My trip to the city coincides with their opening and I could see that last preview on Saturday night before the Sunday opening. Is there any reason to think there would be u/s on before the big night? I know it's impossible to predict what may arise but I don't think I've ever seen a show that close to an opening.
Also...side orchestra M or P or Center Mezz row E for this? I'm torn.
I was there last night. My TDF tickets were rear orch row R, great view. Had almost the same seats as I had for POTUS.
I agree with comments that this show is in fantastic shape for no out of town tryout. My only real comments were that the sound needs to be worked on, the first number was very difficult to hear any lyrics. I also wish given the type of big band sound that they are using, that the orchestra was a bit bigger. I know that’s a luxury, but I think the orchestra has a bit of a thin sound and I’d love for it to be beefed up a bit.
J Harrison Ghee I think is on the Billy Porter track with his act 2 #. I loved what they did with his character, and I thought the book writers really found a way around the modern day issues with this show. Christian Borle, Natasha Yvette Williams and Adrianna Hicks were all excellent. Show out to Angie “Zazz” Schworer in the ensemble who has some fun one liners!
Overall it’s a great night out that will only get better. Act 2 was really excellent, and the chase was thrilling.
For those asking I’ve always found the sightlines here to be good, even in the balcony. I’d have no problem returning and seeing the show from up there. Where are the rush seats located? I definitely will be returning!
I loved this show and I love that they're using "Let's Be Bad" in it, but they need to put back the "I'm the queen of the red hot mamas" line. It's the best line in the song!
Saw the 1st preview last night as well - WOW! I will echo what most here have said that this is in fantastic shape for a 1st preview. All the accolades in the comments before me are correct. Sitting in the 3rd row side Mezz, the sound was a little difficult - mainly understanding lyrics in the bigger brassier numbers. Also hoping they trim a little of the first act, currently running close to 1:20. Second act was tight and zippy. LOTS of tap! Possibly a little too much, shoehorning it in to most numbers, but it was a thrill to see a big dance show again. Can't wait to see it again after it opens - if I can get a ticket! This is gonna be the hot ticket once word gets out.
Hi - I saw Some Like It Hot during an open rehearsal back in the Spring and wrote then how wonderful it was and that J. Harrison Ghee should win a Tony award. I'm glad to see the reaction to the previews so far.
BdwyFan said: "Wow, I was at the first preview too and believe this will be the surprise hit of the season. Shocked this was a first preview! It can only get tighter. And the book really works for all those thinking that this will be just another “man in a dress” musical. Bravo to Matt Lopez and Amber Ruffin for the strong writing - so funny and so appropriate for our times.
IMO this is what Broadway needs right now and what has been missing. A big, splashy and fun musical. A visually stunning and beautiful show to watch with a truly fresh and original score by Shaiman/Wittman, which I think is definitely their best to-date. One great number after another. Loved all the tap dancing.
And what a talented and hard-working ensemble! Incredible performances by all, including the wonderful Christian Borle and Adrianna Hicks, with special shoutouts to J. Harrison Ghee and Natasha Yvette Williams. Bravo all! Well done."
Completely agree! And also -- for the naysayers who think it's just "another guy in a dress show" without having actually seen it -- there's a line that J. Harrison Ghee says in Act II (I won't give away the spoiler) that LITERALLY stopped the show with sustained applause (and even made me kind of teary-eyed).!
I am sure you are all theater savvy enough to know that all sound balance work is done during previews sInce one cannot balance the sound until an audience is in the house. That is why, along with waiting for cuts and rewrites, professionals wait until a show has opened to enjoy it. Or they do not mention sound problems.
ajennyishjoanne said: "Smaxie said: "ajennyishjoanne said: "Nicholaw can rest easy tonight. BOM and Aladdin will be gone soon, but Some Like It Hot is here to stay."
Probably time to put a stop to this, as some continue to post it. BOM is not going to be gone soon. That rumor from SO is completely unfounded. I think Aladdin also has some life left in it, though cannot say with as much certainty.
Why would BOM close when it is grossing a million dollars a week. I have not seen it in 5 years, but it is not a big show. Re Aladdin, I am amazed it continues to gross what it does. Unless Disney is concerned about winter, why would they close when its grosses are pretty consistent with what they were a year ago? I never saw Hercules, but I can't help wondering why they would put it into the New Amsterdam. If I remember, it is a small show that would be out of place.
Respectfully, I am not spreading rumors. Aladdin is closing once Hercules needs the house and per a source at the O'Neill, they will be wrapping up soon. They're not closing tomorrow, but the show is not long for this world."
Re. sound issues, Completely understood why critics wouldn't mention if they covered a preview, but I think on a message board mentioning sound problems even in a first preview is absolutely a valid point. Heck, Strange loop seemed to have them for most of their preview period and after.
You never know who is reading this from the creative team and also you never know who might be considering going in previews that may want to wait it out till the sound is properly adjusted.
dreamcoat12 said: "Saw the 1st preview last night as well - WOW! I will echo what most here have said that this is in fantastic shape for a 1st preview. All the accolades in the comments before me are correct. Sitting in the 3rd row side Mezz, the sound was a little difficult - mainly understanding lyrics in the bigger brassier numbers. Also hoping they trim a little of the first act, currently running close to 1:20. Second act was tight and zippy. LOTS of tap! Possibly a little too much, shoehorning it in to most numbers, but it was a thrill to see a big dance show again. Can't wait to see it again after it opens - if I can get a ticket! This is gonna be the hot ticket once word gets out."
Cool - as for seating. We are deciding on Orchestra side seating row L (right orch /left orch) or front mezzanine left A 5-7 or right A 6-8 . Which side in the mezz did you sit and suggest is better?
"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new."
Sunday in the Park with George
I saw this tonight and it’s… fine. I’m not nearly as sold on this as some of the rest of you who saw it last night. Some very funny moments (mostly at Christian Borle’s expense in drag), a few rousing ensemble numbers, but overall it feels stale. Like a good Roundabout revival of an old show.
J. Harrison Ghee and Natasha Yvette Williams are the MVPs here and the show fades when they’re not on the stage. Kevin Del Aguila is also very good. Christian Borle is doing his Christian Borle shtick. Adrianna Hicks is the weak link, sorry to say. Her voice is great, but acting… not so much.
I thought the set had potential, but it started to feel a little like an upgraded Encores mounting after a while. Not nearly as lush as I was expecting. The orchestra, on the other hand, sounded fantastic! I had read someone else’s note that they sounded thin, and I thought they had that perfect big band sound the musical was trying to nail. Now if only they could balance out those tap mics. The tapping sounded louder than the gunshot sound effects.
Overall, I’m glad I saw it, but best musical of the year? Not by a long shot. Kimberly Akimbo is right next door.