SMASH Previews- Page 9

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/17/25 at 10:52am

Now we wait and see if Robyn is back tonight and if Nielsen makes her debut.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/17/25 at 11:35am

For those questioning why Webber didn't go on for the Saturday matinee, take to her IG story now to understand why. She explains it very detailed on why a put-in was necessary.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/17/25 at 5:25pm

Hurder is out again tonight.

[BdwyFan]

Posted: 3/17/25 at 5:29pm

How about Kristine Nielsen?

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/17/25 at 6:16pm

BdwyFan said: "How about Kristine Nielsen?"

Haven't heard. Hurder made a IG post about how physically demanding the role of Ivy is. Hopefully she's able to handle this role 8/shows per week.

[nativenewyorker2]

Posted: 3/17/25 at 10:54pm

Nielson was still out tonight. 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 3/17/25 at 11:00pm

Sounds like a case of creative differences. 

[mrshowbiz90210]

Posted: 3/18/25 at 12:56am

so I was there tonight and watched Katie take over Robin‘s role. She was passable, but does not have the same vocal chops, but it did not matter. It was interesting seeing the creative team pacing in the back of the theater witnessing an enthusiastic audience of mostly Broadway insiders and huge live theater  fans enjoy the  show. The problem with the show not unlike shows like The Prom and David Mamet’s film State and Main is that The insider jokes and references will not play with a larger audience. The television show is irrelevant, and sadly the choreography, score and lyrics are forgettable and totally unmemorable. The only bright spots are some very clever dialogue at times and yet over drinks my friends and I could not remember the lines.
 

what’s even more disturbing is the strange  dance sequence that the Ivy character has at the end which looks so amateurish and bizarre when the death scene could’ve been truncated and simpler. Regardless, the show will be a casualty as it lacks originality and any broad appeal beyond fans of the television show if they can remember it and insiders who like the cheeky references. 

[rj433]

Posted: 3/18/25 at 8:51am

I also saw last night’s show with Katie Webber in the Ivy/Marilyn role, as myself a former longtime fan of the music of the tv series and agree that she got the job done but lacked that extra “something” vocal-wise (though was a “trouper&rdquo. Also interesting that the actual creative team came out, upfront to announce that she’d be assuming the role over not only the expected lead but the understudy that was scheduled to be her substitute, and that later this “third choice” idea was mirrored in the show’s actual plot with Chloe  (as if the show wasn’t already “meta” in concept enough!) - complete with the “director” also addressing the “audience”.  I agree that the audience was to me almost disproportionately enthusiastic based on the material. However - notwithstanding all of the criticisms - my family and I thought that the first half was surprisingly effective and funny and made good use of the material from the show.


I wish I could say the same for the second half where the story to me really fell off the rails. Anyone who is a fan of the show I’m sure came to see the rivalry between Ivy and Karen. So why introduce a 3rd Marilyn? And why so completely sideline the prospect of Karen ultimately assuming the role (after opening night when she was “sick”?) “Random” (as my teen daughter might say).

Not enough was made upfront about Ivy and Karen being friends, such that their reconciliation at the end (to me inexplicably and forcedly to the  “Second Hand White Baby Grand” song) felt abrupt. Why only after this have Ivy fire her dramaturge? Why have them “explain” how Ivy apologized to the cast without showing it? Why were Ivy’s feeling of guilt done so inelegantly overall in the first place? It all felt so rushed and tacked on.

Also: as others have pointed out - how does one close out the show with the assistant character doing a song? Where’s the big Bombshell finish (with Karen assuming the role) that many might naturally have instead expected? And others have pointed out that - as good as the songs are from the tv show - that I can think of only 2 instance where they functioned theatrically - to advance the actual plot and the character’s inner thoughts and feelings so I’m surprised they didn’t find a better way to insert at least SOME sort of double meaning like they did routinely on the tv show (notwithstanding their attempt to do this with “White Baby Grand” during the Karen/Ivy reconciliation scene that felt so “tacked on&rdquo.

I truly hope they re-address some of these mostly second half issues as it could be a solidly entertaining show with appropriate “fan service” - if it had some significantly better payoffs and second half plotting. But as a fan of the tv show I wish them well.

Updated On: 3/18/25 at 08:51 AM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/18/25 at 3:43pm

Robyn posted that she's back tonight.

[mrshowbiz90210]

Posted: 3/18/25 at 3:47pm

rj433 said: "I also saw last night’s show with Katie Webber in the Ivy/Marilyn role, as myself a former longtime fan of the music of the tv series and agree that she got the job done but lacked that extra “something” vocal-wise (though was a “trouper&rdquo. Also interesting that the actual creative team came out, upfront to announce that she’d be assuming the role over not only the expected lead but the understudy that was scheduled to be her substitute, and that later this“third choice” idea was mirrored in the show’s actual plot with Chloe (as if the show wasn’t already “meta” in concept enough ) - complete with the “director” also addressing the “audience”.I agree that the audience was to me almost disproportionately enthusiastic based on the material. However - notwithstanding all of the criticisms - my family and I thought that the first half was surprisingly effective and funny and made good use of the material from the show. I wish I could say the same for the second half where the story to me really fell off the rails. Anyone who is a fan of the show I’m sure came to see the rivalry between Ivy and Karen. So why introduce a 3rd Marilyn? And why so completely sideline the prospect of Karen ultimately assuming the role (after opening night when she was “sick”?) “Random” (as my teen daughter might say). Not enough was made upfront about Ivy and Karen being friends, such that their reconciliation at the end (to me inexplicably and forcedlyto the “Second Hand White Baby Grand” song) felt abrupt. Why only after this have Ivy fire her dramaturge? Why have them “explain” how Ivy apologized to the cast without showing it? Why were Ivy’s feeling of guilt done so inelegantly overall in the first place? It all felt so rushed and tacked on. Also: as others have pointed out - how does one closeout the show with the assistant character doing a song? Where’s the big Bombshell finish (with Karen assuming the role) that many might naturally have instead expected? And others have pointed out that - as good as the songs are from the tv show -that I can thinkof only 2 instance where they functioned theatrically - to advance the actual plot and the character’s inner thoughts and feelings so I’m surprised they didn’t find a better way to insert at least SOME sort of double meaning like they did routinely on the tv show(notwithstandingtheir attempt to do thiswith “White Baby Grand” during the Karen/Ivy reconciliation scene that felt so “tacked on&rdquo. I truly hope they re-address some of these mostly second half issues as it could be a solidly entertaining show with appropriate “fan service” - if it had somesignificantly better payoffs and second half plotting. But as a fan of the tv show I wish them well."

 

so well articulated. 
 

re Robyn’s return. One can speculate that she was read the riot act. The creative team making excuses and Katie’s lack of vocal power, suggest that nerves are one edge and investors are uneasy. Although, they had a way better week than Boop!
 

 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 3/18/25 at 3:49pm

rj433 said: "I also saw last night’s show with Katie Webber in the Ivy/Marilyn role, as myself a former longtime fan of the music of the tv series and agree that she got the job done but lacked that extra “something” vocal-wise (though was a “trouper&rdquo. Also interesting that the actual creative team came out, upfront to announce that she’d be assuming the role over not only the expected lead but the understudy that was scheduled to be her substitute, and that later this“third choice” idea was mirrored in the show’s actual plot with Chloe (as if the show wasn’t already “meta” in concept enough ) - complete with the “director” also addressing the “audience”.I agree that the audience was to me almost disproportionately enthusiastic based on the material. However - notwithstanding all of the criticisms - my family and I thought that the first half was surprisingly effective and funny and made good use of the material from the show. I wish I could say the same for the second half where the story to me really fell off the rails. Anyone who is a fan of the show I’m sure came to see the rivalry between Ivy and Karen. So why introduce a 3rd Marilyn? And why so completely sideline the prospect of Karen ultimately assuming the role (after opening night when she was “sick”?) “Random” (as my teen daughter might say). Not enough was made upfront about Ivy and Karen being friends, such that their reconciliation at the end (to me inexplicably and forcedlyto the “Second Hand White Baby Grand” song) felt abrupt. Why only after this have Ivy fire her dramaturge? Why have them “explain” how Ivy apologized to the cast without showing it? Why were Ivy’s feeling of guilt done so inelegantly overall in the first place? It all felt so rushed and tacked on. Also: as others have pointed out - how does one closeout the show with the assistant character doing a song? Where’s the big Bombshell finish (with Karen assuming the role) that many might naturally have instead expected? And others have pointed out that - as good as the songs are from the tv show -that I can thinkof only 2 instance where they functioned theatrically - to advance the actual plot and the character’s inner thoughts and feelings so I’m surprised they didn’t find a better way to insert at least SOME sort of double meaning like they did routinely on the tv show(notwithstandingtheir attempt to do thiswith “White Baby Grand” during the Karen/Ivy reconciliation scene that felt so “tacked on&rdquo. I truly hope they re-address some of these mostly second half issues as it could be a solidly entertaining show with appropriate “fan service” - if it had somesignificantly better payoffs and second half plotting. But as a fan of the tv show I wish them well."

 

Your post would be much easier to read if you'd use punctuation (and paragraphs).  

[nativenewyorker2]

Posted: 3/18/25 at 4:51pm

At least Robyn performed 4 performances.

Nielsen still has not 

[Dolly80]

Posted: 3/18/25 at 5:47pm

rj433 said: "I also saw last night’s show with Katie Webber in the Ivy/Marilyn role, as myself a former longtime fan of the music of the tv series and agree that she got the job done but lacked that extra “something” vocal-wise (though was a “trouper&rdquo. Also interesting that the actual creative team came out, upfront to announce that she’d be assuming the role over not only the expected lead but the understudy that was scheduled to be her substitute, and that later this“third choice” idea was mirrored in the show’s actual plot with Chloe (as if the show wasn’t already “meta” in concept enough!) - complete with the “director” also addressing the “audience”.I agree that the audience was to me almost disproportionately enthusiastic based on the material. However - notwithstanding all of the criticisms - my family and I thought that the first half was surprisingly effective and funny and made good use of the material from the show.


I wish I could say the same for the second half where the story to me really fell off the rails. Anyone who is a fan of the show I’m sure came to see the rivalry between Ivy and Karen. So why introduce a 3rd Marilyn? And why so completely sideline the prospect of Karen ultimately assuming the role (after opening night when she was “sick”?) “Random” (as my teen daughter might say).

Not enough was made upfront about Ivy and Karen being friends, such that their reconciliation at the end (to me inexplicably and forcedlyto the “Second Hand White Baby Grand” song) felt abrupt. Why only after this have Ivy fire her dramaturge? Why have them “explain” how Ivy apologized to the cast without showing it? Why were Ivy’s feeling of guilt done so inelegantly overall in the first place? It all felt so rushed and tacked on.

Also: as others have pointed out - how does one closeout the show with the assistant character doing a song? Where’s the big Bombshell finish (with Karen assuming the role) that many might naturally have instead expected? And others have pointed out that - as good as the songs are from the tv show -that I can thinkof only 2 instance where they functioned theatrically - to advance the actual plot and the character’s inner thoughts and feelings so I’m surprised they didn’t find a better way to insert at least SOME sort of double meaning like they did routinely on the tv show(notwithstandingtheir attempt to do thiswith “White Baby Grand” during the Karen/Ivy reconciliation scene that felt so “tacked on&rdquo.

I truly hope they re-address some of these mostly second half issues as it could be a solidly entertaining show with appropriate “fan service” - if it had somesignificantly better payoffs and second half plotting. But as a fan of the tv show I wish them well."


Jesus Christ that post is horrendous to read. Learn punctuation please.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/18/25 at 7:39pm

nativenewyorker2 said: "At least Robyn performed 4 performances.

Nielsen still has not"

Robyn's a trooper. I highly doubt Stroman, Shaiman, Wittman, etc. read Hurder the riot act. Hurder's attendance was very good in A Beautiful Noise. She suffered two injuries while playing Velma in Chicago last year and missed about a dozen shows plus had a week off for a vacation. Not sure about her attendance in Moulin Rouge.

Curious to know what's going on with Nielsen.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/18/25 at 7:45pm

ACL2006 said: "Curious to know what's going on with Nielsen."

She read the script. 

[Dolly80]

Posted: 3/18/25 at 7:47pm

Jordan Catalano said: "ACL2006 said: "Curious to know what's going on with Nielsen."

She read the script."

Is the show that bad?!?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 3/18/25 at 8:00pm

Is the show that bad?!?

Just make the effort to scroll and read the reviews posted above. Geez. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 3/18/25 at 8:30pm

Is the show that bad?!?"

🤣

 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/18/25 at 8:49pm

Dolly80 said: "Jordan Catalano said: "ACL2006 said: "Curious to know what's going on with Nielsen."

She read the script."

Is the show that bad?!?"

most word-of-mouth have this as a poor book, but great songs and a fun show. it's not Scandalous or Bad Cinderella...

[rj433]

Posted: 3/18/25 at 9:19pm

Sorry – was typing on my phone as I wanted to get my thoughts out right away. Hope the paragraph breaks help.

rj

[starlightlocamotion]

Posted: 3/18/25 at 10:00pm

Heard lots of changes have been going into the show yesterday/tonight ... eager to hear what improvements have been made.

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 3/18/25 at 10:47pm

"She read the script. "

OK Jordan. What would you have kept from the TV series (Season One) to satisfy TV fans of the show and hopefully make the script better? 

[BroadwayGuy12]

Posted: 3/18/25 at 11:59pm

Full cast was on tonight, including Nielsen, who I found to be one of the bright spots of the evening.

[rj433]

Posted: 3/19/25 at 7:32am

Curious if anyone thought that the original version of Let Me Be Your Star should have been saved for the end of the entire show, with Ivy bowing out and Karen taking over. It felt  like ending Act 1 at the height of the point of no return with all the current comic craziness (but without the song) would have been fine.

To me it just feels like the full fledged version of the original song feels much more like an “ending” to the whole musical (if they additionally worked out more of the act 2 plot issues). My additional two cents at any rate.