SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM First Preview??- Page 5

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 9:25am

Are these people claiming to be "bored" going in to it thinking it's a book musical?

It's a revue...you know ahead of time that it's people singing songs (in this case, with about two exceptions, out of context and character) interspersed with interview clips. There is no plot. What are people expecting, exactly, that they're bored?

I do agree that the show is about 20 minutes too long, but I saw the first preview, and I'm sure they're addressing that. I'm eager to return tomorrow night to see the changes they've made so far.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 9:48am

Now you know what it was like for me to be 15 in 1971 and in love with Follies.

All I heard all around me was "It's boring," "It's depressing" and "I really disliked those people."

Meanwhile I was saying, "I know there are things wrong with it, but don't you UNDERSTAND that Sondheim-with-problems is better than anything else around?"

They didn't then. They may not now. I'm going back to see Barbara do "Loving You" again and Norm do "Being Alive" again and to see what they do with Vanessa's striptease.

And I'm going back to see Leslie Kritzer's new solo. ;-}

[Anakela]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 9:56am

Are these people claiming to be "bored" going in to it thinking it's a book musical?

Random story: I went to Sondheim on Sondheim again last night (I was also there on Friday first preview), and during intermission the two people sitting behind me were having a conversation, trying to figure out how bored they were, if they wanted to leave, or if they wanted to stay for Act II. And they couldn't decide. So, they decided to go ASK THE USHER if the usher thought it was "worth it" for them to stay for Act II. There are people attending this show who are sitting through Act I and yet not able to decide for themselves if they want to stay for Act II or not, so who knows what they're going into this show thinking.

I didn't notice many changes last night- actually having guns instead of using finger guns during the Assassins number is the one that stands out in my mind. And, on Friday, was there a video intro to "Smile, Girls?" There was one last night, and for some reason I don't remember that video from Friday, but all the other videos seemed the same. And Kritzer still needs an individual solo.

and ps, going back a couple of pages, thanks for this:
Thirded. It was really awkward when Leslie Kritzer was sitting on his lap too, it brought back a lot of suppressed nightmares about A Catered Affair.
I actually enjoyed A Catered affair (whatever, judge me for that later), but I'm glad to know mine wasn't the only brain that went "that's her DAD!" during that bit.

[WestVillage]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 10:02am

I saw it last night. It was fine, but nothing to make me tell other people "you've got to see this show." The Sondheim videos were the best part of the evening. The rest just felt like a bunch of friends getting together to sing Sondheim songs. Always wonderful to see Barbara Cook, and her "Send in the Clowns" was by far the best number of the evening. Didn't care for Wopat or Williams (whose tinny voice really grated on my nerves every time she opened her mouth), and especially didn't like Erin. Something just didn't gel for me ... it was a pleasant enough night that went on for about 30 minutes too long. But no excitement, no energy. Just a group of competent (although dull) singers (with the exception of Ms. Cook) doing Sondheim, interspersed with much more entertaining stories and anecdotes from the master himself. This is a show strictly for Sondheim afficiandos; anyone else will be bored silly.

[jakebloke]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 10:27am

I'm sure there are people that think it's a book musical. I knew it wasn't going to be. The show just really lacks energy. There's hardly any upbeat numbers, and although I enoy most of the cast, it really feels somewhat bland. I don't have any fondness nor dislike for Barbara Cook, but I found it difficult to watch her move on the stage. It didn't help considering there's no energy in the show to begin with.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 10:48am

It's a cast of 6. Sondheim doesn't really write big, rousing production numbers. What kind of "energy" were you expecting?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 11:14am

"The play, I remember, pleased not the million; 'twas caviar to the general: but it was--as I received it, and others, whose judgments in such matters cried in the top of mine--an excellent play."

--Hamlet

[After Eight]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 11:56am

"I'm not surprised. People have been walking out of Sondheim shows for over 40 years. It's nothing new. Oh well, their loss."

From their point of view, certainly a loss of their money and time.


"Now you know what it was like for me to be 15 in 1971 and in love with Follies.

All I heard all around me was "It's boring," "It's depressing" and "I really disliked those people." "


Maybe they were right. I found it all those things. There were things I admired about it as well.

"Meanwhile I was saying, "I know there are things wrong with it, but don't you UNDERSTAND that Sondheim-with-problems is better than anything else around?" "

Maybe not to them. Not to me, either, though I like some of his work.

""The play, I remember, pleased not the million; 'twas caviar to the general: but it was--as I received it, and others, whose judgments in such matters cried in the top of mine--an excellent play."

--Hamlet "


What I don't get is for those who love/worship/idolize Sondheim, whose lives begin and end with him, why can't they just be enraptured by every note and word he writes, and let those who don't like the man's work be allowed to hold a differing point of view without the elitist disparagement? Very strange.

And incidentally, just because the general rejects something doesn't make it "caviar." The general equally rejects sour milk, rancid nuts, and stale bread, and none of those is "caviar."

And as far as the arts are concerned, who's to be the judge of what is "caviar?"

I liked some of the things in "Sondheim on Sondheim." But overall, I would agree with those who find it boring, and I knew it was a revue before I went in. Revues can be boring too.

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 1:45pm

it would be been interesting to hear Sondheim comment about teaching it to the original Amy.

You can watch that lesson in its entirety if you just look for it. It's fascinating, but why should they just repeat what's already out there for this show, instead of spending their time giving us new information?

This is a show strictly for Sondheim afficiandos

Well, duh. I can't imagine why anyone would look at a show called SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM and say, "You know, I really can't stand Sondheim, but I bet that show is great! I'm going to buy tickets right now!"

Yes, this is a show for Sondheim aficionados. It knows that and embraces it. Because it is in a nonprofit house, they can get away with a niche show like that (especially since I'd wager that a great portion of Roundabout's subscribers belong to that niche). Of course non-Sondheim fans would be bored silly, because it's not for them. I don't mean that in an elitist way, really. It's the same reason I'd be bored to death at COME FLY AWAY. It's not my show.

[WestVillage]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 3:06pm

"This is a show strictly for Sondheim afficiandos.

Well, duh. I can't imagine why anyone would look at a show called SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM and say, "You know, I really can't stand Sondheim, but I bet that show is great! I'm going to buy tickets right now!"

That's a pretty black and white statement. Either you hate Sondheim, so you won't see it, or you're a Sondheim nut who will see it. Did it ever occur to you that there are plenty of people in between? Those who like some Sondheim shows, don't like others? Those who like to see new musicals in general? Those who go see practically everything? Of course, if someone absolutely can't stand Sondheim, they're not going to go. But you don't have to be a Sondheim nut to have a desire to see this show. But its appeal is really toward the complete afficiando, not the casual Sondheim fan.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 3:24pm

I agree with you, After Eight.

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 3:28pm

Did it ever occur to you that there are plenty of people in between?

Of course. I still don't think anyone who doesn't absolutely love everything Sondheim has ever done would go to a show called SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM. If they are one of those people who goes to everything, then they can't really complain about not liking it, because they should have known what to expect.

Also, in my experience, yes, people either love Sondheim or hate him. His shows and style are very polarizing.

[After Eight]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 3:41pm

"Of course. I still don't think anyone who doesn't absolutely love everything Sondheim has ever done would go to a show called SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM."

Then I think you're wrong. I for one do not love everything Sondheim has ever done and I went for a number of reasons: I like some of his work, the concept intrigued me, I love Barbara Cook, I like other members of the cast, and I thought it could be a gratifying evening. I was disappointed, but I still think there were worthwhile things in the show.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 3:48pm

You're wrong, I was dying to see Vanessa on Broadway. I did enjoy the current Night Music production, and some Sondheim's songs here and there. "Losing My Mind" is one of my favorite songs. I love "Ever After" and "Children" from Into The Woods, several songs from "Dick Tracy", "West Side Story", etc.
Yet, there are many scores from him I don't enjoy.

Updated On: 3/25/10 at 03:48 PM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 4:04pm

"As we all should probably have learned by now, to be a Stephen Sondheim fan is to have one's heart broken at regular intervals."

--Frank Rich, November 17, 1981,in his New York Times review of Merrily We Roll Along

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 4:06pm

" I still don't think anyone who doesn't absolutely love everything Sondheim has ever done would go to a show called SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM"

I believe that is a very inaccurate statement. People "who doesn't absolutely love everything Sondheim has ever [done]" will still go for any number of reasons. As Muscle23ftl pointed out, a chance to see Vanessa Williams (or, for that matter, Barbara Cook) is reason enough...whether or not they are a Sondheim fanatic.
Updated On: 3/25/10 at 04:06 PM

Posted: 3/25/10 at 4:32pm

"As we all should probably have learned by now, opinions are like ass holes- everybody's got one and you think everyone else's stinks."

[WestVillage]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 4:50pm

"people either love Sondheim or hate him. His shows and style are very polarizing."

So not true. I love Company, Forum, Gypsy, WSS, Follies, Merrily, Do I Hear a Waltz, Into the Woods, Sweeney, Sunday. Can't stand Passion, Assassins, Pacific Overtures, Roadshow, Night Music. I've like more of his shows than I've disliked, but I am certainly not a Sondheim fanatic, and still wanted to see Sondheim on Sondheim. Glad I did because of the videos ... but I kept thinking this would have made a much better documentary using the Sondheim clips than it did as a dull review. SPOILER: at the top of the second act when they were showing a video and Barbara Cook says something like "shut him off and let's sing the damn songs", I thought ... "please don't, the videos are so much more interesting."

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 5:09pm

I said "in my experience." I did not say it was an unequivocal fact. Obviously, every rule has some exceptions.

Okay, so I was wrong about the reasons to see this. HOWEVER, if you are seeing a Sondheim revue and do not enjoy all of his work, you should be prepared to dislike some of the music you're going to hear. It's not like the title is deceptive or cryptic in any way.

If I went to see Billy Elliot even though I don't like ballet because I loved the actress playing the grandma, I wouldn't come back complaining about how I was bored every time the little boy danced.

[jakebloke]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 7:07pm

I thought the same thing WestVillage when she said shut the video off. Thankfully it didn't last for long.

I actually love a lot of Sondheim. This revue just didn't work for me. When I say energy, I don't necessarily mean huge production numbers as that's really not feasible with an 8 person cast. It was just dull. In my opinion, there wasn't a lot of stage presence. Just because you love Sondheim, doesn't mean you'll love this show as it really has nothing to do with the songs. The production, while having some great moments, just doesn't work on the whole IMO.

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 7:58pm

Jake- It is funny you say there was little energy, because the first preview was full of it. In fact, I would say it was the most energetic show I've seen this season, and I have seen almost every show. Was it a loud energy, no. It was a quiet, pulling you to the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next energy, and it was wonderful to see in a house that hasn't had a ton of energy since Assassins left.

It is possible you caught an off performance, or a show after a day full of rehearsal, or you saw it with an off audience (or I saw it with an insane audience, which is very possible).

[jakebloke]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 11:17pm

I guess it's possible. But half the audience left. Several before the first act ended, and many didn't come back after intermission. But this is new show. These performers should feel fresh, and excited about what they're doing. I didn't get it. Just my thoughts. I think it's great that people are enjoying it. i hope it improves, I just won't be one to see if it does.

[gcontini2]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 11:37pm

" I still don't think anyone who doesn't absolutely love everything Sondheim has ever done would go to a show called SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM"

Actually, besides the afore-mentioned group who might go specifically to see Cook, Williams, or Wopat, is this not also part of Roundabout's subscription season?

Many of the people I saw walking out tonight may have been those who were just trying it out as part of their subscription seats.. they didn't have to have been Sondheim fans beforehand
Updated On: 3/25/10 at 11:37 PM

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 3/26/10 at 12:18am

Having worked for a couple of regional non-profit theatre companies, it never ceases to baffle me how many patrons have no idea what they're seeing. Many just renew every year, not looking at what shows they're choosing, and then moan about it later. I subscribe to a few theatre seasons a year, and always look at what they're doing before decided to renew, no matter how long I've been with them. If I don't like the show (or writer) I don't put it in my season. They always try to get me to renew without knowing their season. I refuse. I noticed Roundabout is taking season sub renewals right now without announcing their season. Ugh.

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 3/26/10 at 12:25am

And in another of my posts, I specifically addressed that by saying that I'd be willing to bet that a large part of Roundabout's subscribers are Sondheim fans, considering that Roundabout has done a Sondheim show nearly every season for over a decade. They wouldn't continue to do that if their audience didn't like it.