STEREOPHONIC Opening Night Critics’ Reviews- Page 5

[EthelMae]

Posted: 5/9/24 at 4:30pm

Please excuse if not in correct thread- TodayTix is selling restricted view Balcony seats which come with the disclaimer: “Some of the back of the stage is not seen”. I saw it at Playwrights so I imagine they mean when the group goes into the recording studio. Has anyone sat here at the Golden? Do you miss much? The price is right but I’m taking someone who hasn't seen it and I’d hate to have him miss a lot. Thanks!

[Rumpelstiltskin]

Posted: 5/12/24 at 4:37pm

I'm glad I saw this. It lived up to the expectations I had from reading this thread and other social media posts. I thought the characters were clearly defined and deftly performed. I can justify its many Tony nominations.

That said, I wouldn't be comfortable recommending it to anyone without qualifications. During the first half I had the sense that people were squirming in their seats and looking for a clock. In my party of four, two left at intermission because of some variant on "I feel like I'm at Thanksgiving dinner with a bunch of people I don't like and don't have any desire to get to know."  The party of roughly eight women in the row in front of us left as well along with the party of three couples behind us. One of the women in front made some comment about the emperor's new clothes in reference to the Tony love. The two of us who stayed felt like we had the rear orchestra practically to ourselves for the second half. I honestly enjoyed that because I felt a kinship and solidarity with those who stayed.

I am enjoying listening to the music now. I do recommend anyone with tickets take the time to listen before seeing the show. It's not essential in order to understand what's going on (it won't do that at all), but will elevate the experience by making what's happening on the stage feel more real; i.e., as if this were a behind-the-scenes look at an actual band.

I also recommend the the first couple of rows behind the premium section in the orchestra. The view and sound were perfect (better than closer rows I imagine) and the price (I paid $90) was very reasonable.

[kdogg36]

Posted: 5/14/24 at 7:48pm

This question might seem out of left field, but: does anyone have any insight on the title? It obviously relates to the idea of recording an album, but is there any more specific connection between the title and the story? (It could be the name of the band or of the album, neither of which is given in the show.)

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 5/16/24 at 9:30am

As mentioned in another thread, I was on business trip and last meeting was at 11am. I knew it was a quick one and I could catch matinee before flying home at night. Looked around at a couple of shows and the price was too high for me and then checked out this show. Only three seats were available and got one of them for $139, I was thrilled.

The show was pretty good although a bit long (3 hours), dragged a bit at times. I am a guy who "geeked" out watching the Beatle documentary (Get Back) so this was right up my alley. I am also a big "Fleetwood Mac" fan so saw the fairly obvious resemblance of Nicks-Buckingham (Peter-Diana) and the McVie's (Reg-Holly) dynamic in the characters. The drummer Simon actually reminds me more of Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts who was a good family man and was comfortable being in the background of the group.

The music is excellent but kind of wish we could hear more of it at times. I understand in the recording process you rarely hear full songs and most of the music is fragmented. Really liked that all of the actors played their own instruments. The centerpiece of the show is the growth of Diane who goes from being bullied by Peter to gaining confidence in her ability as a singer and as a person. Overall, this is an excellent cast.

While I really enjoyed this show, it is not for everyone. You really need to be into the sometimes mundane process of creating an album. So I hope anybody who wants to see this show does some research before buying a ticket. 

Updated On: 5/16/24 at 09:30 AM

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 5/16/24 at 10:39am

kdogg36 said: "This question might seem out of left field, but: does anyone have anyinsight on the title? It obviously relates to the idea of recording an album, but is there any more specific connection between the title and the story? (It could be the name of the band or of the album, neither of which is given in the show.)"

It is apparently based on the technical definition of stereophonic sound: “using two or more channels of transmission and reproduction so that the reproduced sound seems to surround the listener and to come from more than one source.” The music is literally recorded in stereophonic sound, but we’re also watching the play from several characters’ perspectives.

[persephone88]

Posted: 5/16/24 at 2:48pm

Sorry for the late reply - I got $40 preview seats, unrestricted view, in the balcony, C117/119, and the view was fine from there. It sometimes cut the heads off people standing at the BACK of the booth, but nothing of great import happened there - most dialogue and the singers in the booth were toward the front. If you want good facial expressions, opera glasses help, but my friend was fine viewing it from there without...

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 5/20/24 at 12:14pm

I saw the show this past weekend, and can I say that this was probably the greatest original piece of theatre I have seen in recent years! The story was exhilarating and mesmerizing, and the score resembles 70s rock while being refreshingly original! If you can get a ticket, please go see this! I really hope this wins the best score at the Tonys. It would be insane to see a play beat the nominated musical scores. Has that ever happened before?

[ShowBro]

Posted: 5/20/24 at 5:29pm

Dylan Smith4 said: "I saw the show this past weekend, and can I say that this was probably the greatest original piece of theatre I have seen in recent years!”

Except it’s not an original story as numerous critics and posters here have noted this is based on Fleetwood Mac recording Rumors. Also, it would be wild if this beat Days of Wine and Roses for best score IMO. 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 5/21/24 at 8:49am

Asking for opinions here...is there a cutoff where the mezzanine is a bad choice for seats? I have one of the first five rows in the center. Is that a bad area? 

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 5/21/24 at 9:01am

hearthemsing22 said: "Asking for opinions here...is there a cutoff where the mezzanine is a bad choice for seats? I have one of the first five rows in the center. Is that a bad area?"

I sat in Rear Mezz Row E the last time I saw it, and while a couple heads at the back of the sound booth are slightly cut off during the recording scenes, you don’t miss any action. Further back, you’re starting to risk the sightline and also it just feels far away. But anything from Front Mezz Row B to Rear Mezz Row E is totally fine.

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 5/21/24 at 9:02am

ColorTheHours048 said: "hearthemsing22 said: "Asking for opinions here...is there a cutoff where the mezzanine is a bad choice for seats? I have one of the first five rows in the center. Is that a bad area?"

I sat in Rear Mezz Row E the last time I saw it, and while a couple heads at the back of the sound boothare slightly cut off during the recording scenes, you don’t miss any action. Further back, you’re starting to risk the sightline and also it just feels far away.But anything from Front Mezz Row B to Rear Mezz Row E is totally fine."

Great. Thank you! 

[BroadwayAndSports]

Posted: 5/21/24 at 12:05pm

Has anyone tried rush for this recently? Hoping to go tomorrow but not sure how early I can get there.

[Huss417]

Posted: 5/21/24 at 1:48pm

Just a question for those who have sat in the $59.00 Obstructed Orchestra seats. I'm assuming the farther I go back in the orchestra the view might be better but is there anything major that I would be missing on the stage from these seats?

[MezzA101]

Posted: 5/25/24 at 3:25pm

'Stereophonic' Playwright David Adjmi Sets Record Straight On Rumours

https://deadline.com/2024/05/stereophonic-playwright-david-adjmi-qa-1235924424/

[MezzA101]

Posted: 5/28/24 at 2:33pm

Watch: The Making of David Adjmi’s Stereophonic, the Most Tony-Nominated Broadway Play in History - TheaterMania.com

 

https://www.theatermania.com/news/watch-the-making-of-david-adjmis-istereophonic-i-the-most-tony-nominated-broadway-show-in-history_1741403/

[dwwst12]

Posted: 6/6/24 at 9:46am

For those of you who found it "tedious" (that seems to be the most common criticism), are you generally fans of this genre/topic?

My favorite movie of all time is Almost Famous, and I'm a big Fleetwood Mac fan. So I'm *guessing* I'm not going to be bored?!

[DoTheDood]

Posted: 6/6/24 at 11:28am

dwwst12 said: "For those of you who found it "tedious" (that seems to be the most common criticism), are you generally fans of this genre/topic?

My favorite movie of all time is Almost Famous, and I'm a big Fleetwood Mac fan. So I'm *guessing* I'm not going to be bored?!"

I would definitely put myself in the camp of those who didn't feel this justified being three hours, but I am willing to admit to this being more on my circumstances rather than the play itself. I got up far too early to rush this, so was pretty tired, was unsuccessful anyway, and got a last row Mezz seat off of StubHub

I wasn't even that bothered by the obstruction of the recording booth, but the show just didn't feel as intimate as I've seen others describe it as, which could be from sitting as far back as possible. I was mostly dozing off during the second half with Acts III and IV as those seemed to have less musical moments compared to the first half. Watching the score unfurling is truly the magic of this show, but those moments became more rare after intermission. That being said, Masquerade is worth the price of admission alone

To circle this back to Almost Famous, when I saw it with my SO, we accidentally watched the extended cut without realizing it. She felt it was far too long, but I really enjoyed it, so I do feel that tinge of irony with critiquing this show. The play nails that 70's aesthetic, so as long as you don't sit too far in the mezzanine, you will have a blast

Updated On: 6/6/24 at 11:28 AM

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 6/6/24 at 10:29pm

I had zero reference to the album or band STEREOPHONIC is inspired by, had no prior knowledge of the personalities involved. Yet I was on the edge of my seat for most of the 3 hour +  performance. The performances elevated the somewhat discursive script to high art for me, and the magic of watching art being created in front of us was sublime. 

[MezzA101]

Posted: 6/7/24 at 1:14pm

Will Butler on 'Stereophonic' Tony-Nominated Score for Broadway Hit

 

https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/will-butler-stereophonic-broadway-tony-nominated-1235702172/
 

[brenway]

Posted: 6/7/24 at 10:44pm

Huss417 said: "Just a question for those who have sat in the $59.00 Obstructed Orchestra seats. I'm assuming the farther I go back in the orchestra the view might be better but is there anything major that I would be missing on the stage from these seats?"

I sat in one of these a few weeks ago, I think row J right orchestra and missed nothing, maybe missed the drummers face for one scene, nothing of significance. Felt so closely intimate with the show. Well worth being on the side.

[MezzA101]

Posted: 6/8/24 at 8:06am

Stereophonic' Star Sarah Pidgeon Talks Broadway Debut, Tony Noms

 

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/stereophonic-sarah-pidgeon-tonys-1235035525/

[MezzA101]

Posted: 6/10/24 at 7:55am

Tony Awards Mute ‘Stereophonic’ On Telecast

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/marchershberg/2024/06/09/tony-awards-mute-stereophonic-on-telecast/

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 6/10/24 at 8:09am

MezzA101 said: "Tony Awards Mute ‘Stereophonic’ On Telecast

https://www.forbes.com/sites/marchershberg/2024/06/09/tony-awards-mute-stereophonic-on-telecast/"

Uhhh, well, that’s certainly a choice. I guarantee they’ll have Merrily perform, which is practically sold out and closes less than a month later. The Tonys should be an advertisement for Broadway, no?

[suzycat]

Posted: 6/13/24 at 8:02pm

At the end of this podcast David Adjmi says he’s writing a musical (rock opera) with Will Butler: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/13/podcasts/the-writer-behind-the-most-nominated-play-in-broadway-history.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/14/24 at 11:04pm

Just home from my fifth time seeing the show. If you were there tonight you got a TREAT - the cast was firing on all cylinders and gave the best performances I’ve ever seen them collectively give. It was amazing.