SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM First Preview??- Page 3

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/20/10 at 2:05am

Oooh! I forgot to mention. I think this revue is MUCH better than Putting It Together. The DVD of that show is almost a chore to sit through.

I also hope they make a cast recording, mainly so we can have a recording of the gorgeous Cook/Williams duet! Updated On: 3/20/10 at 02:05 AM

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 3/20/10 at 2:08am

"Not only that, but next month there will be four Sondheim musicals running concurrently on Broadway!"

I can only name three:

(Sondheim On Sondheim)
(West Side Story)
(A Little Night Music)

Can someone refresh me on the fourth?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 3/20/10 at 2:09am

I find it just a tad hard to take PalJoey's edicts and pronouncements all that seriously, since he ranted and raved about the Little Night Music revival, during previews AND after previews and never actually SAW the show.

It's never too late to try and learn some consistency.

Unless you're kidding? Are you kidding, because if you are, it's one of those times where no one but you gets the joke.

ETA - I assume the fourth show is Anyone Can Whistle.
Updated On: 3/20/10 at 02:09 AM

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/20/10 at 2:10am

What a blessing there were no message boards years ago because many shows that were still working things out during previews were not trashed in public.

That has to be a joke. From the moment Broadway shows began to offer previews, the word of mouth has spread as fast as it can, with or without the internet.

This is theater. Trashing or praising a show just doesn't take that long.

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 3/20/10 at 2:12am

Thanks Phil!

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/20/10 at 2:17am

adamgreer- I have to disagree. Ephiphany was far from very good!

I think opinions are going to vary wildly on this show. It's easy to second guess all the choices made in a revue like this. I suppose a little disappointment comes with the territory and it's impossible to please everyone with each song selection and performance.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/20/10 at 3:22am

Another thing I forgot to mention. The new song is kind of bizarre. It opens act 2. It's basically a song about Sondheim himself, and how some people feel he is a "God."
I am glad to have a new song, but it's not very strong.
Updated On: 3/20/10 at 03:22 AM

[The Other One]

Posted: 3/20/10 at 7:41am

""Not only that, but next month there will be four Sondheim musicals running concurrently on Broadway!"

I can only name three:

(Sondheim On Sondheim)
(West Side Story)
(A Little Night Music)

Can someone refresh me on the fourth?"

I think the poster was referring to Encores production of "Anyone Can Whistle".

[After Eight]

Posted: 3/20/10 at 8:18am

"What a blessing there were no message boards years ago because many shows that were still working things out during previews were not trashed in public. I think postings during the first two weeks of previews should be banned."

Actually, what's the difference between a first preview in New York and a first performance of a show out-of-town? Long before the internet, reviews of shows from out-of-town filtered back to New York, and those interested in the theatre- like those in this newsgroup- knew about them.

And you can't ban commentary, and nor do I think you should. Remember that thing called freedom of speech?

And no one is forcing you or anyone else to read them. If you don't want to know about a show in previews, don't read the posts. But others might indeed want to know, for many reasons.

And what's more, these comments can be actually helpful to shows. After all, since shows are supposed to connect with audiences, shouldn't the writers know what's working and what isn't from the audience's perspective?

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 3/20/10 at 9:37am

This "don't bash a show in previews" bull**** is getting REALLY old. REALLY fast.

Here's the thing: Audiences (and the people on this board, I'm assuming) are paying FULL price to see previews of a show. Now, if the critics don't want to review it until it's frozen, that's fine, but I'm just incredibly sick of this attitude that people shouldn't be allowed to state negative opinions about preview performances. They're a consumer just like everybody else, and one of their basic consumer rights is to express dissatisfaction with what they paid $110 a seat to consume.

And anyone complaining about PalJoey's hypocrisy needs to learn to live with it, as it's unfortunately something we all have to deal with on a regular basis. Why, this is the man who chastised me for implying Arthur Laurents sleeps with his chorus boys and called me a homophobe, only to make the SAME joke two weeks later!

[GottaHaveAGimmick]

Posted: 3/20/10 at 9:57am

What is the size of the orchestra/band? Are they on stage or in the pit?

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 3/20/10 at 10:47am

According to the Playbill, there are 8 people in the orchestra, which is set above and behind the stage so that at times you can see them through a scrim behind the actors.

[wdwfreak]

Posted: 3/20/10 at 10:52am

Did anyone stagedoor? Who came out?

[broadwayjim42]

Posted: 3/20/10 at 10:53am

I was there and I think Barbara Cook should start preparing her Tony speech right now. True, it might be an Lansbury-like opportunity to celebrate her career, but she's given a lot to do and handles it beautifully.

Loved "Losing My Mind/Every Day A Little Death," but the song that honestly moved me the most was the "Best Thing" song from "Bounce/RoadShow." It just made me think of some people who are very special to me and just about had me in tears.

ETA: Who stage doored: Leslie Kritzer, Michael Scott, Norm Lewis, Tom Wopat, Barbara Cook, Vanessa Williams.

I thought everyone was in good voice (Wopat is the lesser, but consider the company) and I am completely in love with Euan Morton's now.

The projections were mostly very imfortative, but in the early going, a couple stepped into Monty Python/South Park territory with the talking heads and such.

ETA: Who stage doored: Leslie Kritzer, Michael Scott, Norm Lewis, Tom Wopat, Barbara Cook, Vanessa Williams
Updated On: 3/20/10 at 10:53 AM

[Brick]

Posted: 3/20/10 at 11:32am

"This "don't bash a show in previews" bull**** is getting REALLY old. REALLY fast. "

Express your opinion, even a negative one, fine. But trashing a show after the first preview is out of line, even on a message board.

Yes, you paid full price, but you paid full price for a PREVIEW! They are still working on it! So, say it still needs work or say you didn't care for it, but you know very well people come on here and say far worse during previews.

"Actually, what's the difference between a first preview in New York and a first performance of a show out-of-town? Long before the internet, reviews of shows from out-of-town filtered back to New York, and those interested in the theatre- like those in this newsgroup- knew about them. "

But before, it wasn't anonymous.

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 3/20/10 at 11:42am

I will start with what I didn't like. The haphazard first act is totally all over the place. I'm not saying they need to go through the shows chronologically, but there is literally no method to the order of the first act. It just jumps all over the place disregarding any sense of cohesion. The second act, thankfully, is more structured.

Most of the performances are excellent, though some of the song choice bugged me. I think there are too many cut songs. While it's great to hear little (or never) heard tunes, they were cut for a reason, and they are ignoring songs (and whole shows poor Pacific Overtures) in favor of rare songs that were quite honestly cut for a reason. Not to say there aren't some gems I'd never heard of.

The interview portions are all extremely well done, and really fascinating. They actually hit on some extremely poignant and emotional moments in the second act, about Stephen's relationship with his mother and his regret at not having kids.

The cast is uniformly excellent. Williams and Cook doing a mash-up/duet of "Losing My Mind" and "Not A Day Goes By" was easily the best part. And I am surprised to hear that people didn't like Wopat and Cook's "You Could Drive a Person Crazy." The energy needs to be amped up a bit, but it's really good otherwise.

The set was awesome! It was made up of a series of TV's that will play interviews, video clips, and other design elements. It's really very hard to describe but it's very, very cool! The only time I didn't like the video elements were the AFTHOTWTTF section. Super cheesey. I was really worried since that was right near the beginning, but everything after that was great.

The entire cast stage-doored. It took Cook and Williams quite a while to come out though. There was a great moment where one guy was trying to tell Barbara how amazing she was and he said there were no words. She put her hand on his shoulder, looks deep into his eyes, and just says, "Try!"

[Brick]

Posted: 3/20/10 at 12:39pm

"AFTHOTWTTF Section"

?

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 3/20/10 at 12:45pm

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 3/20/10 at 12:50pm

the AFTHOTWTTF section

The what? Come on now. Some acronyms in a Sondheim thread are obvious, like SITPWG, but what the heck is that?


Edit: Jesus. Just say FORUM.

Updated On: 3/20/10 at 12:50 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/20/10 at 1:03pm

"I was there and I think Barbara Cook should start preparing her Tony speech right now. "

- While I loved Cook, and felt her Fosca and Clowns were easily the best acted moments of the show, I do not think she will a Tony for this. I feel the award is Zeta-Jones' to lose, unless Chenoweth turns out to be absolutely amazing.

Posted: 3/20/10 at 1:14pm

What percentage of people rush to early previews because they think they are going to LOVE the show and just CAN NOT wait to see it versus those that think they are going to HATE the show and just CAN NOT wait to see it?

One out of ten? One out of a hundred?

[jv92]

Posted: 3/20/10 at 1:16pm

Do you thnk Barbara will stage door tomorrow afternoon? I adore the lady. She's my favorite singer. It would be a thrill to see her at the stage door. And will she sign my At Carnegie Hall CD booklet? Where is the stagedoor at 54?
Oh, and I can't tell you how thrilled I am to see this great lady (and a few very good others) sing the work of the greatest songwriter ever with the master's own commentary.

[MissAnneThrop]

Posted: 3/20/10 at 4:14pm

can someone who went indicate who sang what and in what order?

I'LL MEET YOU AT THE DONUT
WHEN I GET FAMOUS
SO MANY PEOPLE
SOMETHING'S COMING
LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE
SMILE GIRLS
FORGET WAR
LOVE IS IN THE AIR
COMEDY TONIGHT
ANYONE CAN WHISTLE
DO I HEAR A WALTZ?
TAKE ME TO THE WORLD
YOU COULD DRIVE A PERSON CRAZY
THE WEDDING IS OFF
MULTITUDES OF AMYS
HAPPILY EVER AFTER
COMPANY
WAITING FOR THE GIRLS UPSTAIRS
LOSING MY MIND
IN BUDDY'S EYES
MY HUSBAND THE PIG
EVERY DAY A LITTLE DEATH
SEND IN THE CLOWNS
A WEEKENED IN THE COUNTRY
EPIPHANY
FRANKLIN SHEPPARD INC
GOOD THING GOING
OPENING DOORS
NOT A DAY GOES BY
OLD FRIENDS
FINISHING THE HAT
SUNDAY
BEAUTIFUL
CHILDREN WILL LISTEN
EVER AFTER
SOMETHING JUST BROKE
THE GUN SONG
I READ
IS THIS WHAT YOU CALL LOVE
LOVING YOU
HAPPINESS
TALENT
THE BEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/20/10 at 4:18pm

Someone came up with this list on ATC. It would take too much time to figure out the order.
----------------

The song are listed chronologically in the Playbill . . . I'll do my best to remember who sang what:

BY GEORGE
I'll Meet You at the Donut - Scott

CLIMB HIGH
When I Get Famous - Morton

SATURDAY NIGHT
So Many People - ???

WEST SIDE STORY
Something's Coming - Kritzer, Mackey, Morton & Scott
Like Everybody Else - ???

GYPSY
Smile, Girls - Williams

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM
Invocation/Forget War - Wopat, Lewis, Morton & Scott
Love Is in the Air - Cook, Kritzer, Mackey, Williams
Comedy Tonight - All

ANYONE CAN WHISTLE
Anyone Can Whistle - All

DO I HEAR A WALTZ?
Do I Hear a Waltz? - Mackey

EVENING PRIMROSE
Take Me to the World - Cook

COMPANY
You Could Drive a Person Crazy - Cook & Wopat
The Wedding is Off - Mackey & Williams
Multitudes of Amys - Scott
Happily Ever After - Wopat
Being Alive - Lewis
Company - All

FOLLIES
Ah, But Underneath - Lewis, Morton, Scott & Williams
Losing My Mind - Williams
In Buddy's Eyes - Cook

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
My Husband the Pig - Krtizer
Every Day a Little Death - Cook, Krtizer, Mackey & Williams
Send in the Clowns - Cook
A Weekend in the Country - All

SWEENEY TODD
Epiphany - Wopat

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG
Franklin Shepard, Inc. - Morton
Good Thing Going - Williams
Opening Doors - Krtizer, Mackey, Morton & Scott
Not a Day Goes By - Cook
Old Friends - All

SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE
Finishing the Hat - Wopat
Sunday - All
Beautiful - Cook & Morton

INTO THE WOODS
Children Will Listen - All
Ever After - All

ASSASSINS
Something Just Broke - Kritzer, Lewis, Mackey, Morton & Scott
The Gun Song - Krtizer, Lewis, Mackey, Morton, Scott & Wopat

PASSION
Fosca's Entrance (I Read) - Cook
Is This What You Call Love? - Lewis
Loving You - Cook
Happiness - All

ROAD SHOW
Talent - Scott
The Bes Thing That Ever Has Happened - Lewis, Scott, Williams & Wopat

[After Eight]

Posted: 3/20/10 at 10:35pm

"What percentage of people rush to early previews because they think they are going to LOVE the show and just CAN NOT wait to see it"

Probably 6 out of ten.

Percentage of those who want to see a show in its first form, or who might fear a show making changes that they would miss, or a show that they might miss altogether if it closed suddenly in previews:

Probably 3.9 out of ten.



"those that think they are going to HATE the show and just CAN NOT wait to see it"


.1 out of ten, if that.