School of Rock Previews- Page 8

Posted: 12/4/15 at 2:47pm

Kad, there have been a lot of gay characters represented in the musical theatre. Have any of them been good depictions of gay men in your opinion? 

"No, I think the  psychic damage caused by decades of depictions of gay men as being inherently ridiculous and laugh-worthy is awesome!"

Do you feel the same way about Lola and Albin? 

There are all sorts of gay men kad. Just because you don't LIKE the depiction doesn't mean it isn't accurate to what gay men out there are ACTUALLY like.

Harvey Fierstein would tell you that better than me.

Updated On: 12/4/15 at 02:47 PM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 12/4/15 at 2:51pm

Hm. Well in those two cases I don't think the audience is laughing AT them. Each character is given ample room to show us their depth and who they are. They aren't playing the stock "swishy gay character." 

I just hate when a straight person plays "gay" and just makes them super effeminate. 

And, sorry, it's annoying that the gay little boy in the show never even got any closure on his story line. Who cares about the guitar player? His story is rather lame. Who really cares about the gay dads? That kid had a better story line, and it's totally forgotten about. 

[haterobics]

Posted: 12/4/15 at 2:52pm

*BWW software glitch bump*

[Kad]

Posted: 12/4/15 at 3:06pm

Aida Revival said: "Kad, there have been a lot of gay characters represented in the musical theatre. Have any of them been good depictions of gay men in your opinion? 

 

"No, I think the  psychic damage caused by decades of depictions of gay men as being inherently ridiculous and laugh-worthy is awesome!"

 

Do you feel the same way about Lola and Albin? 

 

There are all sorts of gay men kad. Just because you don't LIKE the depiction doesn't mean it isn't accurate to what gay men out there are ACTUALLY like.

 

Harvey Fierstein would tell you that better than me.

 

"

How old are you, exactly?

 

Posted: 12/4/15 at 3:12pm

43. What does that have to do with anything? 

I see what you are saying about the "used for comedic effect." A lot of characters in musical theatre are used for comedic effect. As for the character at hand, I see no problem with a little gay queen on stage because there are little gay boys who are like him, and I think its cute. 

Updated On: 12/4/15 at 03:12 PM

Posted: 12/4/15 at 3:14pm

Plus, nobody is really laughing AT him. It is not used to make fun of him, and the people laughing are not laughing in any negative way. He is very cute and likable.

[haterobics]

Posted: 12/4/15 at 3:27pm

Aida Revival said: "43. What does that have to do with anything? "

 

I was off by 30ish years!

[chernjam]

Posted: 12/4/15 at 4:17pm

Now that the cast album has been released - was curious for those of you who've seen the show, can you point out any major differences or omissions?  I know that often times with ALW (especially recent shows) I found the live production there were some major changes that I wished were reflected on the recording (ie - Woman in White there were substantial revisions to the score that made it flow so much better)

[Broadway Guru]

Posted: 12/4/15 at 11:43pm

There are a lot of differences between what is on the cast album and what is now on view at the Winter Garden.

'Give Up Your Dreams" has been cut and replaced with a brief reprise of "Top of Mount Rock"

Dewey's vocals have been cut out of the "Where Has the Rock Gone" sequence in his bedroom. It is now just an orchestral interlude.

The way they've preserved "You're in the Band" leaves out whole chunks of stuff that would help make it sound better, as it does in the theater

"Stick It To The Man" now has some lyrical changes

"Top of Mount Rock" also has some lyrical changes that "cleans it up" a bit

One of the kids does an amazing a cappella rendition of "Amazing Grace" that is omitted

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 12/4/15 at 11:53pm

This is why they should had waited to record everything!

[Broadway Guru]

Posted: 12/5/15 at 12:04am

RippedMan said: "Saw this tonight thanks to the lotto. Was not crowded (they give out 24 tickets - no seats together). I was in the last row of the theater, but, since the Mezz is so shallow it was an awesome seat. 

 

I think the show is solid, but that doesn't mean it's good. There were moments of weird transitions, that I think in this stage are a little too late to change. There are moments where we're left just kind of starring at someone in a spotlight, but not much is happening. Or there's just darkness and the set is moving around. The show felt a little stilted, and there felt like a good bit of filler. 

 

The book is...dated. It just didn't feel current. The jokes were CBS sitcom funny, and the story kind of plodded along. I mean, they're playing rock music in a classroom and no one can hear? I know it's theater, so suspend your disbelief, but suddenly a bunch of kids are in your apartment? Huh? The gay kid has a whole conversation with his father about how he has to play football and then nothing is resolved. It just all felt a little too messy and a little too broad. And I totally see the misogyny: All 3 females (The girlfriend, the principle, the student) are all shrewd and suppose to be unlikable at first, and then all come around. It felt very dated. And the only solid jokes in the show are the gay kid and the gay parents? C'mon now. 

 

Alex was fine. I felt like there was quite a bit of dead space in a lot of his lines, and he was trying his best for a Jack Black character, but was missing a bit of the zanny. It felt a little too MFA Theater Program. I was never wondering what his next move is or what he's going to do next. It felt all very planned out. But his voice sounded great, and I was surprised to learn he didn't have more songs. No 11 O'clock number or anything. But his "Mount Rock" song was great. 

 

Sierra is totally miscast. She was fine as the stuck-up principle, but sorry, just like in "It Shoulda Been You," her voice just does not suit this music. Her big song in Act 2 is quite pretty and the melody is great, but her trying to legit-belt-riff over a big, rock sound is just laughable. It felt awkward and I was uncomfortable. Also, her character never really has an arch. She's stuck up. She's drunk. She's stuck up. They kiss. There's no initial flirting, no interest, nothing. It felt very forced. 

 

The rest of the show is fine. I mean, sure, the kids are crazy talented, but incredible actors maybe not so much. I mean, Tamika wanted to be "included" but she's up there dancing and jumping around with the other kids? So why does she feel excluded? She said "I'm not a back up singer," but then she basically is for the rest of the show. 

 

It all just felt very pandering. Like, okay, we should applaud these kids and yeah being mean to your kids IS bad, so we should listen to them. Ho-hum. Nothing new is said and nothing new is explored. 

 

Score wise: I thought "Mount Rock" was a really fun, interesting song and I was excited to hear the rest of it. But... it all felt very "same." "Mount Rock" and "Where Did the Rock Go?" felt like the two stands out. But, I think if someone else had written this score most people would call it "generic." Nothing really stood out to me, and they kept trying to make "Stick It To The Man" a thing, but it just isn't that interesting. And the song they sing at the Battle of the Bands isn't so great either. 

 

Set wise: It's pretty beautiful. There is some great depth and some really pretty moments. There's a lot of moving pieces, and the Battle of the Bands at the end is a nice big set piece. Anne does good work, but it did feel like Avenue Q a little. I wish there had been more of a "Theme" to the design, but it was fun to watch work. The lights were blinding me and kind of took me out of the moment because I kept looking down at the floor. 

I certainly am not going to try to get you to change your opinion about the show. Whatever your experience of it was is perfectly legitimate.

I did have a couple of factual things though.

1.) There are two spots that are internal moments for the character on the stage where they are lit by a spotlight with darkness around them. Each spot lasts less than 10 seconds. Is that what you are referring to?

2.) What moments are you referring to with a dark stage and moving set pieces? Is this something that should never be done onstage?

3.) There is a full scene and at least two other references to people hearing music coming from the classroom.

4.) What would suit Sierra's voice better than "Queen of the Night?"

5.) Tameka is not a backup singer for the rest of the show. She is the principle voice on the "If You Only You Would Listen (Reprise)" and sings the solo in "School of Rock"

6.) Isn't the message more than that just being mean to your kids is bad so you should listen to them you missed what it was about. Were Tameka's fathers mean to her? What about Summer's mother? Lawrence's mother?

7.) There are blinding lights at the beginning of the Battle of the Bands. Where else did you find them blinding?

Think what you want about the quality of the jokes, the music, the performances, etc., but I am really confused by all this.

"

 

[Broadway Guru]

Posted: 12/5/15 at 12:11am

Tepid audience response? If clapping along with the performers, screaming for them, and jumping up for a standing ovation is "tepid" I'd hate to see what you consider a warm response!

 

[steven22]

Posted: 12/5/15 at 12:42am

Saw the show tonight and me and my friends had a lot of fun. Alex Brightman is fantastic...I hope he gets the recognition he deserves. This show is fun and makes me smile. Nothing too complicated or interesting, just a fun time! 

 

Wasn't a fan of Sierra Boggess at all. I'm surprised she joined the show with the role she has...

Posted: 12/5/15 at 12:43am

Another thing I would like to add. When Billy says "Barbra Streisand," my audience literally started cheering. I think a lot of it actually is in fact about the audience because my audience just loved that kid, and didn't see him as a joke, but as a human being who happens to be a queen.

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 12/5/15 at 1:10am

Give up your dreams was cut? So what does Mamie do in the show now?

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 12/5/15 at 6:14am

Acts? Lol

[Broadway Guru]

Posted: 12/5/15 at 7:45am

The only thing she sings is the short reprise of "On the Top of Mount Rock." They really re-worked the first 20 mins. of the show during previews, and her song was a casualty of that. She makes the most of it, though, and belts her brains out on that last note. It's one of my favorite parts of the show.

A few other things that got cut from the recording:

"You're in the Band (Reprise)"

Act One Finale

"School of Rock (Classroom Version)"

 

[Broadway Guru]

Posted: 12/5/15 at 7:51am

RippedMan said: "Saw this tonight thanks to the lotto. Was not crowded (they give out 24 tickets - no seats together). I was in the last row of the theater, but, since the Mezz is so shallow it was an awesome seat. 

 

I think the show is solid, but that doesn't mean it's good. There were moments of weird transitions, that I think in this stage are a little too late to change. There are moments where we're left just kind of starring at someone in a spotlight, but not much is happening. Or there's just darkness and the set is moving around. The show felt a little stilted, and there felt like a good bit of filler. 

 

The book is...dated. It just didn't feel current. The jokes were CBS sitcom funny, and the story kind of plodded along. I mean, they're playing rock music in a classroom and no one can hear? I know it's theater, so suspend your disbelief, but suddenly a bunch of kids are in your apartment? Huh? The gay kid has a whole conversation with his father about how he has to play football and then nothing is resolved. It just all felt a little too messy and a little too broad. And I totally see the misogyny: All 3 females (The girlfriend, the principle, the student) are all shrewd and suppose to be unlikable at first, and then all come around. It felt very dated. And the only solid jokes in the show are the gay kid and the gay parents? C'mon now. 

 

Alex was fine. I felt like there was quite a bit of dead space in a lot of his lines, and he was trying his best for a Jack Black character, but was missing a bit of the zanny. It felt a little too MFA Theater Program. I was never wondering what his next move is or what he's going to do next. It felt all very planned out. But his voice sounded great, and I was surprised to learn he didn't have more songs. No 11 O'clock number or anything. But his "Mount Rock" song was great. 

 

Sierra is totally miscast. She was fine as the stuck-up principle, but sorry, just like in "It Shoulda Been You," her voice just does not suit this music. Her big song in Act 2 is quite pretty and the melody is great, but her trying to legit-belt-riff over a big, rock sound is just laughable. It felt awkward and I was uncomfortable. Also, her character never really has an arch. She's stuck up. She's drunk. She's stuck up. They kiss. There's no initial flirting, no interest, nothing. It felt very forced. 

 

The rest of the show is fine. I mean, sure, the kids are crazy talented, but incredible actors maybe not so much. I mean, Tamika wanted to be "included" but she's up there dancing and jumping around with the other kids? So why does she feel excluded? She said "I'm not a back up singer," but then she basically is for the rest of the show. 

 

It all just felt very pandering. Like, okay, we should applaud these kids and yeah being mean to your kids IS bad, so we should listen to them. Ho-hum. Nothing new is said and nothing new is explored. 

 

Score wise: I thought "Mount Rock" was a really fun, interesting song and I was excited to hear the rest of it. But... it all felt very "same." "Mount Rock" and "Where Did the Rock Go?" felt like the two stands out. But, I think if someone else had written this score most people would call it "generic." Nothing really stood out to me, and they kept trying to make "Stick It To The Man" a thing, but it just isn't that interesting. And the song they sing at the Battle of the Bands isn't so great either. 

 

Set wise: It's pretty beautiful. There is some great depth and some really pretty moments. There's a lot of moving pieces, and the Battle of the Bands at the end is a nice big set piece. Anne does good work, but it did feel like Avenue Q a little. I wish there had been more of a "Theme" to the design, but it was fun to watch work. The lights were blinding me and kind of took me out of the moment because I kept looking down at the floor. 

 

"As far as Tameka goes her desire, as she herself tells her fathers, is to "fit in," (especially academically) not to be included. She tries to fit in by joining the others singing and dancing, but that doesn't mean it's working. It doesn't feel right for her, because of the fear she holds inside, and leads her to feel she doesn't "fit in."

As someone who used to be a Tameka I can tell you what that means and what the difference between being excluded and fitting in is.

 

[bekk99]

Posted: 12/5/15 at 11:19am

Anyone have any insight into whether they will have the lotto for opening tomorrow? Slash what time the opening performance is? :)

[theatregoer3]

Posted: 12/5/15 at 11:22am

Guru: You don't have to always agree, but you don't have to voice your disagreement every time someone does not enjoy the show. Let people have their opinions and be done with it. I don't think anyone here is lying or trying to slander the piece. If you truly think the show is good, then the show doesn't need you to defend it.

 

It's awesome that you're working on this and you must be very proud - you should be very proud! :)

[chernjam]

Posted: 12/5/15 at 12:00pm

didnt think that guru was being overly defensive - just thought he's making great responses to some overly sensitive critques.  This isn't supposed to be Shakespeare.

Sorry to hear that "Give up your dreams" was cut.  nice melody that sounded cool on the recording.  But knowing ALW we will probably see it again :)  Looking forward to seeing SOR in January once the tourists leave town and tickets are a bit easier to get.

BTW - would this be appropriate to take a 9 year old too?

Break a leg guru and everyone involved tomorrow night! (and this afternoon and tonight as I'm sure Press is already in to see it)

[RippedMan]

Posted: 12/5/15 at 1:00pm

Not Shakespeare is the worst excuse. No one is saying everything has to be dramatic. But you can do a big, splashy Broadway comedy and do it well and make it smart and not pandering.

As for BroadwayGuru:

1. Yes, that's what I'm referring to. Whether it's the acting (staring off into the distance doesn't really say much) or the direction, a lot of the transitions between scenes felt clunky and unimaginative.

2. No, it can be done, but in a show as expensive as this, it seems very basic to just do a blackout and change the scene. Why not do something more creative? You have this beautiful set, and the lights just go to black? Hm. 

3. Yeah, that was me just being realistic. It's theater, suspend your disbelief. It's fine. Just was surprised there wasn't a moment of them rocking out with the other staff walking by or something. 

4. Her voice is fine, and she's quite good in the show acting wise. Prob the most natural I've seen her be, but this is not the show for her vocally. She has a whole song about how she use to be a rock chick, but yet vocally she never lets it go. Cassie Levy would have rocked this role. "Where Did The Rock Go?" Is such a solid song, but listening to a classically trained singer try and riff over a rock bad is just awkward. 

5. Her journey was fine, but like with most other elements it felt a little convoluted. I thought he would have given her the lead vocals and let the kids rock out. It just seems weird that he would still be the lead singer of the band after all that. Alex's voice sounded best on his one offs like when he enters the faculty meetings and whatnot. 

6. That is the message. It's just a super obvious message and something that's been done a billion times. It also paints the children to be these saintly characters who can do no wrong. No one has any layers. Especially the leads. 

 

 

 

Posted: 12/5/15 at 1:47pm

The one of the themes and message is live life for yourself, and I don't think that has been done a lot.

[OldPosterNewName]

Posted: 12/5/15 at 6:31pm

Caught the show again this afternoon. Audience was loving it. Love Alex Brightman. Sierra is fine but ultimately she's really not a good or charming actress. The kids are the stars of the show.

This show isn't that deep and won't change your life but it's still a feel good time and I would recommend it to friends and family.

[haterobics]

Posted: 12/5/15 at 7:15pm

Aida Revival said: "The one of the themes and message is live life for yourself, and I don't think that has been done a lot."

 

Really? I think you need to see more shows...