Shuffle Along previews- Page 25

[Hairspray0901]

Posted: 4/8/16 at 5:30pm

I just bought a ticket in the rest orchestra for the Wednesday matinee! I'm so excited! I've never seen Audra perform in person before. :) 

[GottaHaveAGimmick]

Posted: 4/10/16 at 11:14am

Saw this Saturday matinee. Really a phenominal cast, but a dry story unfortunatley. It seemed alomost like a documentary. I appreciate learning about theatre history about which I was unfamiliar. Exceptional theatre must do more than tell a story. It has to connect with the audience. We may not relate exactly to the characters, but the theme must be universal (the "outsider" in Kinky Boots or Billy Elliot, the "struggler" in A Chorus Line, etc.).

Like most performers, those in the original Shuffle Along continued their careers with some ups and downs. The show was historically significant. And then life went on for those involved. I guess I wanted to connect to a stronger message.

But there are lots of goodies in this story. Billy Porter's act 2 solo, Audra McDonald's dancing and comedy, the entire tap dancing ensemble, Brian Mitchell's narration including (SPOILER) the line, "What makes Broadway are the ticket prices."

Wanted to LOVE this, but just didn't quite get there for me. Glad I saw it. And I like the no late seating policy.

[Alex10]

Posted: 4/10/16 at 2:32pm

Saw this last night and really enjoyed it. I'm in agreement with people who said the first act was technically stronger, with more focus and nothing that felt unnecessary. The second act wasn't perfect, but was actually the part that really made the show work for me. The social effects and context of Shuffle Along became much clearer, and by the end of Act II, I was deeply invested in all five of the leads, none of whom were very deeply developed in the beginning. I disagree with everyone saying that these characters aren't developed enough. Admittedly some of that characterization and development comes from the actors rather than anything on the page, but development is development and every one of the actors are phenomenal. I was particularly moved by the Miller and Lyles storyline, as well as anything to do with Audra. Her "Memories Of You" was pure magic.

The second act really could have used more focus, and on the whole, the songs in the first act are stronger. I also preferred much of the dancing in the first act, with the exception of the tap battle between the rival Sissle/Blake and Miller/Lyles shows, which was excellent. The choreography is stellar, and so are all the actors. Billy Porter brought me to tears with "Lowdown Blues". Joshua Henry lacks a big breakout moment but is consistently great. Adrienne Warren, as Gertrude and Florence, is really fantastic, and Brooks is funny although I feel like a lot of his Act II material could have been cut down.

The show definitely has pacing and focus problems, and a lot of the "significance" of the original Shuffle Along that I found came from my own research and not the show itself, which is a real issue, but on the whole is really strong and I was very moved. Objectively, it's worth it for the performances alone.

I saw the show through rush and was in the Left Box, seat 3. Not an amazing view, but not bad either. I always had full view of the actors' feet, which was important for tap numbers. I was at the stagedoor, and everyone came out and signed except for Audra.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 12:50am

Saw this tonight and loved it. Sure there are problems, but it was a story I did not know and the talent and dancing is so joyful. I'd recommend not sitting in the first 4-5 rows. That stage is high and extended. Lots of folks in the first few rows who paid premium or "mid-premium" (new price point) were complaining. Sold out house so no where to move them. Some went and stood in back.  

Brooks was the weakest in my opinion. He's so hammy and queeny with his characters I felt he pulled focus. 

Audra is brilliant in this and the show is built around her. No idea how they will replace her. She's one of a kind. 

Updated On: 4/12/16 at 12:50 AM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 1:31am

Guy in front of us at Five Voices Sunday said he did not like it at all. I was polite with him but the conversation kinda of died out at both ends with him disliking it and me saying we enjoyed it immensely.

[mtcond]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 1:36am

Saw this tonight as well, and I second Bettyboy's statement about the first five rows. The choreography is such an integral part of the experience you want to be further back to get the whole picture. The Music Box is  small for a show of this scale, you won't miss anything at all by sitting upstairs. 

That said, I found more to admire than to enjoy. Audra and Brandon Victor Dixon fare best because they are given actual scenes. Their relationship is beautifully played, with room to breathe. The songs within their scenes grow naturally from the situations, and you care about what happens to them through the evening. That is in contrast to most of the story-telling contained in the show--because most of the rest of the story-telling feels like a lecture. A lecture accompanied by world-class tap-dancing to distract you from the amount of information you are being fed about people you do not meet, situations you do not see, and stories that are never dramatized. Because so much is being TOLD to you by the actors, the show keeps the audience at arm's length throughout, and it is only through the sheer talent of the performers themselves that we are occasionally allowed to feel anything.

Individual numbers in Act One were uniformly terrific, and if they had been interrupted less by Ken Burns-style factoids, they would have landed even better. The first 20 minutes of Act Two were thrilling for me beyond anything that Act One offered. One dazzling moment after another, coupled with narrative thrust, even as the various relationships felt the strain of the success of the "Shuffle Along" phenomenon they had created (against all odds) in Act One. Then come a series of catharsis numbers, preceded by quite a few scenes that devolved into people yelling at one another because of real or imagined slights. Billy Porter lands his number with the soul-twisting. agonized vocals that he does so well, and Audra--well, Audra just breaks your heart with "Memories of You". The half in black-face number that Stokes is given works better in theory than in action. It's a lot of effort attempting to flesh out an idea that is said perfectly in the first image of the number: he walks onto the stage for what has always been a two-man act, and on the other side of the stage is a spotlight with no one in it. The number is him trying hard to fill both spotlights, full well knowing it's a lost cause. Try as he might, there's just not that much to play, and we start to feel the desperation of the performer rather than the character. The audience response to this number was the most tepid of the night.

The penultimate number with Brooks as the critic telling them all they will become footnotes in history suffers from the same problem--once he's said it, there's nothing left to do but say it louder while the principals protest their fate and try to make their case. It's potent and it's right, but it has nowhere to go, so it outlives its usefulness. 

While there is much to enjoy because of the generous and amazing talent assembled, I was seldom moved or involved. A show shouldn't tell me so many times how important its story is. Just show me more. Lecture me less.

[LightsOut90]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 2:53am

for anyone thats seen it in the last few days, whats the current run time?

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 3:05am

Glad to read these comments about the seating. I usually like orchestra for a more intimate experience, but I have tickets in the second row mezzanine center in a few weeks. Sounds like that was the correct decision for this one!

[Alex10]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 8:11am

LightsOut90 said: "for anyone thats seen it in the last few days, whats the current run time?

 

"

About 2:50.

[Jish]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 8:40am

mtcond said: "Saw this tonight as well, and I second Bettyboy's statement about the first five rows. The choreography is such an integral part of the experience you want to be further back to get the whole picture. The Music Box is  small for a show of this scale, you won't miss anything at all by sitting upstairs. "

While I don't necessarily disagree re: the high stage and not being able to see feet from the front, I would say that I sat in the front row and enjoyed it tremendously.

I think it is a trade-off, there is a definite intensity and emotional connection being up front, and you can still appreciate the choreography. But - you can't see their feet if that is critical to you :)

 

[Taryn]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 3:40pm

I saw the show last night -- second row orchestra left -- and was honestly blown away.  I was in tears by the end of the opening number at just the pure rebellious joy of of it.  I'm a bit picky about my standing ovations -- I like to save them for when I'm really thrilled and/or moved by a piece -- but I was on my feet in an instant when curtain call started.  Just totally blown away.

[bunnie3]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 9:22pm

Even if you sit in the last 3 rows of the mezz, the show and CHOREO look fantastic.  Imho,  mezzanine is waay better than orch for this show.  Bring binocs for some scenes.

[theatreguy12]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 11:58pm

I'm with you, Taryn.  I loved every minute of this show...and having the chance to see Audra live….super special!  The woman is deserving of being the recipient of the most Tonys in theater history.  From her role in Carousel, to Lady Day, to this!!   What a stellar talent she brings to the stage.  It's almost unbelievable what she does with the roles she takes on.

As for the show, it was just shy of 3 hours when I saw it, as well, but never once did I get even remotely bored. It held my attention from start to finish, and the audience was so energized and never did I sense any drifting of attention or anything like that among them either.

In fact, I walked out of the theater wondering how anyone would or could dislike this show.   I understand that different things resonate with different people in different ways.  But this was just such a good show!

I know though.  My opinion.  And no opinion will ever be shared the same by everyone.

 

Taryn said: "I saw the show last night -- second row orchestra left -- and was honestly blown away.  I was in tears by the end of the opening number at just the pure rebellious joy of of it.  I'm a bit picky about my standing ovations -- I like to save them for when I'm really thrilled and/or moved by a piece -- but I was on my feet in an instant when curtain call started.  Just totally blown away.

 

"

 

[Wick3]

Posted: 4/13/16 at 12:04am

Just saw this show tonight and agree with the others that sitting in center mezz is so much better than orchestra. 

I was moved for most of the show but in act II I did feel the story just never seem to end... I agree with the other poster who stated it was more like a documentary and who wished it had a stronger message.

[MVintheheartland]

Posted: 4/13/16 at 11:52am

I saw the Saturday matinee 4/9/16, and as others have said, the second act seems to be a different story, and too many stories are being told. That being said, this is a show I would love to see again, and I have thought about a lot. The talent is incredible, and the dancers are amazing.

Interestingly, there was no song list in the program, but there was a program insert that was sepia-colored and titled, "63rd Street Music Hall", with original photos of the cast (from 1921). 

The Playbill did not have a song list. Here are the numbers in order (from what I scrawled in the dark)

 

ACT ONE:

Broadway Blues
Love will find a way
I'm Full of Jazz
Shuffle Along
In Honeysuckle Time
(spoken-Memories of Lt. Jim Europe)
Swing Along 
Bandana Days (?) chorus girls wearing bandanas in dance number
Love with find a way
Ain't it a shame
Graveyard Shuffle (tap only, no music as I recall)
Daddy come home
Graveyard Shuffle (reprise)
I'm just wild about Harry

 
ACT TWO:

Entreact
Down on 63rd
Shuffle Along
Syncopated Beat (or maybe called "Around the One"
Shuffle Along
Struttin
Kiss Me 
4 Black Keys
The Buzz
Uptown Now
You're lovely to me
Low Down Blues
Love will find a way
The memory of you
They won't remember you
Broadway Blues

 
I apologize for any inaccuracies!

 

Updated On: 4/13/16 at 11:52 AM

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 4/13/16 at 11:54am

"Interestingly, there was no song list in the program, but there was a program insert that was sepia-colored and titled, "63rd Street Music Hall", with original photos of the cast (from 1921). "

 

They've been including that all along.

[MVintheheartland]

Posted: 4/13/16 at 12:00pm

neonlightsxo said: "They've been including that all along."

Well, it's pretty cool. Definitely explains a lot that I might not have picked up in the show.

 

 

[RW3]

Posted: 4/13/16 at 4:37pm

For those wondering about Audra and if she does the stage door

https://twitter.com/AudraEqualityMc/status/719851960699109376

[bunnie3]

Posted: 4/13/16 at 4:48pm

Today s running time, matinee:  Ended at:  4: 48..

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/13/16 at 4:52pm

I saw the show last night and was blown away. I know they're still working on it, but never did I find myself disengaged or at all bored. The 3 hours flew by for me and I can't wait to see it again in 2 weeks. THIS is the show to see right now. 

[Luv2goToShows]

Posted: 4/13/16 at 5:41pm

What is the latest on the Playbill? Did they go back to the original ones?

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/13/16 at 5:53pm

Luv2goToShows said: "What is the latest on the Playbill? Did they go back to the original ones?"

 

Yes. That was talked about here in the thread.

 

[bunnie3]

Posted: 4/13/16 at 6:42pm

Yes, they 're back! I have a few extras if anyone wants one.

[Luv2goToShows]

Posted: 4/13/16 at 7:43pm

Thanks uncaged & bunnie3 I'll be seeing the show in a few weeks so I'll get one then. I 

[MX888]

Posted: 4/14/16 at 12:09am

Audra didn't come out of stage door tonight - she might have hurt herself when she stumbled while trying to step off of the piano bench;  Brandon caught and tried to steady her. They played if off very well (I initially thought it was part of the show). Hopefully it's not serious but it looked very scary.

 

So happy they went back to the original playbills too!