"Side Show" Preview Thread- Page 10

[Broadwayboobs]

Posted: 11/12/14 at 2:17pm

If Phantom is dark on Monday then hopefully Norm will be at the opening night...preferably sitting next to me.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/12/14 at 2:20pm

Ha. I actually really liked David St. Louis, but he sounded so congested in that number that it was the first time I thought of Norm Lewis the whole night.

[Broadwayboobs]

Posted: 11/12/14 at 2:30pm

David St. Louis is very easy on the eyes and does have a beautiful voice...he just doesn't have that upper register that Norm has. I miss the power and passion in "You Should Be Loved" that Norm gave it.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 11/12/14 at 2:33pm

Lizzie, as I posted, I gave Mr. St. Louis the benefit of the doubt of being under the weather in DC, but he gave the exact same vocal performance last evening. I think it is simply poor vocal technique...and bad acting.

[adam.peterson44]

Posted: 11/12/14 at 2:41pm

"I wish Norm Lewis would just cross the street every night sing "You should be loved" from back stage and make us all happy."

That would be wonderful!

[Auggie27]

Posted: 11/12/14 at 7:31pm

Is it possible that Jake is more complex, and more era-specific, now? I loved the character and songs, but he was almost the twins' Magic Negro, on hand as a kind of pure representation of unconditional love. If he's merely human, a man of the times with complex motivations, it deepens rather than contradicts. I could be very wrong and will revisit these thoughts after I see the show.

Still startled by how many people are upset over his vocals. The role is a wonderful one, in either version, and "You Should Be Loved" always had a Gershwin-like simplicity and power. I can't imagine Krieger buying a performance that traduces the intention and impact of his song. But it wouldn't be the first time a composer compromised.

Updated On: 11/12/14 at 07:31 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/12/14 at 7:32pm

Norm was at today's matinee, enthusiastically clapping and smiling and even starting applause at certain moments.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 11/12/14 at 11:56pm

Not sure how they did it, but they sucked all the raw life out of this show. It sits there flat as a pancake from a weak opening number (which was once very exciting) to the very dull plot end. I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU is still a great song but without rich characters and powerful singing it means nothing.
And they took a sexy, emotional score and ripped it to shreds. The two leads have lovely voices but don't belong anywhere near this score. I had to come home and listen to Ripley and Skinner to clear my mind. All in all a major disappointment that turned a thrilling show into a dull, almost, 3 hours. The mezz was about half full and mostly papered, I saw lots of freebie faces. And I too longed for Norm's vocals, it's a hard act to follow and this guy doesn't cut the mustard in this role.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/13/14 at 12:02am

The matinee clocked in at exactly 2 hours 28 minutes. Standard for a two act musical.

But I agree that the leads aren't belters, and those two big duets really need the power. Only reasoning I can come up with is that they wanted a more period sound from the leads, as opposed to contemporary belting and riffing.

Updated On: 11/13/14 at 12:02 AM

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 11/13/14 at 12:14am

I haven't seen the show yet, but have seen both leads in other shows. Padgett can definitely belt to the stratosphere, and Davie can mix really high. It seems to be a completely intentional choice to not have contemporary belting in this production.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 11/13/14 at 1:32am

ljay: I always think belting is the opposite of riffing, you know the "straight tone" thing. And bwaylovesong is "contemporary belting" different than "Merman belting"?

The two new leads can hit some high notes but they don't sound like they are coming from their chests. And they look nothing alike, very different shaped heads and they wore so many wigs in different colors and styles, sometimes I didn't recognize them, except that they were stuck together till they came apart at the end, which I didn't understand.

There was a fun fight in the mezz between a drunk guy and an overweight woman.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 11/13/14 at 1:43am

I was quoting ljay in my post, but yes, they are different in terms of style and even placement, to some extent. And riffing goes hand-in-hand with the contemporary style.

[Marway44]

Posted: 11/13/14 at 7:08am

I saw the show the other night and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was and I know the original production well. The girls nailed the two 11 o'clock numbers and the music sounded terrific, albeit a little loud. The emotions were there, even more so than in the original, especially when they are (SPOILER), leaving the sideshow. It was clear that (SPOILER), Buddy was gay and made you think why he would offer marriage being that way. I was also surprised (SPOILER), to see just how manipulative Terry was and clearly in it for the money up to a point and then he realized he really did love Daisy and wanted to be with her, but not while she was connected to Violet. Knowing how the girls always to stay connected to say he would marry her after separation just hurt. The show was lit well and the sets did their job. Not overpowering, but enough to be clear of where you are. I was not disappointed by any of the cuts or additions, and was thrilled "You should be Loved" was still there. I was not thrilled with David until he sang the song. While, I'll always prefer Norm, he did have the emotion well and some power to his voice. Unfortunately, for all of us who really enjoyed this new version, it doesn't matter what we say or think since it's realty up to the critics whether it succeeds or fails. All the hard work, money and time invested balances on what a few select people say. I hope this version gets good notices, but I really don't think it will, because they will bring up the fact that it flopped miserably the first time. Even so, I hope this version finds its audience like "Blood Brothers" did. Some of the critics were harsh but it still took off by the terrific word of mouth. The audience at my show was enthusiastic, emotional and on their feet immediately. If you're on the fence, I recommend to see it as without good reviews, I can't see it making the winter. I'm hoping some good things will be said since it got some great press at the Kennedy Center. Time will tell in a few days.



Updated On: 11/13/14 at 07:08 AM

[Broadwayboobs]

Posted: 11/13/14 at 7:55am

Today is TWINS THURSDAY for me and I can't wait to see this production again. Although I always love the original girls, these 2 have stolen my heart. <3 <3

[Broadwayboobs]

Posted: 11/14/14 at 7:54am

Last night the St. James was electric. I’m still unsure if the current was coming from the audience or the actors. At any rate I’m surprise the marquee did not explode. It looked like a packed house from where I was sitting in the mezzanine. The twins were perfection as they were in my first viewing of this production. When the lights went on for intermission after the heart wrenching “Who Will Love Me As I Am” I looked around at a sea of faces teary eyed as their applauds continued to resonate the theatre. I still get choked up in this production during “Say Goodbye to the Freak show”…this cast sure knows how to tug at our heart strings. Last night’s showstopper was “1 + 1 = 3”, the applauds would not die down until the orchestra started playing again. This audience held on to every word spoken and every note sung. Not only did they, but so did I, fall in love with Jake last night. It seems that David St. Louis found his inner voice. He hit notes last night that I did not think he could. Norm Lewis, move over, there’s a new and improved Jake in town! I pray he can keep last night’s performance going. The audience ate him up as much as they did the sisters. Their hoots and hollers at curtain call for him must have swelled his heart.
My most memorable moment of the evening though was being introduced to the warm and friendly Bill Russell. What do you say to a man who has written words that have touched your heart and soul for the past 17 years? All I could think of was “Thank You”.

[justafan2]

Posted: 11/14/14 at 8:27am

ljayy889---You said that Norm Lewis was at Weds matinee---wasn't he across the street, performing?

Updated On: 11/14/14 at 08:27 AM

[Broadwayboobs]

Posted: 11/14/14 at 8:28am

Was Norm Lewis playing hooky again. Bad Phantom!

[prouvaire]

Posted: 11/14/14 at 8:36am

There is no Wednesday matinee at Phantom (they have a Thursday one instead).

[justafan2]

Posted: 11/14/14 at 8:45am

Ah---didn't realize that Phantom's matinee date had changed. I was at the Side Show matinee on Wed---didn't see Norm Lewis (sniff)

[Auggie27]

Posted: 11/14/14 at 8:59am

Broadwayboobs has got me excited again (!). That review makes me doubly ready for the matinee tomorrow. Thank you.

Aren't we now into critics performances? Weren't they likely invited last night (and perhaps that's why it was so packed?) With a Monday opening, wouldn't Thursday night be a first shot for press, in today's rolling openings?

Updated On: 11/14/14 at 08:59 AM

[Broadwayboobs]

Posted: 11/14/14 at 9:22am

Auggie, I'm not sure about that. I was there with a small crowd only because it was the only date that worked for all of us. I was concerned being most of them are not musical theatre people, so it was interesting to see how they would react to this show. The reaction by most of them was "when can we come back?"

[dreaming]

Posted: 11/14/14 at 9:46am

Broadwayboobs-I love the show and am excited to get back! (Bringing a newbie this weekend!)

[Broadwayboobs]

Posted: 11/14/14 at 9:53am

dreaming, newbies are great because unlike us they have nothing to compare it to...unless they heard the OCR then you're in trouble.

[brucebossa]

Posted: 11/14/14 at 10:13am

Seeing the matinee of SIDE SHOW tomorrow then the evening CABARET to check out Emma Stone!

[dreaming]

Posted: 11/14/14 at 10:20am

Broadwayboobs-I think each version has its merits. I happen to think the present production is gorgeous and love the two leads in particular (and the freak chorus-they are really good).