7/24/15 at 11:47pm
Lovely Ladies was the musical version of Teahouse Of The August Moon.
Poster Emeritus
#14
Posted: 7/27/15 at 12:06am
"Lovely Ladies was the musical version of Teahouse Of The August Moon."
Thanx, I must have inadvertently confused the two films.
#15
Posted: 7/27/15 at 8:53am
Talkin Broadway has, for years, listed a cast album of Lovely with the comment " Vocals completed". It is a shame but this will never ever see the light of day. It is in Broadway cast album limbo & will remain there.
Poster Emeritus
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