Posted: 2/27/16 at 5:14pm
I've been complaining about the sound systems on Broadway for some time now In fact I just had my ears checked by an audiologist my hearing is fine the sound systems stink
Posted: 2/28/16 at 1:09am
I'll post more accurate thoughts when I get home, but today, we saw The King and I, and as almost an afterthought, we grabbed tickets to She Loves Me.
Boy were we in for a rude awakening. TKAI was beautiful, majestic, and of course a classic.
She Loves Me was one of the best things I've seen in years, and the show really deserves to he a big, fat, heavily awarded hit. Oh, and Laura Benanti is a goddess of the stage. The audience today really ate it up, and the cast, especially Levi, looked really touched at the curtain call.
Posted: 2/28/16 at 4:48am
54 seems to be a difficult house for sound. The designer of this show, Jon Weston, also designed On the 20th Century, An American in Paris and Bridges, all of which sounded fantastic. He must be pulling his hair out.
Posted: 2/28/16 at 5:44pm
I agree that it was amazing (and I've been humming Vanilla Ice Cream almost non-stop since I saw it)! At curtain call the cast very enthusiastically tried (and failed) to join in on singing the last verse after they took their bows, which was adorable. There were a couple things for which my friends and I couldn't tell whether they were planned or accidental (Laura/Amalia only put on one glove, a stack of presents got knocked over, a few things were dropped by a few people) and a couple clear flubs (stumbling over lines, the aforementioned curtain call), but it was only the first week of previews, and honestly it all just made it more endearing to me. The singing was flawless, the sets were breathtaking, overall I found it to be one of the best shows I've seen in a while, if not ever.
Posted: 2/28/16 at 9:24pm
Is show merchandise available yet? Specifically window cards. Thanks!
Posted: 2/28/16 at 9:57pm
Yea, they have window cards. Sadly, they're hideous with just the pink/yellow logo with credits.
Posted: 2/28/16 at 10:01pm
Yes.
Window cards
pads of note paper
ice cream cone-shaped pens
3 t-shirts with cones on them, the logo, and "Try Me"
and strangely, what looked like a stress relieving-squishy ice cream cone
Posted: 2/28/16 at 10:30pm
All those flubs happened when I saw the show on Friday.
Posted: 2/28/16 at 10:38pm
Posted: 2/28/16 at 11:55pm
Thank you for all the info regarding merchandise!
Posted: 2/29/16 at 10:13am
RippedMan said: "Is there no way for them to create an orchestra pit? Surely there is space underneath the stage? Or why not put the orchestra in the wings like a lot of shows do."
This space was used at one point as a television studio so there is a concrete floor under the stage (each show bring their own deck in) and there is zero wing space SL there and barely much more SR. #NYTheaterProblems
Posted: 2/29/16 at 9:39pm
I saw the 02/28 matinee with a couple of friends using HipTix, and I thought I would throw in my two cents.
Living in Connecticut over the last couple of years, I've had the privilege of being able to see many shows on and off Broadway recently. Growing up in Minnesota, I only dreamed of seeing a Broadway show and, if my frugal parents would allow it, being able to snag a nosebleed seat for a touring show. That being said, even though I'm late to the game, I think I've sufficiently gained a critical eye for what separates a good Broadway musical from a great one.
Let me tell you: She Loves Me is a phenomenal production. I can relate to others who said they were on cloud nine after seeing the show. It took me a full 24 hours to come down from the euphoric high that this show put me on; it is one of the best shows I have seen in recent memory.
The things that stood out to me? First and foremost, the pitch-perfect casting. I mean, talk about a dream cast by just by looking at names on paper, but my goodness, I still found myself blown away. Laura Benanti is a revelation as Amalia. And while Zachary Levi may not share the extensive stage experience as his castmates, he utilized his usual charming self to more than meet the challenge of the role; he and Laura have wonderful chemistry on-stage. Of course it needs no mentioning how great Zac is at the stage door; I've never seen anyone so genuinely interested in and interactive with fans as he is.
The next thing that deserves notice is the truly gorgeous set and lighting. Tech elements this good are what you can continually point to in defending the uniqueness of live theatre to the uninitiated.
Interesting aside: When I bought my tickets, I totally didn't realize that it was for a preview performance (oops), and I didn't even learn of its preview status until hours later when I tried searching for the (yet to exist) NYT review. It explains the one, (largely unnoticeable) scene change snafu, but it certainly didn't affect my perception of the overall production because it was that good.
Addressing concerns about the sound: At least sitting in the rear mezzanine HipTix seats, the orchestra is indeed closer to you than the actors, so yes, it did cross my mind, every once in a while, that this set-up may have been a cause of me missing out on some of the lines and witty dialogue of the show. But I didn't read these BWW posts before I went to the show, and those thoughts about sound were fleeting, as I could follow the show perfectly fine. So, to those worried you may have to pay to upgrade your seats, I wouldn't worry about it unless you're going to think about the sound so much that it's going to kill the experience for you. I just remembered thinking, "Oh, these songs are so great, and I'm sure I'm not catching it all, be it because of the sound or because it's impossible to catch everything on the first listen. I'm excited to get the cast recording when it comes out, so I can listen to the songs more closely."
All in all, this is a fantastic production that you don't want to miss. Roundabout really knows its way around musical revivals, and this one is among the very best.
Posted: 3/1/16 at 12:19am
I'm going with the seats I've got. Up in the mezzanine. The concerns might be in my head, now that I've read the reviews here. Kind of hard not to.
I'll go with it though and enjoy the experience. Kind of a bummer that one has to entertain the thought of buying the CD since they won't hear the details while seeing the show, but that's how it is. I do know the musical, so that part hopefully won't be much of a chore.
Then again, I might be pleasantly surprised.
Thinking positive.
Posted: 3/1/16 at 12:21am
For whatever it's worth, I've sat in the mezzanine for Drood and Sunday in the Park at Studio 54, and I can't remember having a very difficult time understanding anything in either of those shows. I'll also be in the mezz for She Loves Me, and I'm sure it will be fine.
Posted: 3/1/16 at 12:58am
Has a cast album been confirmed or was the previous comment just an assumption that there would be one?
Posted: 3/1/16 at 2:57am
Thanks for the insight, wizard. Can't wait to see it!
Don't think any recording has been confirmed, just hoped for it seems.
wonderfulwizard11 said: "For whatever it's worth, I've sat in the mezzanine for Drood and Sunday in the Park at Studio 54, and I can't remember having a very difficult time understanding anything in either of those shows. I'll also be in the mezz for She Loves Me, and I'm sure it will be fine.
"
Posted: 3/1/16 at 1:10pm
Is this revival of She Loves Me getting a cast recording???
Posted: 3/1/16 at 1:12pm
GreatBroadwayFan said: "Is this revival of She Loves Me getting a cast recording???"
I don't believe one has been confirmed yet. Assuming they will announce once it officially opens...
Posted: 3/1/16 at 6:14pm
Has anybody sat in front row AX? I'm worried it's too close. Would front row mezzanine be a better choice?
Posted: 3/1/16 at 6:31pm
It would be a travesty not to record a cast album with this cast. It's just a shame about the eventual cover art.
Posted: 3/2/16 at 5:54pm
I saw this last night and was grinning from ear to ear the entire time. It was a great escape from reality! I can't say much more than what everyone here has already reported. It's just a wonderful production and it's in great shape. The set is so detailed and beautiful and the scene transitions with it are lovely. I was seated in row J of the side orchestra (Hiptix Gold) and I didn't have any real issues with the sound. I did find the seats to be a bit too far to the side because during closeup scenes - but it's a $25 ticket which can't be beat.
I agree that is is so well cast. I knew going in that I would love Laura Benanti (her voice is glorious with this score) and Jane Krakowski and they certainly exceeded my expectations. I hadn't seen Zachary Levi on stage before and I LOVED his performance. I think he embodies a Jimmy Stewart, Gene Kelly quality and his portrayal of a really likable character was so authentic and delightful.
Re: a couple of flubs mentioned, I think they were all the same for me last night. Though the Christmas tree on the table got knocked over during the Christmas song and I wasn't sure if that was intentional.
Posted: 3/2/16 at 8:16pm
It looks so beautiful! Not sure about Gavin with a mustache though.
Posted: 3/2/16 at 9:43pm
These pictures are glorious. I forgot to mention it in my review, but what a treat it was to see Jane in a part that really let her dance on stage. I would have loved to have seen her do that intricate Tommy Tune choreography in Grand Hotel!
Just a first class production all the way around.
Posted: 3/2/16 at 9:51pm
The set looks gorgeous in those pictures. I hate that I still have to wait a month to see this production!
