Shrek: 6-14-09: Set Breakdown & Haven as Fiona.
Shrek: 6-14-09: Set Breakdown & Haven as Fiona.
#1Shrek: 6-14-09: Set Breakdown & Haven as Fiona.
Posted: 6/15/09 at 12:42am
DancingThruLife04 and I went to Shrek this afternoon and had the pleasure of seeing Haven Burton as Princess Fiona, but also experienced some "technical gremlins."
This was my third time seeing the show, so I noticed a flashing light off to stage right during "Big, Bright, Beautiful World" and right as Mama Orge was going to sing "Goodbye, look out for men with pitchforks" her microphone was cut and stage hands walked on. A voice came over the loud speaker saying they were having technical difficulties and the curtain came down for about ten or so minutes.
The curtain came back up as Little Shrek was already out on his own and heading to the swamp and the act continued fine.
Haven was really great as Fiona, she seemed to have a lot more sassy and sarcasm to her than Sutton. Her voice was really great and her acting was good while her dancing was the weaker of the three but still good nonetheless.
I adore Brian D'arcy James as Shrek, he brings so much heart to the character and I just absolutely love his voice and how it works for the score. When he sings "Who I'd Be" and "Build A Wall" it brings tears to my eyes because he really does an amazing job with the character and making him seem less like a cartoon and more genuine.
Daniel Breaker still makes me laugh and I truly love him but today it was clear the Tony week schedule had taken it's toll on him. He sounded good, but you could tell he was tired at least vocally, but his energy was still really high!
So, Christopher Sieber was my pick to win Featured Actor before I saw Billy and fell in love with Gregory Jbara as Billy's father but I still stand by my love of Sieber. He is just so ridiculously funny and could charm the pants off even the worst of audiences, which today's wasn't the greatest. This leads me to my second set breakdown of the day: Right before intermission ended, a voice came over the loud speaker and told us that the "technical gremlins" struck again which delayed the beginning of Act Two by what DancingThruLife04 claimed was "twenty minutes to a half hour." After about ten minutes, Christopher came out with his Farquaad wig on and began to talk to the audience and asked if people had seen him perform on the Tonys and if anyone had seen him trip coming out of the elevator, which DancingThruLife had to my amusement. Christopher then pulled "a special friend" from off-stage, Shrek himself! Brian and Christopher charmed the audience for awhile by taking questions from the kids in the audience and handing out Freak Flags to the front row(s).
Despite all the mishaps, the show was still wonderful and I just love the entire ensemble of this show because they are just really wonderful and bring the show to life with color and zest even with technical gremlins.
"Anybody that goes to the theater, I think we’re all misfits, so we ended up on stage or in the audience.” --- Patti LuPone.
Updated On: 6/15/09 at 12:42 AM
millie_dillmount
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
#2re: Shrek: 6-14-09: Set Breakdown & Haven as Fiona.
Posted: 6/15/09 at 12:48amGlad you had a good time. Good that they were able to entertain the audience despite the technical difficulties!
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
#2re: Shrek: 6-14-09: Set Breakdown & Haven as Fiona.
Posted: 6/15/09 at 1:20amWhat was the schedule for Tony week?
#3re: Shrek: 6-14-09: Set Breakdown & Haven as Fiona.
Posted: 6/15/09 at 2:30amEven though one part of me is yelling "illusion wrecking!" it is nevertheless very sweet that they came out during intermission, particularly where the kids were concerned. Nice to hear it. I love Sieber. It's impossible not to have fun while he's onstage, and James has a lovely voice.
2010
Feb. 28 - Looped, Feb. 28 - Next to Normal, March 4 - Hair, March 11 - A Little Night Music, March 24 - Time Stands Still, April 6 - La Cage Aux Folles, April 10 - Anyone Can Whistle (City Center), April 10 - Looped, May 9 - Enron, May 15 - A Little Night Music, May 15 - A Behanding In Spokane, May 30 - A Behanding In Spokane, May 30 - A Little Night Music, June 20 - A Little Night Music, June 23 - Red, June 23 - Sondheim on Sondheim, July 13 - A Little Night Music, July 18 - The Grand Manner (Lincoln Center)
#4re: Shrek: 6-14-09: Set Breakdown & Haven as Fiona.
Posted: 6/15/09 at 3:58am
Myself and DancingThruLife04 went to Shrek
The fact that "myself" could even be considered a reasonable attempt at a subject for this sentence makes a little part of me die.
Grammar quibbles aside, I'm glad you enjoyed the show and glad your experience wasn't ruined by the tech problems!
"Why, I make more money than... than... than Calvin Coolidge! PUT TOGETHER!"
~Lina Lamont
My name wasn't, isn't, and will never be Scott.
~Lina Lamont
My name wasn't, isn't, and will never be Scott.
#5re: Shrek: 6-14-09: Set Breakdown & Haven as Fiona.
Posted: 6/15/09 at 4:02am
Thank you for pointing that out, I hate when my grammar sucks.
"Anybody that goes to the theater, I think we’re all misfits, so we ended up on stage or in the audience.” --- Patti LuPone.
Updated On: 6/15/09 at 04:02 AM
#6re: Shrek: 6-14-09: Set Breakdown & Haven as Fiona.
Posted: 6/15/09 at 4:41amSorry, I really didn't mean to be a beyotch, I'm just hopeless when it comes to tactfully correcting sentence structure!
"Why, I make more money than... than... than Calvin Coolidge! PUT TOGETHER!"
~Lina Lamont
My name wasn't, isn't, and will never be Scott.
~Lina Lamont
My name wasn't, isn't, and will never be Scott.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#7re: Shrek: 6-14-09: Set Breakdown & Haven as Fiona.
Posted: 6/15/09 at 5:54am
There is no tactful way to point it out unless you are their teacher. And while those things keep me from understanding the full intent of the poster....I just let it go. (Not in my head as I actually AM an English teacher.)
Nice that they thought about the kids during the extended tech problem.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#8re: Shrek: 6-14-09: Set Breakdown & Haven as Fiona.
Posted: 6/15/09 at 6:36amWas Haven on as Fiona this entire week? She went on Wednesday afternoon as well.
#9re: Shrek: 6-14-09: Set Breakdown & Haven as Fiona.
Posted: 6/15/09 at 12:02pm
I'm pretty sure she's been on all week, she was definitely on for both shows on Wednesday because we were going to go then instead.
delayed the beginning of Act Two by what DancingThruLife04 claimed was "twenty minutes to a half hour."
I think? The show ended a few minutes before 6..
I am somewhat less enthusiastic about the whole experience than Clumsy, but I did enjoy Haven as Fiona (and obviously Brian as Shrek). I also really liked some of the music (especially "Morning Person," "Freak Flag," "Build a Wall," and a few others).
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda
#10re: Shrek: 6-14-09: Set Breakdown & Haven as Fiona.
Posted: 6/15/09 at 12:06pmI wish I had known that...Haven as Fiona would be the one thing that would get me to see Shrek again. Anyone know if/when she'll be on again?
KirbyCat
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/23/08
#11re: Shrek: 6-14-09: Set Breakdown & Haven as Fiona.
Posted: 6/15/09 at 3:37pm
Adam- I don't know when she's back in, but go see her when she's in it. I saw the show for my second time with her as Fiona on my birthday. Yes, she plays a very different Fiona than Sutton does, but overall she does a very nice job in the role and has fun with it.
The only thing I was upset about was that she didn't do Sutton's signature high kicks that are in Morning person.
OH, and she looks gorgeous as Fiona as well!
#12re: Shrek: 6-14-09: Set Breakdown & Haven as Fiona.
Posted: 6/15/09 at 4:42pm
"Sorry, I really didn't mean to be a beyotch, I'm just hopeless when it comes to tactfully correcting sentence structure! "
Oh trust me, no apology necessary! I hate it when people have terrible grammar and then I go and make a mistake like that.
"Anybody that goes to the theater, I think we’re all misfits, so we ended up on stage or in the audience.” --- Patti LuPone.
#13re: Shrek: 6-14-09: Set Breakdown & Haven as Fiona.
Posted: 6/15/09 at 7:46pmI saw Haven Burton as Fiona a couple of weeks ago and, I have to admit, I didn't miss Sutton Foster one bit. The same thing happened when I saw Foster's understudy in "Young Frankenstein" - when I later saw Sutton play the part I realised the understudy was much better in the role. Is it me, or is Sutton Foster over-rated?
#14re: Shrek: 6-14-09: Set Breakdown & Haven as Fiona.
Posted: 6/15/09 at 8:08pm^^^It's not just you. :)
#15re: Shrek: 6-14-09: Set Breakdown & Haven as Fiona.
Posted: 6/30/09 at 10:06pm^^ I COMPLETELY agree! I was lucky enough to see Haven go on as Elle in 'Legally Blonde' as well. She absolutely blew my socks off! What a remarkable voice! I won't be in the least bit surprised to see her sweeping Tony's in the years to come. I don't think in all my years of going to Broadway shows have I seen such talent. She is definitely the girl to see when you get a chance- keep an eye out!!
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