Sara Bareilles, Christian Borle, Ashley Park, and Heather Headley to Lead Encores Into The Woods- Page 7

[inception]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 5:29pm

NOWaWarning said: "  I was hoping that Borle might finally be the first Baker since Chip Zien that I enjoy."

I saw Javier Munoz play the Baker at the 2014 Oregon Shakespeare Festival production (before I knew who he was) and he was amazing and so moving.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 5:50pm

Maybe the thread title should be changed, since it's now only 50% accurate (or 2/3, if you count "Encores" and "Into the Woods" as part of the accurate info). 

Anyway, I actually don't hate NPH as a performer. I mainly just think this is a bad role for him. I wouldn't mind seeing NPH do his 4th Sondheim show, but I'd rather see him play someone like Frank in Merrily (hey, it's not too late...though he is noticeably older than Daniel Radcliffe). I could even see him as George in Sunday, though he wouldn't be my first pick. 

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 8:04pm

Well now that City Center has helpfully raised the price on any semi-decent seat from $135 to over $200, they have made the decision for me. No chance. No thanks. No way in hell.

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 8:19pm

Matt Rogers said: "Well now that City Center has helpfully raised the price on any semi-decent seat from $135 to over $200, they have made the decision for me. No chance. No thanks. No way in hell."

i mean can you blame them, they havent had revenue for two years and this encores production is clearly ment to put money in the bank, get every penny 

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 8:49pm

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "Matt Rogers said: "Well now that City Center has helpfully raised the price on any semi-decent seat from $135 to over $200, they have made the decision for me. No chance. No thanks. No way in hell."

i mean can you blame them, they havent had revenue for two years and this encores production is clearly ment to put money in the bank, get every penny"

Yup, I get it, but based on the quality of their last production, over $200 a ticket is a big risk, and not one I’m willing to take, especially since I just learned that they are closing the show with a huge children and senior citizen chorus singing Children Will Listen. Talk about a questionable artistic choice. 

[AntonioBwy]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 9:50pm

Does anyone have a discount code? Would really appreciate it with these prices

[SellingITWticket]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 10:03pm

I don’t have a discount code but I am selling one ticket for May 11th, if interested. I paid $144 with the fees but am willing to part with it for $110. It’s a mobile ticket so I can just forward the email after venmo payment. 

[jiaxing_26]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 10:16pm

Matt Rogers said: "I just learned that they are closing the show with a huge children and senior citizen chorus singing Children Will Listen. Talk about a questionable artistic choice."

Oh boy. Can I ask for a source? Now thinking of switching my ticket date if possible......

[ivy3]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 10:54pm

jiaxing_26 said: "Oh boy. Can I ask for a source? Now thinking of switching my ticket date if possible......"

It is mentioned in the BWW article announcing NPH joining the cast. 

"Joining the company for a finale that highlights the ways theater connects us across time is a 72 person, multigenerational community chorus of New York City seniors and public school students from City Center's Education Department partners, Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, Louis Armstrong Middle School, and Rosie's Theater Kids."

Updated On: 4/13/22 at 10:54 PM

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 11:04pm

For those that are part of the Access City Center (under 35) program, it won't get you better seats but I asked about it at the box office today and they gave me the $35 seats for $27.50 instead. I didn't hear a code or anything so I don't know if it's box office only but you could also try calling I suppose. 

[suicidalmickeymouse]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 1:19am

jiaxing_26 said: "Matt Rogers said: "I just learned that they are closing the show with a huge children and senior citizen chorus singing Children Will Listen. Talk about a questionable artistic choice."

Oh boy. Can I ask for a source? Now thinking of switching my ticket date if possible......"

I think they meant every night for the closing number, not closing night.

[Andre4]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 5:01am

Sent you a PM - let me know here if you did not get it for some reason. Thanks! 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 5:18am

Matt Rogers said: "BoringBoredBoard40 said: "Matt Rogers said: "Well now that City Center has helpfully raised the price on any semi-decent seat from $135 to over $200, they have made the decision for me. No chance. No thanks. No way in hell."

i mean can you blame them, they havent had revenue for two years and this encores production is clearly ment to put money in the bank, get every penny"

Yup, I get it, but based on the quality of their last production, over $200 a ticket is a big risk, and not one I’m willing to take, especially since I just learned that they are closing the show with a huge children and senior citizen chorus singing Children Will Listen. Talk about a questionable artistic choice."

Questionable artistic choice indeed... Between the casting change and huge chorus at the end... I'm considering parting with my ticket. Does anyone know if City Center does refunds like most other places, or do I need to try and sell on my own?

[UWS10023]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 5:26am

I don’t think ending the show with a supplemental chorus is any reason to sell your ticket. I just wish they would have replaced Christian with a better singer. It didn’t even need to be anyone famous.Frankly I am surprised NPH took the part.

[rattleNwoolypenguin]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 7:53am

I think Neil is gonna be wonderful. People forget he’s middle aged now and he definitely understands the tone of Into the Woods. Would’ve loved Christian, but Neil is a good choice. 

His serious acting especially is very underrated.

Will him and Sarah Barelles have chemistry? Time will tell. 

[JBroadway]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 9:40am

RE: the finale chorus

Doesn't seem fair to me that people are pre-maturely judging an artistic choice like this, before you've seen it in context. Even stranger to me that anyone would have such a strong reaction to it that they'd considering selling their ticket. Why? It's just a directorial choice, and not even a particularly obtrusive one - It will probably just feel like an added thematic component to the ending, like emotional set dressing; impactful for those who find it moving, but I would think, easily glossed over for people who don't care for it. 

It doesn't even strike me as a major re-interpretation of the story; seems fairly in line with the existing themes of community, heritage, generational storytelling, etc. The Shakespeare in the Park and Fiasco productions were probably more radically re-interpreted than this will be. 

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 10:08am

JBroadway said: "RE: the finale chorus

Doesn't seem fair to me that people are pre-maturely judging an artistic choice like this, before you've seen it in context. Even stranger to me that anyone would have such a strong reaction to it that they'd considering selling their ticket. Why? It's just a directorial choice, and not even a particularly obtrusive one - It will probably just feel like an added thematic component to the ending, like emotional set dressing; impactful for those who find it moving, but I would think, easily glossed over for people who don't care for it.

It doesn't even strike me as a major re-interpretation of the story; seems fairly in line with the existing themes of community, heritage, generational storytelling, etc. The Shakespeare in the Park and Fiasco productions were probably more radically re-interpreted than this will be."

To me, it just sounds completely tacky and cutesy-poo, not to mention a total distraction from the ending of the show itself. Ohhhh, look at all the cute little school children on a big professional stage! Ohhh, look, senior citizens too! It just sounds like the ending is going to be turned into one big amateur hour. And based on the reception their last production received, I'm not surprised. 

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 10:14am

I don’t love the chorus idea either, but come on, it’s SONDHEIM and a star studded cast. Some of you are really selling your tickets because of NPH and a community chorus?

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 10:17am

Matt Rogers said: "JBroadway said: "RE: the finale chorus

Doesn't seem fair to me that people are pre-maturely judging an artistic choice like this, before you've seen it in context. Even stranger to me that anyone would have such a strong reaction to it that they'd considering selling their ticket. Why? It's just a directorial choice, and not even a particularly obtrusive one - It will probably just feel like an added thematic component to the ending, like emotional set dressing; impactful for those who find it moving, but I would think, easily glossed over for people who don't care for it.

It doesn't even strike me as a major re-interpretation of the story; seems fairly in line with the existing themes of community, heritage, generational storytelling, etc. The Shakespeare in the Park and Fiasco productions were probably more radically re-interpreted than this will be."

To me, it just sounds completely tacky and cutesy-poo, not to mention a total distraction from the ending of the show itself. Ohhhh, look at all the cute little school children on a big professional stage! Ohhh, look, senior citizens too! It just sounds like the ending is going to be turned into one big amateur hour. And based on the reception their last production received, I'm not surprised."

I'm with Matt Rogers on this. As for needing to see it in context, to me, there is nothing to contextualize about this choice beyond what Matt Rogers just said - cutesy and cheeky. It's just not what I personally like to see on stage, and this added to the casting change, I'm just no longer excited about this and have very little desire to see it anymore. Others feel differently, and that's fine, but these two things are just not things that makes me want to revisit Into the Woods (especially when I'm only in town a weekend and can see something else that piques my interest more).

EDIT: I'm in no way trying to be snarky or start anything, just explaining my personal feelings and opinions.

Updated On: 4/14/22 at 10:17 AM

[rattleNwoolypenguin]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 11:34am

It’s just the last 2 minutes of a nearly 3 hour show.

We just went through a pandemic, they want to tack on some sentimental ending and it’ll either actually work or it’ll be meh but not ruin any of the brilliance that came before it by this cast

like calm down people. 

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 11:39am

rattleNwoolypenguin said: "It’s just the last 2 minutes of a nearly 3 hour show.

We just went through a pandemic, they want to tack on some sentimental ending and it’ll either actually work or it’ll be meh but not ruin any of the brilliance that came before it by this cast

like calm down people."

Everyone seems pretty calm to me. It's just a really questionable artistic choice, and that does not bode well for the rest of Lear deBessonet's direction of this show. 

[JasonC3]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 11:44am

I'm calm,
I'm calm,
I'm perfectly calm,
I'm utterly under control.
I haven't a worry:
Where others would hurry I stroll.

But if the closing chorus is over-the-top cheesy (as it seems it has the potential to be), I might stroll to the exits a bit earlier than usual.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 12:27pm

rattleNwoolypenguin said: "It’s just the last 2 minutes of a nearly 3 hour show.

We just went through a pandemic, they want to tack on some sentimental ending and it’ll either actually work or it’ll be meh but not ruin any of the brilliance that came before it by this cast

like calm down people."

Let people do what they want. If they are no longer into the show and don't want to see it, that's okay. Other people will happily take their place since it's a beloved musical with a great cast. 

 

[UWS10023]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 2:43pm

The chorus most likely will appear in the audience from the back of the house and will not go onstage. Give the director some credit. It is not a Christmas Eve pageant.

Updated On: 4/14/22 at 02:43 PM

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 2:46pm

It's not like "Children Will Listen" and "No One Is Alone" are patter songs. If you're listening to the lyrics at all, it's hard to miss the point. Bringing in a chorus to emphasize the clear themes in the show feels unnecessary but very Public Works and as long as she's not messing with the rest of the show, it'll probably be a little trite and obvious but fine.