Should I see "Juno" at Encores?

[sidneybruhl]

Should I see "Juno" at Encores?#1

Posted: 2/18/08 at 5:44pm

My last night in town will be the opening night of "Juno" at Encores. I love Victoria, but have to admit I'm not familiar with the show. I know it has a score by Marc Blitzstein, is based on "Juno and the Paycock," and the original production featured Shirely Booth. I've never heard any songs from the score. I can get a rear mezz seat for $50 in row P (the only thing in my price range). Having never been to City Center, I don't know if this is a good seat or not. Would love advice from those familiar with the show and City Center seating.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

re: Should I see 'Juno' at Encores?#2

Posted: 2/18/08 at 5:51pm

The City Center theatre is a barn. It's HUGE. I saw FOLLIES in those $50 seats and had a good view though. Unless you need to be sitting really close to the stage in order to fully appreciate it, then I think those seats are fine. It's when you get to the $25 price range that it's pretty ridiculous (though I enjoyed GYPSY sitting in those seats).
I am not a fan of the JUNO score but like everything it's a matter of taste. I have listened to Clark perform a few numbers from the show from one of those special concerts that Encores! used to do at the end of every season. I say if you have never seen an Encores! production and you are a Victoria Clark fan, go see it. I saw her in FOLLIES last year and she was at the top of her game, she gave the kind of performance you'd expect from a Broadway production, she was off-book and didn't forget her lyrics.

"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"

[BobbyBubby]

, l#2

Posted: 2/18/08 at 5:55pm

Yes! You'll never have the chance again!

[sidneybruhl]

re: Should I see 'Juno' at Encores?#3

Posted: 2/18/08 at 5:55pm

Thanks Ray--

Having never seen an Encores show, I've always wanted to have that experience. I'm leaning towards buying the ticket at this point.

[sidneybruhl]

re: Should I see 'Juno' at Encores?#4

Posted: 2/18/08 at 5:56pm

Thanks Bobby!

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

re: Should I see 'Juno' at Encores?#5

Posted: 2/18/08 at 5:57pm

Sidney, you don't accept PM's, if you're interested in listening to those songs let me know.

"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"

[BobbyBubby]

re: Should I see 'Juno' at Encores?#6

Posted: 2/18/08 at 6:00pm

Yes, listen to the OBC. Pm me if you need "help".

[miss pennywise]

re: Should I see 'Juno' at Encores?#7

Posted: 2/18/08 at 6:07pm

Sidney, do it!!!

"Be on your guard! Jerks on the loose!"

http://www.roches.com/television/ss83kod.html

**********

"If any relationship involves a flow chart, get out of it...FAST!"

~ Best12Bars

[sidneybruhl]

re: Should I see 'Juno' at Encores?#8

Posted: 2/18/08 at 6:08pm

Just bought my ticket! Ray, I changed my settings so I can now accept PMs.

[BobbyBubby]

re: Should I see 'Juno' at Encores?#9

Posted: 2/18/08 at 6:09pm

Victoria Clark was born to play this role, originated by Shirley Booth. The score is by the great composer, Marc Blitzstein, who you may know from The Cradle Will Rock. He also wrote the English Lyrics to the first Off-Broadway production of Threepenny Opera. The score has one well-know song, "I Wish It So" that has been recorded by quite a few artists.

[BigFatBlonde]

re: Should I see 'Juno' at Encores?#10

Posted: 2/18/08 at 6:09pm

I love the play Juno and the Paycock.

I love the score to Juno.

I love Clark's work.

...

If you go, acquaint yourself with the original play. It will help you appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of the adaptation.

Chances are you'll never get a chance to see this show done again ...let alone at this level.

Take a chance.

What great ones do the less will prattle of

Updated On: 2/18/08 at 06:09 PM

[folkyboy]

re: Should I see 'Juno' at Encores?#11

Posted: 2/18/08 at 6:10pm

i say, only go if you can objectively view the show for what it is: a concert. in addition, understand that what you are witnessing is a rarity: a revival staged for a show that would never make it as a revival. if you can go without heady expectations and just appreciate a "flawed" production, then you'll have a great time.

have they announced the rest of the cast yet?

[sidneybruhl]

re: Should I see 'Juno' at Encores?#12

Posted: 2/18/08 at 6:11pm

Thanks BigFatBlonde,

I'll be sure to read the original play before I see the show.

[suicidalmickeymouse]

re: Should I see 'Juno' at Encores?#13

Posted: 2/18/08 at 6:13pm

YES! Go see it, rear mezz or not its a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Hunter: Your teeth need whitening./ Heidi: You sound weird./ Jeff: You taste funny.
-Jeff Bowen's worst onstage line flub.

[Broadwayboy2631]

re: Should I see 'Juno' at Encores?#14

Posted: 2/18/08 at 7:44pm

I'd just be pissed that it's not a musical about a spunky 16 year old who get's pregnant and gives her child up for adoption.

[givesmevoice]

re: Should I see 'Juno' at Encores?#15

Posted: 2/18/08 at 8:20pm

since you've already decided to go see it, my input is moot. I'm ridiculously excited about this show; I love Vicki and I've fallen in love with the score.

and, um, ray-andallthatjazz86, I must say that I am interested in hearing those songs. haha

When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain. -Kad

[BigFatBlonde]

re: Should I see 'Juno' at Encores?#16

Posted: 2/18/08 at 8:31pm

Be prepared, this show is on the "bleak" side. You won't find any toe-tappin' tunes and jazz-hands in Juno.

But there IS a rich and moving score that deserves to be heard again.

One Kind Word is my favorite song in the show. It makes me a little teary.

What great ones do the less will prattle of

[Scarywarhol]

re: Should I see 'Juno' at Encores?#17

Posted: 2/18/08 at 8:41pm

I felt like I was watching the show from an office building a street away when I went to see Applause. And those were the $50 seats.

Still, I enjoyed it, and this looks like something unique as well. I was debating whether to see it. I think I'll go now...but only if I can get decent seats.

[broadwayfan7]

re: Should I see 'Juno' at Encores?#18

Posted: 2/18/08 at 9:13pm

Yes, go and have a terrific time!

"Everytime you step on that stage it is somebody's first Broadway show and somebody's last Broadway show. Make it count."

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

re: Should I see 'Juno' at Encores?#19

Posted: 2/18/08 at 9:46pm

Oops, I actually made a big mistake, got confused, what I have is Victoria Clark singing from CRADLE WILL ROCK, and Malcolm Gets and Rebecca Luker singing from JUNO (him "One Kind Word," her "I Wish It So"). Sorry for my confusion.

"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"

[Unknown User]

re: Should I see 'Juno' at Encores?#20

Posted: 2/18/08 at 10:23pm

i got my ticket!
saturday night, march 29th
mid-mezz row c, center!

[folkyboy]

re: Should I see 'Juno' at Encores?#21

Posted: 2/18/08 at 10:33pm

i have a subscription to Encores! i'll be there Saturday afternoon :)

[Just_John]

re: Should I see 'Juno' at Encores?#22

Posted: 2/18/08 at 10:36pm

The $25 balcony seats are a much better view then the rear mezzanine seats in that theatre. Yes, you're further away but you can see the stage. The mezzanine doesn't rise enough in that theatre. Get balcony seats and bring binoculars.

[givesmevoice]

re: Should I see 'Juno' at Encores?#23

Posted: 2/18/08 at 11:16pm

ha! I'll also be there Saturday afternoon [and am going to Gypsy that night].

and I actually love the rear gallery seats at City Center...and I don't think you need binoculars there. but I do agree that they're much better than rear mezz seats [as are the front gallery seats, natch].

When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain. -Kad

[CurtainPullDowner]

re: Should I see 'Juno' at Encores?#24

Posted: 2/18/08 at 11:48pm

The cast will hopefully include, Michael Arden, Ceila Kennan Bolger and Clark Thorell.
Sounds splendid to me.