#126
Posted: 3/5/22 at 6:41am
The rain was so good. So funny/weird they just ditch it!
Give me claws and a hunch, just away from this bunch.
SIMARD ON AS JOANNE TODAY — Page 6
#127
Posted: 3/5/22 at 8:44am
I also was at the performance last night, and thought both Simard and Lenk superb.
I had seen this production in London, and in NY early in previews (pre-pandemic). I continue to have my reservations about the overall effectiveness of the gender-swapping concept, but in terms of 'this' production, I thought it had grown remarkably since I last revisited it.
Lenk was at odds in early pre-pandemic previews, but something has clicked, and she is now completely owning the role emotionally and vocally. She is one of our great musical theatre actresses.
Of course, we all love Patti, but Simard has found her own unique take on the role that is smashing. In truth, Simard is also closer to the age the character of Joanne is, as written, which gives the dynamic between Joanne and a female Bobbi a new and very different energy. I thought their work together was magic, and the entire final 30 minutes of the show (starting with the "Club" scene, leading into "Ladies Who Lunch" and dove tailing into the finale / "Being Alive"
last night as thrilling as anything I've seen in the theatre in a very long time.
#128
Posted: 3/5/22 at 9:16am
"First was Bobby Conte’s “Another Hundred People”, which seemed vocally all over the place - I like his voice and that song, but he couldn’t pick a key to save his life tonight."
This is the 2nd most consistent critique I hear from friends since the holidays. After many said that his take on the role is less conventional, i.e. without a trained singer's polish. It always sounded like a stretch for him, and performing such a vocally gnarly number 8 times a week can make less confident singers either more confident or even less so. (Go back to the famous doc, Sondheim giving Myers -- a truly great singer -- notes on the way she's been slightly changing the melody in performance at the Alvin; he corrects her for the recording, and of course her take is for the ages.) In Conte's case, the song is a challenge, yet the role's signature, and he must stare it down nightly.
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling
Updated On: 3/5/22 at 09:16 AM
#129
Posted: 3/5/22 at 9:22am
the rain was indeed a nice effect, but it was creating havoc with the stage and throwing off the other scene transitions and automation, causing the many show 'pauses' for technical difficulty.
Sorry to see it go, but understand completely
Slotted spoons don't hold much soup
#130
Posted: 3/5/22 at 9:56am
The8re phan said: "the rain was indeed a nice effect, but it was creating havoc with the stage and throwing off the other scene transitions and automation, causing the many show 'pauses' for technical difficulty.
Sorry to see it go, but understand completely"
Now this makes sense. The set pauses have become way too frequent, so it makes sense to sacrifice 30-40 seconds of rain for a set that functions properly.
Updated On: 3/5/22 at 09:56 AM
#131
Posted: 3/5/22 at 5:27pm
Dare I say I enjoyed Simard more than LuPone? She's now had a week in the role and appears comfortable with it and adds some humor to Joanne, too. Feel like she sings "Ladies Who Lunch" better, too. She posted on her Instagram the other day that she misses Sarah. I'm sure she's in a situation where she never thought she'd go on as Joanne, but it is what it is, and she gets to do ten shows as Joanne. Overall, the show is so solid. Allison and Coleman were fantastic as well. Simard owns the role of Sarah and Allison's comic timing isn't up to par, but otherwise is solid in the role.
Curious about the role of "New Yorkers" in this version. Noticed they didn't have anyone on for Allison and Coleman's tracks as New Yorkers. I see they essentially are only in "Another Hundred People" to move the letters and the club scene for "Ladies Who Lunch". Are the swings not required to go on when any of the six are out or on for someone else like today?
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
#132
Posted: 3/5/22 at 6:58pm
I would think the only New Yorker Track absolutely required is Anisha’s, as she plays the main Bobbie double in the act one finale and Tick Tock.
#133
Posted: 3/6/22 at 12:31pm
Anyone going to the matinee, Heath Saunders will be making their THEO debut today.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
Tickets From $59
Tickets From $71
Tickets From $71
Tickets From $95